It’s time to get excited for your holiday to Florida – the Sunshine State! But wait, what’s this? The forecast has given rain? Although Orlando is hot and sunny most of the year, you can still experience heavy rain, especially during the summer months.
But don’t let a bit of weather put the spoilers on your fun – the Orlando theme parks are well used to these seasonal deluges, and there is plenty to do at Universal Orlando Resort, come rain or shine.
Read on to find out how you can make the most of a rainy day at Universal Orlando Resort.
Weather in Orlando
Orlando gets its fair share of both sunshine and showers, averaging around 53 inches of rainfall each year (source: US Climate Data). The wettest months are June, July, August, and September, which just happen to coincide with the summer holidays and some of the busiest times in the parks – typical!
Rain tends to be heavy but short-lived, with showers most likely to happen in the late afternoon. They can seem to come from nowhere and are gone again as quickly as they arrive, leaving warm sunshine in their wake.
Universal Orlando Resort rain policy
The theme parks at Universal Orlando Resort don’t tend to close when it’s raining. Does Universal Orlando Resort close rides when it rains? Yes, some of the attractions themselves may close during very heavy rain or if there’s a chance of lightning storms for your safety.
Universal Volcano Bay, Universal Orlando Resort’s water park, will remain open in light rain. It may close if rain gets very heavy and will close if there is lightning or severe storms in the area.
What to pack for a rainy day at Universal Orlando Resort
There’s no such thing as bad weather – only bad clothing! You’ll enjoy yourself much more in the rain if you’ve got the right gear to keep you dry, so it pays to be prepared.
We recommend wearing:
- Quick drying fabrics (choose light fabrics instead of heavy cotton or denim)
- Waterproof, closed-toe shoes that are comfortable to walk in
- Lightweight waterproof jacket or poncho (or you can buy a Universal Orlando Resort poncho when you get there)
It might also be worth bringing:
- Plastic bags or dry bags to keep your valuables dry inside your backpack
- Small microfibre towel
- Rain cover for your pushchair
- Umbrella (although don’t put this up when there’s a risk of lightning!)
8 things to do at Universal Orlando Resort on a rainy day
Don’t let rain stop play. Here are our top picks for things to do at Universal Orlando Resort when it’s raining.
Summary – 8 things to do at Universal Orlando Resort when it rains
- Discover the indoor attractions
- Plan to visit Universal Studios Florida
- Take a break at your hotel
- Get a soaking on the water rides
- Go wand shopping
- Enjoy food and entertainment at Universal CityWalk
- Souvenir shopping
- Watch an indoor show
1. Discover the indoor attractions
First up on our list of things to do when it rains is to check out the indoor attractions at each of the Universal Orlando Resort theme parks. As we mentioned earlier, rain showers are often short and sharp, so don’t discount a day at the parks just because there’s rain scheduled.
Make the most of the outdoor attractions when the weather is fine, then take shelter in the indoor attractions when the rain sets in.
Here are some of the best indoor attractions at the Universal Orlando Resort theme parks. Some of these also have some or all of the queue indoors, so you can really avoid getting damp.
Universal Studios Florida | Universal Islands of Adventure | Universal Epic Universe |
Revenge of the Mummy | The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man | Constellation Carousel |
E.T. Adventure | Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey | Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry |
MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack | Skull Island: Reign of Kong | Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge |
The Simpsons Ride | The Cat in the Hat | Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment |
TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D | Jurassic Park Discovery Center | Le Cirque Arcanus |
Despicable Me Minion Mayhem | Hogwarts Express | The Untrainable Dragon |
Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast | Haddock Paddock | |
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts | ||
Race Through New York starring Jimmy Fallon | ||
Fast & Furious – Supercharged | ||
Universal’s Horror Make-Up Show | ||
Animal Actors On Location! | ||
The Bourne Stuntacular | ||
DreamWorks Imagination Celebration | ||
Hogwarts Express (park to park admission required) |
2. Plan to visit Universal Studios Florida
Universal Studios Florida is the theme park at Universal Orlando Resort with the most indoor attractions, so if you’ve seen the forecast and it’s not looking favourable, planning to spend the day here would be a good shout.
All of the attractions here keep operating when the rain starts, aside from Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, Kang and Kodos Twirl n’ Hurl, and Trolls Trollercoaster.
Top tip: Head to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™️ - Diagon Alley when it’s drizzling. There are lots of shops to browse and covered streets to keep you dry. Plus, the rain makes it even more atmospheric!
3. Take a break at your hotel
We always recommend that you should include some time to relax in your Orlando schedule – you are on holiday, after all! Take advantage of a rainy afternoon to head back to your hotel and get some much-needed RnR.
