alternative to ponchos?

[abmitch01]

I'm headed down next week and the forecast is for rain each day. I was going to pack a windbreaker with a hood that folds into itself and a dollar store poncho for each of us. Is there an advantage to the ponchos over the jacket?

 

[MakiraMarlena]

poncho will cover a backpack or bag.

I use a small umbrella. they are good for walking from place to place but not so much for standing in crowds. an umbrella does have the additional advantage that it can be used for shade if needed.

 

[MKMomma]

I used an umbrella.

 

[ghtx]

I used an umbrella.

But warning they won't let you keep the umbrella open on outdoor rides even if it's raining (I learned that the hard way on Tomorrowland Speedway).

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I would never have even considered the possibility of using an umbrella while aboard a ride...but then I don't recall ever going on an outdoor ride in the rain, although I know some of them remain open.

I suppose another advantage of the poncho is that you can put it on before or during the time you are on a ride.

 

[ghtx]

I would never have even considered the possibility of using an umbrella while aboard a ride...but then I don't recall ever going on an outdoor ride in the rain, although I know some of them remain open.

I guarantee you would have considered the possibility if it was February and raining and near-freezing and you were just about to get on the Speedway and all you had was an umbrella.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I would think it'd be obvious that using an umbrella while aboard a moving ride was potentially dangerous. Freezing rain or no. So no, I wouldn't have considered it.

 

[sharonabe]

I'm headed down next week and the forecast is for rain each day. I was going to pack a windbreaker with a hood that folds into itself and a dollar store poncho for each of us. Is there an advantage to the ponchos over the jacket?

The poncho just covers more of you, so when the rain in over, everything except your shoes is pretty much dry. A windbreaker with a hood will keep your head and shirt dry, but what about your shorts?

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm headed down next week and the forecast is for rain each day. I was going to pack a windbreaker with a hood that folds into itself and a dollar store poncho for each of us. Is there an advantage to the ponchos over the jacket?

There might be an unusual weather pattern coming, but in general, having rain expected every day is pretty normal for FL. It can quite literally be storming at one park (AK in our experience) and not in any of the others. And it can last for an hour out of the whole day. This isn't Orlando, but my family lived in Miami for 3 years, and every single day it would storm terribly just in time for my brother to get soaked running to his car and getting into the house after school. Then it would stop. Was sunny and lovely before and after that afterschool hour.

IMO you should decide *why* you want the covering. Is it for your head? Make sure you have a hood. Is it for your upper body? My torso can get really cold, and of course no one likes having an unintended wet tshirt contest. (well, I don't, at least) Either the jacket or poncho will help with that. Do you want your rear covered so you don't have to worry about what underwear you wear that day and if it will show through? Remember that seats on the rare outdoor ride can be wet (even on the indoor ones if there's water involved) so your rear might get wet at any time.

I used dollar store ponchos exactly once. They felt like clingwrap and were so insanely hot and stifling I thought I was going to pass out. Plus, the waste of tossing them wasn't pleasant for me. So we bought nicer Disney once, and those were nice. But then we found very nice ponchos from the Rick Steves travel store, and that's what we use now when we want a poncho. Nice and long on my shrimpy self, nylon, not overly hot, and light. And if you're patient they fold up into their own pocket.

 

[cleophus12]

Another advantage to the poncho is that is doesn't inconvenience anyone else. No matter how small an umbrella is, it is almost impossible to keep it out of other people's way in WDW crowds. We always carry ponchos because they fold up small and cover most of our bodies when it does rain. A jacket only keeps us dry from the waist up. And I agree with the PPs who say it's wise to invest in the slightly heavier ponchos. They don't tend to cling as badly and they don't blow as badly in the stormy breeze.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

I'm headed down next week and the forecast is for rain each day. I was going to pack a windbreaker with a hood that folds into itself and a dollar store poncho for each of us. Is there an advantage to the ponchos over the jacket?

Windbreakers don't keep you dry. Find a jacket made for the rain.

 

[ImDMous]

Yup, nice ponchos are the way to go. Too skimpy and they will cling to you, so you want a good weight that will hand straight down and allow a breeze up it Ponchos are just so much easier than taking a jacket on and off, much cooler and they cover whatever you are carrying as well. Umbrellas are too susceptible to wind and lightening. Ponchos and sandals are how we survived a week in August of tropical downpours and lightening.

 

[lmyers1000]

The ponchos are much better in respect that you can get around easier than with an umbrella and backpacks are covered. My husband tried a raincoat once, but he got soaked from the waist down. Another thing to consider is often the rain only last a few minutes. We have been there for showers from 5 min to on and off all day. To be honest when it first starts, we often duck into a store or building and look around for a few minutes just to see if it is going to be long enough to warrant getting out the gear. Often times, within 10-15 minutes it is gone and we just continue on.

 

[tndisneyfan]

I prefer a ponch over a rain jacket just because it covers more. Recently I was out with my rain jacket on and while my arms and upper body stayed dry, my butt and legs were soaked. I prefer a real poncho over the dollar store ponchos, I've ised them before and they cling to you and the wind blows them around. I prefer a disney poncho.

 

[KeroKero]

The ponchos do cover more, but a few years ago I invested in an Adidas pull over water-resistant jacket that I love. I bought it in one size bigger so that my cross body bag fits comfortably underneath it and its a bit longer covering most of my shorts. The jacket has a very good sized kangaroo sized pocket on the front that I would keep my KTTW card & phone in during the rain, and now the pocket is only for my phone since the introduction of MB's.

The jacket folds up nicely to go in my bag and its durable enough that I've been able to use it for multiple trips, including the one I've got coming up in October.

 

[MouseClubMama]

Summer survival gear for Disney: poncho, waterproof sandals, sunblock, and plenty of water to stay hydrated.The average rain jacket will be useless. When Florida skies open up you do not want to be wearing a dollar store poncho, you will be miserable. As far as an umbrella..forgetaboutit....nothing but trouble.

 

[nkereina]

I used a lightweight cotton hoodie when it was sprinking. Being that it was cotton, it didn't dry fast, but I was able to take it off and tie it around my waist or ball it up into my bag pretty easily.

I strongly advise against the dollar store poncho if the rain is anything significant. In the past, we bought heavier Coleman ponchos for around $5 each at Big Lots. They worked great and really kept us dry. Last year, we opted to buy the Disney ponchos when we needed them which were around $9 each I think? More expensive, but we were able to wait and buy them when needed and surprisingly, they worked really well. Much better than the dollar store ones which are short, sleeveless, and have no adjustment for the hood so if you have hair - it will slide right off.

 

[wiserabbit]

I'm another umbrella user - we all have the smaller ones with a strap and you can attach it to your belt loop with a clip - useful for average rain fall or some portable shade.....if there's one of those "the heavens have opened up - gullywashers" - then we head for an indoor space REGARDLESS if whether we've had an umbrella or poncho, etc. I also always had a hard time keeping the wet ponchos - once we took them off - from being a wet mess in my backpack or bag, etc.

 

[MommyMK]

DH likes an umbrella + rain jacket, kids like their raincoats, I do a hat + raincoat. I will bring ponchos and use them if it is truly pouring.

 

[MKMomma]

But warning they won't let you keep the umbrella open on outdoor rides even if it's raining (I learned that the hard way on Tomorrowland Speedway).

Who would ever consider using an umbrella on an outdoor ride?