Rain gear in Disney

[GillianP1301]

Based on the Isaac threads, it's pretty evident that those of us in Disney next week will get wet. I'll leave the speculation of intensenity being either doom or just showers to the hurricane threads.

I have no control over the weather, but I do have control over my planning for it. My original plan was to bring ponchos (still will) next week. Now, I'm debating if I should up the ante there a bit. I see people posting taking anything from rain jackets to full blown rain suits.

My question is this, for those who have experienced it, don't you get hot as h-e-double hockey sticks with a full blown jacket, not to mention a full suit on? It seems to me you'd end up wet from sweat inside the thing. I'd love to hear your experiences. It will help me decide if I should make some room in the luggage for more rain gear.

 

[Qltrgrl2]

We go for ponchos....raincoats or rain suits would be way too hot for us. Have fun anyway, the parks should be less crowded!

 

[cmpeter]

We were there earlier this month and I was worried about the heat and ponchos. We just used small umbrellas and ducked inside for a meal or show when it started raining. However, we didn't get a lot of rain while we were there...if it's pouring down sideways (check out some of the youtube videos on rain at WDW)...then an umbrella would be worthless.

 

[Kay1]

We just use the Mickey umbrellas they sell all over WDW.

I hope you get some dry weather and have lots of fun.

 

[staceyatdisney]

We arrive Saturday the 25th. We'll have ponchos, but we're also bringing lightweight rain suits as ponchos don't keep you completely dry. Some are worried about full suits being too hot. We've been in Disney when it was upper 90's and extremely hot only to have a storm blow in that stayed all day. The temp dropped considerably and we were really cold which was surprising.

I agree rain suits are too hot for the typical afternoon thunderstorms, but Isaac could present a very different scenario. You may be surprised how cold you get with no sun, lower temps and multiple hours of cold rain.

 

[Pixiedust34]

We were there during Tropical Storm Hannah and our light rain jackets from home served us well. I think rain jackets would be much cooler than plastic ponchos, and more comfortable. We didn't mind getting our legs wet, and wore Tevas which are great in the rain.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

It rained almost the entire time were were there in June and we used a combination of ponchos and umbrellas. To me, the ponchos are hot, but the rain was a bit cool and when you step into an air conditioned shop or restaurant, you will be cool. I would have preferred a rain jacket, but don't own one. Dh has one for work, but he wouldn't wear it because he would have been hot, he did wear a poncho a few times, but most of the time used nothing.

 

[Kermie]

Definantly a light rain jacket. Ponchos are nice to keep dry on a wet ride, but that is all. If you feel that may be too warm, maybe a fishing shirt. They are quite nice these days, and dry quickly, while keeping me dry as we dodge puddles.

Umbrellas sound like a good idea, until someone's eye gets poked. Way too many times have I had to defend my face from umbrellas. Besides, they are way too heavy to lug around.

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

Isaac or not, it's going to rain alot in Florida in August. We used to bring ponchos but we became way too hot (wet with rain is better than wet from sweat ). We now bring small umbrellas for each person in our group. We also wear crocs or other shoes that dry quickly - it is miserable walking around with wet feet. We also avoid denim and wear lighter clothes - to dry off quicker. Expect to get wet & have fun.

 

[OKW Lover]

We've never found umbrellas to be a good idea at WDW. Its usually windy when the afternoon thunderstorms (not to mention tropical storms) roll through and fighting the umbrella isn't fun. Umbrellas also don't play well with others since the ends of them tend to be at eye level.

 

[herb102211]

We just stick with the ponchos, too. We'd be too hot with jackets or anything else at this time of year. Hoping you luck out and don't have to worry about the rain!

 

[GillianP1301]

Thanks everyone. I think I will throw in light jackets, but not go with full on rain suits. I'll skip the umbrellas since it'll be windy too.

We're there for 9 days, so hopefully after Isaac does it's thing, we'll have at least some dry weather!

 

[andeesings]

I'm going with ponchos... I'm concerned about my legs getting wet, though- I wear long pants year-round, so I'm trying to find some capris and I have to go buy Tevas so my sneakers don't get drenched.

I'm still hoping the mess turns. It's not unheard of-- I live in NY and loads of things have turned before hitting us. We get there the 27th and I am really crossing my fingers!!!

 

[POOHsie]

I also suggest a baseball cap, or something with a visor. The brim works well to keep rain off your face/out of your eyes. And your head won't get soaked. I use a poncho, with a ball cap underneath the hood. My preferred poncho is the $4 one from the sportings goods section of Walmart (price may be higher now). They are red, blue, green, etc. They're more sturdy than the $1 ones.

One problem I had with all-day rain at WDW was the sandals I was wearing fell apart. I think they were constructed with lots of glue and not much stitching. I had to throw them out and walk barefoot into a Disney shop to buy flip-flops -- and I don't love flip-flops. So pre-plan some sturdy wet-weather footgear. Make sure to break it in before your trip. Who needs blisters? Make sure to bring moleskin and bandaids.

If you need to use ponchos or rain jackets, have a bag to put them in after the rain has (hopefully) stopped. Best of luck with the weather!

 

[KittyKat1978]

I agree that ponchos are good but they don't cover your face which drives me insane

I think I will still bring a poncho, but maybe a hat as well.

Or maybe I will bring a light rain coat....

Solution...bring both

 

[Dizneefamily+4]

We were there 2 weeks ago and it did it's usual rain for a couple of hours every afternoon thing. We had our ponchos. Wearing the ponchos kept us dry - but boy were they hot! I can't imagine wearing a full blown rain suit! I actually jealously coveted the umbrellas others were carrying and vowed that I would bring one next trip!

 

[CanadianPaco]

I plan on bringing a small umbrella. Rain beating down on our heads may not last long.

 

[gator girl]

Umbrellas actually probably won't work all that well during a tropical system. Too windy. You'll wind up with an inside out umbrella every time there's a gust of wind.

 

[tajz90]

We were there during a tropical storm one year. Loads of rain. We wore our sandals and rain jackets, not thick like coats and I did bring an umbrella. When the wind was down, we did use them. We got wet, but rode everything

 

[bek]

I was at WDW in June when TS Debby came through. The poncho didn't work at all with the constant rain and sudden huge gusts of wind. I just accepted that I was going to be soaked all day. Next time if a tropical storm or hurricane is in the forecast, I'm going to take my short sleeved golf rain jacket. A poncho is usually sufficient; but this past June, I was very envious of those with real raingear. Unfortunately, I left my golf bag at home.