Rain in the forecast...trip ruined?

[squee]

My family will be in Disneyland next week. I looked at the forecast and it calls for rain on Saturday and Sunday. We are arriving on Saturday and leaving Tuesday. Is our trip ruined? It will be my wife and 3 boys ages 7, 5, and 1. We are staying at the GCH. I am worried because we have saved for a while to go on this trip. Can you give me advice on going to Disneyland in the rain? If it were just my wife and i don't think it would be a big deal but I don't want my boys to be miserable. They have been counding down to DL from 60 days ago. Any ways to make the best out of this situation is very much appreciated by my family. Thank you.

 

[lapdwife]

Nope. Just wear your rain jackets and have extra pair of dry shoes at the hotel. The park will be less crowded. Just avoid IASW as it puddles up bad. We've had water up past our ankles. Since it sounds like you'll have a stroller, I'd just put the rain cover on it and you'll be good to go.

 

[Goofy_Mom]

My family will be in Disneyland next week. I looked at the forecast and it calls for rain on Saturday and Sunday. We are arriving on Saturday and leaving Tuesday. Is our trip ruined? It will be my wife and 3 boys ages 7, 5, and 1. We are staying at the GCH. I am worried because we have saved for a while to go on this trip. Can you give me advice on going to Disneyland in the rain? If it were just my wife and i don't think it would be a big deal but I don't want my boys to be miserable. They have been counding down to DL from 60 days ago. Any ways to make the best out of this situation is very much appreciated by my family. Thank you.

I don't think your boys will be misserable. The two older ones will have a blast running around in the rain and pretty much walking onto rides. When it rains, the parks are pretty empty. However, if autographs are on your list, you may have an issue. When it rains the characters are a little harder to find.

 

[specialks]

Just a thought, you might consider a character meal if what Goofy Mom says is correct. Then it gives the kids a break out of the rain and still keeps the Disney feel with all the great characters running about!

P.S. Not sure what the rain is like there this time of the year but if it is the same coastal rain we get in Seattle, then you will have no problem visiting the parks. We live in the misty rain 3-4 months out of the year.

 

[albertamom]

I absolutely love Disneyland in the rain! As lapdwife said, it will cut down on the crowds (a BIG plus in my book). Dress warmly, buy some panchos, expect to be wet, and I'm sure your boys will have a blast! Definitely have 1 or 2 extra pairs of shoes (and socks).

Because you're staying at the GCH, it is quick and easy to go back and warm up and dry off.

We're going to be there this week-end, too, and I can't wait!

 

[tinkcollector]

We have had great trips in the rain. Like previously posted bring extra shoes. You can get rain ponchos at the Dollar Store. Most of the rides stay open during the rain. The crowds are usually thinner in the rain so no waiting in line. And your choice of hotels could not be better. You have a private entrance to DCA. That will make it real easy to pop into the lobby and get a cup of hot cocoa and sit by the fireplace, to warm up and dry out. No worries I know your all going to have a great time.

 

[amamax2]

You've gotten lots of good advice about IF it rains....

But, keep in mind, that it may not rain at all. SoCal weather is notoriously hard to forecast, especially long-range. I hadn't heard anything about upcoming rain on the local weather forecasts, so just looked up three different weather sites, and only one had a possibility of rain! And that had only a 30% chance on Sat and 60% on Sun. Often times, too, this time of year, the rain is overnight,in the wee hours of the morning, or just for a few hours here and there...not necessarily all day.

Check the forecast again a few days before your trip for a more accurate prediction...

But, like others have said, you are at the best hotel for rain - so quick and easy to pop in to change - the rain will keep the locals away, which is a good thing on a weekend.

 

[dsny1mom]

My family will be in Disneyland next week. I looked at the forecast and it calls for rain on Saturday and Sunday. We are arriving on Saturday and leaving Tuesday. Is our trip ruined? It will be my wife and 3 boys ages 7, 5, and 1. We are staying at the GCH. I am worried because we have saved for a while to go on this trip. Can you give me advice on going to Disneyland in the rain? If it were just my wife and i don't think it would be a big deal but I don't want my boys to be miserable. They have been counding down to DL from 60 days ago. Any ways to make the best out of this situation is very much appreciated by my family. Thank you.

Don't let the forecast freak you out. Just be prepared.

We were there the last week in Oct and they were forecasting rain on several days. It rained once from about 5am till 7am and we would not have known it rained if not for a few puddles around the DLH.

