Am I being paranoid about rain?

[naebear]

We are headed to DLR from December 7-14th. I know the weather can be great (which is what we are hoping for) or it can be wet at that time (last years days of rain later in the month...). I want to be prepared for anything weather wise, so that we don't have a miserable trip and also so I am not scrambling for gear at the last minute (aka trying to find the sold out rainboots I heard about from last year....). I have the basic rain gear covered, just in case. I am now debating if i should invest in waterproof shoes for our trip. I want something comfy for walking in, and I also want dry feet. This brings me to the dilemma. Comfy AND waterproof shoes are totaling about $200 for 3 of us. So should I spend the $ on waterproof shoes just in case or just pray for sunshine and deal with wet feet if we get some liquid sunshine instead?? Maybe I am just paranoid about rain after last years stories I read on the Christmas thread.... If I am not paranoid (or even if I am!), what suggestions do you have for a good shoe/way to keep feet dry??

 

[RainyDayPixie]

I've been there in lovely December weather and dreadful flooding January weather. Almost the only thing good about my January trip is that my feet weren't wet. I say buy the shoes to be prepared. If you didn't live in a rainy place already, I might say "skip it", but you can always use those shoes up here. Like on a yucky day like today!!

 

[ludari]

I think your a little paranoid about the rain in California. Believe me we don't have large enough rain storms that you need rain shoes/boots. Nice comfortable tennis shoes or walking shoes should be just fine even if you experience some rain. Relax and enjoy your trip.

 

[mydisneymoney]

We went in February this year and one day it rained pretty good. My DH and I had on leather type tennis shoes and my DS6 had on a regular pair of tennis shoes. Our feet stayed dry. Nice thing about leather is that it isn't going to absorbe the water as fast. As with any trip to DL, I recommend taking a couple pair of shoes for each person so you can alternate them. Feet usually do better if they don't get rub on at the same place every day. Also, we did not do ponchos. We all wore water resistant jackets with hoods. Worked out good. The rain came and went all day.

 

[MrsMac218]

I agree with ludari...

The chances of it raining enough for you to need waterproof shoes are slim. You should be fine in regular tennis shoes.

I've lived in SoCal forever, and have done those rainy day trips to Disneyland, and it's never been "wet-feet" bad. Our rain is generally harmless.

My family & I will be there from December 9-11th, same time range!

 

[RainyDayPixie]

It's certainly possible that I am traumatized by my January experience (it was a couple of years ago when they were even closing DL early due to the rain). And it's been pouring down rain outside today...

You should probably listen to the more level-headed people!

 

[naebear]

Maybe living in the Puget Sound area has a bit to do with my paranoia..here rain in December typically means buckets, puddles, and wet feet in 10 minutes!!

I guess southern California rain has a different personality

 

[MrsMac218]

Maybe living in the Puget Sound area has a bit to do with my paranoia..here rain in December typically means buckets, puddles, and wet feet in 10 minutes!!

I guess southern California rain has a different personality

Haha! Yea, I think it would take several years of southern Californian rain to fill even 1 bucket!! I've never even owned a pair of rain boots!

 

[ttig34]

When I was there a couple of years ago in December, I had wished I had some waterproof shoes. One day it rained so hard ,we were walking in at least a few inches of water and our feet got soaked. So it is not common, but it can happen. I am watching the forecast this year, and if it is supposed to rain, I will bring some waterproof shoes with me- just in case. Not fun to walk around in wet, squishy shoes.

 

[Nonsuch]

We are headed to DLR from December 7-14th.

Candlelight was rained out on Sunday last year

I had full rain gear, and Electronica was like a scene right out of Blade Runner
Disneyland in heavy rain can be great fun
Good quality rain gear is the key, don't bother with cheap ponchos. I do not have rain shoes, but wear waterproof socks: Stormsocks

 

[Kittyskyfish]

I wouldn't spend the money if it's going to dent your budget. Honestly, it's a long shot that you'll deal with any significant amount of rain that will require you to wear quality rainproof shoes all day long. It's extremely rare for Anaheim to have all-day soakers. I've been in Anaheim rain and I never bothered with special shoes. Walk carefully around standing water and wait in line at Space Mountain or another indoor ride when it's raining, or go inside and have a snack.

Maybe bring an extra pair of backup shoes/socks you already own and put that money to better use - like food or souvenirs!

 

[Eeee-va]

I went in December 2009 and it rained for probably 1.5 days almost straight. My feet did get wet in faux leather tennis shoes. I managed, but I did not like that feeling and would have been happier with dry feet. That said, if I would've been thinking, I had a pair of fairly waterproof winter boots I could've worn...they're not always comfortable, but you might have also overlooked something in your closet that would do in a pinch.

