While on your trip to Japan, you’ll likely experience a few rainy days. The rainy season starts at the end of May until mid-July. It doesn’t rain every day, but you’ll see more rainy days on average. This also brings the humidity. While August and September (sometimes into October) is Typhoon season (strong winds and rain).

It’s important to know how the rain affects your time at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. This guide gives you my best tips and advice on how to handle rainy days and what to expect.

If you found this article useful, you’ll want to check out our 200-page travel guide e-book on Tokyo Disney Resort. It has everything you need to plan the perfect vacation to Japan.

Table of Contents

• Things to Know
• What to Pack
• Crowd Levels
• Attractions & Entertainment
• Special Character Greetings
• Rainy Day Merchandise

Things to Know

• The rainy season occurs from the end of May until mid-July
• Typhoon season is at its peak in September and October
• During days of heavy wind and rain, expect delays or suspension of service of the trains
• The monorail still runs in most cases (unless it’s dangerously windy)
• Rain in the winter months is miserable
• The Parks stay open even during typhoons (crowds clear out, however)
• Rainy days are excellent times to visit for low crowds (in most cases)
• World Bazaar and Mermaid Lagoon are the best places to stay dry
• Dry off at any of the excellent lounges at the Disney Hotels (Dreamer’s Lounge, Hyperion Lounge, and BellaVista Lounge)

What to Pack

Here’s a short list of what to bring with you to the Parks. You’re able to buy ponchos & umbrellas in the Parks (at various shops) but they come at a cost. It’s best to buy things from either a convenience store (slightly cheaper) or from the 100 yen store (Daiso). The closest Daiso to Tokyo Disney Resort is at Shin-Urayasu Station.

• Comfortable quick-drying or waterproof shoes
• Cheap ponchos
• Umbrella (get a cheap one from the store)
• Waterproof bag
• Small towel

If you’re staying at one of the Disney Hotels, ask for a shoe warmer for your room. You won’t regret it, trust me. Don’t waste money on a nice umbrella since all it takes is one gust of wind to destroy it unless it’s a fancier umbrella that is able to go inside out without breaking.

Crowd Levels

Unless it’s a weekend or public holiday (where many Explorers have bought day tickets already) expect lighter crowds on rainy days. During the end of the day, if it’s still raining, the crowds become almost non-existent and attractions become walk on. I recommend TDR Dash for iOS and Android to check wait times.

Read our guide on when to visit Tokyo Disneyland to help decide when you should visit. Also, always consult the crowd calendar (there’s an option to turn on what the predictions are when it’s rainy).

Attractions & Entertainment

Characters in rain gear during the Happiest Celebration on the Sea at Tokyo DisneySea during the 35th Anniversary

During light rainy days all outdoor attractions run normally. If there are strong winds and heavy rainfall, then outdoor attractions may close.

Here’s a sample list:

Tokyo Disneyland

• Big Thunder Mountain
• Splash Mountain
• Gadget’s Go Coaster
• Dumbo The Flying Elephant
• Omnibus

Tokyo DisneySea

• Journey to the Center of the Earth
• Aquatopia
• Raging Spirits
• Jasmine’s Flying Carpet
• Flounder’s Flying Fish Coaster
• Scuttle’s Scooters
• Big City Vehicles

As for entertainment, there are rainy day versions for most of the outdoor entertainment. The daytime parade at Tokyo Disneyland (Dreaming Up!) has a shortened version with just the floats and characters (no dancers). Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade Dreamlights is always canceled during rain and replaced with a special nighttime parade called “Nightfall Glow.”

The harbor shows at Tokyo DisneySea also have a rainy day version with characters in their rain gear on the barges in the harbor (no dancers).

Special Character Greetings

Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade Dreamlights is replaced with Nightfall Glow on rainy evenings

Tokyo Disneyland has three special character greetings that only happen on rainy days. At the front of Tokyo Disneyland, you’re able to meet Mickey and Minnie in their special rain outfits. Then over in Toontown, Daisy greets guests in her cute raincoat. These only happen during the day.

Other characters still greet guests in the World Bazaar in Tokyo Disneyland, under the walkway of Hotel MiraCosta, and in Mermaid Lagoon at Tokyo DisneySea.

Rainy Day Merchandise

A post shared by Chris ? Explorer (@tdrexplorer) on Oct 29, 2017 at 2:54pm PDT

If you play the carnival games at Tokyo Disneyland (Adventureland) or Tokyo DisneySea (Arabian Coast) you have the chance to choose from a special rainy day pin that’s only available on rainy days. You’ll want to “lose” if you want the pin (if you win you’ll get a plush). Each play costs ¥500 ($4 USD).