Opinions please: Rain protection

[SkylarKD]

My fiance and I will be going to WDW in August for our honeymoon. I've read that in August we should expect afternoon rain, and be prepared for it. I'm trying to decide the type of rain gear we should bring. I'd like to make our bag as light as possible, but then again, I don't want to get soaked. We'll be wearing baseball hats. What rain gear do you recommend?


- Disposable ponchos

- Disposable ponchos and travel umbrella

- Thick(er) poncho

- Thick(er) poncho and travel umbrella


Thanks!

 

[Yardbird]

I don't think you can beat the disposable ponchos. They are very lightweight, and inexpensive at two for a dollar (Dollar Tree), and they can be tossed instead of carrying around wet ponchos. Most importantly, in August if you have to wear something for rain, it might as well be as light as possible! The only drawback to not bringing an umbrella is being plumeted by rain. This trip, I'll probably be carrying some type of bag since my five year-old grandson will be with us, so I might bring along a small umbrella also. Usually the summer rains in Florida don't last long anyway.

 

[disneygoof]

My family recently returned from a couple very rainy days at Disney. We bought the Disney Mickey Mouse ponchos, (thicker variety) and thought they worked out so well, we packed them and brought them home. They wipe down very easily for re-use, and though we had a stroller to throw them in the bottom of when wet, they didn't bother us when the rain stopped.

I saw a couple good tips on a board somewhere, maybe allearsnet.com, that mentioned wearing sandals instead of sneakers because they dry out more quickly. I wouldn't sacrifice the comfort of sneakers myself, but have never tried teva like sandals. One guy who no matter what the forecast is, or what time of year it is, says he always brings rain gear, rents a locker first thing, and puts the rain gear in the locker, change of socks, shoes, ponchos, umbrellas, whatever. Then he doesn't have to lug it around, but it's there if he needs it and he doesn't have to got to the expense of buying ponchos in case of unexpected weather (although I don't know how much lockers cost). I guess if you expect afternoon rainshowers, it may not be a bad way to go, since you wont have a stroller!

And my sister-in-law thinks the heavy ponchos are so great that she always brings them and makes her family (twin 5 year olds) wear them on wet rides like the river rapids ride in Animal Kingdom. She swears it's saved her camera equipment, and headed off kiddie tantrums.

PS, have fun and don't worry about the weather. When we last went, it poured in the morning but we ponchoed up and went. It was cloudy all day in MK, but more importantly, it was EMPTY. The threatening weather kept the crowds away even though it never rained from 9 am on, and we never waited in line. Truly magical.

 

[ValerieK]

We have the Disney Mickey Mouse ponchos. We love them. We have reused them each year we have gone. I just take a large rubber band with me and roll up the poncho and put a rubber band around it. We tried the cheap dollar store ones and my DH and DS hated them. That's when we got the Mickey Mouse ones.

 

[my3princes]

We tried the cheap 2 for $1 ponchos last Aug and we did not like them. They stick to your skin and aren't very reliable. We have thicker ponchos similar to the Mickey ones that I picke up on Clearance years ago for $.50 each they are Cowboys ponchos. They work great and we stand out in the crowd. We aren't even Cowboys fans. LOL. I carry a couple of ziplock bags to store them in when wet.

 

[shelleybell]

We bought the MICKEY ponchos our first trip and took them back for the second. I personally didnt like them as they dont fit into my small backpack. I had to end up carrying around a small bag all day. This trip we are trying the Dollar Store kind. Bought plenty to just use and throw away. I guess I will know for sure how well they work for us about 5 minutes after the first rain!

shelleybell & scar11

 

[DisneyMomx7]

For 2 adults I would definitely go with the travel umbrellas and disposable ponchos. The umbrellas would be two hard for us to manuever because we have a single and a double stroller to push. We bought the Disney ponchos last year and this year I'm brining them and buying disposables at the dollar store to see which ones work better, but I'm betting on the disposables because you don't have to dry them out you can just throw them away.

 

[safetymom]

I vote for the Disney ponchos. They hold up better than the really cheap ones and fit better on your head. If they rip Disney will replace it.

