No matter when you visit Central Florida, there is always a chance for afternoon thunderstorms or rainy days — especially during the warmer summer months. Maybe you’ve found yourself here on one of these days and are wondering what there is to do in Orlando when it rains?
There’s no need to worry if you see the storm clouds start to roll in; we have the perfect indoor activities and entertainment to keep you and your family occupied while the storm passes! After all, Orlando is one of the family entertainment capitals of the world, and there’s no shortage of enjoyable activities in and around the happiest place on earth.
Grab your ponchos and keep reading to find out what to do in Orlando when it rains:
Enjoy the Theme Parks on a Rainy Day
Just because there’s rain in the forecast doesn’t mean that your day at the theme parks should come to an end! Only a handful of outdoor attractions close when the rain comes down and there are plenty of indoor attractions to check out at parks like Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld Orlando. Some of our favorite “rain day” rides include:
- Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom
- Soarin’ Around the World at Epcot
- Revenge of the Mummy at Universal
At Disney World, you won’t even need to worry about missing the magical parade at Magic Kingdom! The Imagineers created the Rainy Day Character Cavalcade specifically for the occasion.
SeaWorld Orlando’s aquarium also makes for the perfect place to discover the underwater world while you stay dry! It’s home to a dazzling array of animals, including beluga whales, bottlenose dolphins, mantas, turtles, sharks, and of course, magnificent killer whales.
The moral of the story, grab your umbrella and enjoy a quieter day at the theme parks with shorter lines. The one theme park most people avoid on a rainy day is Disney’s Animal Kingdom because it’s essentially all outside.
Explore Top Orlando Indoor Attractions
The Wheel at Icon Park: Orlando’s 400-foot tall observatory wheel can even be fun if there’s only a drizzle or it’s just overcast! This isn’t your average Ferris wheel by any means; this fun attraction offers incredible panoramic views even on a cloudy day! Learn about purchasing tickets here.
Madame Tussauds Orlando: You’ve played Spot the Disney character in the theme parks. Now you can spot your other favorite celebs and personalities at this world-famous wax museum! Take photos with stars like Taylor Swift, Aquaman, rapper Pitbull, tennis sensation Serena Williams, movie icon Angelina Jolie, and even Walt Disney himself!
Museum of Illusions: Also located at Icon Park, the Museum of Illusions has over 50 exhibits and offers something for everyone! Expect quizzical brows and a little head-scratching while your brain tries to make sense of what you see. You’ll come out with a renewed sense of wonder and some new factoids about vision and perception too.
Wall Crawl: Love taking selfies or photos with the fam? Here you will find a wide range of interactive insta-worthy walls to choose from and a range of props to use! See some of their backdrops and learn more on their website. Reservations are required before visiting.
Crayola Experience: Dodge the afternoon thunderstorms at this colorful extravaganza where art meets science! The Crayola Experience is a smorgasbord of eye candy and stimulating fun at Florida Mall that the kiddos love! You and the kiddos could easily spend four creative hours here, from rainbow playgrounds to crayon factory shows and coloring stations to toddler town. They are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Get Your Game On
The Great Escape Room: Stay dry and put your skills to the test in a 60-minute immersive real-life adventure escape game! The name of the game: uncover hidden clues, crack tough codes, and solve challenging puzzles to escape. Here you’ll be able to choose from themes like escaping from a prison cell or recovering a stolen painting from a prestigious art museum. Plus, The Great Escape Room is conveniently located off International Drive.
Go-karts and more at Andretti: Want to make everyone in your family or group happy? You’ll find a variety of things that the entire family will love, not just Andretti’s indoor electric go-karts and track — there’s also an arcade, laser tag, bowling, a restaurant on-premises, and more!
GameTime: 24,000 square foot Mega Arcade in Orlando? Yes, please! If you’re up towards Lake Apopka when it starts raining, this is a great spot to wait out the storm with over 100 new, retro and interactive arcade games. There’s even a full-service restaurant and bar.
Discover History, Space & Science
Orlando Science Center: Another STEM mainstay for the whole family, this popular attraction has four floors filled with educational exhibits, hands-on activities, and an observatory. Learn about design, food, nature, and much more.
Titanic Museum: Are you a fan of the epic 1997 movie? Or, perhaps you’ve never seen James Cameron’s blockbuster and simply want to learn about the doomed Ship of Dreams. The Titanic museum brings this icy tragedy to life and makes for an impressive addition to your itinerary.
Kennedy Space Center: After taking a peek under the sea and rubbing elbows with earth’s human superstars, it’s time to get intergalactic just a stone’s throw away from Cape Canaveral’s legendary launchpad! Here you’ll be able to learn about space, astronauts, and NASA space missions in person! The Kennedy Space Center is about an hour’s drive from Orlando, so you might even drive out of the showers to better weather!
Shop Til’ You Drop
Disney Springs: To say that shopaholics get their fix at Disney Springs would be an understatement! There are over 100 stores to choose from, including World of Disney and The LEGO Store. And, like other malls in the region, there’s more to do at Disney Springs than shop till you drop. Once your bout of retail therapy is done, move on to bowling at Splitsville Luxury Lanes or catch a movie at the dine-in movie theatre!
Mall at Millenia: For those looking for a high-end Orlando shopping experience, you can find just that at The Mall at Millenia. Close to International Drive, this mall is home to over 150 upscale stores, services, and eateries! Think Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Christian Louboutin, Rolex, Tiffany & Co., Apple, Sephora, and more. There are also Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s, and Macy’s department stores here, along with dining options like The Capital Grille, The Cheesecake Factory, PF Chang’s, Brio Tuscan Grille, and Earls Kitchen + Bar.
Low-Key Things to Do in Orlando When it Rains
Maybe you feel like staying inside and having a relaxing day between your theme park days? If that’s the case, then our fully equipped vacation rentals in Orlando have everything you need — rain or shine!
Stay in and cook together or order food delivery if you don’t feel like cooking! Grab the board games or cards and have a few laughs together. Many of our vacation homes have game rooms with pool tables, air hockey, foosball, and more. Other rental homes even have private movie theaters or have access to community clubhouses with more amenities to enjoy.
If you need help finding the perfect vacation rental for you and your family, we would love to help! Our team is available 24/7 by phone or email to answer any questions you may have about visiting Orlando!
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