Ponchos instead of raincoats?

[minoh]

We're finishing up packing and will be heading off to Disney soon but I was curious why everyone talks of packing ponchos but no one mentions raincoats or umbrellas. Is there a clear benefit to having just ponchos?

 

[Disneylover99]

Ponchos are just easy to fold up and carry around. Umbrellas poke people in the eyes and I don't want to have to walk around holding one.

 

[minoh]

Ok, I figured as much. Thanks for responding

 

[melanielll]

Here's my poncho tip...wear a baseball cap on top of the poncho. It holds the poncho down so that you don't have to walk around pinching it under you chin to keep the hood on. Yes - the cap gets wet, but they dry just fine.

Also - you can wear the poncho on rides. That can be tough with an umbrella. And...if the rain is finished, you can toss the poncho. You might not want to do that with a raincoat. My husband carries the unused ponchos in the lower pockets of his cargo pants - another plus.

 

[JodyLynC]

Where do most people buy their ponchos? I find the ones at the dollar store too flimsy.

 

[Disneylover99]

Where do most people buy their ponchos? I find the ones at the dollar store too flimsy.

We bring the dollar store ponchos to the park if there is a slight chance of rain cause they're easy to carry. If we know for sure it will rain, or there is a very good chance of rain, we bring the Disney ponchos. Stores will replace them for free if they rip.

 

[minoh]

We bring the dollar store ponchos to the park if there is a slight chance of rain cause they're easy to carry. If we know for sure it will rain, or there is a very good chance of rain, we bring the Disney ponchos. Stores will replace them for free if they rip.

Are the Disney ones much more expensive? I was thinking of buying some before we leave but also wondered if there were child-sized ones in the Disney shops or they're all one-size?

 

[chicagoshannon]

If I owned a raincoat I'd bring that. We just don't have them. So $.99 for a poncho beats spending $30+ on a raincoat that may or may not get used.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Are the Disney ones much more expensive? I was thinking of buying some before we leave but also wondered if there were child-sized ones in the Disney shops or they're all one-size?

They do have child sized ones. They are better quality than the .99 ones but do cost 9.99 or more if I remember correctly.

 

[minoh]

They do have child sized ones. They are better quality than the .99 ones but do cost 9.99 or more if I remember correctly.

I'm still torn. We do have raincoats but if the ponchos are good quality and would last, maybe they're worthwhile to have for this trip and future use. It might be a good thing to send to school with the kids on days when there's a chance of rain but raincoats are overkill?

 

[chicagoshannon]

We did buy Disney ponchos one year and they have lasted through at least 3 trips and still going strong. We only wear them if it's raining, not on rides.

 

[karen4546]

I'm still torn. We do have raincoats but if the ponchos are good quality and would last, maybe they're worthwhile to have for this trip and future use. It might be a good thing to send to school with the kids on days when there's a chance of rain but raincoats are overkill?

The Disney ponchos are good and not expensive. On your next trip if you decide to bring your own try FroggToggs driduck, ultra lite or another light weight set they have. They are inexpensive and we have used ours for 4 trips so far.

Regular raincoats can be bulky but ponchos and lightweight rain gear fold up smaller.

Just wanted to add that Academy sports has a good long poncho that will last and I think it zips- we have used those too.

 

[melanielll]

Free ponchos are available in the parks to those with no shame.

Also - another advantage to the baseball cap over the poncho - the brim keeps the rain out of your eyes.

 

[Disneylover99]

Are the Disney ones much more expensive? I was thinking of buying some before we leave but also wondered if there were child-sized ones in the Disney shops or they're all one-size?

I think they're around $9 or so. I like them cause they don't cling to you.

 

[JodyLynC]

Do all the Disney gift shops have ponchos?

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Many people on here seem to hate ponchos.
Personally I think they are much better than rain coats as they cover more of your body and are large enough that you can have your park bag safely dry underneath.
Only thing I wish they had was drawstrings to cinch the hood/neck area although I'm sure there are some that do that just not Disney ponchos.
I don't find that I get too hot in them either. They get a lot of breeze since they are pretty open.

I'd consider wearing a raincoat but I would NEVER take an umbrella.
It's not hands free, it doesn't cover the majority of your body, if it gets gusty it can break, its annoying for other guests if you're holding it so they can't see around you or you are not self aware and hit someone with it... so many reasons I don't think umbrellas are a good fit for WDW.

 

[Disneylover99]

Do all the Disney gift shops have ponchos?

I believe so. Sometimes they are hidden away. You start seeing them on the counters when it starts to rain.

 

[Matty_Disfan]

We still have Disney Parks ponchos in our closets at our cottage.... From 1988.

 

[han22735]

We use dollar store ones...use them and then toss when the rains all done I hate having to carry them around after when they are wet.

I also like the baseball cap idea but usually wear one under the poncho.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

Does Disney still replace the ponchos for free if they rip?