I thought Central Florida was supposed to be warm!
Has this ever happened to you? You plan for a Walt Disney World vacation a year in advance. You study the historical weather patterns so that you know what to expect. But then, the unexpected happens. In a season when it’s supposed to be cool, temperatures soar and you feel as if you’re walking through a sauna. The rainy season is supposed to be over, but it lingers, and you couldn’t get more wet if you were taking a shower. Or you find yourself buying hats and gloves as locals shake their heads and say, “This is the coldest it’s been in 20 years!”
Bad weather should never derail a Walt Disney World vacation. There are many places where you can escape bad weather and still have a marvelous time. Here are my top four places to do just that:
THE INDOOR STAGE SHOWS AT ANIMAL KINGDOM
Disney’s Animal Kingdom boasts not one, but two excellent stage shows that are indoors. The Festival of the Lion King is an exhilarating show featuring acrobats, live music, puppetry, giant floats and fire dancers. And Finding Nemo: The Musical has an original score written just for the show, bright colors, and a familiar story told by a talented cast of singers, dancers and puppeteers. Both these shows offer a chance to sit down, put your feet up for a good long while, and enjoy the spectacle unfolding in front of you.
THE LAND PAVILION AT EPCOT
The great thing about The Land is that inside one massive roof, you can find two attractions: Soarin’ Around the World and Living With the Land. You’ll also find two restaurants: the counter service Sunshine Seasons and the sit-down character restaurant Garden Grill. And if you’re into gardening, the Behind the Seeds tour of the greenhouses can be booked in advance for a small fee. You could easily spend more than an hour in this pavilion without stepping foot out into the nasty weather.
ENCHANTED TALES WITH BELLE AT THE MAGIC KINGDOM
If there are any princess fans in your family, this is a must. In this attraction, guests are invited into Bell’s country cottage, Maurice’s workshop, and finally into the Beast’s castle, where guests are invited to take part in telling the story of Beauty and the Beast. At the end, every child gets his or her photo taken with Belle, and is given a souvenir bookmark. The entire experience takes place indoors.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FOREVER AT DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
A must for Frozen fans, and worth a try even if you think you’re done with Frozen and the weather outside is frightful. Two very funny comedians who portray keepers of Arendelle’s history lead the show, and invite the audience to sing along to their favorite Frozen songs. Don’t worry if you don’t know the words – they’ll be projected for you! The show is 30 minutes, and indoors in comfortable seats. The waiting area is outside but is covered, so you’ll be out of the sun and/or rain while you wait.