Ponchos with preschoolers??

[ekatiel]

We are going to WDW for the first time in about three weeks. Do we need to bring ponchos? We are traveling with our two preschool boys (almost three and almost 5). They will be in a Joovy Caboose sit 'n stand stroller. I really don't forsee us "braving" the rain. Should we bring ponchos just in case we get stuck in it? What do we do with the boys and the stroller? And what does one do at WDW while it is raining? I know it won't be thunderstorm season yet (we line in Houston, and it rains every afternoon here in the summer, too), but there may end up being rain in the forecast. TIA for any suggestions! --Katie

 

[dogodisney]

I would bring them because it is alot cheaper than buying at Disney. Also I always bring a couple extra to cover the stoller.

 

[DISHUD]

Hey Katie-
Last July we went to our local dollar store and purchased disney themed rain ponchos for a dollar. The worked great and the boys just loved them because they were Cars and Buzz Lightyear. I hope this helps a bit.......have a great trip!

 

[ekatiel]

Thanks for the replies guys. I guess I'll get some dollar store ones "just in case". Thanks for the tip about covering the stroller with them-- that's a great idea. Hopefully, the dollar store will have disney ones-- my boys would love that, too! --Katie

 

[tiffany2009]

Last September we were caught in a storm with my two 4 year olds and a 2.5 year old. We brought our own panchos. We had four nice ones (for camping) and one Disney pancho. The nice panchos worked out very, very well. The Disney pancho is similar in quality as the $1 ones. I saw some plain clear panchos for $1 in Target the other day. The Disney pancho is designed to last one or two days which works for Disney (it did rip by the end of the day but it was used).

I agree with other posts that buying the panchos in advance is the best solution. I took a plastic cover for my personal stroller that was designed for a different stroller that I got on sale very cheap. It was not perfect but good enough. A pancho would have done the trick too. I carried a hand towel with me and dried off the rental stroller.

I was nervous about the rain too. Turns out my kids loved the rain. I was so surprised! The loved wearing the panchos, splashing in the puddles and walking in the rain from ride to ride. We were in DHS, which is good because it is small and everything is indoors or under cover.

Have fun!

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

We bought some of the cheap ponchos at Walmart once, never again, we hated them...they were thin and really "stuck" to us. The Disney ones are thicker and we have used them on multiple trips. JMO

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

I would break down and buy the thicker ponchos. We bought ours on our first trip in 2002 and have been every year since with our trusty Disney ponchos. Ours have held up well. I would not go into the park without them. You never know what will happen with the weather.
I would definately keep in mind that when you go into an attraction and it isn't raining, the rain can come and go quickly while you are in the attraction. I have always covered our stroller before we go into anything if where we kept the strollers isn't covered. I didnt want to chance it.
I also bring extra hand towels and plastic bags to cover seats on anything that may have gotten wet.
When it rains, we will usually use that time to hit the shops, have lunch or go back to the resort for a rest.

 

[miksilver]

I hate ponchos on my preschooler. They cling, they get everyone wet (including her) and they are a pain to get on and off. I bring my DD's raincoat and it works great. If it's a downpour I'll get a poncho and put it over her legs and go out then.

 

[KarenW]

I have to say that I hate the cheap ponchos, too. When it is hot they cling and make me feel very claustrophobic. It feels like wearing saran wrap to me! I will be buying better quality ones for our next trip.

 

[DawnM]

I got some $5 or $6 ponchos at Wal-Mart or Target years ago that are fairly thick. They have lasted and lasted. They are also heavier, which is fine if you have a stroller with you, but a pain if you have only a backpack.

Last weekend I went to a yard sale and they had purchased Disney AK ponchos in the parks and were selling them for .25 each and there were 3 of them. My kids were so excited! So, this next trip we will have both and see what lasts.

Dawn

 

[turtlegirl1]

Definitely take some ponchos. I would suggest better ones as the cheaper ones rip easily especially on the little squirmy ones. Also get a cover designed for your stroller - my husband made fun of me for getting one before our August trip last year, but it saved the day - many days! Kept my DS & all of our stuff dry even during FL downpours. Oh - and I took a swimmers "sammie" towel too, VERY helpful in wiping/drying everyone & everything off after the rain.

 

[whitneyNC]

I am completely anti-poncho. Buy waterproof, breathable rain coats. They fold up into a quart size bag. Your kids will wear them way past Disney. I suggest campmor.com. BREATHABLE is the key, and nobody is tripping in their sweaty garbage bag! $ store ponchos are okay for covering the stroller. Have a great trip.

 

[ekatiel]

Ok-- I went the cheap route today and bought the $ store ponchos (they were 2 for a dollar ) -- I'm hoping they'll do ok. If rain is in the forecast before we leave, I'll upgrade to better ones. Hopefully, it won't rain at all! --Katie

 

[MJAJmom]

During our Oct trip, I had ponchos for DS3 and DS6. They hated them!! They didn't like the feel of them and then trying to put them on again when wet was crazy. Luckily I had their little umbrellas too, and they loved those. They loved playing in the rain with their umbrellas, so we dumped their ponchos.

Next trip I will bring their lightweight raincoats instead of a poncho. Plus the umbrellas.

My advice would be to have your kids try on a poncho, bring a pair of scissors in case you need to trim the bottom off for short ones. Practice playing ponchos in the rain at home. That will help. Have fun!

 

[Tiffany_PartyOf7]

My kids broke the dollar tree ponchos really fast LOL. My boys are rough though. The Rainforest Cafe ponchos are the only ones they haven't torn yet.

 

[SmallWorld71]

I hate ponchos on my preschooler. They cling, they get everyone wet (including her) and they are a pain to get on and off. I bring my DD's raincoat and it works great. If it's a downpour I'll get a poncho and put it over her legs and go out then.

I am completely anti-poncho. Buy waterproof, breathable rain coats. They fold up into a quart size bag. Your kids will wear them way past Disney. I suggest campmor.com. BREATHABLE is the key, and nobody is tripping in their sweaty garbage bag! $ store ponchos are okay for covering the stroller. Have a great trip.

I agree! I got lightweight rain jackets for the 2 youngest which they used the last 2 Augusts at WDW. The zipper made them much easier to deal with. DH, DS13 and I all wore ponchos.

 

[Ariel on Land]

I am completely anti-poncho. Buy waterproof, breathable rain coats. They fold up into a quart size bag. Your kids will wear them way past Disney. I suggest campmor.com. BREATHABLE is the key, and nobody is tripping in their sweaty garbage bag! $ store ponchos are okay for covering the stroller. Have a great trip.

Good suggestion, but anyone know a brick and mortar store something like this could be found? We leave in less than a week, so no time for ordering online!

 

[longstangetrip]

Good suggestion, but anyone know a brick and mortar store something like this could be found? We leave in less than a week, so no time for ordering online!

Try a camping supply/outdoor gear kind of store. Ask a Boy Scout mom, she'll know where one is. Dick's or Sports Authority might be a go. I get stuff in just a couple of days many times (that I order on line) or...have it sent to your resort! What a nice surprise, an arrival gift!

 

[MyCathryn]

I bought a childrens size poncho yesterday at Harmon's. Figure if we dont use it I will return it. but better safe than sorry.

 

[sarahk0204]

My girl/boy twins, who were 4 on last year's trip, loved their multicolored raincoats I bought at CVS for like $3 each. They have worn them at home this spring, and they are going back to WDW with us. An added bonus was that the bright colors made the kids easier to keep track of They loved their kid size umbrellas, too.