Poncho vs. Umbrella

[Hockey Ninja]

I know some protection against instant storms is practically a requirement in August, but I really am not a fan of ponchos. Would an umbrella even do any good, or would it just sort of turn itself inside out? At Wal-Mart I saw some tightly collapsible umbrellas that open up to normal size which could ride very conveniently in my bag.

 

[RMAMom]

Umbrellas are a really bad idea in a crowd situation. The kids eyes are the same height as the spokes!
Aside from that if the rain is isn't coming straight down an umbrella is useless. I would go with the poncho!

 

[N2Disney]

I second the poncho. I couldn't imagine walking through a crowd of people with an umbrella.

 

[jellybeans0607]

poncho!!! think of how many people you are going to knock out with your umbrella, if they even let you bring it in(not sure on that one).
honestly we never wear the ponchos. we just get wet, its not a big deal.

 

[MaryPop888]

Thanks for the advice! I've been wondering the same thing myself. I'll be there for the first time in a decade in August for our honeymoon. We'll be sure to stock up on disposable ponchos before we leave.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

My family and I always use umbrellas and have never had a problem with them. For me, wearing a poncho is very uncomfortable and just makes the Florida heat and humidity worse. That is the reason why we take umbrellas. But whatever you decide to do, do what is best for your family because truly it is your vacation!

 

[Chedstro]

I would vote for ponchos, I know they are uncomfortable - but I hate the umbrella spoke in the eye!

BTW - anyone coming down soon - It is raining and storming like mad last week and this both. Figure on storms around 4 pm every day for some time.

 

[alloyd1170]

Poncho-besides the risk of hitting people with an umbrella, a poncho will keep your purse/bag dry. And I dont think Id want to be carrying around a lightning rod given the amount of cloud to ground lightning FL gets! I knew a family who was walking hand in hand while one was carrying an umbrella. The image still haunts me-they were blown out of their shoes by a lightning strike!

 

[ROEDISNEY]

I know some protection against instant storms is practically a requirement in August, but I really am not a fan of ponchos. Would an umbrella even do any good, or would it just sort of turn itself inside out? At Wal-Mart I saw some tightly collapsible umbrellas that open up to normal size which could ride very conveniently in my bag.

Poncho! easier to deal with .

 

[teddygurl28]

the majority of people favor ponchos of course...but im an umbrella person. ponchos are extremely uncomfortable for me and after its soaking wet i would have no place to put it...its easier just to close up my umbrella and attach it back to my wristlet. im just cautius around other adults so as not to poke them---i wouldnt have to worry about poking kids--otherwise those would be some tall kids

 

[abeyst]

We take both. For light sprinkles using an umbrella is much easier to deal with than a poncho that makes you hotter and sweatier. Plus it blocks the sun.

 

[rosiep]

I usually go in October, so the crowd isn't such a big factor. I used both an umbrella and a poncho on our last visit. I was glad for it too.

 

[sms]

Last year we used ponchos and I will never do that again! They were hot and clingy and when you take them off they are wet. Then its hard to put them away without getting everything else wet. Next time I will definately take an umbrella.

 

[JulieNMM]

We were there last week and it was sweltering hot. Even so, when it rained, it was freezing and the ponchos were needed! They were easier to use for multiple people (we were 8 people and it was easier to carry 8 ponchos than 8 umbrellas). It started to rain while waiting for Fantasmic and 90% of the people put on ponchos and 10% used umbrellas and immediately an announcement was made to put away the umbrellas! The umbrella wouldn't work against the sideways rain either. Just be sure to lay out a wet poncho when you get home and you'll be fine.

JULIE

 

[jadedbeauty14304]

I buy the cheap ponchos from the Dollar Store before the trip. When it rains, we put them on, when it stops, we throw them away. They are only a dollar for a package of two, and they keep you dry. They are also good for Kali if you don't want to get soaked to the bone. Or for riding Splash Mt. on cooler days when you don't want to get wet.

 

[AmberLuvsWDW]

DH and I also hate ponchos. We agree that they are hot and sticky-esp in Aug. We take umbrellas but usually just duck for cover when it starts to rain. There are times when we need to get to an ADR or get sick of waiting that we just go out into the rain. We get wet and then we dry off. We usually take off our flip flops because the ground gets slippery in the rain. I will say that we do take ponchos too, but we use them for sitting on after it rains. Fantasmic is a great example, they're better to sit on than wet bleechers. We throw them out after so we don't have to worry about storing them.

Have a great trip!

 

[kjetjl]

We brought and used the ponchos from the dollar store when we were there last Sept. I thought they worked great but my DH just hated the ponchos. He said he was wetter after taking the thing off (because he was so hot and sticky) than if he had just opted to walk in the rain.

 

[dizzi]

We purchase the ones from the Dollar store as well.
We use them for water rides and rain storms, and when it is a bit chilly in the evening showers it does help a bit!
We are 4 in the family and i tend to carry at least 8 they are light.
I CAN refold them i have become a pro, but when they are shot i can just thow them away! I also bring a ziplock bag to put the wet folded ones in as not to get everything else wet.

We have also done the umbrella BUT soemone ends of getting wet, usually me!

 

[1GR8DISNEYFAN]

Another umbrella person here. I also do carry ponchos but I prefer using my umbrella not just for rain, but also for shade. Never had a problem. I just would not use it in the heavy crowds.

 

[OKW Lover]

Umbrella's just don't play well in crowds. Those point-y ends are dangerous to others close by.

In addition, the rains at WDW are often accompanied by gusty winds which will make the umbrella useless at best, and destroy it at worst.