Rain at Disneyland Paris? Here’s What Saved Our Day
It was day two of our trip. We had plans. We had outfits.
We had the app open and were ready to rope-drop Dumbo… and then the skies opened.
Now, we’re from England—we were basically raised in the rain. But even we had a moment of doubt standing there in soggy socks, watching ponchos flap like capes in the wind.
Thing is, the rain didn’t ruin our day at all. In fact, it ended up being one of our favourites.
With quieter queues, warm food stops, and plenty of indoor attractions, Disneyland Paris in the rain can still feel just as magical—if you know where to go.
This guide shares everything we’ve learned about making the most of a wet park day, from our favourite dry rides to rainy-day photo ideas and a few must-pack items we wish we’d had from the start.
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⏱️ Short on Time?
What to Do if It Rains At Disneyland Paris
🎢 Head for indoor rides: Ratatouille, Buzz Lightyear, Phantom Manor
🍽️ Book a table at Bistrot Chez Rémy or Captain Jack’s
☕ Grab a hot drink at Victoria’s or a warm snack on Main Street
🛍️ Shop at World of Disney or The Emporium to stay dry
🎒 Poncho + dry socks = lifesavers. Trust me.
🎢 Best Indoor Rides & Attractions at Disneyland Paris
When the skies open up, you’ll want to stick to dry, queue-friendly options—and luckily, both parks have plenty of them.
🏰 Disneyland Park
You can still have a full day of fun without stepping in a puddle. These are the top indoor rides and attractions worth heading to when the rain hits:
🌀 Discoveryland
- Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast
- Star Tours
- Space Mountain
- Les Mystères du Nautilus – One of our the best hidden secrets!
👻 Frontierland
- Phantom Manor
- Disneyland Railroad – A relaxing ride around the park, with covered stations in Frontierland and Discoveryland.
🧚 Fantasyland
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains (Snow White)
- Les Voyages de Pinocchio
- It’s a Small World
- Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups – Mostly undercover, even if it doesn’t look it.
- La Galerie de la Belle au Bois Dormant – A walk through the Castle’s upper floor.
- La Tanière du Dragon – Don’t miss the dragon under the castle!
🏴☠️ Adventureland
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Le Passage Enchanté d’Aladdin – Indoor walkthrough with scenes from the film.
🎬 Walt Disney Studios Park
It’s a smaller park, but packed with rainy-day winners:
- Ratatouille: The Adventure
- Spider-Man WEB Adventure
- Crush’s Coaster
- Avengers Assemble: Flight Force – the fastest ride at Disneyland Paris.
- Tower of Terror – my personal favourite (especially in the rain).
🤔 Is Premier Access Worth It When It Rains?
Honestly, it can be. Rain sends everyone straight to indoor rides, and queues for Ratatouille, Peter Pan, and Spider-Man often balloon quickly.
If you’re only at the parks for a day—or just want to avoid queueing in soggy shoes—Premier Access might be worth using strategically. That said, it’s not essential if you’re happy to wait or mix your day with shows, meals, or shops in between rides.
🍽️ Where to Eat at Disneyland Paris When It’s Raining
When the weather turns, indoor food spots fill up fast. And while places like Bistrot Chez Rémy, Captain Jack’s, and Pym Kitchen are ideal for rainy days, they tend to get booked up well in advance. Unless you’re planning weeks ahead, you’ll want a few more flexible options.
We usually lean on quick service spots that don’t need a reservation. Café Hyperion is a safe bet—loads of indoor seating and fast food that hits the spot when you’re soaked and starving. Casey’s Corner is another one worth checking, especially if you use the Disneyland Paris app to pre-order and skip the queue.
For hot drinks and something sweet, Victoria’s and Cable Car Bake Shop are our favourites in Disneyland Park. You can usually find a quiet corner to warm up with a croissant or pastry. Over in the Studios, Hollywood Garden is a great place to sit and reset for a bit.
Need something more filling later in the day? The Lucky Nugget, Bella Notte, and Casa de Coco are all great evening meal options that don’t require a booking. If you’re cold, wet, and just want to eat without fuss—they’re perfect.
There are also tons of Disneyland Paris snacks for you to eat on the go!
🐭 Character Meets in the Rain: What Actually Happens
The good news? You can still meet characters when it’s raining—but it takes a bit of planning (and luck).
The main indoor meets—Meet Mickey Mouse, Stitch, and the Princess Pavilion—do go ahead in the rain, but the queues are slightly outdoors, and you can’t just walk up. You’ll need to book a virtual queue slot through the Disneyland Paris app, and there’s no guarantee you’ll get one.
👉 Top tip: Don’t rely on park Wi-Fi. Turn it off and be ready on your phone at 09:43 and 13:55—that’s when the slots tend to drop. They go fast.
Also, don’t make the mistake we did—if you arrive and see a big outdoor queue, get someone to hold your spot and have someone else check with a Cast Member at the door.
We waited in the rain for 15 minutes behind a load of people who didn’t even have virtual slots… they were just hoping for a cancellation and shouldn’t have been in the line at all.
As for the more random meet-and-greets, a lot of those still happen—just under umbrellas or awnings.
You might have to stand in the rain, but the characters will often still come out. We’ve accidentally stumbled across Minnie, Belle, Aladdin, Baloo, Winnie the Pooh, Goofy, and Max just while walking around the parks on a drizzly day.
Keep an eye on the app for anything marked “Character Meet”—it won’t tell you who’s there, but it’s a good indicator something’s happening nearby.
