Going in August - What to do with wet ponchos or wet shoes

[TerryLP]

We also bring the cheap plastic ponchos and just throw them away instead of trying to re-use them. Crocs work very well for shoes. They have holes for air flow and they dry out quickly. If you bring an umbrella, make sure that it is not one with a metal rod in the center. Metal rods will make great lightning rods in a storm.

 

[daisyduck123]

We bring the cheap .99 cent ponchos from Wal-Mart and throw them away afterwards (they're not much for re-using anyway).

Same with us...except I can't stand Walmart. We get ours ANYPLACE else.

As for the shoes....we all wear some sort of Tevas sandals.

 

[disney1990]

Gallon ziplock bags. Fold the poncho wet side in on itself and toss it in the ziplock, then toss in your backpack. We always wear Crocs or sandals and have an extra pair of socks (if we need them) in our bags.

This is what we do too.

 

[CentralFloridian99]

I just throw them out since they're the crap 99 cent ones from Walmart. If they are the ones from the gift shops, keep them. They last quite longer.

 

[noname70]

Last August the rain was so heavy thay many of the walkways were swapped several inches deep. There was no way to avoid it and my socks were submerged. I'd recommend water shoes as well.

 

[navywifetill2002]

Ok, I'm heading to WDW in September and have also been thinking about footwear. DH got a pair of Skechers Skeletoes and loves them. I can't stand things between my toes so they are not for me. My brother and sister-in-law love Keens so I thought I'd try them but I get terrible blisters from them. My favorite sandals wore out last year so I don't even have those to fall back on (they were big and heavy and not good for rain anyhow).

Not sure what to try...I don't want sore feet for our week in WDW!

 

[CyndiLooWho]

We did WDW in 2009 with socks and sneakers and did fine. I had oodles of sposie rain ponchos (dh carried them in his cargo pockets), but we never used them. It was easier to duck in someplace when the rain came. It was miserable hot that trip, and I wish we'd gone with the sport sandals.

We did spring for Keen sandals the following year for DC, and now we always use them for all our summer trips. They also double as camp shoes for my boy scouts as they easily attach to their backpacks.

 

[chanibustie]

The key when wearing running shoes is the sock. Find a running boutique that sells 2 layer technical socks. They wick away water in seconds, and when combined with a lightweight running shoe you'll be comfortable to run a marathon through the rains!

 

[chanibustie]

Woo hoo! 10 posts! I can pm now!!

 

[letsgoreds]

DS (6) and I spent an entire day (9am-10pm) in the rain. Honestly, it was a GREAT time. No heat, sunscreen, etc. We each had a Disney poncho, umbrella, and water friendly shoes (DS-2 pair crocs, me Teva/Keens). I packed an extra pair of shoes for DS. We made sure to spend time indoors for snacks and meals, and let our feet dry out. I would swap out DS shoes at that time, and just rest my feet on top of my shoes, and by the time we were leaving, everything was mostly dry. When we would go inside for a ride (most of the day was at Epcot), my North Face backpack did the work...it has two external straps that I could roll up a poncho and strap to the backpack, along with an umbrella, on each side. It was so easy, and no wrestling of bags, etc. It didn't get the inside of my bag wet, and I could still use the water bottle holders.

For me, having an umbrella + the poncho made a big difference...no rain in the face. DS had a kid-sized umbrella, and that was easy for him to manage. I remember a previous trip when DS was young and we had our jogging stroller...we were able to cover most of the stroller with a golf umbrella.

 

[coozieman]

First of all, shame on all of you who buy the cheapo ponchos and toss them after 1 use. Definately helps fill up the landfills that much quicker! Plus it's like wearing staticky Saran wrap!

As a handful of folks stated - Disney ponchos rock and well worth the $9 purchase.

As for wet shoes, we always wear sneakers in the parks but keep a pair of flip flops in our backpack. When the rain begins, toss on the poncho and flip flops and you're golden!

 

[minnie mum]

What he said!!

 

[justakrazymom]

We've travelled in August and you are smart to prepare for the torrential downpours that come most every afternoon. My DH carries a small baggalini backpack that we keep the ponchos in...wet or dry. When we get back to the resort we put them out on the balcony to dry. I wear sandals in the parks in August because of the heat and because they dry quick. Generally my family wears socks and sneakers. They do get wet some but never that they've really complained about. I do always have a back-up pair for them at the hotel but we don't carry them with us.
Do bring the ponchos!! When it rains...and it will!!..you will be sooooo glad you have them!! Enjoy!

Sandles for e veryone.. my kids all wore croc, I had flip flops . The few times my kids wore sneakers it was a mess.. never again!

