Ponchos

[Clare Voince]

I've never worn a poncho in all my 18 trips to Disney.. shocking, I know! My dad refused to buy them, and we used to call him 'Poncho Villa' after the Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa, because he revolted against their use. During one of my adult trips I took a cheap disposable one with me and it tore as soon as I took it out of the package, making me think my Dad was right about them. But my last trip I got caught in a rainstorm that made me feel icky, and I'm going to give it a try this trip, so I'm looking for poncho advice.

Do you buy ponchos before your trip, or do you buy them in the parks? Do you prefer the cheap disposable ones or better quality ones that you can reuse? If I go the cheap route, I think I'd buy multiples to use in case one tears again, but I'm wondering if they would be too flimsy to be of much use in a downpour.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me.

 

[SaintsManiac]

We bought a couple of $5 ones and packed them along. We didn't need them, so I guess we'll bring them next time?

If I went to Disney in the summer I would probably buy a sturdy one for each of us to reuse. I would not buy them on property.

 

[maxiesmom]

I tried going with the cheap ponchos, and they are horrible. Ended up throwing them out and buying park ones. The Disney park ones are much much much nicer, and don't tear so easily.

 

[KT0191]

I LOVE the Disney ones. They're very durable and keep you really dry...and they last years! You can buy $1 ponchos and just throw them away after every storm but that's just so wasteful to me. They tear easily and I just don't really recommend those.

 

[ReluctantDisaholic]

We've used cheap ponchos and the ones we got at WDW. The cheap ones lasted maybe one wear before getting holes in them. The WDW ones we've had through a few trips and a bunch of people wearing them (we forgot them at home one trip and bought a 2nd set - now we bring both sets and when we're travelling with family they borrow those).

On our August trip I found ponchos made it feel hotter, so I'm debating leaving them behind next trip and just getting wet.

 

[5kidsmommy]

We buy the ones they have at Walmart in the camping section. They are a little nice that the dollar ponchos. We do though bring a few dollar ponchos, they are great for sitting on the ground during a parade after it's rained.

 

[Marlyn]

I buy the dollar ones when I go in summer. They're cheap, lightweight, and if they tear I throw them out. Sometimes in summer, I don't mind getting a little wet. Usually the torrential downpour doesn't last long at all, so we often pop into a shop and browse until it stops (10-15 min usually). Being under a sticky poncho when it's 1000 degrees out in July isn't much fun.

 

[BrianL]

I only use the disposables because I don't want to carry anything around, especially just in case. I keep it in its packet and it fits right in my pocket. Once I open it, I might tie it around my belt if I think I will need it again, or just toss it.

 

[ktlm]

The Disney ones are great. We have brought the cheap ones and they pretty much rip the first time you sit down and get back up from a ride. We have bought better ones from Target and brought them- the hoods flopped into our eyes and if I pulled mine back enough to see, then water ran down my neck. We threw them away after 5 minutes and bought the Disney ones- huge improvement. We bought the even more expensive sports ponchos for sports games at home-- big, bulky to carry if you aren't wearing them, and again the hood flopped into my eyes. Wore them once and then after that just grabbed an old WDW poncho every time rain was predicted for a sporting event. The minute a drop of rain comes down at Disney you can buy a poncho at pretty much any register. I bring the dollar ones and keep them in my purse for things like Splash Mountain and Kali in case I am not in the mood to be soaked, but for actually rain we just buy them if wee need them in the park. We don't bring them back the next trip. They just stay home to be used for sporting events and outside activities at home until they wear out.

 

[BoltzNBrew]

We buy the ones they have at Walmart in the camping section. They are a little nice that the dollar ponchos. We do though bring a few dollar ponchos, they are great for sitting on the ground during a parade after it's rained.

We get the cheap $1 Ponchos at WalMart too. We'll bring a few each and I'll pack a set in my fanny pack just to have. We use one on Kali for sure and whatever we don't use goes in our camping supplies.

 

[LisaCM614]

I've never worn a poncho in all my 18 trips to Disney.. shocking, I know! My dad refused to buy them, and we used to call him 'Poncho Villa' after the Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa, because he revolted against their use. During one of my adult trips I took a cheap disposable one with me and it tore as soon as I took it out of the package, making me think my Dad was right about them. But my last trip I got caught in a rainstorm that made me feel icky, and I'm going to give it a try this trip, so I'm looking for poncho advice.

Do you buy ponchos before your trip, or do you buy them in the parks? Do you prefer the cheap disposable ones or better quality ones that you can reuse? If I go the cheap route, I think I'd buy multiples to use in case one tears again, but I'm wondering if they would be too flimsy to be of much use in a downpour.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me.

We have nice rain jackets that fold up into their own pockets from LL Bean and Lands End. We keep them in our golf bags when we're not at Disney!
As a side note - our first family trip 8 years ago I bought some disposable ponchos. It didn't rain. I still have them and we bring them every trip. We call them our good luck ponchos

 

[RebelHawk]

I have three Helly Hanson rain jackets (black rain slickers not one of the fancy nordic coats they sell) that we have bought in Norway over the last few years when we got caught out in the rain. While by no means the cost effective way to go I justified the purchases by keeping one in the car, one in my travel suitcase and one for dog walking. Now if I get stuck in the rain again at Disney without a jacket I'm going to have to admit that I don't check the weather forecast well enough before heading to the parks.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

As a side note - our first family trip 8 years ago I bought some disposable ponchos. It didn't rain. I still have them and we bring them every trip. We call them our good luck ponchos

We have some of those, too.

 

[PeasandCarrots]

I buy ponchos at the dollar store. They are tiny and work great. I like to press on when it's raining because the lines are so much shorter!

 

[mort1331]

try the Ikea ones. Only 7 bucks up here, fold down small and are good size.

 

[cgh]

We have the Disney ones and have used them for 3 trips. DS rips his somehow, and he exchanges it when/if it rips. Mine and DH's are fine.

 

[tinkerbella16]

We have ones that we bring each trip that we bought in WDW. They are thicker, so they hold up better than the cheaper ones. We usually go in November so we only used them once since 2014.. But going in September this year, I am thinking we are going to use them more lol. I cannot stand being drenched in the parks and then going into the AC, so they work great! Never hurts to just throw them in the backpack just in case.

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

I bought a clear rain suit thingy like the ones costuming issues to custodial and other outdoor CMs. I love it. I found it at a sporting goods store.

 

[FirstTimeDisneyVisit]

Every year we say we are going to buy ponchos and bring them on vacation and every year we forget and run to the closet store in the parks to buy them !

 

[DynamicDisney]

We have the Disney ones and have used them for 3 trips. DS rips his somehow, and he exchanges it when/if it rips. Mine and DH's are fine.

I was going to say that about how the stores in the parks will exchange your poncho if they rip! We bought some for everyone on our last trip, and exchange 2 right away, as the snap had ripped through. Then, one ripped on the back of the hood during the day, so we exchanged it. They are very worth it though!