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

[WeluvthePeterPanRide]

We are vacationing the end of August at Disney World. I'm preparing myself for the hot weather and rain every afternoon. I'm just wondering what everybody does with their wet ponchos AFTER it stops raining. Do you ball/fold them up and put them in your back pack wet? Do they dry so quickly after the rain storm it isn't an issue?

Also, I've seen You Tube videos of the rain storms at Disney World in the summer and quite honestly, I've never seen anything like it! It looks like it comes down so hard that it would ricoshay off the pavement and wet you from the waist down...

Anyway, my main concern is wet shoes, socks and feet. Our family wears running shoes to the parks. How do other people manage in rain like that? Do you bring spare shoes and socks to the park? Are you in flip flops or crocs all day incase it rains? Do you bring towels?

Thanks for any information, advice or experience/stories.

Lynda

 

[BearcatsFan]

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

As far as wet shoes go, I start out in gym shoes, but if it starts to rain, those go in my backpack with my socks and out come the flip-flops.

Yeah, it is a pain to carry shoes, but better to carry them than walk around with squishy feet the rest of the day!

 

[DAZY3BYZ]

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!

 

[Sunstar]

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.

 

[GeorgeG]

Ponchos like those sold in the parks dry out pretty well with just a few brisk shakes. A few more minutes in the sun and they can be folded and put away almost completely dry. Our shoes (sneakers) have never gotten so wet they don't dry out enough to last the rest of the day. Most of the time we duck indoors for the real downpours.

 

[Bellamouse]

We also buy the dollar store ponchos (two in a package for $1.00), and toss them when we are done with them.

We also wear Keen shoes that are meant for water so they dry super fast. They are sandals - we don't do socks. Keens are great you will never get blisters from them so you don't need socks.

 

[DAZY3BYZ]

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.

Actually forgot that we do this! Yes. Ziplock bags are a must for storing the ponchos in your backpack. I also recommend you get decent ponchos not the really cheap ones. They'll protect you better. We also use the ziplock bags for our camera when we ride Kali. We place the camera in the bag and then in our backpack. Works great!

 

[carrie1626]

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.

Personally, I would bring a second pair of footwear for everyone.

 

[crostorfer]

We also buy the dollar store ponchos (two in a package for $1.00), and toss them when we are done with them.

We also wear Keen shoes that are meant for water so they dry super fast. They are sandals - we don't do socks. Keens are great you will never get blisters from them so you don't need socks.

I always wear my Keen's as well, or my Teva Mush flip flops. I tried Crocs on our first trip and they really made my feet hurt at the end of the day.

 

[Tiger926]

We spend 2 weeks each summer, so very well experienced in this!

Ponchos - we only buy Disney ponchos, and as already mentioned, they dry out very quickly after a few quick shakes. We also might grab a few paper towels or napkins and rub them down, and then put them back in the Ziploc bag on the bottom of the stroller.

Shoes - the number one important priority for summertime Disney travel is waterproof shoes/sandals! We never, and I mean never wear running shoes and socks in the summer. We only wear Teva, Merrill, Keen, Salamon, The North Face or New Balance waterproof shoes. These are all expensive sport shoes, but well worth it, as they have awesome treads and are waterproof, so they dry quickly. We do not wear flip flops or Crocs as they are unsafe and slippery (we need covered toed shoes). We all have multiple shoes as well. Expensive, but worth it!

Good luck. Properly preparing for summertime Disney park travel means you need to deal with the daily rain showers, and shoes are the priority here!

Happy travels, Tiger

 

[DizDaD7]

Just listening in on this one, as we are also coming down in late August...Thnx all for the great tips..

 

[goofy4tink]

For summertime afternoons, we never wear sneakers. We always wear shoes that can get wet...and no socks. And we buy those disposable ponchos at Wal-Mart for about a buck each. They fit nicely in a pocket until needed. Then, once used, we shake them out, and then get a smallish shopping bag from a Disney store..usually one that's about a foot high. That way you can put the wet poncho in the bag, and then loop the bag over either your wrist, a bag strap or your belt. And if it starts raining again, you have it right there.

 

[WeluvthePeterPanRide]

Thank you for all the suggestions. I really want to be prepared for the heat, humidity and rain storms. I know the last thing my family would want to be is wet and soggy.

Thanks again.

Lynda

 

[Mallow]

I may be in the minority but I really don't worry about either. Although it does seem to downpour daily, it really doesn't seem to last very long. We usually duck into a store or QS for a snack or drink and wait it out. I will carry $ store ponchos for my DS because he hates feeling wet, just in case we can't find cover. I wear socks & sneakers (bad feet so I need to even though it is hot) & haven't noticed a problem with them getting soaked. Now during TS Faye (2008) that was a different story, I definitely needed the Disney ponchos & brought extra shoes for everyone so we were able to switch off daily. But I feel that was the exception more than the rule. Enjoy your vacation.

 

[KrazeeK120]

I went in mid-August once (Aug. 8-15, 2009).

It rained exactly ONE time while we were there, and we happened to be at dinner. So, don't assume you're going to have to constantly be dodging rain because that may not be the case.

As far as your ponchos/footwear...they will probably dry fast. If you're really concerned, you COULD rent a locker, but that doesn't seem like the best use of money.

I did bring a $1 poncho that I bought here at home and put in my pack for an emergency, but I figured my first course of action would be to find a shop/theater/indoor ride nearby if I happened to get caught in the rain.