Oh and Disney Ponchos.. best $9 we spent.. the kids had nice thick ponchos from the camping dept at target.. we still have em all for when we go in Sept!

 

[elaine amj]

We're headed for our first August trip too and have been wondering the same things! lots of great tips here.

 

[mmmears]

Bring along a big Sunday newspaper.

If you ball up the paper and stuff them in your shoes overnight, they will be almost completely dry. A few added minutes with the hairdryer and you're good to go.

Wow! What a great idea. I have a feeling we will be trying this one out on our upcoming trip!

The key when wearing running shoes is the sock. Find a running boutique that sells 2 layer technical socks. They wick away water in seconds, and when combined with a lightweight running shoe you'll be comfortable to run a marathon through the rains!

Thanks for the info. We will be wearing Asics (which aren't great for water but the do breathe) because that's what works for us. Crocs and sandals just don't... And they leave us uncomfortable and blistered. I usually wear SmartWool socks -- guess I should check out other options.

 

[Mister Skellington]

Thanks for the info. We will be wearing Asics (which aren't great for water but the do breathe) because that's what works for us. Crocs and sandals just don't... And they leave us uncomfortable and blistered. I usually wear SmartWool socks -- guess I should check out other options.

I wear Asics as well. I am hoping they are ok for summer because I havent found another shoe that fits me like asics. Yes, they are ugly......they make up for it in comfort.

 

[miami305]

Unless you live in a verrrrrrry cold climate, you've all experienced hot and sticky summer days. Wear what you would wear at home. Don't stress!

It is searing hot after it rains here. Everything will dry quickly. If wet feet are your worse nightmare, then of course you should wear sandals and carry a small hand towel to dry your feet. Believe it or not, people in Florida do own and wear sneakers. Shocking, I know! We manage somehow.

Walmart sells rain coats in the sporting goods section for $3. A beach towel in the stroller can be used to protect baby from a pop up rain storm.

THE RAIN WILL SOAK THROUGH BACKPACKS! Carry a water resistant bag. You need not spend a fortune on a bag. A plastic grocery bag or ziplock bag will work fine.

 

[MolonLabe]

Disposable ponchos all the way. I save the world when I'm not on vacation

I grew up in Florida, getting caught in down pour is few and far between if you are paying attention... that said, if you aren't from Florida that is easier said than done, lol.

I only worry about my shoes on Kali rapids. Disney has great drainage, flooded walkways are rare IMO, at least in MK and Epoct.

We bring two sets of the el cheapo ponchos and toss them after use, usually we dont even use them.

Shoes, We always bring two pairs. Always. The off chane of getting soaked or a shoe breaking can ruin a trip very quickly. We leave them in the room though. We also bring sandals or flops for the pool.

2 is 1, 1 is none.

 

[miami305]

DS (6) and I spent an entire day (9am-10pm) in the rain. Honestly, it was a GREAT time. No heat, sunscreen, etc. We each had a Disney poncho, umbrella, and water friendly shoes (DS-2 pair crocs, me Teva/Keens). I packed an extra pair of shoes for DS. We made sure to spend time indoors for snacks and meals, and let our feet dry out. I would swap out DS shoes at that time, and just rest my feet on top of my shoes, and by the time we were leaving, everything was mostly dry.

Good point! After hours in the heat, everyone wants to take off their shoes for a little bit. Yes, even the sandals feel hot after 3 hours in 90 degree weather.

 

[goofyintoronto]

First of all, shame on all of you who buy the cheapo ponchos and toss them after 1 use. Definately helps fill up the landfills that much quicker! Plus it's like wearing staticky Saran wrap!

As a handful of folks stated - Disney ponchos rock and well worth the $9 purchase.

As for wet shoes, we always wear sneakers in the parks but keep a pair of flip flops in our backpack. When the rain begins, toss on the poncho and flip flops and you're golden!

I agree that the dollar store poncho's arent the best, but i like them cause they dont take up space and i can easily toss them once im done with them. I recycle and save the world in my regular daily routine. While im on vacay if i toss out a couple of ponchos, oh well. Think of all the other things that are being tossed.

The disney poncho's are good BUT they are incredibly uncomfortable and hot inside. I wore them once, never again. It was so hot and sticky in there i debated whether I should just risk getting wet in the rain....cause i wasnt exactly keeping dry by sweating inside the poncho!

Crocs are so dangerous and slippery when theyre wet. I let my son wear them on one trip, never again. He wears sneakers. Extra socks in the bag is a must, as are flip flops. But even flip flops are slippery in the rain! You just cant win. I also wanted to add that my mom slipped wearing crocs (when it was wet out) and broke her ankle. Theyre not the best in the rain! Just be careful.