Always bring your ponchos!

[listener 76]

Just returned (9/25 - 10/4). One more thing...ALWAYS bring your ponchos (especially if they are the nice, thick Disney ones). For years, I have always carried small, "emergency" ponchos but we never got them out because showers were somewhat light and didn't last long. I guess we were just lucky. The first time I entered the parks without ponchos was Saturday or Sunday (I can't remember which, it must be trauma). We went in late in the day to see Wishes fireworks, got into a great place and it began to sprinkle. DH said "should we look for cover'? And give up these great spots??? No way, said I. Just then, a huge, torrential rain parked itself over the castle, completely drenching everyone (including my poor children). DS happened to have a stray flimsy poncho in his belt pack, which he shared with his 6 year old brother. The park was a crush of soggy families, fleeing in the dark, during a hard rain that obsured vision and lasted for an hour. It was totally miserable without ponchos, but merely laughable if you were one of the lucky few with sturdy rain protection. The main street stores were packed, there was no cover and we had to shuffle out slowly and wait for transportation in a monsoon. The next day, in EPCOT, we experienced the typical "rain for 15 min" rain, but this time we had protection (even though we didn't need it).

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

Arrgghhh...that was Saturday night. We were awaiting Wishes on the Poly beach when it started to sprinkle....the deluge started before we could dig the ponchos out of our bag!! We were literally soaked to the bone! I can't believe that they still did Wishes in that weather. We dried off our ponchos, repacked them, and carried them around every day all week....but never used them again. Wouldn't go without them, though....and the thin ones are a total waste of time. Don't bother!

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

We took our ponchos in August for a couple of days I lugged them around. They came in handy for a predinner ride on KRR, and a light shower on the next night. I got tired of carrying them and on the fourth day I left them in the room for the rest of the trip. We didn't need them at all. I have been lulled into a false sense of security I am sure.

 

[mom2rtk]

Yep.... we got drenched too. We were waiting at the Epcot bus stop. We had been to chef Mickey for dinner on our check in day. It rained so hard it got us wet under the cover they have at the bus stop.... We were drenched and looking forward to dry clothes from our luggage that was due to be delivered while we were out.... Of course you know how that ends.... the first time ever they were late with the luggage.... It was nearly 11:00 before it arrived...

We also experienced the downpour the next day while we were at DHS. One drop then the DUMP of water. Everyone RAN for cover..... But it was over soon... thankfully!

 

[look1angel]

We were at ToT one day, 2 feet away from cover, starts to sprinkle so I yell ahead to please move forward & fill up the space. Not 1 min did I get under cover when I swear to you the sky opened up & it poured like I've never seen before! I felt sorry for the people behind us in line because they were drenched!
By the time our ride was over it was still raining a bit so there we were buying 4 ponchos in the shop, along with a hundred other people. Mind you I had left our 3 cheapies at the resort because the day started out so nice I didn't think we'd need them. So believe me I'm packing the Disney Ponchos & keeping them in my backpack this time.

 

[seashoreCM]

"I was in line at Kali River Rapids, just about two boatloads from the loading area when the sky ... I got soaked."

(the above is not a true story but below is)

Some years ago I was doing some resort touring and happened to be outside All Star Sports when I saw this wall of rain coming right at me. I ran as fast as I could for cover (which was where the big letters A L L S T A R ... were in front) but the wall moved faster than I did and I got soaked.

It was summer and I wasn't wearing layers of clothing, so it was not too miserable unless you call hot humid miserable.

 

[Amy162]

After the torrential downpours that we had on our May trip to WDW, I will never again go to a park without a poncho!!! That was the wettest vacation EVER!!! And we went to Busch Gardens and Kings Dominion this year, and of course it rained!!! But at least we were prepared with the ponchos this time. I am SOOOO hoping that we will have a dry trip to WDW in November, but I know that no matter what, I will have the ponchos with me!!!

 

[ccvb]

It was Saturday We got soaked at Epcot. It looked like it would be a small sprinkle and then the bottom fell out. We were all wet and cold. I don't even think a poncho would have helped that rain

 

[disnut8]

This is the rule I live with while at Disney World. If you go outside your room and there are clouds in the sky, take your ponchos. If you go outside your room and there are no clouds in the sky, take your ponchos. Never has failed me yet.

 

[pumpkinfish]

Our rule is: Take the ponchos and it won't rain ; leave them in the room and it will

 

[fairestoneofall]

Yep, we were drenched at Epcot. Fortunately, we all had ponchos. I even bought a nicer one for DS because the Disney ones are too long for him (and very easily tear because he steps on them). At least the tops of us were all dry--our feet were pretty soaked! lol

 

[listener 76]

This is the rule I live with while at Disney World. If you go outside your room and there are clouds in the sky, take your ponchos. If you go outside your room and there are no clouds in the sky, take your ponchos. Never has failed me yet.

Thanks for the belly laugh! I need a few more stories of people caught in the torrential rain on 9/26. DH still thinks I was insane for trying to stay and watch fireworks (not that he's blaming anybody or anything)

Did anybody else shrug off the first few drops?

