Rain, Rain, Don't Go Away!

Earlier this week I woke up to a dreary, gray day where it had rained early morning and clearly wasn't done, just taking a quick break. Instead of being dismayed I immediately prepared to take my daughter to the big zoo. The zoo is as close as I get to the Parks in my state since it reminds me of Animal Kingdom. However, my love for visiting places most people shun during the rain can be traced back to my first trip to Disney World in 1998 at the end of September. It rained. Constantly. Heavily. It was great!

The thing I like about a rainy day at Disney World is that this is when most people decide to stay in their resorts for the day and relax. The locals stay home. Only a few lucky people actually go out into the storm. These few practically have the parks to themselves without a diminished experience...mostly. During one rainy day at Animal Kingdom, Expedition Everest was closed for safety reasons, but this has been the only time I've ever had an actual adverse experience.

For those who want to give Rainy Florida a try, here's what you need to know to nudge you into venturing out:

Ponchos. You can buy disposable ones cheaply before your trip or you can buy the cute Mickey ones during the trip. Ponchos also work well as stroller covers. Even if you have a sunny day, you can use them on the Kali River or Splash Mountain rides. I never leave without them, although at this point I no longer have to buy them, just carry them over from the last trip.

3:00 pm. For some reason in the rainy season, you can pretty much count on it raining late afternoon, usually around 3 pm. If it's been drizzly all day it will be pouring at 3. This is when you should plan to be inside waiting in a queue, seeing a performance, or looking at the shops. My favorite places on a rainy day are The Living Seas with Nemo, most of the World Showcase (both at Epcot); The Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Tattoine Traders, the Commissary (Hollywood Studios); Hall of Presidents, Haunted Mansion, Main Street USA (Magic Kingdom); and Harambe Village (Animal Kingdom).

Extreme flexibility. Sometimes a ride will be closed. Sometimes there's a downpour earlier than 3 pm or it's just plain drizzly.

Extra socks. Always, always take at least two pairs more than days you are staying.

You will get a bit wet, but it's so worth it if you want to have short lines and lots of space to walk around in. Of course, I love the atmosphere of rain to begin with, so it may just be my imagination when I think that it gives a little extra to the Parks. The humidity of Florida seems to imbue everything with an enchanting mist. In fact, I've endured the Parks so many times in rainy weather that now I have a Pavlovian response to rainy days anywhere, even here in the cold north. It means Disney World.