Ponchos

[saraschoening]

I am not sure if there is a thread for this specifically. I did do a search and found some older posts but nothing specific to what I am posting, so I apologize in advance if I have made a boo boo.

So onto my inquiries. The ponchos that you can buy on property.. how much are they? and are the guaranteed for life? I have heard people say that they have used theirs for years and when they finally got a rip they just took them into a gift shop and got new ones, is this true? If not, do they last a long time? I have already purchased a couple cheapies from walmart but I think that they could only be used once as they are very thin and I really can't see them folding up very well. Just curious about everyone's experiences with both the cheap ones and the Disney ones.. Also what about the Ponchos sold on the Disney site.. are those part of the lifetime warranty (if that is true) and are they the same quality?

 

[Narnia_girl]

I can't answer about the Disney ones, but we did buy our ponchos at WalMart. You have to look around a bit because they do sell different quality ponchos there. The super thin, clear ones are cheap and won't last long. But if you look in the camping section, or the women's accessory area, you can also find some that are slighter more expensive ($6) and come in their own pouch. We have used these multiple times and they are still good.
Good luck!

 

[DisneyHardin]

We have Disney ones that we have used 3 trips now (and a few times not at Disney) and they are still in great shape. I can't comment on exchanging then if they get a rip because I haven't had to do that, but have heard the same as you, that they will exchange them.

 

[DisneyHardin]

I forgot to add, they are about $9.

 

[cleverclovers]

Last time I was there (2013) the bus driver said to skip the ponchos. Just use an umbrella. The ponchos never fold up neatly. The rain is usually over quickly. And who wants to carry a poncho (wet or dry) around the park all day? He was right.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

We have Disney ponchos and swear by them. We've had them for years and they are showing no signs of wear. We put them in a reusable shopping bag once they are wet and just tote them around in that no big deal.

I had read about them being replaced for free and asked the CM when we were buying them and she confirmed that was the way it works. The (what I thought were thicker) Wal-Mart ponchos that we purchased tore on the 2nd wearing. These (Disney ponchos) have been through many trips and are in great shape.

An umbrella only works 'so' well during the really hard and gusty downpours that can happen in Florida. Umbrellas can also be dangerous at Disney if not handled well (crowds/ people not paying attention and of course the wind gusts ).

 

[Fastpassminus]

We buy the 1 dollar ones from Walmart & throw them away when we are done with them. I bought 20 in 2009. I still have about 10 left. I use one each time we go onto a ride to cover the stroller ( attach it to the handle with a hair clip). I usually throw that one in a gallon sized ziplock under the stroller when unless it's soaked.

 

[mountdew1]

We have exchanged the Disney ponchos once torn several times.

However, I strongly recommend getting an actual rain jacket. You can often get them for $40 or so from REI or EMS, and they will last you years, and work better than a poncho ever does. Plus you can use it back at home after the trip.

 

[ellie05]

WDW ponchos hold up so well. We had our since 2009 and they are still in great shape. We take them with us every trip. I only throw them in our back packs if there is a chance of rain. Whenever we get back I always wash them (throw them in the washer) and hang them to dry in one of our guest bathrooms, fold them and put them away until our next trip.

 

[candizfan]

I thought you could only get a replacement poncho if it was bought on that trip (if they change the graphic they would be able to tell). We did exchange a couple on one trip but for the most part they have help up very well. They don't weight much and fold pretty small. Also, if you are like the girls in my family, you can get cold if you are damp and go into air conditioning. We use the ponchos to keep warm when needed. They are lighter and smaller than carrying sweaters

 

[goofyintoronto]

We go in august every year, we find it VERY hot and sticky under the disney ponchos. Theyre just way too hot underneathe. We like the disposable ponchos. I buy a few of them and throw them away after the day is done. I dont like carrying the disney ponchos around. they take up way too much space.

 

[tinkerone]

another dollar store person. I toss a few in my backpack if it looks like rain is possible or if i'm there in the summer when those darn quick showers love to show up. when i'm done with them, i'm done with them. to the trash they go. I do not want to carry around a wet poncho for the day even if it is in a waterproof bag. its to bulky FOR ME. we have bought the parks ones, once, and while they were for sure heavier materials I didn't feel they were worth so much more.
yup, wear it and toss it.

 

[Ima Disnewby]

Silly question....does disney carry kids sized ponchos?

 

[720L]

Yes Disney carries kid-sized ponchos. Same price as adult. We always use the Disney ponchos, they usually last us 2 or 3 trips. We usually only need them in the summer.

 

[greentea]

Last time I was there (2013) the bus driver said to skip the ponchos. Just use an umbrella. The ponchos never fold up neatly. The rain is usually over quickly. And who wants to carry a poncho (wet or dry) around the park all day? He was right.

Isn't an umbrella more annoying to carry around all day than a poncho, though? Or equally, at least. An umbrella is heavier and will still have to be carried around wet or dry.

 

[tvguy]

We buy the 1 dollar ones from Walmart & throw them away when we are done with them. I bought 20 in 2009. I still have about 10 left. I use one each time we go onto a ride to cover the stroller ( attach it to the handle with a hair clip). I usually throw that one in a gallon sized ziplock under the stroller when unless it's soaked.

We bought the $1 ponchos from Walmart that came in a pouch about 10 years ago for our Alaska cruise. Been on 2 Alaskan cruises now with them, several rainy baseball games, and we take them with us every year for Spring Training in Phoenix, used them only once there. I think we've used them about a half dozen times now, they hold up very well and as we have found, can be reused many times.

 

[buzz2400]

we use the $1 ponchos every time we go. if we have to use them, we put in a plastic bag and put on the bottom of our backpack. Does not take up a lot of space. When we get back to our room, we air dry them and put them back in the backpack the next morning. They do last if you are careful with them. Also keep in mind that you really are only using them for about an hour a day in the afternoon in the summer since the showers really don't last long.

 

[larissawbb]

I'll be the third or fourth person to vote dollar store every time! Use once then recycle.

 

[willgb09]

Is there a reason that ponchos are preferred to rain jackets?

 

[capegirl]

Last time I was there (2013) the bus driver said to skip the ponchos. Just use an umbrella. The ponchos never fold up neatly. The rain is usually over quickly. And who wants to carry a poncho (wet or dry) around the park all day? He was right.

Little did the bus driver know his opinion would re-open the periodic Disboards poncho vs umbrella struggle. Everyone makes a valid point, but as someone who had tried all different types of rain gear I have come to the conclusion that there is no perfect solution. If you're caught in a normal Florida shower, then reach for the Dollar store poncho, or umbrella, but IMHO the only way to wander around Disney in a windy Florida monsoon with water swirling around your ankles, is with a Disney poncho. Not perfect, but those ponchos are a necessity when the weather turns ugly, and stays that way for hours.