Rain, Rain, Do you Poncho?

[cindy2939]

So we are arriving next Wednesday and it shows 30% scattered thunderstorms for 4 out of our 5 days. Weird but 30% on each day. Would you take ponchos to the parks each day? We are 3 adults and one 14 year old boy so no little ones. I really did not want to carry the ponchos each day in my backpack but don't really want to be soaked all day.

What do you do? Do you Poncho?

 

[tallen429]

So we are arriving next Wednesday and it shows 30% scattered thunderstorms for 4 out of our 5 days. Weird but 30% on each day. Would you take ponchos to the parks each day? We are 3 adults and one 14 year old boy so no little ones. I really did not want to carry the ponchos each day in my backpack but don't really want to be soaked all day.

What do you do? Do you Poncho?

I think they're great! It can get a bit sticky when it's hot and raining, but we found last summer that we were able to continue on when sooo many other people ran for shelter. Of course if it was raining REALLY hard we stepped inside, but overall I think they are more effective than umbrellas. Another plus was that the poncho was big enough to put over DD, but also to spread around the rest of the stroller and keep it dry.

 

[Lyndria]

So we are arriving next Wednesday and it shows 30% scattered thunderstorms for 4 out of our 5 days. Weird but 30% on each day. Would you take ponchos to the parks each day? We are 3 adults and one 14 year old boy so no little ones. I really did not want to carry the ponchos each day in my backpack but don't really want to be soaked all day.

What do you do? Do you Poncho?

Someone here mentioned getting several packs of them from the dollar store. I think they are two for one dollar. They are folded up small and do not take up a lot of space in your bag. When it stops raining, throw them away! Use another one if you need it.

I meant to do this our last trip but forgot. Of course it rained like the dickens as we began to set up our pop-up so we ended up buying the Disney ones.

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

Someone here mentioned getting several packs of them from the dollar store. I think they are two for one dollar. They are folded up small and do not take up a lot of space in your bag. When it stops raining, throw them away! Use another one if you need it.

I meant to do this our last trip but forgot. Of course it rained like the dickens as we began to set up our pop-up so we ended up buying the Disney ones.

I found them at the dollar store a couple weeks ago and you are right, they have two in a pack. I will put a pack in my backpack for each day.
Have a great vacation!

 

[maxiesmom]

I have found that the dollar store ponchos are not durable at all. They rip very easily. The ones Disney sells, while they cost more, really do take more of a beating than the dollar store ones.

If you don't want to haul ponchos around, then don't. If it starts to rain Disney will have them readily available for you to buy. But I wouldn't waste money of the dollar store ponchos.

 

[maganda]

We were there the last week of June 2009 and it rained sporadically just about every day we were there. We brought along dollar store ponchos because they folded up really small. They were super flimsy, though, and after a day of fussing with them we wound up buying the ponchos that are sold at the parks. I remember some people wore their ponchos while on Splash Mountain to keep their clothes dry.

 

[brandylouwho]

We don't poncho. I do my best to not have a ton of "we might need it" things to carry in the park and ponchos didn't make the cut. Although we often go in August, so I'd rather be soaking wet than wearing the plastic sauna.

I do recall we ended up buying Mickey ponchos one day--when it rained half the day (as opposed to the brief afternoon shower we were accustomed to). That is one day out of approximately 30 in the past few years.

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

Looks like I will be heading to the camping section at Target to buy rain ponchos, in case the Dollar Store ones don't hold up.

 

[jpolak]

Take them. If you leave them at the room you can bank on it raining!!

 

[ChristaDeVil]

All three of us have lightweight rain jackets that we either throw in a bag or tie around our waists. I like those better than ponchos.

 

[Havana]

If there is a major chance of rain, I will take 1 poncho in the parks. At the least, it gives you something to sit on while waiting for a parade or fireworks, so you don't have to sit on the wet ground or benches. And Yes, I have been known to wear it on Splash

 

[ilovecoasters]

As the temp starts rising here, so does the chance of daily storms. We always take our ponchos. Better safe than another $20 in the hole buying yet another set of them.

 

[lllGurulll]

I wont' worry about a poncho unless it actually starts to rain at Disney. I won't be carrying a bag with me anyway so I really have nowhere to put them.

From what I hear, the Disney ponchos are worth every penny and last a long time so if it rains a lot, I know I will get decent coverage out of their ponchos rather than the plastic bags you get at the dollar stores. Those won't cover a 6 foot tall guy like me anyway.

 

[Sue1016]

i hate the ponchos from the dollar store, they did nothing! i got soaked with that one, cause they rip, are thin and small. disney poncho's are much bigger so if u have a backpack on, it will fit on top of it. i went in last may's crazy weather, where it poured the entire trip and now when i go in october, i am packing the biggest umbrellla i can fit in my luggage

 

[DonaldTDuck]

No ponchos and I don't stop for anything. I'd rather be wet during the rain than get wet from taking the poncho off. And most of the time, the sun comes out and dries me off quickly.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

I had bought several of the cheaper ponchos for our trip and kept them in the backpack for emergencies. I had previously read on the DIS about the quality of the Disney ponchos compared to the $1.00 ones so I was prepared to shell out $$ if our forecast called for them. Our last night in the parks (last Sunday night!) we were under a Tornado Watch and had severe thunderstorms. Knowing this, I purchased the Disney ponchos as soon as we entered the park just in case. We knew the chances of a DOWNPOUR were significant and we were all grateful we shelled out the $7 each for them.

I had also previously read on the DIS that if they rip or tear Disney will let you exchange them - just keep your receipt. Indeed as soon as I purchased ours the c/m advised me of this policy so that made me feel better about the purchases. They were a lifesaver and they are definitely a lot thicker than the $1.00 ones. It rained all night and we didn't get wet and it was sort of fun!

We dried them out back at the room so we could repack them for home and we plan on bringing them with us on our next trip - that way it won't rain if we bring them!

Heather

 

[iowadisneytraveler]

definitely bring some in any color but yellow. I recommend buying a stroller all-weather cover to keep it dry though. It was perfect for my kids.

 

[maxiesmom]

i hate the ponchos from the dollar store, they did nothing! i got soaked with that one, cause they rip, are thin and small. disney poncho's are much bigger so if u have a backpack on, it will fit on top of it. i went in last may's crazy weather, where it poured the entire trip and now when i go in october, i am packing the biggest umbrellla i can fit in my luggage

Umbrellas really are not a good idea. It is too easy to poke another guest with them, as they take up a lot of additional space. And do you really want to have to walk around with your arm up in the air?

 

[GoofyaboutMickey]

I agree that Disney poncho are much better then the dollar store ones, those things are worthless. We bought Disney ones when we were there durning Fay a few years ago and still have them. They do a much better job of keeping you dry. I bring to the parks when there is a good chance of rain but I hate wearing it. They are so hot and sticky usually i'd rather get wet then be in that plastic encased sweat

 

[bringmethathorizon]

we have tried the cheap ones and you will wind up spending the same amount of money.
yes the disney ones are kind of expensive but they will warranty them.if you tear them just take it back to any counter that sells them and they will swap it out.
only problem with them is lugging them around.have used one set for several trips.every couple years we just get a new set.kind of a family tridition?when we started it was 2 adults 2 kids then 3 and 1 now its 4 adults.time moves on ,life is like being in a race car with on breaks.
whoa thats kind of deap for ponchos.