August and Ponchos

[Harters2WDW]

We're going Aug. 11-18. I know it's going to rain in the afternoons and I am fine with that. My question is, do we just get the Dollar Store ponchos that we can discard as we go or is it smarter to buy something a little more substantial that we can reuse? If the latter, any recs?

It's me, DH, DD6 and DD2. We'll have at least one stroller if not two. We do have one cover for a stroller (And could buy another).

TIA!!

 

[disneyandme]

We use the disposible ones- I think 50 or 75 cents at Walmart. Then we can throw them out when they are went. We also bring a set of heavier ones for those all day rains. They are so small that you should bring several sets for each day in case you throw out one wet set and then it suddenly rains again. In August, cover your strollers when you leave them even if it is a clear blue sky--- they may be soaked by the time you get off a ride.

 

[iheartpeterpan]

I always use the dollar store panchos when we go in August. They are so small and easy to pack away, we find that the rains that time of year usually move through pretty quickly and most of the time we just duck into an indoor attraction and wait it out without even using them. I bought a bunch several years back and haven't been through them all.

 

[englishteacha]

We do what IHeartPeterPan does. We pack the dollar store ponchos (they come in 2 packs at Dollar Tree) and if we need them, great. If not, they take up very little room. They fit in the back pocket of my shorts, so I don't even need to put them in a bag. We pack heavier ones for all day rain. We have WDW ones that were hand-me-downs from my SIL's rainy vacation one year. You can get ponchos at Walmart for under $5 each, though, and they come in lots of colors. On a rainy day at WDW, 90% of the people will be wearing WDW ponchos. Having different colors really helps you to find your group!

 

[HM]

We travel in August a lot. I've found that it's just too hot to wear a poncho. Since rain storms only last for about an hour, we usually just keep going, keeping under cover as much as possible and just know we'll dry out after it stops. I like wearing some sort of hat (like a baseball cap) that keeps the rain out of my face, but that's about it. (Also don't wear white).

 

[StacyMarie]

We travel in August a lot. I've found that it's just too hot to wear a poncho. Since rain storms only last for about an hour, we usually just keep going, keeping under cover as much as possible and just know we'll dry out after it stops. I like wearing some sort of hat (like a baseball cap) that keeps the rain out of my face, but that's about it. (Also don't wear white).

I'm with HM. We always go in August. Never wear ponchos. It is just way too hot and the rain feels good!

 

[kim929]

I agree with HM... we were in Disney during hurricane Fay.. it rained all day every day. I used the ponchos the first day, I found it better to just get wet and move quickly to the next ride then to wear the poncho and sweat wearing it.

 

[tlh0726]

Tried the disposable ones once and they ripped while putting on, thankfully we also had coleman or stearns brand from walmart along that we used.
I carry a 2 gallon size ziploc bag that once we use the ponchos we just give them a shake fold and put them in that bag and dry them out once we get back to the room.

Another thing to consider is what type of footwear you plan on wearing.
We wear crocs the entire trip.
Wet or dry your covered.

 

[sorcerermick]

Same here...we make sure we all wear sandals that dry quickly (no sneakers), and light weight, quick dry shorts, and light shirts. In that Florida sun, we dry out again pretty quickly.

 

[Harters2WDW]

Thank you! Thank you!! All the answers helped so much!!

In August, cover your strollers when you leave them even if it is a clear blue sky--- they may be soaked by the time you get off a ride.

Great suggestion! Would not have thought of that!

I like wearing some sort of hat (like a baseball cap) that keeps the rain out of my face, but that's about it. (Also don't wear white).

Great points! Not wearing white should be obvious, but didn't cross my mind! I'll tuck the ball cap in as well because I wear glasses and hate when they are all spotty!

 

[Harters2WDW]

And if any of you have additional August tips, I welcome them! We've gone in March the past two times.

 

[KarenAylwood]

Our fav are the Coleman brand from Walmart- super cheap and take up so much less storage room than the Disney ones.

We're always carrying cameras (both P&S and dSLR) and cell phones so we like to be covered if a storm pops up. I also hate being wet inside with all that AC- we're always in and out of buildings so we prefer to have ponchos as a backup rather than getting soaked.

 

[jennyf2]

We always buy a bunch at the $1 store before we go. Last year was the 1st time we ever needed to use them--it was more than a afternoon shower, it went on forever!

 

[bumbershoot]

We can't stand the feel of the cheap ones, nor the waste of throwing them away.

We used to buy the Disney ones, but even they rip at long last.

So now hubby and I have GOOD ones from the Rick Steves store, they are great and fold up into their own pocket. LOVE them!

When we used them in September they also weren't as hot as the plain plastic ones. Not that I wanted to keep it on longer than I needed to, but I didn't feel like I was suffocating.

