What to Do If It Rains on an Epcot Visit

If you've been waiting in high anticipation of a trip to Epcot and then the Orlando weather forecast says there is an 80 percent chance of rain, what should you do? This is a common scenario in the summer because when it rains, it rains hard. So if you're going to Epcot, and especially in the summer, you should be aware of this possible development and have a plan in mind of how to handle it.

Since the forecast might not materialize, the best idea is usually to just make the best of it and head out with an umbrella, rain poncho, and waterproof camera. But keep in mind that you won't melt if you get wet. If a storm looks imminent, it might be a good idea to stay in the hotel and take a nap, watch movies, or get acquainted with the bar. Here are some ideas on what to do if you head out to the park and the rain comes.

Long Lines for Rides

While you might think that the rain would result in shorter lines at the best rides, you would be wrong. Counterintuitively, the opposite happens. It's difficult to know why, but a good guess might be that everyone else thinks the lines will be shorter, causing the opposite to happen.

Duck Inside a Restaurant

If you've been wanting to try one of Epcot's most popular restaurants and have been faced with long waits for a table, heading in when the rain strikes might be a prime time to go. Check out the wait at Le Cellier Steakhouse at the Canadian pavilion. The warm, comfortable ambiance of the restaurant coupled with the piping-hot cheese soup will make you forget all about the rainy day outside the windows. 

Check out Different Countries

Many of the country pavilions don't have rides and are often ignored by many visitors to Epcot. However, they are a great place to be while it's raining; you can take in the architecture of the pavilions and soak up the interesting culture and hidden treasures of the countries you visit.

Indoor and Outdoor Shows

The chances of an outdoor show being canceled while it's storming are extremely high, so if you were counting on going to one of those, you will probably be out of luck. But check out shows going on inside pavilions and take the opportunity to get dry.

Have a Wine-Tasting

La Bottega in the Italian showcase has Venetian masks and crystals, books, kitchen wares, and chocolates. It also has a great little wine shop. Pick out some bottles and find a dry place to sit to have your own private tasting of splendid Italian wines.

Go Shopping

There's another upside to shopping at Epcot while it's raining besides staying dry: the vendors and shops are not as busy as usual, and the staff has time to give you the lowdown on what you are interested in buying. They might even have time for a friendly chat and give you a more personal experience at Epcot than most visitors get.