Rain ponchos anyone?

[kathyg]

Just curious. Given the rain we've been having in the northeast and the prediction for rain this week in Orlando (when we'll be there), I was wondering how many of you actually wear rain ponchos in the parks? My teenagers will absolutely not be caught dead wearing one, but I think they're a great idea.

 

[Tracie]

We just got back and Thurs. the heavy rain ran us out of IOA! I wore a poncho and had an umbrella. My shoes and socks were soaked! I sugest taking an extra pair of shoes if you wear sneakers, it was nice to get back to the room and put on dry shoes.

 

[Keeter]

We love the rain poncho's from Disney. The smell of them reminds me of visiting Disney as a child. When it isn't raining they fold up easily and will fit into a ziplock bag and then I put that in my fanny pack.

 

[grinningghost]

If you go in summer, you have to have them. Unless you enjoy the feeling of soaking wet clothes. My DD isn't thrilled about them, but when it starts pouring and she realizes everyone else in the park is putting them on - she learns to like it.

 

[nativetxn]

I go to the dollar store and buy a lot of the 2/$1 ponchos. I just throw them away after I use them, instead of trying to fit them back into my waist pack. I don't mind throwing away one of these really thin ponchos, no way would I throw away a poncho with Mickey on the back

 

[AKASnowWhite]

I can see where teens would feel like DORKS in rain ponchos...however, they're the ones who'll have to endure the wet clothes if they decide they're just too *cool* to wear them!

We use rain ponchos religously! Although my own kids haven't yet reached that age where they care what complete strangers think of them! In front of his own friends, my 12yo DS may feel differently, but at WDW he doesn't really care (yet )

If they absolutely refuse to wear the ponchos, I'd have them pack extra clothes (down to the undies!) in the over-sized ziplocs, and let them carry them in their own packs. That way if they are totally drenched and uncomfortable, they can change. But, I'd make it THEIR problem, not mine.

 

[Disneydenise]

Teens never have a problem that doesn't become yours in some fashion. At 16 my very compliant DD refused to wear a poncho and then when she was drenched she went back to the room and watched TV. She still won't admit to it being a bad idea, she is now 19. She missed Fantasmic and I am sure I felt worse about it than she did. We then decided that we would carry a golf unbrella and then the 2 kids will use that if they need it. I also got the clear plastic ponchos that are disposable rather than the bright orange one. I am not sure why that mattered neither of them is exactly making a fashion statement.

 

[kathyg]

Denise...you made me laugh. No way a rain poncho is going to make a fashion statement. But my kids only recently started to carry umbrellas to school. Guess that too is way to uncool, but I think they got tired of being drenched.
Thanks to all for your replies. Guess we'll just have to play it by ear.

 

[Kteacher]

katholyn- I just got back from The Dollar Store and bought about 12 of those 2/1.00 ponchos. Everyone but DD is telling me that they refuse to wear them , but I'll be stowing them in my fanny pack every day we are in WDW. I have a feeling they will all get used by the end of our trip

 

[jwfla422]

In the Disney parks...Actually they'll look more like dorks being the only ones without ponchos in a downpour getting all drenched. SO, it's up to them. We always bring our own. Maybe they'd be more comfotable in one that's army green or something like that. You can pick them up at Target or Kmart.

 

[gumdrop]

Originally posted by jwfla422
Actually they'll look more like dorks being the only ones without ponchos in a downpour getting all drenched.

My thoughts exactly! I think once they see everyone else wearing them and see how heavy it's raining, they'll bite the bullet and put them on I buy a whole bunch at Target--enough for the two of us for each day we are there. It's easier to just toss them instead of drying them and reusing.

 

[uncle al]

Both DS & DD who are teenagers wear their ponchos. We have great pictures from our first visit to WDW, WC (WC- with children - they were 3 &4, now 13 & 15) - they are great pictures and bring back such memories- they look like little ducks. Anyway, I digress, I think those memories stick in their mind and they have no problems wearing them-- like the previous post they will be odd man out if they don't have them on - because everyone is wearing a yellow poncho as soon as the rain starts falling.



















i

 

[disneychrista]

When we were there in December, I don't think there was anyone who DIDN'T have a poncho on, when it was raining (which was 2/3 of the time).

 

[dahirsh]

The way I see it, you have three choices when (and I mean when, not if) it starts to rain

1) get wet. not damp. Just showered in your clothes wet

2) take cover and stay there until it's over

3) put on a poncho and continue having fun.

I choose option 3. But I have observed a lot of people doing the other two. I think I was having more fun at the time.

Deb

 

[erikthewise]

I lived in Seattle for seven years without owning a raincoat or umbrella. But we take $1 ponchos to Disney and use them when necessary. Just a couple words of advice.

(1) Put them on BEFORE you get soaked, not AFTER. You want to keep the water out, not keep it in!

(2) For children under 48in, standard ponchos will probably drag on the ground. Be prepared to either pin it up or cut it off. (I haven't seen the cheap ones in childrens size.) As you aren't supposed to bring scissors into the parks, you will have to have help from Guest relations to cut off.

 

[Jordan's MOM]

We take a bunch of the 2for1.00 ponchos for emergency use, but take the slightly better wal-mart 3 or4 .00 style for days when rain for a long time is a given. The WDW ones are cool, but then you look just like everyone else and keeping up with your kid is a nightmare!!! Another trick that we have learned is that if you wear a billed baseball style cap under the poncho ( Ok, talk about uncool here) the rain tends to run off the cap and not down the poncho and into your face. Here to a dry trip.


Jordan's mom

 

[epcotfan]

I can't stand the Disney rain ponchos. They just make me hot and they take up too much space when packed up.
I prefer the clear raincoats that have snaps down the front. Then you don't have to do them up all the way and you are a bit cooler. In most circumstances I prefer a small umbrella to a raincoat. I hate getting on rides after someone has worn a wet poncho. At least with an umbrella I can shake it out and put it away so seats don't get wet.