Rain ponchos vs. rain jackets

[Dominion]

Just curious (as I am making my packing list!!!) - everyone in our family already owns a rain jacket of some type. But it seems like everyone in WDW wears a rain poncho. Why is that? And should we just wait to see if it rains and just buy them there if we need them? Anyone know roughly what the price of them are (adult & child)

Thanks!

 

[wiigirl]

I usually get rain ponchos from Walmart....cheap and compact...

 

[reader562]

Just curious (as I am making my packing list!!!) - everyone in our family already owns a rain jacket of some type. But it seems like everyone in WDW wears a rain poncho. Why is that? And should we just wait to see if it rains and just buy them there if we need them? Anyone know roughly what the price of them are (adult & child)

Thanks!

I'm a firm advocate of rain jackets, but then I'm the one in the poncho who still gets wet!! (Too many opening if they're the ones with the snap up sides.) The biggest advantage of a rain jacket is it fits! It has real sleeves.
I was hiking this summer and a huge rainstorm came in. Under the rain jacket I was completely dry. The biggest disadvantage is the length. My shorts below the jacket were wet.
We'll be at WDW in February, leaving from Chicago so my rain jacket is what I'll be wearing on the plane and when it gets chilly in WDW.

 

[fla4fun]

It's simply a matter of personal preference. Like the PP, I find that jackets are usually too short, so I end up sitting on wet seats, or just getting my shorts wet from the rain. However, as I live here, I invested in a nylon poncho. I prefer the longer length, and it's not nearly as hot as a plastic poncho. With the plastic ponchos, I sweat so much I'm nearly as wet as I would be if I just went without any rain protection!

One thing to consider is the wind. In the summer it often gets extremely windy when it rains, which can blow into the side openings of a poncho that snaps if you aren't prepared.

If you have rain jackets you don't NEED ponchos, but they are certainly available if you decide you want them.

 

[Hootch]

I should qualify this with the fact that we usually go in the summer when afternoon showers are the norm. We almost always have ponchos in our backpack. They are light and work for moderate amounts of rain.

If the forecast is for heavy and/or sustained rain, we take out the ponchos and take our rain jackets. The rain jackets provide more coverage and are easier to function on for a longer period of time.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

We get ponchos from a store at home (WalMart or the Dollar Store), and tuck them into our bags each day in anticipation of those sudden Florida showers. You can't really tuck a jacket into your bag, so we don't invest in them. Also, we carry plastic baggies to roll up the poncho and store it in the bag after a rain to keep everything else in the bag dry. Another thing you can't really do with a rain jacket.

 

[soulmates]

I agree with Hootch; they're LIGHTER to wear. It can get mighty hot in a rain jacket when it's 80+ degrees outside. The ponchos are so compact and light for us, they make sense.

 

[disneylover1980]

Ponchos are lighter to wear, they are lighter to carry. I would have such a hard time justifying carrying a rain jacket around all day/every day in anticipation of needing it for the 20-30 min storm that happens

 

[tajz90]

Rain jacket. I don't like having to pull the poncho on and off over my head. Jacket is more practical.

 

[Axel]

I use a rain jacket that I got at Disney AGES ago. It fits neatly into my bag because it's one of the ones that stuffs into a large pocket and then zips shut. The other advantage of this is that it's re-usable and highly unlikely to rip (I've had the flimsy plastic Walmart ponchos get caught on things before and then I'm left with a gaping hole and a wet spot).

 

[maggiew]

I prefer rain jackets. I purchased some of those "fold up into the front pocket" kind of rain jackets that you pull over your head. We "tuck" these in our backpacks no problem. I also have a few of the cheap dollar store ones too just in case we get stuck somewhere or to put down on seats, etc.

Maggie

 

[BrianL]

Yeah, I am a big advocate of the dollar store ponchos. I just buy several before a trip. They fit in a back pocket (I don't carry bags in the park). When needed they can be opened up, and once the need is over, they can be thrown away. You can carry 2 or 3 of these with no trouble at all.

 

[mm1971]

Just curious (as I am making my packing list!!!) - everyone in our family already owns a rain jacket of some type. But it seems like everyone in WDW wears a rain poncho. Why is that? And should we just wait to see if it rains and just buy them there if we need them? Anyone know roughly what the price of them are (adult & child)

Thanks!

I think most have the ponchos because they are cheap and easy to pack. We usually buy them at the parks if we decide we need them. If you are going December-February, a jacket may work best since you will most likely need one anyway for evenings and colder days. A jacket fits better and will keep you dryer than a poncho from my experience. It is more packing and not as easy to carry around when not needed.

 

[CT Disney]

We always wear a small backpack in the parks for cell phones, suntan lotion and other necessities. So, ponchos work well for us as they fit over the backpack, keeping it dry as well. Plus I like that ponchos are longer in case you need to sit on a wet seat.

 

[kayemgi]

We found ourselves at AK on a very rainy morning on this most recent trip (it rained steadily for about four hours) and while we had ponchos, I found myself really wishing for a rain jacket! The ponchos just didn't keep us dry enough, and they are one size fits all, so I found when the wind blew, it billowed out and the hood blew off and while it wasn't completely useless, it wasn't the best either. The only downside I see to a rain jacket, if you already have one, is what other posters have mentioned -- doesn't keep your lower half dry (especially if you sit on a wet seat!) and is a bit bulkier to carry, and if you are going during the summer, could be uncomfortably warm. Next time we go, if rain is forecast, we'll be bringing lightweight rain jackets AND ponchos!

 

[HM]

We no longer carry either of them. We prefer to try to be inside an attraction or shop when the rain starts (keep an eye on the sky). If we end up in a shower, we'll dry off (esp in summer). All we really need is a hat to keep the rain out of our eyes as we walk to a spot to get out of the rain.

 

[MarciaBrady]

I don't mind getting wet, so I'd just skip both. (It rained when we were at Hollywood Studios and we got a little wet walking to an inside thing, but it didn't matter since we dried off pretty quick.)

 

[katmu]

Just wondering if what you would bring would vary between winter and summer?

We are going in early January and I was planning on bringing our waterproof rain jackets plus layers to wear underneath if we need to.

 

[bookgirl]

I personally don't want to have to carry a rain jacket (have one I LOVE) around with me.

I either go bagless or just have a mini hipster.

The disposable ponchos fit in the mini hipster or a back pocket perfectly. So I carry that.

I don't tend to put it on unless its a steady rain. Sprinkles and misting don't bother me. Once I put it on and the rain stops I can toss it. (I actually don't like that part as I hate not to reuse)

If I was someone with a stroller or backpack I'd be more willing to do a rain jacket.

 

[bookgirl]

Just wondering if what you would bring would vary between winter and summer?

We are going in early January and I was planning on bringing our waterproof rain jackets plus layers to wear underneath if we need to.

Hoodie or zip fleece over a tshirt and a poncho over it.