August - To Poncho or not to Poncho, that is the question?

[fairytale]

Hiya All.

Thanks to the Dis-Boards we've now agreed on Bumbags for this coming August trip rather than our usually rucksack, however we fully realise that doing so limits the amount we can take into the parks with us each day.

The only items however that I can think we will struggle to fit in are our Ponchos. Having never been in August I'm undecided whether these are essential or whether some of you dont bother anyway and actually look forward to the down pours to cool down?

So Poncho or not to Poncho?

Thanks guys

Annette x

 

[Clare D]

This coming trip is my third time in August and forth in the rainy season. I always Poncho because I like to carry on if it's not raining too hard. If it is I seek shelter at the nearest place anyway.

I have this dilemma too but with 2 kids and 4 kids in the party in total I think we will take them along.

 

[chmurf]

When it pours down, it really pours down.
There are some refreshing showers, but you will encounter rain that will leave you drenched and soaked to the bones.

To give you perspective, such heavy tropical rains can get so heavy that cars have to stop on the interstate because you can no longer see past your hood.
Try to imagine that on a park guest ...
All you'll want to do is run for shelter.

Those rains usually last only minutes but are enough to drive a lot of guests out of the parks.

One question : Are you comfortable riding Kali River Rapids without a poncho and getting really soaked ?
Now imagine that 10 fold, and try to figure out if you'll be comfortable walking through the park for the rest of the afternoon and you'll probably have a good estimate on wether or not to pack a poncho

(of course, you may go at a time when you never get a heavy rain ... sometimes weather is impredictable)

 

[MarkF0wle]

Over the years I have been visiting WDW during July/August, 10 times in total. We've never used ponchos on any visit there.

My rule of thumb is that we look from about 2pm onwards, if you start to feel a breeze it's time to look to sit down for lunch. Generally speaking you'll get your food just as it starts to pour, which is usually only for 20/30 minutes. By the time you're done eating the sun will be shining again & the floors will be 50% dry. That's how we've done it!

Every once in a while you'll get extended showers but they'll usually be low intensity & you won't get that wet walking from place to place. It's usually hot enough not to care to much.

 

[Ffiharri]

I don't carry poncho's during the day. We take breaks and will wear them back into a park esp if going in for an ADR. The aircon in TS's is far too vicious if you're wet.

 

[wayneg]

Wore ponchos once, with the heat/humidity you sweat so much you might as well not bother, not worn them since.
Last August I ran out of MK in a massive downpour, one of the worst I have ever experienced(as I ran out I saw a CM we know, she says "you look wet Wayne", no you don't say) I had to get to the car to collect Matt from the Orlando Sentinel offices. By the time I reached the car I was no different to jumping in a pool of water, soaked from head to toe. It happens, I am waterproof, I dried, it cools you down.

 

[madmumof2]

We don't do ponchos either. It rained once on our last holiday and even then that was when we were in bed.

August, you'll probably have more rain, but the majority of the time it's nice and refreshing in the extreme heat. And the odd time it might be a downpour a poncho isn't going to do you much good anyway since you'll probably find shelter instead of carrying on.

Even if you do get caught in a downpour, they don't last long and it's so hot in August you'll dry off in no time!

 

[fairytale]

I really appreciate all your comments, thank you x

During our last visit in October we encountered lots of rain, to be honest it was the worst weather we had ever experienced during those 3 weeks, lots and lots of rain, but it was cold rain, in coldish temperatures.

I can imagine August being very different, thanks again

Annette x

 

[london75]

To present the other camp, while I don't personally wear a pncho or waterproof, we do take them for DW and the kids. It's such a waste to sit under cover while it rains when the park is nice and quiet so we carry on.

My rucksack generally has 4 waterproofs (I have one but never wear it, typical bloke) at the bottom.

That's why I much prefer a rucksack to a bumbag personally. Why risk a wasted day when we've spent all year planning and saving for the sake of a slightly heavier bag?

Edit: We've been in August twice now and on both occasions we had rain lasting much more than the anecdotal "few minutes" but were able to carry on without the kids moaning. Crocs and a kagool, indispensible for a 6 year old girl in the rain.

 

[madmumof2]

You don't need to waste a day if you don't have a poncho, it's only water, carry on regardless!

 

[queendisney]

we carry them...you can get them mega cheaply in the stores (not WDW) and they are so thin they fold into next to nothing, literally flat! We only use them if we really need to but it is so hot/humid its like being in a sauna but they serve a purpose to get from A to B if its vital! We have gone on a ride when its blue sky etc and come out and its bouncing off the ground and we have an ADR to get to, so sometimes they are good to have. Have also gone on rides after a downpour and they are great to sit on to keep your bottom dry!

 

[heatherbelle]

We no longer take ponchos. Like others have said you get very sweaty in them. I bought song kagooles and re-waterproofed them and try are great. As a family we have 1 rucksack with these in and a bum bag too, which donkey here is kitted out with the boys don't carry anything, and then wonder why I am so far behind at security check in's