Last updated on October 28th, 2025
Looking for ideas on what to do at Disneyland in the rain?
We’ve got a few ideas right here!
Don’t let a little bad weather ruin your Disney plans. Even rainy days can be awesome if you come prepared. We’ve been to Disneyland in the rain many times, and quite frankly have found it very enjoyable. The rain keeps the crowds at bay, and that means shorter lines for you!
Both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim have some great spots to hide out when the weather gets rough. Here are 10 ways to escape the rain at Disneyland.
Disneyland in the Rain
Have you ever heard the song “It Never Rains in Southern California”? Well guess what – it’s a lie. It rains a lot in the wintertime! And if you’re Disney-bound, it’s best to have a game plan in mind so you won’t be caught off guard when the sky opens up.
Personally, I don’t mind visiting Disneyland in the rain. Cool, wet weather keeps the crowds at bay! Here are 10 indoor attractions and places at the Disneyland Resort where you can go to weather the storm.
1. The Enchanted Tiki Room
Opened in 1963, the Enchanted Tiki Room has the distinction of being Disney’s first animatronic attraction. Tropical birds, tiki gods and colorful flowers come to life in a “swinging 15-minute South Seas musical celebration.”
While you are waiting for the show to begin treat yourself to a Pineapple Dole Whip at the Tiki Juice Bar. (Or go next door and buy one at the Tropical Hideaway!) Just because it’s raining doesn’t mean you should miss out on this iconic tropical treat. It is one of our absolute favorites!
2. Animation Building at DCA
Head over to Disney California Adventure for a unique opportunity to draw your very own Disney character! Located in the park’s Hollywood Land area, the Disney Animation Building is a great place to take cover from the rain. It’s huge inside, and there is a lot to do, including Turtle Talk with Crush, Sorcerer’s Workshop, or just watching how animated features are made in the Animation Courtyard.
One of the Animation Building’s biggest attractions is Animation Academy, which gives you step-by-step instruction on how to illustrate some of your favorite Disney characters under the guidance of a Disney artist. Learn some basic tricks and techniques of animation, and when it’s all over you can take home your work as a souvenir!
3. Stay Dry on Rides at Disneyland
There are plenty of rides at both Disneyland and California Adventure that offer a haven from the rain. Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Web Slingers, Small World, Soarin’, Monsters Inc., Star Tours, Buzz Light Year Astro Blasters, Space Mountain, and many other indoor rides have covered line areas, too.
Our favorite place to hide out when it rains at Disneyland is Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, which opened in 2023. Located in Mickey’s Toontown, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is not only a super fun ride, but the majority of the line is indoors so it is the perfect place to go when there are rain showers at Disneyland.
4. Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln
This one is an oldie but a goody! Located in the spacious Opera House theater right on Main Street, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln is both entertaining and educational, as Abraham Lincoln comes to life through the latest Audio-Animatronics technology. A great place to escape the rain!
5. The Disneyland Story Exhibit
As the waiting area outside the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln theater, most people won’t even venture inside unless they’re planning to see the show. That’s a mistake. The Disneyland Story exhibit is a fascinating attraction in itself, especially for hardcore Disney fans like yours truly!
Step out of the rain into the Opera House and check out a vast collection of artifacts and memorabilia showcasing the development of Disneyland Park from when Walt Disney originally came up with the idea, through the decades and into plans currently in the works for the near future. Artifacts on display include a scale model of Disneyland Park as it looked on opening day, a scale model of Splash Mountain, a display of Disneyland ticket books (can you say “E-Ticket?”) and rare, behind-the-scenes photos of Walt Disney.
While you’re there, be sure to catch a screening of the short film, Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years, hosted by Steve Martin and Donald Duck. Originally produced as part of the park’s 50th Anniversary in 2005, the movie is a nostalgic and humorous celebration of Disneyland Park through the years.
This entire area is a great place to escape to when there is inclement weather, especially heavy rain. You can easily spend half an hour or more exploring all the exhibits.
6. Escape the Rain at Disneyland by Catching a Show
Most of the theater experiences in Disneyland and California Adventure are indoors. Note show times for Disney Junior Live on Stage, Turtle talk with Crush, and many other live shows throughout the day.
7. Ride the Mark Twain Riverboat
Cruise the scenic Rivers of America at Disneyland Park aboard a majestic 19th-century paddle boat. The boat is three levels tall, and the bottom two are covered. You can enjoy a leisurely cruise while staying dry on the boat.
8. Go Shopping
If ever you needed an excuse to shop, can you do any better than rainy weather? This is a great time to poke around the stores. There are numerous shops throughout the Disney Resort, and guess what – they are all indoors and out of the rain!
9. Slip into Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel
Head over to the Grand Californian, located adjacent to Disney’s California Adventure. There, you can relax in front of the massive fireplace in the hotel lobby. This is a perfect place to stay dry and regroup in an elegant setting.
If you are visiting Disneyland at Christmastime, there is a beautiful tree and gingerbread house in the lobby you won’t want to miss regardless of the weather.
10. Dine at Disneyland
When all else fails, plenty of restaurants throughout the Disneyland Resort have indoor seating where you can enjoy a leisurely meal while waiting out the rain.
In California Adventure Park, Flo’s V8 Cafe has a good sized dining room overlooking Cars Land’s scenic Ornament Valley. Taste Pilot’s Grill, located next to Soarin’, also has plenty of indoor seating.
At Disneyland, great indoor restaurants include the Golden Horseshoe, Alien Pizza Planet, Red Rose Tavern, and Plaza Inn for nice indoor seating.
► Travel Insight
Alien Pizza Planet is one of the only quick-service restaurants at Disneyland that offers free refills on your drink, so it is a great spot to sit and kill time if you need to take a break from the rain.
Although often times a reservation is required, you can also check out Storytellers Cafe at the Grand Californian, Lamplight Lounge at Pixar Pier, Splitsville in Downtown Disney, or Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel. These are also some of the great spots to enjoy an adult beverage at Disneyland and throughout Downtown Disney.
Final Thoughts: Where to Go When it Rains
I hope you found the quick tips for where to go when it rains at Disneyland helpful! We have been visiting the parks for years, so all of these ideas are based on our experience. And let me also note – there are lots of perks to visiting Disneyland when the weather is less than perfect. The most obvious reason – fewer crowds!
However you decide to spend your day, don’t let a little rain ruin your family’s fun! With a little planning (and maybe a rain jacket and extra pair of dry socks!), your day at the parks can shine even when the sun isn’t out.
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