 

[Southernmiss]

Funny story, in June of 2009 we were on the Great Movie ride at DHS. Heard thunder in the distance, but no worries.

While on the tram, DH and I were seated in the last row of one of the sections of the tram. Our 4 kids, ages 8 to 14, were in the car behind us.

As we are on the ride, we near the part where on the ride they talk about using water in movie scenes, the kids start yelling at us for ponchos. DH and I yell back to the kids you don't need ponchos you are not going to get wet.

They continue to yell at us until we finally turn around and the kids are drenched--it had started to rain and DH and I did not realize it was raining. The family in the seat behind them were at them.

That's when I did pass them their ponchos.

It rained so hard that afternoon that we spent 30 minutes waiting in the gift shop and it still didn't subside much so we motored on in our ponchos, but the crowd cleared the park!

 

[Harters2WDW]

Funny story, in June of 2009 we were on the Great Movie ride at DHS. Heard thunder in the distance, but no worries.

While on the tram, DH and I were seated in the last row of one of the sections of the tram. Our 4 kids, ages 8 to 14, were in the car behind us.

As we are on the ride, we near the part where on the ride they talk about using water in movie scenes, the kids start yelling at us for ponchos. DH and I yell back to the kids you don't need ponchos you are not going to get wet.

They continue to yell at us until we finally turn around and the kids are drenched--it had started to rain and DH and I did not realize it was raining. The family in the seat behind them were at them.

That's when I did pass them their ponchos.

It rained so hard that afternoon that we spent 30 minutes waiting in the gift shop and it still didn't subside much so we motored on in our ponchos, but the crowd cleared the park!

Ha! I love when I disregard my DD like that and something is really happening to her!

 

[JandJ]

I'm in the minority - I've been wearing the same Disney poncho that I bought 11 years ago! DH wears one from back then, too. I used to have 3 of the old ponchos, but DH's dad borrowed one when we went to Legoland and his big 'ol head ripped it - I've never had a Disney poncho rip before! That man just does not know how to put on/take off a poncho! Then he wanted to give it back to me - I threw it away - what am I going to do with a ripped poncho? O.K. sorry for the FIL vent

Anyway, we live about an hour from Disney and have Passes so we tend to just not go when rain is predicted, but if we have a planned trip and it might rain, I just tuck our ponchos in my little backpack, tote bag, or whatever I'm carrying that day, and off we go. I've even gone without a bag and just carried my cell phone and poncho and that's worked out fine, too. I usually tuck a plastic grocery bag in, too, to keep the wet ponchos until I can hang them to dry.

If you don't want to deal with a wet poncho, though, I can see the advantage to a cheap one that you just throw away when you're done.

 

[kellydizfan]

Heavier Poncho's - when it pours - the cheap ones rip. We have issues being wet then heading into air conditioning then freezing. We have been several times in August and my Mom didn't believe me that we needed a heavier poncho - we ended up buying a couple when we were in TRex.

 

[bookgirl]

It's going to be hot and humid and the ponchos are like a little personal mini sauna. I prefer the lightweight cheap ones to the more sturdy and heavier reusuables.

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

We have gone the past 8 yrs in August. A poncho is a must. We tried the dollar store ponchos and they stunk!! Felt like wearing a garbage bag. They were not long enough to cover our backpacks or the seat of your pants if you are on ride. plus they ripped too easily. We carry our Disney ponchos every trip. fold them up into a little shopping bag and in the back pack or stroller they go. We have a stroller cover too- that is a must. We survived Tropical storm Fay with the ponchos. We have had disney replace ripped ponchos with no problem -- even really old ones. Not sure if they still do so.


I also love a good pair of sandels over sneakers bc walking around in wet sneakers for days is no fun. I lived in my Teva's for 11 days of Fay's rain and had not a single complaint where as DC had sneakers and they were soaking wet.

We pack a spray bottle -- fill with water and freeze or fill with ice and water. DH enjoys spraying us down during the day- feels good too.

STandby times are usually misleading-- if it says 20 mins its walk on. WE did TSM one year- first thing in the morning- we usually just do FP but DH wanted to do standby- it said 90 mins- we were literally on and off the ride in 20!! it was amazing.

A spare pair of shoes/sandels-- I got DS a new pair of sandels- apparently they were not wide enough for his wide feet and the poor child ended up w/ blisters on his feet the first day in the first few hours. DH and DS went back and grabbed his sneakers. Make sure if you have any new shoes wear them for a wk or so before the trip.

Ziploc baggies are great for the bag you are carrying- quicker thru the security bag checks too.

Bring extra memory card and batteries-- having to buy them in the park is $$$


That's all I can think of but I am sure I will remember more in a few!