Don't spend too much time stressing about the weather...just go with the flow!

 

[Tiger926]

I may be in the minority but I really don't worry about either. Although it does seem to downpour daily, it really doesn't seem to last very long. We usually duck into a store or QS for a snack or drink and wait it out. I will carry $ store ponchos for my DS because he hates feeling wet, just in case we can't find cover. I wear socks & sneakers (bad feet so I need to even though it is hot) & haven't noticed a problem with them getting soaked. Now during TS Faye (2008) that was a different story, I definitely needed the Disney ponchos & brought extra shoes for everyone so we were able to switch off daily. But I feel that was the exception more than the rule. Enjoy your vacation.

I went in mid-August once (Aug. 8-15, 2009).

It rained exactly ONE time while we were there, and we happened to be at dinner. So, don't assume you're going to have to constantly be dodging rain because that may not be the case.

As far as your ponchos/footwear...they will probably dry fast. If you're really concerned, you COULD rent a locker, but that doesn't seem like the best use of money.

I did bring a $1 poncho that I bought here at home and put in my pack for an emergency, but I figured my first course of action would be to find a shop/theater/indoor ride nearby if I happened to get caught in the rain.

Don't spend too much time stressing about the weather...just go with the flow!

It is not just the weather that is the concern in the summer, but heat and humidity.

We have been going for several weeks each summer for at least 10 years, and so we have had some trips with lots of rain, a little bit of rain, and some trips, hardly any rain!

But the one constant is the heat and humidity. Hot and sweaty feet are uncomfortable and make for crabby park goers. That is why we wear the shoes that I mentioned. We are covered for rain, as well as humidity and sweat.

They are made for active lifestyles, so they let your feet breathe! Running shoes and socks do not. As a former track runner, I can attest to that! So, I always recommend to people that if they must wear running shoes and socks, they have other breatheable shoes like the ones I mentioned, and they alternate those shoes with running shoes/socks.

Best of luck OP in finding shoes that make you comfortable and work with the summer climate.

Tiger

 

[monorailmom]

We have been going to WDW in Aug. for the past few years, and here's what I've found helpful:

-YES with the Teva/whatever sandals. Mine are Skechers, and I affectionately call them my Ugly Sandals. It's just too hot, and wet, to wear socks and sneakers. I have plantar fascitis, so I understand those that feel the need to always have their good sneakers on. But I just can't do it in Disney in August.

-I never wear a poncho in August. It's just too hot. I'm already sweaty and then I'm supposed to wrap myself in plastic? Not happening. We alll bring umbrellas that fold up really small so they fit nicely in our bags. It's much nicer than having the downpours beating upon your head!!

Things that work? Freeze a wet washcloth overnight and bring it with you the next day, it's very refreshing. A very small fan that won't weigh you down to carry it. Take a break in the afternoon and enjoy your resort pool. Make sure whatever bag you carry is somewhat water-resistant. I used to carry a Vera Bradley hipster, but it was soaked clean through on my first Aug. trip, and my camcorder was in there! I now carry a small Baggalini backpack which repels the water, protecting whatever I have inside.

 

[Tiger926]

We have been going to WDW in Aug. for the past few years, and here's what I've found helpful:

-YES with the Teva/whatever sandals. Mine are Skechers, and I affectionately call them my Ugly Sandals. It's just too hot, and wet, to wear socks and sneakers. I have plantar fascitis, so I understand those that feel the need to always have their good sneakers on. But I just can't do it in Disney in August.

-I never wear a poncho in August. It's just too hot. I'm already sweaty and then I'm supposed to wrap myself in plastic? Not happening. We alll bring umbrellas that fold up really small so they fit nicely in our bags. It's much nicer than having the downpours beating upon your head!!

Things that work? Freeze a wet washcloth overnight and bring it with you the next day, it's very refreshing. A very small fan that won't weigh you down to carry it. Take a break in the afternoon and enjoy your resort pool. Make sure whatever bag you carry is somewhat water-resistant. I used to carry a Vera Bradley hipster, but it was soaked clean through on my first Aug. trip, and my camcorder was in there! I now carry a small Baggalini backpack which repels the water, protecting whatever I have inside.

Good tips, except for umbrellas. Umbrellas are really not park friendly at all, and when it's very crowded, they can be very problematic for the people around you.

Tiger

 

[KrazeeK120]

I should also mention that I wore tennis shoes & regular socks on my August trip.

I run at home and I don't have kids (yet), so DH and I tour what I like to call "commando-style" (aka, walking several miles in a day). My feet were used to the shoes that I was wearing, so that was what was most comfortable to me.

I really think that there are occasions where something works for one person and won't work for someone else. Some people will wear ponchos and some think they're too hot. Some people like tennis shoes and others, sandals. Some people will continue to tour while it's raining and others will try to duck into a shop. In all likelihood, the OP is just going to have to feel out the situation and see what works best for them!

 

[francie57]

Agree with the pp, we buy the cheap ponchos at Walmart or Target and just toss them. We carry them with us every day. Also agree with the newspaper stuffed in the shoes. This is what we have done in the past since we go to Disney every Aug. We always have extra shoes/sandals for everyone. Have to say, for the past two years we really haven't had any rain for our trips. Last year it literally rained 10 mins. the entire trips and we were having lunch at the time. We just go prepared just in case.