As with any holiday, you can’t always bank on the weather at Disneyland® Paris. But don’t let the rain dampen your spirits. If the forecast is saying it’s going to tip it down during your stay, don’t worry - there’s plenty of fun to be had at Disneyland® Paris, come rain or shine!
For example, did you know that there are lots of indoor attractions plus spectacular shows and incredible dining experiences to enjoy in the Disney® Parks and at Disney Village®?
We’ve put together this article to give you some ideas for what to do at Disneyland® Paris when it’s raining, as well as tips on how to stay dry. You can’t guarantee good weather, but you can guarantee good times!
Weather in Disneyland® Paris
Paris experiences around 110 rainy days each year, with each month usually seeing some rainfall. This means that even if you’re travelling in summer, there’s a chance you’ll get a drizzle. May, June, October, and December have been the wettest months over the last 10 years. April and July have been the driest. (source: Paris Discovery Guide)
Do things get cancelled at Disneyland® Paris because of rain?
It depends on how heavy the rain is and whether it’s accompanied by strong winds or thunderstorms. If you’re just experiencing light showers throughout the day, it’s unlikely shows will be cancelled, or attractions closed.
However, if there are adverse weather conditions like heavy rain and strong winds, then access to some attractions may be restricted without warning. Outdoor shows like Disney Tales of Magic, the nighttime fireworks and drone show, may be cancelled.
Disney Stars on Parade in the daytime may also be cancelled, delayed, or modified to include shorter performances or different Disney Characters. Don’t let this rain on your parade though!
8 things to do at Disneyland® Paris when it’s raining
From watching West End-style shows to taking a long lunch break, here are some of the best things to do on a rainy day at Disneyland® Paris.
Summary - 8 things to do at Disneyland® Paris in the rain
- Enjoy an indoor show
- Relax at your hotel
- Dine with the Disney Characters
- Experience the indoor attractions
- Watch a movie at Disney Village®
- Indoor Disney Character meet and greets
- Enrol in the Animation Academy
- Take a long lunch break
1. Enjoy an indoor show
Watching one of the fabulous indoor shows at Disneyland® Paris is a great way to get some shelter from the showers. The incredible shows here feature live singing and dancing, special effects, acrobatics, and some recognisable Disney Characters. The production values are high - these shows wouldn’t look out of place in a Broadway theatre!
There are four indoor shows at Disneyland® Paris: one at Disneyland® Park and three at Disney Adventure World.
Disneyland® Park | Disney Adventure World |
|---|---|
The Lion King: Rhythm of the Pride Lands show | Mickey and the Magician |
Together: A Pixar Musical Adventure | |
Frozen: A Musical Invitation |
You can find all the showtimes in the Disneyland® Paris mobile app, which you can download when you arrive in Paris.
Top tip: When it’s rainy, there are usually more people who want to watch the indoor shows (well, who can blame them?), so we recommend getting there around 40 minutes before the start time to guarantee your spot.
If you want to make sure that you can get in, you can buy guaranteed access to the shows alongside your ticket and hotel package or at a later date. You’ll be able to enter through a dedicated line and take your seats before the show starts.
2. Relax at your hotel
If you’ve only got a bit of rain forecast for your trip - say, a rainy morning or afternoon - you can use this as an opportunity to enjoy some downtime in your hotel. The Disney® Hotels and off-site hotels are close to the theme parks, so it’s easy to nip back when the rain starts and return to the parks once it’s dry.
Get some food at the hotel restaurant, take a dip in the swimming pool, or meet the Disney® Characters at the daily meet and greets at the on-site hotels.
Disney Hotels with indoor swimming pools:
Disneyland® Paris Hotels | Disneyland Paris Area Hotels |
|---|---|
Disney Newport Bay Club | Grand Magic Hotel Marne La Vallée |
Disney Davy Crockett Ranch | Explorers Hotel Marne-la-Vallée |
Disney Sequoia Lodge | Dream Castle Hotel Paris |
Disneyland® Hotel | Ki Space Hotel & Spa |
Disney Hotel New York - The Art of Marvel | Relais Spa Val d’Europe |
Les Villages Nature® Paris | Radisson Blu Hotel Paris, Marne-la-Vallee |
Aparthotel Adagio Marne la Vallée Val d’Europe | |
Marriott Village d’Ile-de-France |
3. Dine with the Disney Characters
Not only does dining with the Disney Characters provide a nice escape from the wet weather, but it’s also an unforgettable experience for small children and big kids alike. Choose from chowing down on breakfast with Mickey Mouse himself, meeting the Disney Princesses for lunch, or enjoying a little something for dinner with Winnie the Pooh and friends.
Character Dining can be booked two months in advance or when your trip booking is confirmed if you’re staying at a Disney® Hotel.
