Ponchos or Umbrellas?

[chapie1968]

Obvioulsy wind plays a factor with the rain, but I just can't fathom sweating all day wearing plastic ponchos in that heat and humidity.

 

[snoopboop]

Neither. I just walk in the rain.

Seriously. I don't want to have to carry either of those items around, and I completely agree with you on not wanting to wear a poncho when it's hot and humid. We just get wet! Usually during the afternoon thunderstorm we're heading back to the hotel for a break anyway, so we can dry off and change clothes there if we wish.

 

[DrunkJam]

Umbrellas must be the worst option?
At least a mac or poncho can be stuffed in a bag. You have to carry an umbrella (Ok small ones will fit in a bag)
But they must be a nightmare to weave through a busy park with?

 

[Princent]

I tend to wear my swim suit and a light t-shirt with flip flops and just walk in the rain. But if that's not your style then a poncho would definitely be the way to go!

 

[Disneylover99]

The DW ponchos are awesome and they don't cling to you.

 

[CAS239]

Windbreakers with hoodies on them ftw

Imo ponchos are way to hot and umbrellas are too dangerous/annoying to maneuver in crowded parks

 

[OKW Lover]

Umbrellas aren't a good choice. If its windy (which it usually is during the afternoon thunderstorms) they will just turn inside out. Even if they don't your lower 3/4 will get wet. Also, the ends of the umbrella wind up at eye level of others making them dangerous in crowds.

 

[Kittyoko]

I use light packable raincoats as I hate carrying anything in my hands. These are easily shoved into a small pouch for storage. Also yes if it's windy then your umbrella is no use.

 

[Victoria3]

I personally use an umbrella.

Use whatever works best for you. Both have there pros and cons.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

Ponchos. Always ponchos for theme parks and crowded areas. They really aren't that bad to walk around in. They're pretty open and breathable

 

[gmboy95]

This time of year....some light shorts and a t=shirt....the rain is warm....at most i may bring an extra shirt in my back pack....during summer you are always in some state of wet, either from sweat, rain, pool....poncho is uncomfortable and hot

 

[BarbieGal457]

Windbreakers with hoodies on them ftw

Imo ponchos are way to hot and umbrellas are too dangerous/annoying to maneuver in crowded parks

I second this. I love windbreakers/jackets with hoods, especially when detachable or if you can stuff them inside the collar, for this reason. The WDW ponchos don't stick to you like thinner plastic ones, but they're expensive and can be a bit of a pain to fold up after (or I'm doing it wrong). Cheaper plastic ponchos, which my boyfriend swears by, get hot, clingy and uncomfortable quick for me. Wrangling with an umbrella in a theme park (while still having my lower half soaked) is not my cup of tea, and I would be fearful I might unintentionally hurt someone. If you do bring an umbrella, Totes make great, small lightweight ones that you can probably then keep in a gallon Ziploc bag after it's wet.

 

[Klayfish]

Yep, either a poncho or just get wet (and dress accordingly). I guess it's not against the rules, but to me it's a bit inconsiderate (I don't want to say "rude", that's a bit too strong) to use an umbrella. The park is crowded and it can be hard to walk around as it is. When it's raining people are trying to scurry even faster. Umbrellas will just get in the way and inevitably will poke someone.

 

[bumbershoot]

Umbrellas shunt the rain off onto someone else. Think for a minute before using an umbrella.

I tend to wear my swim suit and a light t-shirt with flip flops and just walk in the rain. But if that's not your style then a poncho would definitely be the way to go!

Assuming you're wearing guy swim trunks...beware of chafing!!!! Mesh unders are not generally meant to be worn all day, and they *can* cause serious pain.


The nicer the poncho the less like a sweatbox it will be.


Wearing dryfit type of clothing, stuff that can get wet, is also an option.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Ponchos.
They cover everything but your lower legs and you can have your bag on under them so its not getting wet.
When its raining the temps drop by quite a bit so I am never sweating like crazy in them while its raining.
Then I just remove it inside out and put it into a plastic bag and then into my park bag.
I do make sure that when I return to my room i remove it and hang it to dry.

 

[kittyab]

ponchos, when the rain stops I put them in a plastic bag and hang them up in the room later.

 

[sharadoc]

We're always good with ponchos, but we make sure we have a hat with a brim (baseball hat, etc.) to redirect the rain off the face. I love the Disney ponchos, they don't stick and they are open on the sides so they get some air circulation. The dollar store ponchos, on the other hand, are a dry cleaning bag and stick and make you feel like you're in a vacuum seal bag.

Ikea also has some nice ponchos for under $5 that have a good flap that closes around your neck and have a storage bag.

I agree with other posters about the umbrella, it's really uncomfortable to be around someone with an umbrella in a crowd. We've been poked or rained on by someone's umbrella.

 

[kwdw]

Depends on park I am headed to and the expected weather.

If I'm headed to EPCOT and it's going to be raining lightly/moderately on and off all day - I might take an umbrella. The walkways are wider here - and I feel like I can navigate the crowds without hitting folks.

If I'm headed to any of the three other parks and its going to be raining lightly/moderately on and off all day - I might take a poncho - but only wear it if I need to get someplace when the rain is coming down hard and I don't want to get soaked through. I might take an umbrella for between the bus/parking lot and the security check, but it's usually too crowded in the parks. Usually - you can jump between attractions when it's not raining much and really not get too wet. Also, if its raining enough, it can keep the crowd WAY down - and an umbrella isn't bad to deal with. I used it one day at AK, for example, as the park was a bit of a ghost town.

If it's just going to rain all day - both are pointless - you are going to end up wet all the way through anyway. I just wear appropriate clothes and shoes. I might take bag with a change or clothes/shoes/towel and put it in a locker if its going to clear up later or I am headed to a meal at a resort and I want to put on dry clothes or shoes later in the day.

I can't really stand ponchos. While the WDW ones are better than some in that they don't cling as much, you just get as wet from about the waist down as if you were carrying an umbrella and they make definitely increase the humid ick feel you get in the rain!

The hard part about the umbrella - even if YOU are observant about not hitting people as you move forward it - there's just so much stimulation in the parks - folks will still just walk right into it - because they don't even see it - they are looking at something else. You can be leaning on a wall, standing still, out of the way, and a person who is approaching you from behind or the side might run right into it. It's really odd - but I've had it happen enough - I know it's not "my fault."

 

[loves to dive]

Like PP it depends on the park and what kind of rain. If it's a light rain, I'll carry an umbrella, mine comes in a cover and attaches to my belt. I'm height challenged so unless you are a small child there isn't much of a chance I'll drip on you. If I know it's going to be the normal afternoon gully washer, I have a see through full length rain jacket with a hood with a drawstring and pockets. Goes all the way down to my feet, probably to the mid calf for a normal height person. Ain't no way I'm getting wet when I'm wearing it. It folds down to the size of a WDW poncho. I don't mind my feet getting wet since I normally wear some sort of sandal but I don't like walking around with my clothes wet, I don't ride the water rides for this reason unless it is raining.

 

[BrianL]

I always carry a pocket rain poncho, but would only use it if it were really pouring. In a light rain I wouldn't bother with anything. They do get hot, but fortunately downpours don't usually last that long.