How to Save a Rainy Day

Florida weather is not the most predictable, especially during the summer months.  Rain showers and thunderstorms come and go as many times as you see Mickey Mouse in the Magic Kingdom! Don't let the rain get you down because Disney World actually has a lot of ways to save a rainy day!

1. Take a shopping break- Every theme park has a very wide array of shops to choose from, and luckily they are usually indoors.  Browse the stores and buy souvenirs for your family while its raining.  You are going to do it at some point during your trip, so why not when its raining.  If you don't want to worry about carrying your merchandise around in the rain, Disney has a policy in which they can send your packaged merchandise to guest relations in the front of the park and you can pick it up later.  So buy anything you want, you only need to carry it from the park exit to your hotel!

2. Take a food break- Everybody can always go for a quick snack, so stop by any quick service restaurant and grab fries or a drink while you wait for the rain to stop.  While you eat you are having quality family time and can even plan the rest of the day.  If it starts raining within a half hour of any table service reservation, head to the restaurant because you may be able to get seated early.  And even if you end up waiting, you can enjoy the atmosphere of the waiting area of the restaurant.  Usually there is seating available, plus you will be dry!

3. Head to indoor rides- Many rides in Disney World are indoor and have indoor queue lines.  Just because it is raining, doesn't mean your day is ruined!  I will give a list of indoor rides below so you can make sure to head there in case a storm hits your vacation!!

Magic Kingdom

• Space Mountain 
• Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
• Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
• Stitch's Great Escape
• Carousel of Progress
• Snow White's Scary Adventures
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• It's a Small World
• Peter Pan's Flight
• Mickey's Philharmagic
• The Haunted Mansion
• The Hall of Presidents
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• The Enchanted Tiki Room

Epcot

• Spaceship Earth
• Turtle Talk with Crush
• The Seas with Nemo and Friends Attraction
• Living with the Land
• Soarin
• The Circle of Life
• Captain EO
• Journey into Imagination with Figment
• Mission: Space
• Universe of Energy
• Maelstrom
• Gran Fiesta Tour

Disney's Hollywood Studios

• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
• The Magic of Disney Animation
• Voyage of the Little Mermaid
• Toy Story Mania
• The Great Movie Ride
• The American Idol Experience
• Star Tours-The Adventure Continues
• Muppet Vision 3D

Animal Kingdom

• It's Tough to be a Bug
• Expedition Everest
• Dinosaur
• Festival of the Lion King

4. Buy Rain slickers- All over Disney World, Rain slickers are available.  Don't forget to save them for your next trip so you don't need to buy new ones.  They will keep you dry and fold up to almost nothing.  Use them as you walk from place to place and you will be able to enjoy the park as if it were sunny!

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Disney Mobile Magic

With all of the new apps for smart phones, Disney had to come up with an absolutely fantastic app, and they sure did deliver! The Disney Mobile Magic App has everything you could want to know about Disney.  It is for both Disneyland and Disney World.  I will focus on the Disney World Part!

When you are in Disney World, your phone recognizes with park, resort, or other place you are!


If you are in a park, you have a guide map right on your phone! One of the best features is the list of attractions with ride times listed.  It gives up to the minute times of all of rides in that park, plus the time in which the current FastPasses are available.  No more worrying if FastPass times will overlap or you will miss your favorite ride because the line is too long! You also have a list of all of the characters in the park and when the characters will be at a specific location.

Dining is also on the App! Choose any restaurant and see available reservations right on your phone!

You can even check the weather for up to 3 days and play games like Disney Trivia and a Disney Character Quiz!

You can even set up favorites and check transportation schedules from your current location!

What a great way to navigate around the park.  Best part is that it is completely free and definitely alleviates stresses in the park.  Don't go to Disney without this app because it will make your life way easier!

Mickey's Philharmagic

Location: Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom
FastPass: No
Ride Type: 3-D Show
Restrictions: None
Ages: All ages
Typical Wait Time: See now

The queue line at Mickey's Philharmagic!

This 3-D show is a crowd pleaser for sure! You are seated in Mickey's Opera House with your Opera Glasses (3-D glasses) and get to see all of your favorite Disney characters.  It starts out with everybody's favorite duck, Donald, who tries to steal Mickey's sorcerer hat and wand and lead his orchestra.  You journey through movie's like The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Peter Pan, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, and much more! The songs are classics and all of the kids ( and kids at heart) love singing along.



The 3-D effects are excellent! You even sometimes have some 4-D effects like water (don't worry, not too much) and Donald flying through the audience.  Even though it is dark, usually this ride does not scare the youngsters in your family!  It is 12 minutes long so it is definitely a really great experience without feeling too long.  This will definitely be one of your child's favorite because it combines all of the best Disney movies into one.  I know my brother and I who are now in our 20's still love seeing this film because it takes us right back to our childhood! Adults love it because it really is a fantastic show and you can't help but get caught up with the music.

Because this is an indoor ride, it is a great idea if the weather gets too hot or it begins to rain! Also the line is usually never too long because shows happen frequently and the Opera House is very large!  It's a great idea if the park gets really crowded and other lines are far too long!

P.S.: Don't forget to return your Opera Glasses on the way out!

Disney Fun Fact: Mickey's Philharmagic is home to one of the largest SEAMLESS projection screens in the world! You'll see why when you visit!

For more information on Mickey's Philharmagic, please follow this link:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/attractions/mickeys-philharmagic/