Please don't bring an umbrella to the park.

[old one]

I know I am a newbie on the board, but does anyone else wish that people would not bring umbrellas to the park? Crowds and pointy things at eye level are not fun.

I understand if you are alergic to the sun or have a special need. But for rain, a poncho is a better choice.
(llight weight, easy to carry, keeps you dryer and you won't blind someone)

 

[DebbieB]

The times of year we go we usually don't hit much rain but we prefer an umbrella. Ponchos can be hot plus I don't like walking around with it wet after the rain stops. Doesn't really protect your face in a hard rain.

 

[jctwizzer]

In 100+ visits to WDW I've suffered many indignities at the hands of others.
Never have I had a problem with someone else's umbrella. When the rain starts, the crowds diminish considerably, reducing the probabilities of having a problem....JMHO

 

[Magic2000]

My DH & I also prefer using an umbrella. The ponchos are too hot in the summer!!! We usually always did use the ponchos, but last Dec, not long after arriving at Epcot, it started raining. DH went into Canada's shop and bought a poncho for DD and an umbrella for us. It worked out great!! The poncho was great for keeping the stroller dry, and DD loved sitting in the stroller with the poncho over it!! And we only used the umbrella when it was actually raining (we don't use it for protection from the sun). It just felt so much more easier, walking around without a poncho.

 

[kilee]

I have to say during the warmer months a poncho is just to hot and sweaty. Also alot of work for how quickly the rain may move on. I usually have both in my backpacks. The umbrella's we use are small and purse sized.

 

[dalt01]

i'll back you up on the umbrella thing, we dont take them for that reason, even worse is an outdoor event where you are seated, concert, etc. then as soon as they go up no one can see anything, they are not allowed at the outdoor concerts at our state fair and people get downright upset when the event staff make them put them down. at the parks people swing em, poke em, shake em, etc. i mean if folks cant manage not to run over your heels with the stroller what makes anyone think they will be more thoughtful with the umbrella?

 

[2minny]

Umbrella's bother me too, the rain falls off the umbrella and onto the person next to them, pokes people around them, hard to get past them, etc. But, you can't ban umbrella's, so we have to just deal with it Afterall, you can't mess up my disney magic

 

[babar41]

old one... first of all welcome to the boards!

I understand your concern for crowds and pointy things at eye level, but I agree with the other posters. We only use our umbrella when it is pouring rain, not for shade. When it is raining bad enough to have the umbrella out most of the people have left and the streets are pretty empty. We have never had a problem with running into anyone. But as with everything, caution should always be observed. If you are wielding an umbrella, or a stroller, or a wheelchair, or a pogo stick... People need to be aware of others around them.

DH and I will continue using my MM umbrella, carefully Hope all others do the same.

 

[stemikger]

I use ponchos for the rain, but for the August heat an umbrella is a must. However, don't blame this on umbrellas, it's the novices that are handeling them. I saw many people using umbrellas for shade last year and everyone seemed to have had their umbrella licenses.

By the way - are you an umbrella cop.

 

[Pocahontas1]

We're leaving in three days. We all have ponchos, but also have a compact umbrella in case of emergencies. We're trying to find a way to keep DD (1) dry when it rains. She'll be in the stroller and we're bringing a big poncho, but wonder if an umbrella will be better.

I promise we'll be careful and it will be properly stowed away when not in use.

 

[HollisterSweetie]

I prefer my umbrella. The ponchos are way too hot and sweaty and I still end up getting wet. And if your so close as to where it`s poking you in the eye....your probably too close to me anyway....JMHO

 

[THE HAT]

hmmm going to have to go with the majority on this one too....i do not care for a poncho at all, dh and ds use theirs but, i much prefer an umbrella, whether it is pouring or just a drizzle. i have to add that i had no problems with others when i used it either. i would hope that being 31 i was old enough to know the proper umbrella etiquette.

 

[RyMickey]

I gotta agree with the original poster. Like others said, the rain falling off the umbrellas onto me...the possible pointed wires...

Sure, the ponchos are hot in the summer, but I'm of the poncho crowd!