Character Dining at Disneyland® Paris:
Restaurant | Location | Food | Characters |
|---|---|---|---|
Plaza Gardens Restaurant | Main Street, U.S.A., Disneyland® Park | Lavish all-you-can-eat buffet for breakfast or dinner | Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Tigger, and Eeyore |
Auberge de Cendrillon | Fantasyland in Disneyland® Park | French cuisine for breakfast, lunch, or dinner | Disney Royalty including Disney Princesses |
Royal Banquet | Disneyland® Hotel | All-you-can-eat buffet with seafood platters, grilled meats, vegan dishes, and desserts for lunch or dinner | Mickey and friends in their royal attire |
La Table de Lumière | Disneyland® Hotel | Fixed menu of fine dining dishes inspired by around-the-world cuisine for dinner | Disney Princesses and Princes |
4. Experience the indoor attractions
Don’t let rain stop play - there are plenty of options for indoor attractions at Disneyland® Paris. Some of the queues for these attractions are also entirely indoors, so you don’t need to get wet while you wait.
Disneyland® Park | Disney Adventure World |
|---|---|
“it’s a small world” | Ratatouille: The Adventure |
Princess Pavilion | Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure |
Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast | Avengers Assemble: Flight Force |
Star Wars™: Hyperspace Mountain | The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ |
Sleeping Beauty Castle |
|
Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups | |
Meet Mickey Mouse | |
Phantom Manor | |
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue | |
Pirates of the Caribbean |
5. Catch a movie at Disney Village®
Cosy up with a bag of popcorn and a giant soft drink at Disney Gaumont cinema: The Complex in Disney Village®. This 15-screen cinema shows the latest Hollywood blockbusters plus classic favourites. Enjoy the latest sound technology and recline in comfort on the comfortable seats while the rain lashes down outside.
There’s also an Imax® Laser system here with the most vibrant, clean, and clear images, plus a state-of-the-art audio system. It’s truly the very best way to watch a film.
6. Indoor Disney Character meet and greets
While the outdoor Disney Character meet and greets aren’t typically cancelled due to rain, it’s only the Disney Characters that are protected with umbrellas, and the queues are usually open to the elements. However, there are some indoor meet and greets where the waiting areas are covered.
Indoor Disney Character meet and greets with a covered waiting area:
Character | Where | Park |
|---|---|---|
Mickey Mouse | Fantasyland Theatre, Fantasyland | Disneyland® Park |
Disney Princesses | Princess Pavilion | Disneyland® Park |
Darth Vader from Star Wars | Starport, Discoveryland | Disneyland® Park |
These Disney Character meet and greets also take place indoors, although some or all of the queue is outdoors:
- The Mandalorian in Discoveryland, Disneyland® Park
- Olaf from Frozen at Toon Studio, Disney Adventure World
7. Enrol in the Animation Academy
If you’ve ever fancied yourself as an illustrator, then the Animation Academy is a must-do while you’re at Disneyland® Paris. This drawing class takes place at World Premiere Plaza in Disney Adventure World.
Each masterclass lasts around half an hour, and you’ll be taught the steps to draw a popular Disney Character. When you’ve finished, you can keep the drawing as a souvenir. There’s a limited number of seats available, so be sure to get there early to avoid disappointment.
8. Take a long lunch break
It’s not often you get the chance to enjoy a leisurely lunch when you’re visiting the Disney® Parks. You’re more likely to grab something on the go as you make your way from one attraction to the next, fitting in as much as you can.
If it’s bucketing it down, it gives you a good opportunity to enjoy a leisurely lunch and take a load off your feet. After all, you’ll have got your steps in!
Table service and all-you-can-eat buffet restaurants at Disneyland® Paris:
Disneyland® Park | Disney Adventure World | Disney Village® |
|---|---|---|
Auberge de Cendrillon | Bistrot Chez Rémy | Annette’s Diner |
Agrabah Café Restaurant | PYM Kitchen | Billy Bob’s Buffet |
Captain Jack’s - Restaurant des Pirates | Brasserie Rosalie | |
Plaza Gardens Restaurant | La Grange at Billy Bob’s Country Western Saloon | |
Silver Spur Steakhouse | Petite Rosalie | |
The Lucky Nugget Saloon | Rainforest Café | |
Walt’s - An American Restaurant | The Royal Pub | |
The Steakhouse |
Certain restaurants are very popular, so you may wish to book ahead of your visit to guarantee a table.
Quick Service restaurants also have indoor seating areas, and you won’t need a reservation for these. These are ideal if you’re just sheltering from a quick seasonal shower.
What to wear at Disneyland® Paris when it’s raining
Ever heard the saying “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing”? We couldn’t agree more! Being prepared for all weathers will ensure that you can stay dry and happy - after all, you don’t want the rain to ruin the holiday you’ve looked forward to for months!
What to wear when it’s raining at Disneyland® Paris will depend on what season you’re travelling in. If it’s winter, temperatures can drop as low as -6°C (21°F), so you’ll need extra layers to keep warm in the wet. In summer, it can get warm, so you’ll need lightweight rain gear.
Disneyland® Paris packing list for rain
- Waterproof coat (lightweight for summer)
- Waterproof trousers
- Waterproof boots or trainers (make sure these are comfortable for walking around in all day)
- Umbrella
- Cap or woolly hat
Top tip: For summer months, a lightweight rain poncho is a great idea to keep you dry. Pack one in your case, or pick up a Disneyland® Paris one in the parks.
Don’t let the rain spoil your fun! Have a look at our Disneyland® Paris tickets and start planning your magical trip today.