 

[coconutprincess]

waiting for fantasmic a few weeks ago, it started to sprinkle. I was getting so nervous!!! I went and bought a poncho just in case, as a few people had theres on and I didn't want to be caught in the mad dash in case it became a downpour. I didn't need it, but it did stay in my bag the rest of the week.

 

[MsCoz2000]

I was at Kona Cafe on that Saturday night for dinner... After dinner we decided to go sit on the beach and watch Wishes. Luckily the Monsoon started BEFORE we made it outside. So we hang out for a few minutes to try and wait it out and then gave up and decided to leave. So I look in my backpack and realize that I left our ponchos at the resort So off to the gift shop we go to buy new ones or an umbrella. Well they wated $40 for an umbrella!!! (I know it's Disney, but really $40?!?!?!) Well this totally awesome woman reaches in her bag and hands my mom and I each a poncho. She said she has plenty for her family and wants us to have them. OMG so amazing!!! We waited til the rain slowed up and made a run for it. Hardly got wet. If you are that woman reading this, THANK YOU again, soooo much! That was one very magical moment. The rest of the week we carried our Ponchos everywhere (and we picked up a few disp. ones so we could "pay it forward" if needed) and never needed them

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

Here's another helpful hint....if the forecast is for rain before you make your trip, you might want to invest in a light rain jacket before you go. We were there during the torrential rains in May too, and Disney completely sold out of medium and large rain jackets (a kind CM called the "main" shopping line, and every retail store at WDW had sold out!)

Also, a baseball cap is really helpful, it keeps the rain from running down your face when you have the hood up on your jacket/poncho.

 

[djp0630]

Just returned (9/25 - 10/4). One more thing...ALWAYS bring your ponchos (especially if they are the nice, thick Disney ones). For years, I have always carried small, "emergency" ponchos but we never got them out because showers were somewhat light and didn't last long. I guess we were just lucky. The first time I entered the parks without ponchos was Saturday or Sunday (I can't remember which, it must be trauma). We went in late in the day to see Wishes fireworks, got into a great place and it began to sprinkle. DH said "should we look for cover'? And give up these great spots??? No way, said I. Just then, a huge, torrential rain parked itself over the castle, completely drenching everyone (including my poor children). DS happened to have a stray flimsy poncho in his belt pack, which he shared with his 6 year old brother. The park was a crush of soggy families, fleeing in the dark, during a hard rain that obsured vision and lasted for an hour. It was totally miserable without ponchos, but merely laughable if you were one of the lucky few with sturdy rain protection. The main street stores were packed, there was no cover and we had to shuffle out slowly and wait for transportation in a monsoon. The next day, in EPCOT, we experienced the typical "rain for 15 min" rain, but this time we had protection (even though we didn't need it).

I was there waiting for Wishes in front of the castle. Got completely drenched and it ruined my video camera It was our first night there. The rest of the trip, we brought our ponchos and stroller cover, and only rained once more. I never did get to see Wishes again in front of the castle.

 

[Chkultr]

2000 We were inline for BTMRR. Downstairs in line....They loaded us up and sent us on our way. As we left the station we hear...BTMRR is closed due to weather...

It poured down rain. It was awesome. People in the q area were cheering, clapping, yelling. People around the attraction were doing the same thing! Awesome I tell you. We were soaked, drenched, sogging wet. You name it that is what we were. I have never gotten a "standing ovation" getting off a ride! What a way to enjoy a Florida Down pour!

Hint:Frogg Togg gear is light packable and waterproof! They have jackets and pants. Great Stuff!

 

[abc999]

I think the rain OP was talking about was on Saturday, 9/27... we arrive at disney earlier that day, ate lunch and went to MK. We were waiting on line for Barnstormer. The kids managed to trick their grandparents on to the line and they both wanted to get out of line and the kids wouldn't let them. As soon as we boarded the ride and it started, the biggest rain drops ever started coming down. The ride came to a halt just before the loading area (where it is uncovered) and we were pelted with rain for a while. By the time we got off, we were totally soaked. Needless to say the grandparents were complaining about the rain so much, the ride was totally forgotten.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

I got drenched at BB. You'd think it would not be so bad at a water park but the temperature dropped and it was misserable being rained on and cold waiting 1 hour for a resort bus.

 

[BamaBornNemoNut]

We had arrived and checked-in at PoP Century earlier that afternoon and unpacked. We did not have ponchos, but thought about purchasing some at Everything Pop before we left for dinner. Didn't do it. After dinner at 'Ohana, our plans were to go to the beach and watch Wishes. It was already pouring when we approached the doors downstairs. I didn't know -
1) if ponchos would help much given how hard the rain was coming down and

2) if wishes would be cancelled or not.

Had it not been raining, we would have finished watching the fireworks, caught the boat over to the Magic Kingdom, walked to the bus stop and caught our Pop Century bus back to our resort.

We stayed inside and sat (noticed that Wishes went off regardless of the rain) and walked around and walked around and sat some more waiting this thing out, but it would not let up. I decided the best $20 spent would be to take a cab from the Poly back to Pop Century. Even though it was still pouring when the cab left, it had let up by the time we arrived at our resort.
$20 meant that we left both the rain and the crowds exiting the park behind us. No other downpours the rest of our trip.

I knew our vacation was just beginning, but my heart went out to those who had only this one night to see Wishes.