Please don't bring an umbrella to the park.

[Talking Hands]

Faeflora you will need it while waiting for the MK if you watch the interpreters. That area is out in the sun most of the time. Will you be at MGM on the 26? If so I will look for you.

 

[MrsToad]

Umbrellas scare me, too, mainly because I've seen them in the hands of children who were not propperly supervised (similar to kids waving small flags and other pointy items while walking in a crowd).

Now, what do people who use umbrellas think of the "bubble" umbrellas? Do they do the job? They don't seem as potentially dangerous. But, do they fold up small enough? Just wondering if they are a good option. Thanks.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1265&item=8195894191&rd=1

 

[MrsToad]

You know, I think I just answered my own question...the more I look at the bubble umbrellas on ebay, it doesn't look like they fold up at all small!

Thanks anyway.

 

[keishashadow]

Somewhat off topic, but - I'd rather be bopped in the head with an umbrella than be run over with a stroller any day. Don't flame me...I have 3 kids myself, just never used a stroller as a "cow catcher" to plow my way through crowds. Last visit was the worst ever, you think the parents would be afraid someone would actually fall onto their child. park

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I'm also anti-poncho. Did you know that WDW keeps Mickey umbrellas under the counter with the Mickey ponchos? They're only a few $$ more than the ponchos and are durable (unlike the ponchos), much easier to manuever once you get inside and more compact when storing after the rain subsides. Nothing worse than standing in line inside an attraction nice and dry and someone wearing a soaking wet poncho brushes up against you! yuck!

 

[oogieboogie]

My MIL bought one of those paper umbrellas at the China pavillion in Epcot and she used it almost everyday. I never thought of them being a nuisance. No one ever got poked in the eye, in fact many people came up to her and wanted to know where she got hers.

Anything can be a nuisance if you look at it that way... Strollers run over people, full backpacks become weapons when you're too close to the person in front of you and they swing around, ECVs can be mini tractors to your feet and legs, etc. You get my drift.

It's all about choosing your attitude and having some common sense - just be aware of your surroundings.

 

[2minny]

"they're the crack cocaine of rain gear." ?????????????? jslma, I wasn't expecting that comment on the disney site. Very unusual comparison. Anyhow, umbrella's are annoying when people are not careful or considerate while using them in crowds. But there's not a great solution.

 

[old one]

...
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

Excellent tips Jennifer!!!

Three items I would like to mention.

Most of those who jabbed us last year never knew they did it. They THOUGHT they had no problem moving through the crowd. (Excitement can be like blinders.)

Noting is as bad as having to sit at a show behind someone with an umbrella.
Not only can you not see, but if it is raining their umbrella water ends up in your lap.

A group of people with umbrellas can completely block a pathway from those who may wish to pass.

Anyway, I enjoyed seeing the replys, and I do undersand that a poncho could be very warm in hot weather. ( I usually go during cooler times so I did not think of ponchos in 100 degree heat, I guess I would be like a kid and just get wet. .)


Umbrella or ponchos... I hope everyones days at Disney are nice and you don't need either one!


_______________________
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. - Jennifer
( My HERO)

 

[HappyLawyer]

i think people should bring in what ever suits them best, i actually find it apalling that someone would make a statement not to bring in an umbrella, what if someone said oh please don't bring in a stroller, it runs over peoples feet just carry your child- I think people should be more cautious when posting

ps to those with children i am not opposed to strollers i was just using that as an example

 

[Sherrilatte]

Duck!....I'm bringing my Tote.

 

[old one]

i think people should bring in what ever suits them best, i actually find it apalling that someone would make a statement not to bring in an umbrella, what if someone said oh please don't bring in a stroller, it runs over peoples feet just carry your child- I think people should be more cautious when posting

ps to those with children i am not opposed to strollers i was just using that as an example

I think I met you last year with your umbrella.

I'm sorry if I "apalled" anyone else, it really was not my intent.

 

[old one]

I think people should be more cautious when posting

 

[BeckWhy]

I understand what you are saying... but asking people to not use an umbrella because others are not smart enough to watch where they are going/walking is like telling someone not to stop at a red light because you aren't paying attention and will hit them.

But I don't see why I should pay $7 or whatever it is for a poncho when I already have an umbrella. Course I, myself, never bring umbrellas with me, it doesn't bother me if I get wet (unless its 20 degrees outside).

Most umbrellas are very small. And if you or anyone else is running into them.. then you are really standing WAY to close to them. You are definately invading their personal space (and in the US we value our personal space).

And for those who bring massive umbrellas (which I do have one), you are not intelligent at all or considerate of others.

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

JMO . . . WDW is no place for umbrella's (if you're walking around)!!! Too many eyeballs to watch out for!!! There is no way you can walk around WDW and not poke someone and/or block someones view.

