Rain experts - best tips??

[Cameo]

We'll be leaving next Monday and judging from the weather forecast, it looks like we'll be in for quite a bit of rain. All of those who survived the rainy days of the past month or so, what are your best tips for surviving rainy days in the parks? Or, out of the parks? What to do when your water park day has thunderstorms?

 

[jwfla422]

There shouldn't be a lot of rain unless there's a tropical system lingering around. Actually the rainy season has slowed down a lot.

If you do find that the rains may come just make sure to pack some ponchos and head to parks earlier in the day since the bulk of the rains seem to hit in the afternoon.

There's no way to tell if your waterpark day will have any storms so just make plans to go there early and have fun!!

 

[mickeysaver]

We went to WDW the last week of September, 2002. We had rain everyday due to a hurricane out in the gulf that was sending in bands of rain. We knew about the rain, but refused to let it stop us.

We stocked up on 2 for a $1 rain ponchos at the Dollar Tree. We took everything in the backpack inside a ziplock bag. We scotchgarded the backpack with an entire can of the stuff. We took a clean shirt and clean socks for each of us, just in case.....and yes, it saved us a couple of times. We took a couple of different sets of sneaks and a pair of sandals each. We purchased many bottles of water and powerade. We used our personal fans quite a bit.

And even with the rain, the increased humidity, and the constant need to be drinking something to stay hydrated, it was still be best vacation that I have ever been on in my lifetime. Go and have fun! Mickey

 

[3for Me]

Mickeysaver -

GREAT SUGGESTIONS!!! I have one more - they have very good quality rain ponchos at Wal Mart - the adult verstions are about $5.00 which I know is about what they are at WDW. However, these are blue (or maybe even other colors, I have only seen blue) as opposed to the yellow that everyone else will be wearing AND they are thick and large and snap open on the sides so you can use them to cover your stroller as well while you are inside. We did this several times on our last trip and it really saved our (double) stroller from getting soaked (and also our kids) We just put it over the stroller top and sides (only needed one poncho to do this) and away we walked in the rain.

 

[bearzabout]

I like the Disney ponchos better than the cheap plastic $1.00 ones. I wear a hat under the hood to keep water off my glasses. The hood stays on even in a bit of wind with my Disney poncho. I had problems with the hood blowing off my head when using the cheap ponchos.

I purchased a Disney poncho 6 years ago and reuse it. Last year, the side ripped and a CM gave me a new one. What a surprise.

Bring a large ziploc bag in your backpack to put wet rain gear in. It ends up being a big wet mess after the rain stops.

I also carry a very small, light weight folding umbrella and also store it in a ziploc bag. It is perfect for short downpours.

The most important thing is to bring an extra set of shoes. My walking shoes take a day to dry. I alternate between two pairs so I never have to put on a wet pair.

 

[obnurse2003]

I checked Accuweather and the forecast looks great. Rain in the evening possible only. Hot and humid, but who cares!!!!

 

[pewing]

We went the first week in December last year and it rained EVERY day. The first day we went to AK and it rained ALL day long.

You know what? We had an AWESOME time! Yes...we were damp (even wet at times), but we donned our yellow Disney ponchos and went ahead with plans.

We did have to backtrack some b/c a few things were cancelled due to the rain (parades won't go if it's raining hard), but we wouldn't change a thing.

We loved our Mickey Ponchos, but the advice about buying ponchos other colors is good. I was a bit nervous about losing one of our kids! Everyone looked the same

My advice...if it's really raining...definately do Kali River Rapids in AK It's awesome and you will already be wet

We didn't do the water parks...

Have a great time!

 

[wld]

We too recommend ponchos. Our trip in June 02 had plenty of long rain showers but it cooled things off and sent the crowds home. I don't know if you can buy them anymore, but our ponchos were $15. at Eddie Bauer. They are more of a nylon so are much more comfortable to wear and have a drawstring around the hood. They come in their own little drawstring pouch and dry in about 10 seconds. We always used to rip the Disney plastic ones and they stuck to you when it got hot. We have more than got our money back on ours.
I agree with the double shoe and extra sock thing.
As for the water parks...be flexible if it looks like a nice day, go for it.

 

[Jasminesmommy]

I went to walmart today and there ponchos where $14.95 for the kid ones and couldn't even have any for adults. Any other suggestions of where to get them???

 

[3for Me]

Jasminesmommy -

At my Wal Mart they were in the sporting goods section, near the fishing/hunting gear. I know they are still there because my SIL just bought adult and child sizes last week.

Is there another Wal Mart in your area? You may want to try that or perhaps Target? I usually have pretty good luck finding things there.

I am sorry your Wal Mart does not have these, but you may want to ask someone who works in that area. I know they also came in their own drawstring bag as well and have a yellow color for the lining (not really a lining just an interior color. The hood has a drawstring and the brand name is STEARNS.

I hope this helps

 

[CourtasanSatine]

I noticed lots of kids not caring about getting wet and sprinting from ride to ride(ok,I did that too from Star Tours to 50's Prime Time to make a PS but it was fun ) Just make sure your bag is well closed

 

[D L and K's Mom]

Am I crazy or do I remember that most of the parks had YELLOW Mickey rain ponchos BUT animal Kingdom had a brownish??? I think maybe I am remembering wrong. Just to add my "2 cents" about the rain. WE packed DD and DS a cheap 99 Cent pair of flip flops and when it really started to rain and there were puddles everywhere they changed into the flip flops so their feet could get wet . After the rain they put back on their "Walking shoes" I wouldnt suggest this for a long period of time as the flip flops are NOT good to walk in. Also we had a stroller with us that we could hang bags on so we didnt have to carry the shoes etc It did work out nice for us though.

 

[pewing]

Great tip D and Ls Mom! I wish we had thought of that for our trip. We stayed on site and actually did go back to AKL to change twice, but wet shoes were a problem. No one likes wet tennis shoes

 

[D L and K's Mom]

Wet shoes are the pits and an even bigger problem was the shoes were wet and then when the kids went into the air-conditioned restaurants, stores etc their feet FROZE The flip flops were GREAT. We will do it again. I am thinking about even renting a locker and stashing some extra clothing in it in case of cold wet rain (We are going to be there in Dec for the first time) We have a special needs DS who hates to be cold and wet, dry and wet is sort of ok but cold and wet...NOPE