To each his own.....

 

[tiggergirlinMI]

We used to wear ponchos but after being caught in all day rain and having the rain drip down in our faces off of our poncho hoods? That was enough.I drove to Walgreens and bought 3 compact umbrellas.We each carry our own and when walking through large crowds just raise them above others so noone gets poked with them. Yes they can drip on others, but then I have been bumped into by many a soaked poncho wearer also and that is not pleasant either, not to mention when the ponchos are taken off around others and "shaken" with no regard to the people around them. I agree that it's to each their own, for us it is so much easier and more effective to each have an umbrella. My sons are now teens and if taught at a young age to use the umbrella "properly" it is a great defense against those torrid rainstorms!

 

[jsmla]

We seem to always time our Disney trips to coincide with some sort of major weather incident (hurricanes, tropical storms, floods, major brush fires, record lows, a week of 100+ temps, you name it, we've been at Disney for it!) I just can't stand ponchos! It's not just the heat. Maybe I'm a nut but I hate that feeling of the rain drumming on the the top of my ponchoed head. It always gives me a sick headache. I never used to bring an umbrella but back in June 2003 I hit the wall. Three days into what would prove to be a week of really, really hard rain (I'm not talking afternoon showers here. This was dawn-to-dusk, record setting, Noah's ark calibre stuff.) I broke down and bought a bumbershoot. Let me tell you that once you've gone the way of the umbrella, there's no looking back. For me anyway, they're the crack cocaine of rain gear. I can't explain the sense of well being that I felt when that constant pattering of the rain on my poor head stopped. I pack one for every trip now. I am very careful with it and am improving on my umbrella ettiquete with every trip. I've been the victim of too many umbrellas at LSU football games not to be aware of what a weapon those things can be.

Here's a few of my tips:
Buy the smallest sized umbrella you can. Totes makes some wonderful ones.
If you have to shake your brolly out, take yourself off to an isolated spot to do it. (Service entrances are great for this as long as you don't time things poorly and douse some poor CM.)
Pack a plastic bag for your wet umbrella. The ones our newspapers come in are great for this!
Unless your kids are way more sedate than mine don't let anyone under 16 have your umbrella. (If your DS is anything like mine, make that under 30.)
No matter how much you want to, never use your umbrella while waiting in a line, watching an outdoor performance or in any sort of situation where people can't avoid your runoff.

Umbrellas are like anything else. There are people who can use them with courtesy for others and there are those that give the rest of us umbrella people a bad name.

Jennifer

 

[epcotfan]

I hate wearing a Poncho. They are hot and they get WDW ride seats wet. At least you can fold up and umbrella and put it in its sheath. Ponchos are more difficult to tote around than a small, lightweight umbrella. I've never had trouble maneuverering my way through a crowd with it and I've never poked anyone. I find I'm still wet wearing a Poncho. Also you can share an umbrella to stay dry. You can't share a poncho.

 

[faeflora]

Both my mom and I have sun issues. We are heading to WDW in 29 days and yep I am taking the umbrella, it is small and I only use it when it becomes a must situation. So if you are at WDW in 29 days, I am the red head in the wheelchair with the Meredith College umbrella. I will make sure to be careful and since I love the rain it will probably disappear during the mid afternoon florida showers!

 

[Deb & Bill]

...By the way - are you an umbrella cop.

I think the OP is concerned about getting poked with an umbrella.

I agree, though, with the OP that an umbrella can be a weapon in some people's hands. I know sometimes I will accidently turn and, oops, someone who is kind of near to me might be bumped. I wear a poncho or not and just get wet.

 

[Ronda93]

While sitting on the wrong side of Main Street waiting for the afternoon parade I will use my umbrella for shade. I've had small children I do not know share in the respite from the Florida sun.

Once the action starts it gets put away, but a compact umbrella can make it so much easier to sit and wait.

 

[Talking Hands]

I don't actually use my umbrella for rain but do use it as a sun protection waiting for the parades. Since I am in a handicapped area it shouldn't bother anyone and I put it down when the parade starts.