I guess if you are sitting and waiting for a parade it would be safe to use. Once the parade starts the umbrella should get folded up!!

NEVER thought to bring an umbrella, NEVER will bring one!!! Out of all my trips the only time we needed a poncho was 12/03, so I guess we're lucky!! It did rain one night during this past trip, but we were on our way out of MK and we just got wet!!! It's OK, we're not that sweet!!

 

[rrunnels]

Just another comment that you never really know what's going on with other people: I go to Disney every summer with my sister and her two kids. My nephew has a rare serious skin disorder known as epidermolysis bullosa (see http://www.debra.org to learn more about the disease.) From that website: Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a rare genetic disease characterized by the presence of extremely fragile skin and recurrent blister formation, resulting from minor mechanical friction or trauma. This condition is not contagious. For my nephew, that means he usually has quite a few open sores on his body and gets frequent staph infections. To look at him, though, unless you do a careful inspection and notice his lack of toenails and capped teeth, you would see a normal preadolescent boy with a few extra bandages than normal -- maybe someone who had had a recent bicycle accident. Anyway, you wouldn't immediately see a serious medical condition. Obviously, however, frequent staph infections are quite serious. It is important to keep his skin from experiencing traumas. Excessive sweating is not good, but summer is the only time he can go to Disney. It would be better for his skin not to go, but we don't him not to experience things. Now to the point -- a couple summers ago he developed really bad blisters on his feet and we decided to get him a wheelchair. I hated thinking that people would look at us disapprovingly, but there was no way that I was going to tell my nephew not to get up and run to get in line when we got to an attraction when he was excited because I was worried about what people would think. Now to the umbrellas -- it is important that he not have wet clothes sticking to his skin. In past years we bought ponchos, but 2 summers ago, he developed a sensitivity to the plastic in the ponchos and his skin broke out into a rash where the plastic hit his legs. The rest of us used ponchos, but gave my nephew a small umbrella to use. We cautioned him to be careful, but he's still a ten year old boy. I'm not really sure what my point is -- this is a very rare condition, and you are probably not likely to meet anyone else with it. I guess I just wanted to share.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

You know, for all umbrella haters concerned with getting poked, I would think twice about ever vistiting NYC if the weatherman says that there might be even a slight chance of rain. The sidewalks of New York become a sea of umbrellas and yet somehow, we all make it to and from work with both eyeballs still intact.

 

[goofy4tink]

At the risk of getting jumped on here...if you are close enough to someone's umbrella to get poked in the eye, then you could be in their 'personnal' space, so to speak. I am taking a small, compact umbrella with me this year. I don't intend to open it during any shows or parades. Just to use as I amble around the parks. I will be careful not to get into any crowds tho. Sorry, but I can't see behind me. If you are behind me and I have my umbrella up, then I would suggest that you not walk too close to my back. I don't just stop in the middle of the sidewalk or street. I don't make quick direction changes. I try to be aware of those around me. I have had people with huge backpacks on under a poncho almost kill me when they stopped dead in their tracks and turn to go back from where they came from. Almost knocked me down in a torrent of wet poncho/backpack!!!

So, yes, take care with your umbrellas. Just as you would with a stroller. Be aware of others in your area. Just use a little common sense and we should all be fine.

 

[old one]

if you are close enough to someone's umbrella to get poked in the eye, then you could be in their 'personnal' space, so to speak....... I have had people with huge backpacks on under a poncho almost kill me when they stopped dead in their tracks and turn to go back from where they came from. Almost knocked me down in a torrent of wet poncho/backpack!!!

Not jumping on you, listening with an open mind... but just imagain if that person with a backpack had had an umbrella!

I doubt New Yorkers walking are acting the same as excited Disney Visitors.
(see above)

The person I was with ( who by the way was already blind in one eye) on TWO occassions had people with umbrellas turn suddenly and scratch his face with their umbrella. The first person had no idea they had even done it! The second person was kind and apologized, but that is scarry stuff, more so than a bruse on the shin from a stroller.)

I have to giggle just a little, is their really any personal space in a crowded theme park, well except for maybe in the barhroom stall?

 

[Sherrilatte]

I have to giggle just a little, is their really any personal space in a crowded theme park, well except for maybe in the barhroom stall?

Yes...I still REQUIRE my personal space in a crowded theme park. And I have never had a problem maintaining it.

 

[faeflora]

Hey Talking Hands,
It looks like we are going to Epcot on June 28, MK on June 29, and AK on June 30 although on June 30 we are doing the Park Hop thing and doing Princess Breakfast first and then off to AK. Only definite is MK on June 29.
How long are you staying?