Odds are it won't even rain much during your trip. If you have good leather tennis shoes I probably wouldn't bother thinking about the rain boots, but I'd plan to bring some extra socks in a plastic bag on any potentially substantially-rainy days, just in case.

If you don't have any slightly-waterproof tennis shoes (like if they all have fabric tops) then the rain boots are more attractive...

How quickly can you get the rain boots? Honestly, if I saw that in a 7-day forecast, heavy rain was forecast for 2 or 3 days of my trip, I would seriously look into waterproof shoes (though I wouldn't pay $66 per person...I'd get the cheapest ones I could find at Target, probably). But unless you're going to use the boots elsewhere, I would not pay $66 per person in October SOLELY as a defense for rain that probably won't come in December.

Though, preparing heavily for the rain is a great way to guarantee dry, sunny weather!

(Living where you are, is it possible the rain boots might come in handy on other occasions? That may make them more reasonable. Living in Arizona, the odds of me using them again are almost 0, which is why I'd go for the cheapest ones possible, even if it looked like I WOULD need them.)

 

[naebear]

Well, we do live in Tacoma, so rain shoes are not that out of line for us. It doesn't bother me much to get good, comfy, waterproof shoes for myself. I am quite sure they would come in handy at other times given the weather in our area. I am wondering more about my 2 DDs. My 10 year old has gone up almost 2 shoe sizes since April and so I am quite reluctant to get her shoes for ANYTHING specific if it doesn't happen tomorrow.: At least DD2 would eventually grow into them so they would get lots of use....and for DD2 I would get them hoping she would use them as much as the Keens I bought her for our April trip, which was all summer long and still going. I think that my paranoid about rain conclusion is to get myself the shoes (which I will probably wear anyway just because I love how comfy Merrells are) while they are on sale and watch the weather forecast before I buy both DDs in December if needed...
Thank you for all your advice everyone. I may be paranoid, but at least I know I have a slim shot at having just cause after reading a few of your posts!!

 

[acf_1991]

We are headed to DLR from December 7-14th. I know the weather can be great (which is what we are hoping for) or it can be wet at that time (last years days of rain later in the month...). I want to be prepared for anything weather wise, so that we don't have a miserable trip and also so I am not scrambling for gear at the last minute (aka trying to find the sold out rainboots I heard about from last year....). I have the basic rain gear covered, just in case. I am now debating if i should invest in waterproof shoes for our trip. I want something comfy for walking in, and I also want dry feet. This brings me to the dilemma. Comfy AND waterproof shoes are totaling about $200 for 3 of us. So should I spend the $ on waterproof shoes just in case or just pray for sunshine and deal with wet feet if we get some liquid sunshine instead?? Maybe I am just paranoid about rain after last years stories I read on the Christmas thread.... If I am not paranoid (or even if I am!), what suggestions do you have for a good shoe/way to keep feet dry??

I think its safe to say that I strongly agree with the other disers that you will not need rain boots or special shoes. Regular tennis shoes and a nice warm sweater or jacket should be just fine. Socal weather is not that bad if we can wear shorts with ugg boots.

 

[ducky_love]

We just got back and had a day of cold all day rain. I was prepared with flip flops and ponchos for both of us. We still gave up after lunch time to go back to the room for a few hours. I wouldn't break the bank on a ton of rain gear but I would be prepared with something if it happens.

 

[cp11]

Well, reading this thread has helped me for our trip in Dec. Living in Washington, by the coast, we have boot dryers up the you know what. So I will be throwing in our two portable boot dryers (yes, we carry portable boot dryers in our vehicles), that way we can at least dry everyone's shoes out if need be, without packing boots.

Thanks for the great suggestions and tips!

 

[Eeee-va]

Well, reading this thread has helped me for our trip in Dec. Living in Washington, by the coast, we have boot dryers up the you know what. So I will be throwing in our two portable boot dryers (yes, we carry portable boot dryers in our vehicles), that way we can at least dry everyone's shoes out if need be, without packing boots.

Great idea! I don't have one of those...but during our torrential rain trip, I DID have to take a hair dryer to my shoes at the hotel. Tripped the fuse on it, actually, but fortunately it took a reset eventually so I didn't break it.

 

[DnA2010]

We went in February- it rained hard one day- all morning/afternoon- we threw on some dollar store ponchos- we might have got wet...who knows! We had an amazing time and chose to ignore the rain! It is funny how the magic makes you forget!

 

[Susie63]

We went in feb 2010 and our leather runners got soaked. Next time I am packing rubber overshoes($11 each) for me and DH and Crocs rain boots for DD.

 

[Brer Cameron]

I love Disneyland in the rain. A lot of the locals stay home, making it a lot less crowded. Being from Washington, I couldn't care less.