In the Studios, we once met Ant-Man completely by chance… though there was zero cover, so whether that meet happens in bad weather is anyone’s guess. Worth checking, but maybe don’t rely on it if it’s bucketing down.
🎒 What to Pack for a Rainy Day at Disneyland Paris
If there’s rain in the forecast, these are the small-but-mighty things we always pack:
- 🧥 Poncho or lightweight raincoat – Quick to throw on and easier than juggling an umbrella
- ☂️ Small umbrella – Allowed in the parks, but avoid anything bulky (and check the bag policy)
- 👟 Waterproof shoes or covers – Dry feet = happy park day
- 🧦 Spare socks – Seriously. Just trust me on this one
- 📱 Ziplock bags – Perfect for phones, chargers, maps, or anything you want to keep dry
- 🧽 Microfibre towel – Wipe down wet seats, ponchos, or puddle-soaked hands
- 🔥 Hand warmers – Especially useful in cooler months
- 🎒 Waterproof bag or backpack cover – Keeps everything else from turning into a soggy mess
- Activity books or colouring – Great to pull out if you’re stuck inside longer than planned.
🎭 Shows to Catch When It’s Raining at Disneyland Paris
When the rain rolls in, shows become one of the best ways to stay dry and keep the magic going. Both parks have indoor options, and July 2025 has a pretty packed schedule—though a few favourites are on limited runs, so it’s worth checking the app before you go.
Over in Disneyland Park, your best bet is The Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands. It’s fully indoors, great for all ages, and running until September. If you see rain on the forecast, get this on your must-do list early.
Disney Stars on Parade is still happening too—but since it’s outdoors, it depends on the weather. Light showers? It’ll usually go ahead. Heavy rain or storms? It’s likely to be delayed or cancelled altogether. If it’s dry around parade time, grab a spot and cross your fingers.
In Walt Disney Studios Park, there’s loads to choose from—and most of it is indoors. Mickey and the Magician is still running until September and is hands down one of the best stage shows in the parks. It’s all indoors, theatrical, and full of wow moments (and warmth).
Starting 26th July, you’ve also got Frozen: A Musical Invitation—perfect for little ones, especially if Elsa is high on the priority list. If you’re not in the mood for singing, the Animation Academy is a fun alternative where you can learn to draw your favourite characters while staying dry and sitting down.
Stitch Live! is still going strong too—interactive, funny, and ideal for dodging the next downpour. And from 12th July, the Pixar Musical Adventure is returning, which adds another lively indoor option to your rainy-day toolkit.
If the skies are really gloomy, planning your day around a couple of shows can be a game-changer. They give you time to sit, warm up, and regroup—plus, they’re genuinely brilliant.
🛍️ And If All Else Fails… Shop ‘Til You Drop!
When the rain really sets in and you’ve already done the rides, had the snacks, and seen the shows—there’s one indoor activity that never lets you down: shopping.
Main Street U.S.A. is basically a covered shopping arcade in disguise. The shops are all connected, so you can browse The Emporium, Boardwalk Candy Palace, and Disney & Co. without stepping a single soggy foot back outside. Just a heads-up—it gets busy when it’s wet, so aim for mid-morning or during parade times if you want room to move.
If you fancy a change of scene, head over to Disney Village and make a beeline for World of Disney. It’s huge, warm, and packed with everything from Minnie ears and mugs to ponchos (yes, even rain-themed ones) and plush toys the size of toddlers.
La Boutique du Château inside Sleeping Beauty Castle is another one we always pop into—it’s Christmas all year round in there, which feels kind of fitting when the skies are grey. Plus, it’s usually quieter than the Main Street shops.
Don’t skip the little themed shops near rides either—places like the Star Tours shop, Phantom Manor gift stall, and the Avengers Campus boutiques are fun to explore and way less manic when the big stores are heaving.
And if you’re staying at a Disney hotel, ask about hotel delivery. You don’t want to be dragging a glass ornament or four bags of merch around in the rain.
Remember to follow our guide about SkipTax at Disneyland Paris to save yourself some money!
❓FAQs About Rain at Disneyland Paris
Do the rides stay open when it rains?
Most rides stay open during rain, especially the indoor ones. Outdoor rides like RC Racer or Orbitron may close temporarily during storms, but light rain usually doesn’t affect the lineup too much.
Is Disneyland Paris still worth visiting when it’s raining?
Definitely. It might not be the sunny, blue-sky trip you pictured, but with indoor rides, shows, character meets and cosy food stops, it can still be a brilliant day—just a different kind of magic.
Can I get a refund or change my ticket if it rains?
Nope—tickets are non-refundable and date-specific, rain or shine. It’s always best to go in prepared (poncho, spare socks, the works) and make the most of the day.
What about extreme heat? Is that handled differently?
Yes—and it’s worth keeping an eye on it. During the most recent heatwave, a lot of rides and shows were paused due to health and safety concerns. If high temperatures are expected, plan for shaded areas, bring plenty of water, and take regular breaks.
☂️ Final Tips for a Magical Rainy Day
Rain isn’t ideal, but it doesn’t mean cancelling the fun. With so many indoor rides, shows, and places to warm up, there’s still plenty to enjoy across both parks.
A little preparation goes a long way—pack smart, use the app, and plan ahead. Chasing shorter queue times can help you spend less time standing around outside, and more time staying dry and making the most of the day.
This guide gives you everything you need to keep things stress-free and magical—even when the weather doesn’t play along.