Take a nap, go for a swim, or enjoy the amenities at your hotel. The Universal Orlando Resort hotels offer a wealth of facilities. As well as the swimming pools, restaurants, and gyms, some of the hotels have a few added extras, too.
There’s a 10-lane bowling alley at Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort (additional charge required) and a kid’s splash pad area at Universal Stella Nova Resort. Lots of the hotels also have a games room – perfect for keeping the family entertained when the weather is less than ideal.
Top tip: Universal Orlando Resort hotels are right near the heart of the action, so booking a stay in one means that you can go back and forth between your hotel and the theme parks quickly and easily. Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel even has its own entrance to Universal Epic Universe!
4. Get a soaking on the water rides
If you’re already wet, then what’s a little more water? It makes total sense to ride the water rides during wet weather! We recommend riding them either first thing in the morning, so you’ve got plenty of time to dry out, or last thing before you head back to the hotel so you’re not wandering around in soggy clothes.
You’ll find the majority of the water rides at Universal Islands of Adventure.
Water rides at Universal Orlando Resort:
Universal Islands of Adventure | Universal Epic Universe |
Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges | Fyre Drill |
Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls | |
Jurassic Park River Adventure |
As well as the water rides, there are also some kids splash zones, which might be fun in a shower:
Universal Studios Florida | Universal Islands of Adventure |
Kung Fu Panda Splashpad | Toon Lagoon |
Po’s Kung Fu Training Camp | One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish |
5. Go wand shopping
For the most magical rainy-day experience, young witches and wizards will love shopping for a wand at Ollivanders in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™️ - Diagon Alley™️ in Universal Studios Florida.
This interactive experience takes place inside, where you’ll see hundreds of different wands. Will you get the dragon heartstring core or the rarer phoenix feather? And what wood will your wand be made of? Remember, the wand chooses the wizard!
6. Enjoy food and entertainment at Universal CityWalk
Universal’s dining, shopping, and entertainment complex, Universal CityWalk, makes for a fantastic destination on a rainy day in Orlando. Go shopping for souvenirs, indulge in some yummy food, and take advantage of the indoor entertainment options.
Food at Universal CityWalk
A rainy afternoon is the perfect excuse for a long, leisurely lunch or dinner. Leave the Quick Service restaurants for days when you’re hurrying between attractions and take it easy at a Full Service restaurant instead. Here’s where you can sit down for a bite to eat at Universal CityWalk:
Restaurant | Type of food |
Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food | Mexican |
Bigfire | American classic like steaks |
Bob Marley – A Tribute to Freedom | Caribbean-inspired dishes |
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant & Market | Seafood |
The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar | Sushi and burgers |
Hard Rock Café Orlando | American entrees |
Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville | Key West and Caribbean-inspired food |
NBC Sports Grill & Brew | Salads, burgers, wings, and American classics |
Pat O’Brien’s | New Orleans-inspired cuisine |
The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen | Chocolate-themed foods plus other favourite dishes |
VIVO Italian Kitchen | Italian serving pizza and pasta |
Indoor entertainment at Universal CityWalk
The indoor entertainment options at Universal CityWalk are great for when it’s chucking it down outside. There’s something for all the family, and you can easily spend a good few hours here.
Indoor entertainment options at Universal CityWalk include:
- Universal Cinemark: a 20-screen movie theatre playing the latest blockbusters
- Universal’s Great Movie Escape: puzzle-solving movie-themed experience
7. Souvenir shopping
A rainy day doesn’t have to be a complete washout. If you were planning some retail therapy during your holiday, then a day with rain on the forecast is the perfect day to do it. The theme parks are home to some incredible shops, as is Universal CityWalk, so there’s no shortage of stores to pop into.
Be sure to check out The Wizarding World of Harry Potter area at each theme park to see some of the shops made famous by the films. Get the Skiving Snackbox from Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes, Hogwarts robes from Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions, and Chocolate Frogs from Honeydukes.
Top tip: If you’re staying at a Universal Orlando Resort hotel, you can get your merchandise delivered to your hotel free of charge. Just shop til you drop, then let the cashier know where to deliver it.
8. Watch an indoor show
Some of the incredible live shows at Universal Orlando Resort take place inside a theatre, so if the weather starts to look threatening, head to one of these. Stunt show The Bourne Stuntacular and The Horror Make-Up Show are both in the Hollywood area of Universal Studios Florida, so you can tick them both off in one fell swoop.
Don’t let rain get in the way of having an amazing time at Universal Orlando Resort – as you can see, there’s loads to do here, even when the weather isn’t playing ball. If you’re ready to book the trip of a lifetime, have a look at our Universal Orlando Resort tickets now.
