Suggestions for Ponchos?

[ElaineB55]

Can anyone recommend a lightweight but durable poncho that we can carry in our backpacks? Thanks!

 

[Linleedo]

The cheap ones sold at the dollar store. They're perfect and lightweight to carry.

 

[serenitynow]

You can find some thicker ones in the camping section of any discount store, I know we have used Coleman brand. There is also a pretty good selection of colors, which makes it much easier to find your people in a sea of clear ponchos.

 

[mkla2015]

We like the Disney ponchos. I like that they can be reused many times. We've tried really cheap ponchos- they fold up tiny and weight NOTHING but the quality is terribly- like super cheap, thin garbage bags that can only be used once. If you do attempt to use them again- you will NEVER get them folded into the perfect tiny square that they are sold in.

 

[minnie mum]

We prefer the Disney ponchos, too. Tried the cheap ones and disliked them. They felt (and clung) like I was wearing a drycleaner bag, and were too short. And they tore way too easily.

 

[compshu]

I agree with mkla2015. On our first trip, we used the $1 trash bag type ponchos. It rained the whole week we were there, and the ponchos only lasted through one rainstorm. We broke down and bought the Disney ones, they were about $8 each. Four years later, we still have and use the Disney ponchos. The bonus is that we use them outside of the parks as well. They are pretty well made and in the long run cost less.

 

[ttintagel]

I use the dollar store ponchos *because* I don't want to reuse them. I know it's wasteful, but I hate carrying a wet poncho around with me after the rain stops. I reuse and recycle at home, but on a Disney trip I just want to make things easier on myself.

 

[im4pacers1]

We like the Disney ones. It's the best deal in the park! We also like to use umbrellas, but NOT the ones in the park.

 

[bookgirl]

I don't do the dollar tree ones as they don't seem to hold up to windy hard rain which happens occasionally in storm season. I do buy the ones from Target and Walmart. Still cheapish but hold up a little better. I also have some more expensive ones that are like Coleman or from one of the sporting good chains (Dick's or Bass Pro?) but they are in my emergency kit, not ones I take to the parks.

I dislike carrying around a wet poncho and they never fold down as flat when you try to reuse them another day so I prefer one I can use then trash and won't cost me a fortune for everyone I have to buy.

 

[tinkerbella16]

We prefer the ones from Disney. We've had them for years because they are made well. I bought ones from the dollar store a few years ago, and one time wearing it, it ripped and was uncomfortable - never again! So we bring our Disney ones. They are a bit longer, so they cover more and they are a bit thicker, and we've never had a problem with ripping. They are worth it, if you use them each trip. This year will be the 4th trip I'm bringing mine.

 

[bookgirl]

I also like the cheaper ones because most of the year even though it's raining its hot in Florida. Even the thin cheap ones can become your own personal sweat sauna.

Unless it's a true rain I don't even put on a poncho. Misting or Sprinkling I just let it be.

 

[Anal Annie]

We typically use the heavy Coleman brand that you can find in the camping aisle at Target. The ones we have can be refolded to go back into their original bags or into quart size Ziplock bags. If we've used them and they're wet when we get back to the room at night I hang them up on hangers in the bathroom on the shower rod to dry over night so they don't get stinky. If you fold them & store them in a baggie they take up a lot less space in the backpack than wadding them up in mess. We've had the same ones for several years and they've held up really well.

 

[BrokeMack]

I get mine at Rite-aid for like a buck. Typically you only need then for like an hour, Florida storms being what they are.

 

[twinz]

I prefer the Disney ones. I bought mine in the early 1990's and I have been pretty much ever year since, and it has come with me on every trip. It still looks brand new. I bring it in a small ziploc baggie and just fold it up when done, and dry it out when we get back to the room. It's say when you factor in the amount of times you will use them and the cost they are actually cheaper then the dollar store ones.

 

[disney world dreamer]

disney's ponchos.
they are lightweight and durable and if they rip you can have them replaced for free.
i've used my current one on 7 trips.

 

[Bree]

My DD & I have these http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=03XZHRJEZWFA7NHVNF3X

I like that they are lined, have heavy duty snaps on the sides and neckline and also a drawstring in the hood. I use them for more than just WDW!!!

 

[disney world dreamer]

My DD & I have these http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=03XZHRJEZWFA7NHVNF3X

I like that they are lined, have heavy duty snaps on the sides and neckline and also a drawstring in the hood. I use them for more than just WDW!!!

the drawstring feature seems nice but i wonder how dry you really stay when its short sleeve and they aren't very long.

 

[ggdvc]

We also prefer more sturdy raingear over the dollar store/$1-$2 option. We tried the less expensive ones a couple of years ago when we forgot our Disney ones at home. We bought several for each of us, but they were so useless the first time we used them, we gave up and bought another set of Disney ponchos. Our only complaint for the Disney ponchos is that they were too short. So for last years trip, I found full length hooded plastic raincoats on Amazon for I think $10 or $12. We LOVED them! As for re-folding, we'd hang them in the shower over night, and when they were completely dry, we'd lay them out on one of the beds, and fold them, pressing the air out as we go. We usually get them pretty close to the "out of the package" dimensions that way.

 

[Linleedo]

In September, the Disney ponchos were too hot. The lighter ones were perfect. I guess it depends what time of year and what the temperature is at the parks.

 

[Bree]

the drawstring feature seems nice but i wonder how dry you really stay when its short sleeve and they aren't very long.

I'm 5'4" and it comes down to mid shin. The sleeves are longer than pictured for some reason too and i can pull my arms inside if i need to. I live in FL and use mine all the time.