Rainy day in Orlando: wait out storms, move indoors for all-day rain

First, what kind of rain is it

From late May through September, Orlando gets a thunderstorm most afternoons. They are loud and heavy, but they usually last 30 to 90 minutes and clear by evening. That kind of rain is not a reason to leave a park. Lines often shrink as people run for the exits, and the evening after a storm is cooler.

All-day rain is different. It comes with winter cold fronts or tropical systems, and the radar shows wide bands rather than scattered cells. On those days, outdoor rides close for lightning, water parks shut, and an indoor plan is better.

Look at the hourly forecast, not the daily icon. A summer day showing a 60 percent chance of rain usually means one storm in the afternoon and a dry morning. A winter day with the same number often means a gray, drizzly stretch from morning to night. The radar loop on any weather app tells you more in ten seconds than the headline percentage does.

Hurricane season runs from June through November. A named storm heading for Florida is a different situation: parks and attractions post closures on their own sites, and you should follow local emergency guidance rather than any day plan.

If it is a passing storm

1. Put on a poncho you brought from home. Park ponchos cost much more.
2. Head for indoor rides, shows or a long sit-down meal while it pours.
3. Watch the radar on your phone. When the red cells move off, outdoor rides start reopening.
4. Ride the outdoor coasters right after they reopen, while crowds are still thin.

Lightning closes outdoor rides and pools, even when the rain is light. Expect a pause of 30 minutes or so after the last strike nearby.

Indoor options for an all-day rain

Orlando Science Center. The Orlando Science Center has four floors of hands-on exhibits, a giant screen theater and a dinosaur hall. It is the best rainy-day pick for families with kids roughly 3 to 12. Plan on three to four hours.

The Morse Museum. In Winter Park, the Morse Museum has a large Tiffany collection and a full chapel interior. It is quiet, takes about an hour, and pairs well with lunch on Park Avenue. On some evenings in the cooler months it is usually free.

Orlando Museum of Art. Near the Science Center in Loch Haven Park, so you can do both in one wet day.

Food halls. East End Market and the downtown food halls give you a long, covered lunch with lots of choices. See Orlando food halls for which to try.

Disney Springs or CityWalk. Free entry, lots of covered walkways, movie theaters and long lunches. Disney Springs has more shops; parking at its garages is free. Both get crowded on rainy afternoons, since everyone has the same idea, so arrive before lunch.

Bowling, arcades and indoor play. International Drive has several big indoor entertainment centers that fill a wet afternoon for kids and teens.

Rain at the parks

Some parks handle rain better than others. EPCOT and Hollywood Studios have many indoor rides and shows. Magic Kingdom has a mix. Universal's Islands of Adventure has more outdoor coasters, so it loses more in a storm. If a washout is forecast and your tickets are dated, check whether you can move the date before you go.

A light, steady rain with no lightning can actually be a good park day. Crowds thin out, wait times drop, and most rides keep running. If you have good rain gear and a flexible group, it may be the shortest-line day of your trip.

Mistakes to avoid

• Leaving a park at the first drop of rain in summer. You'll miss the best two hours.
• Heading to a spring or beach in a lightning storm. Lifeguards will clear the water anyway.
• Wearing sneakers that take two days to dry. Sandals with straps dry fast.
• Driving through flooded streets. Afternoon downpours can fill low spots quickly.
• Heading to the same indoor attraction as everyone else at 1 p.m. Go early or late.