9 Favorite Rainy Disney Moments

When most people think of Walt Disney World and rain, they conjure up images of folks donning their ponchos and scurrying for cover. And while a Florida thunderstorm might put a damper on your day of touring in the parks (although we’ll talk about why that could actually be a good thing later), you can discover all sorts of magical moments that are inspired by the rain. So, grab your umbrella and rain poncho as we take a look at the most magical rainy moments at Walt Disney World.

1. “it’s a small world”

What better way to start our list than with a bit of whimsical magic. (This is Disney after all!) For the first part of your trip around the world, you’re joined by children from countries around the globe as they sing that familiar song in their country’s musical style. But soon you’re transported to a magical tropical rain forest where the children are replaced by whimsical animals, some of whom (we’re looking at you, Mr. Jaguar!) are carrying spectacularly colored umbrellas to protect themselves from the “rain.” Magical!

2. Carousel of Progress

Ah, the age of electricity! As Valentine’s Day draws near, you’ll hear a small, um, disagreement between Mother and Father about an approaching rain storm. (Mother insists one is approaching, while Father disagrees. His lumbago isn’t acting up after all. Who do you think is right?) Take a quick peek outside the window as the storm approaches – before the thunderstorm hits and the lights go out!

3. Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

This serene musical show is not always lighthearted and festive. At one point, the entire theater is plunged into semi-darkness as a fierce thunderstorm rages outside. Look out the theater windows as the lightning flashes; you’ll really think it’s raining! Don’t worry though, the storm soon passes, and just as quickly it’s back to the festivities. When the Tiki Room was under “new management,” the storm occurred when Iago angered the Tiki gods, unleashing their fury and the ensuing storm. Thankfully, Iago quickly learned his lesson and made peace with the Tiki gods, and the show returned to its familiar festive self.

4. Norway Pavilion/Maelstrom

We’re going to back in time with our next stop, and you actually used to get a double dose of wet weather here. On Maelstrom, one of the most spectacular scenes was the North Sea Oil Rig, where raging winds and crashing waves swirled around as you as you rode beneath the breathtaking spectacle of a colossal deep-sea oil rig lighting up the night sky. You didn’t get wet (not much anyway), but you definitely felt a chill. After the ride, you could see a five-minute film about Norway that took you on a stunning tour of that beautiful country. During the film, you got a brief glimpse into the life of the Vikings as you joined them aboard a ship while they fought their way through a raging sea storm. (Bet they could have used one of those wonderful heavy sweaters from the gift shop!)

5. Jungle Cruise

Not every rainy magical moment at Walt Disney World is courtesy of the Imagineers. Mother Nature is quite capable of providing a few wonderful rainy moments herself! One of the best is on the Jungle Cruise. If it’s nighttime and a light rain is falling (or better yet, if there’s the distant rumble of an approaching thunderstorm and you’re still dry), take a ride on the Jungle Cruise for a unique experience. Instead of the leisurely daytime tour through the jungle that you usually enjoy, riding the Jungle Cruise at night with a bit of rain transforms it into an eerie and spooky adventure! As you leave the boarding docks, you’ll be plunged into a dark and rainy jungle, with nothing but your boat lamp to light the way. And of course, the temple is even eerier after dark. You’ll really feel like you’re in the deepest and darkest corners of the jungle, but fortunately your guide is still with you with those punny jokes to keep the mood light! (Just hope your seat is under cover, it’s possible you could be the unlucky Guest who gets dripped on the whole time! Good thing you have your Mickey poncho…)

6. Living with the Land

As your boat tour starts, you’ll visit a desert, a prairie, and even a barnyard. But the most spectacular scene is the tropical rain forest, filled with cool mist, lush vegetation, and wonderful visual effects that make you feel like you’re really there. Good thing your boat
has a canopy.

7. Haunted Mansion

It might require a bit of luck to experience this magical moment (and some cooperation from Mother Nature), but if you happen to be in the Magic Kingdom during an evening thunderstorm, head over to the Haunted Mansion. If you think it’s creepy inside, just wait until you approach the Gothic mansion during a dark and scary storm! The claps of thunder and the howling of the distant wolf combine to create an experience you’ll never forget. Take your time approaching the Haunted Mansion (thank goodness for the extended canopy!) to check out the graveyard. Somehow, Madame Leota’s tombstone is even spookier during a thunderstorm. And when you’ve finished your ghoulish tour, what better way to leave the Haunted Mansion than by walking by the black hearse as it’s lit up by a flash of lightning! I get the chills just thinking about it…

8. Pirates of the Caribbean

Okay, we’re almost there, one away from the most magical rainy moment at Walt Disney World. However, next up is our top candidate for the creepiest rainy moment: the opening pirate scene in Pirates of the Caribbean. After you pass through the misty waterfall, you’ll come across a group of pirates (well, their skeletons anyway) standing eternal guard in an underground cavern. Not creepy enough for you? Then just wait for the next scene, where…well, we’ll save the rest for our next list, the Scariest Attraction Scenes in Walt Disney World. For now, we’ll get things back to a more whimsical mood with our final entry.

9. The Many Adventure of Winnie the Pooh

Here we are, our pick for the most magical rainy moment at Walt Disney World, the Blustery Day scene in the Many Adventure of Winnie the Pooh. The sequence starts with a wonderful visual of Winnie the Pooh’s dream-self floating up and away, followed by the wacky and bizarre world of heffalumps and woozles. But then the rain arrives, and you find yourself in a magical rainstorm, complete with stunning visual effects (watch for the little rain drops in the puddles!) and the familiar song from the beloved animated short. Ah, I feel a rumbly in my tumbly and a strange craving for hunny!

Here’s one last touring tip: Don’t be discouraged if it starts to rain during your day at the parks. Most of the attractions are inside, and the rain often chases quite a few people away, so you’ll actually have more of the attractions to yourself, particularly in the evening. And as we’ve seen, the rain can provide lots of magical moments that you might not ordinarily get the chance to experience.

Have fun, and don’t forget your poncho!