 

[SkylarKD]

Hmmmm... I can't decide!! Maybe we'll do a trial run with disposable ponchos here at home, to see if they feel okay. If they're no good, we'll pick up Mickey ponchos at WDW, before it starts to rain!

 

[lcjones70]

I agree with using the WDW Ponchos! I brought 1 in 1995 and have used them 4 times since then during my WDW vacations and will be using it again when I go in June. I remember when I brought the poncho I thought it was expensive but since I have been able to use it 6 times I know now that it was well worth spending the money on. I have a little carrier that I brought from Walmart 2 years ago for $6.00 and it has a thin compartment in the back that the poncho fits nicely in (it was like it was made for it in mind )) the sides of the carrier have little mesh pockets one for my travel umbrella and one for my cell phone, the front has little secure lock pockets for my IDs, tickets and money, and the middle compartment can actually fit my mini camcorder, camera and other personal items I take and it's so lightweight I never get tired of carrying it around.

 

[eclark]

Been to WDW a few times and yes, the rain can come up quickly. Found a few years ago a rain poncho from Totes that is great. Hooded with a nice front pocket. It folds into itself and is not much bigger than a softball. Has a strap that can attach it to your belt or whatever with. Very light, but very useful when the rain comes. Use it at WDW and at home all the time.

 

[wbk]

Since you are adults, why not just wait to see if it rains. If it does, every store sells ponchos and Mickey umbrellas. Personally, I vote for the umbrellas because in August the ponchos will cling to you and be very, very hot.

 

[wdwdvcdad]

Perhaps I'm a bit odd..I like getting drenched on a hot august day at WDW, I throw ponchos on the kids, but I don't mind cooling off.

 

[pampam]

I can't see the wisdom of storing your rain gear in a locker. It's expensive, and when the rain comes you probably will be well away from the lockers. Disposables will fit in your pocket if you don't want to carry a bag. Or, perhaps you can loop them over your belt. Ive used both disposable and Disney ponchos. Both work well. If I don't have room for them on the way home, I give them to someone who is just checking in if they don't have rain gear. Actually I've even bought extra disposables and given them away to spread a little magic.

 

[saymama]

Dh honeymooned at disney 9 yrs ago this August. We got lucky that there were about 4 tropical depressions lined up in a row handed straight for south FL. So we bought mickey ponchos while we were there and held hands and ran in the rain. We got to do everything we wanted to do and most things 2 or 3 times. There were no lines. We had so much fun. I carried a backpack and just stuffed them in there when we were done with them and pulled them out when we needed them. They have returned on 2 more trips since then and will be on another one in 3 weeks. They were 4 dollars when we got them, don't know how much they are now. I say go for the poncho if you need them. Take it home and you will have sweet honeymoon memories everytime you look at them!

congrats!

 

[Aimeedyan]

I would buy some disposable cheap ones and a small travel umbrella. If the rain comes and those ponchos are not what you like, then you can quickly stop ina store and buy the Mickey kind. You're only out a buck! (they're 2 for a Buck at Dollar Tree!).

BUt if they DO work, like many people say they do, then you've saved yourself some dough and were already prepared.

I bought some for our trip ina couple of weeks to try out. We also have some Mickey ones because we were unprepared several years ago and had to buy them.

Unless you like your head to get drenched, I'd drag a small umbrella, too. I find my head gets too hot until the poncho hood... Course, some people don't care to have their head wet, but I wear glasses and it drives me BATTY to have them wet to where I can't see! =)

=)

 

[cmonroe]

Where'd you get it?!

 

[JPN4265]

I would choose ponchos. But if you can find them, look for the clear ones. Its hard to find your group in the mass of yellow. If you have small kids, you can loose them in a crowd.

 

[Ahrizel]

In August it's going to be hotter then heck with humidity to match-get wet! Don't bother dragging around stuff. Wear lightweight clothes that dry easily and go for it. Unless there is a tropical storm or front coming through, rain is there and gone within a half hour. Go for the good rides when it's raining, people are afraid of getting wet and stand under cover when it rains. This is what we'll be doing on our June trip. Have fun!