Ponchos

[BlueStarryHat]

When I compared the dollar store ones to plastic wrap, I meant in terms of them being clingy.

I think all rain ponchos are clingy just because they're plastic. I remember the yellow ones with the Mickey on the back, now those were sturdy ponchos, not like the ones they sell today.

 

[itchin2go]

On the Disney Store website, they're $8.45 for adults, and $7.51 for kids.
I've heard those dollar store ones are like wearing plastic wrap. I'd rather spend a little more on something that's better quality and can be used more than once.

I've responded to these "ponchos" threads before and I've been a little more diplomatic than I'm about to be. The Disney ponchos are light years better than the cheap ones. For the people who like the cheap ones, I can only come up with 3 conclusions: (1) They have not tried to use them in real rain - just sprinkles, or (2) They expect less from ponchos than I do, or (3) They have never tried a decent poncho to know the difference. I have tried both cheap ones and the Disney ones. I have used them in actual rain, and I expect to be able to walk around and have the areas covered by the ponchos not get soaked. There is absolutely no contest. The $ ones are hard to unfold, hard to get on, and then just feel gross - yes - like plastic wrap, and they do not keep the rain out to the degree I required. The Disney ones are easy to get on, made of WAY more substantial plastic and really keep the rain out. We have brought $ store ponchos, and ended up throwing them in the garbage and buying Disney ones. They were THAT substandard.

I'd rather pay a little extra for the Disney ones because the material is a little better and if you save your receipt, they'll exchange them if they tear.

I have only had one tear, but yes, they'll replace them for free.

I don't know what these people are talking about - I love the dollar store ponchos ( I actually buy mine at target for 0.88 - they are called emergency ponchos). They DO protect you from rain. Of course, they aren't going to keep you out and riding stuff outside, but they keep you sheltered enough to get to a restaurant or other place to hide out till the rain passes. They work just fine for this disney veteran. I would NEVER spend 20 bucks on a poncho - may as well burn money. I also vote for umbrellas - you can throw a 10 dollar umbrella in a park bag easily and carry that around. I personally stick with my dollar ponchos- worth so much to be able to throw them away when you're done. I hate sticking those things back in their cases when you're done with them!

To the bolded part, maybe this is the disconnect. We have experienced days when it rained and rained and rained. We didn't just need something to do in a pinch until we could get to shelter. We actually just kept going and going. The Disney ponchos were WAY better for this.

And just my 2 cents on umbrellas - I found these to be dangerous in the crowds.

I think all rain ponchos are clingy just because they're plastic. I remember the yellow ones with the Mickey on the back, now those were sturdy ponchos, not like the ones they sell today.

I did not find the Disney ponchos to be clingy at all, and we're not tiny people. They are heavier plastic, and very loose fitting, so they don't cling at all.

This is what they look like:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cvG2fCnjs6o/Tou9j5HkiCI/AAAAAAAAKyE/KNkLYwajbKI/s1600/IMG_1649.JPG

 

[acc82]

To the bolded part, maybe this is the disconnect. We have experienced days when it rained and rained and rained. We didn't just need something to do in a pinch until we could get to shelter. We actually just kept going and going. The Disney ponchos were WAY better for this.

This is true: there is a difference between just hiding out till it passes and going and going all day. Still, if this is your intent, I'd buy a good poncho from a sporting goods store before arriving at Disney as that will be better quality and cheaper than Disney will charge. However, i assumed the OP was referring to rain gear needed for the typical, florida midday showers. The dollar store ponchos are sufficient for that.

 

[disney world dreamer]

about $8.50+tax for adults and $7.50+tax for kids.

sure the dollar store ones are $1 each but they are only worth a quick onetime use and then they tend to rip to pieces.

disney ponchos are very thick and high quality. i've had mine for i think 8 trips now and even if it doesn't rain i still use it to go on splash mountain as i love the ride but don't always love getting wet.
i've also used it a couple times at home for the memorial day parade and the 4th of july parade as they go on rain or shine.
its still in perfectly fine condition and i expect to get at least several more trips out of it.

 

[Xennia]

How much are ponchos at WDW? I know it rains all the time.

Through the years the poncho is made cheaper and cheaper. It's so short now. But them at Walmart. They are cheaper and cuter and longer. Target always has Disney themed ones. I have a red Polk a dot one with Minnie Mouse on it. I bring it all the time. Just in case.

 

[CyndiLooWho]

Our whole family has very nice Marmot and North Face rain jackets (and pants for our hikers), but for the theme parks, we toss the dollar store ponchos in our cargo pockets and soldier on. We don't do big bags at parks, and found that even the nice ponchos get that mildewy smell if you can't let them completely dry before you put them back in a pocket. We'd rather wear quick dry clothes and do the cheap ponchos than try to dry out and carry around "nicer" ones or lug our good rain gear around all day.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

...I would NEVER spend 20 bucks on a poncho - may as well burn money...

Where are you finding ponchos for $20 each? Even the Disney ones cost half that.

And yes I still have the yellow one with Mickey on it I purchased for something like $5 in 1999.

 

[KEVD]

The Walmart ponchos work well for us. Similar material/quality to the ones you get at WDW but they're only about $4:

http://mobile.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-Lightweight-Rain-Poncho/35735202

 

[dmband]

The Disney ones are better quality but you still need to carry it around if you want to use it more then once and once you unfold it good luck getting it back to a nice compact size
I pref to carry a few cheap ones in my pocket and trash them vs deal with a bulk of a unfolded Disney one

 

[jav's mom]

Our grocery store, HEB,has a totes display upfront of totes ponchos. I love them because in a sea of everyone in the same ponchos we stand out in our bright colored ponchos. I gave also seen the at Office Max And Target. I like them as they also have kid sizes...my son has bright neon so I can find him anywhere.

We have used ours for 3 yrs running with no problems...even put them in the washing machine &air dry. I carry them everyday at Disney in their mesh pouch!

About $8 for adults & $6 kids...

 

[BlueStarryHat]

Didn't realize this was a such a hot, controversial topic.

I actually *did* wear a dollar store poncho in all-day steady rain in Epcot. I'm talking 12 hours of nothing but rain. It was fine, no problems.

 

[sharadoc]

Ikea has some great ponchos, nice quality and come with their own pouch.

 

[csm101]

Meh, depends on the time of the year. We go in the summer July/Aug and all I'll say is putting on a poncho turns your body into its own micro furnace. Now if your like me and can stand to lose a few pounds perhaps turning your environment into a personal walking sauna go for it. Else the showers last mins to a few hrs. Lots of indoor stuff to do and hey ride the water rides, your wet anyway.

Enjoy the day!

 

[TexasPete]

Another vote for IKEA ponchos. I just got one, and it is great. Seems very durable.

 

[ton80]

Wait in a store until it stops raining.

 

[bsiev1977]

How much are ponchos at WDW? I know it rains all the time.

Just pick them up somewhere like Walmart. Much cheaper.

 

[itchin2go]

Wait in a store until it stops raining.

Maybe this was supposed to be funny.

If not, we had one day where it rained from 8:15 a.m. until midnight. And I'm talking buckets of rain, not sprinkles. Believe me, we did our share of indoor activities, but that's not really a complete answer if you've got a day of all out rain for the entire day.

Dollar ponchos were not the answer either, and I was thankful for the Disney ones. Now nothing could keep our feet dry, so we had to suffer in that regard!