Ponchos are a must. Instead of bringing multiple pairs of shoes we brought rain boots but did not need either. Maybe a rain cover for the stroller could be brought as well.

dsny1mom

 

[Happy Mom2]

Ponchos and rain boots... Walmart and Target have both. If you have a stroller, a rain cover would be nice too.

 

[RangerPooh]

We prefer trips in the rain as the crowds are less. We pack ponchos that have been purchased at the Dollar Tree or Walmart that are disposable, and bring a rain cover for the stroller. Having extra shoes in the hotel room is a must. We have had plenty of Thanksgiving trips to DL in the rain, and probably an equal number where it was dry. Like others have said, the weather can be hit or miss. Go prepared for rain and if it doesn't that's ok. It won't ruin your trip at all.

If your kids get fussy then it's time for a break. Remember, you'd get wet regardless if you went on GRR in the rain or dry weather.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

As the other wise people here have said, it will be fine. Even if it does rain, it will still be a great time. It has rained on two of our trips. The first time was in December, and that was a good thing. The crowds were practically non-existant because of the light rain, and we walked on to almost every ride. The castle lights looked gorgeous in the rainy mist, and we all drank hot chocolate and stolled around.

Rain in SoCal is usually very light and won't stop you all day. You get a shower or two, then it is gone for the rest of the day. Sometimes you will see a forecast of showers, and that means that you will get sprinkled on for 2 mins that day.

The next time we went in the rain it was April and more unexpected, but again--not a problem at all. Great for crowd control--and the actually minutes of rain clocked was probably 15 mins total throughout the whole day.

 

[AwkwardTurtle]

It rained the last time I was at Disneyland, and it was actually amazing! Crowds were low, there were practically no lines, the cast members were having fun, and the rain is a great time to ride splash mountain, because you're already wet! Rain also does not necessarily mean that there won't be shows or fireworks, we saw both the fireworks and fantasmic in the rain.

Definitely bring some sort of rain gear though, and possible a plastic bag to put any purses/backpacks into.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Go with the flow. Crowds are much lower. I love the park in the rain.

Jack

 

[Dizneydaz]

Keep your eye on the forecast but Saturday is still too far away to predict. Today is beautiful! Warm (83), clear skies (thanks to the wind) and some wind in some areas. We are pretty close to Anaheim and our weather is usually about the same, within a few degrees.

The 10 day forecast for Anaheim only shows a 30% chance on Sat. and Sun. and none on Monday. Again, this is still pretty far out and even if it does rain it probably won't rain all day and will move on quickly.

Just be prepared. I too love DL in the rain. Less people!

BTW, I'm hoping for no rain since DD11 is having her winter Softball Tournament Thurs night-Sunday.

 

[Shimmer]

I would add that in addition to the great advice you've already been told, your children will likely be much less bothered about the rain than you might be. After all...they are at DISNEYLAND!

If your attitude about the rain (if it comes) is positive, your kids will follow suit.

Have fun!

 

[Dizzy4DL]

Today is beautiful! Warm (83)

It's 49 degrees where I live, we were just talking about how "warm" that is for Fall here.

 

[bumbershoot]

When my son was 3 and it rained on us, he hated it. He didn't have the stamina to go go go all day in the parks and run around and enjoy the later afternoon rain, so he was in the stroller and just was NOT warm enough. He begged to go back to the room, and that prompted hubby and I to take turns roaming DCA in the rain. I got the first shift and it was a blast! Hubby did DCA and then it closed and he went to DL, and he loved it, too. The rain clears people out.

When DS was 1, he was in the mei tai all snuggly and warm against me, I put my jacket over me and held an umbrella and we were fine.

He's 6 now and I'm sure would love it, as long as he's warm enough.

So from his experiences, just make sure you have some options for *warmth*, and some options for dryness, and they should be fine.

Just remember, rain clears out many many people from the parks, so if you can be prepared for the rain, you can have a GREAT time with so relatively few hardy people around.

 

[squee]

Pretty amazing site and people here. I went from being worried about the trip to absolutely excited because of all of your great advice. Kids splashing in the puddles, lighter crowds, and hot cocoa by the fireplace. 6 days and now we can't wait. Thanks for all of the advice. Keep it coming if you have any more!
We are really enjoying reading all of the DL rain stories.

 

[mauigal]

It hardly ever really rains here!!! When they say 'rain' it's usually sprinkles!! Unless it's some huge system...which is usually only in Jan,Feb
It will be fine!!
Weathers so boring here they throw that in just to have something different to talk about...seriously! LOL

 

[mvf-m11c]

It is really fun to go to DL when it rain. The park is not full and most of the rides will be just walk-ons.