Taking umbrellas to the parks

[cmm]

If it is raining or forecast to rain, does it make sense to take an umbrella to a park, or should we just take/wear ponchos? Does Disney allow backpacks? Should I stuff ponchos in there? Thanks for you help - I obviously have not been to WDW for years, so I am trying to figure out these little things.

 

[Feralpeg]

Yes, Disney does allow backpacks. I see people with umbrellas, but IMHO, they are a hazard. I was at MGM today. It was raining. A woman with an umbrella hit my DD in the face with it. It didn't hurt her (much), but it could have. It is just too crowded for umbrellas. Ponchos really are sufficient.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Please use ponchos.

I had a woman near me that kept hitting me with her open umbrella and then started to drip all over me. They were not meant to be used in large crowds.

Don't you like looking like a big yellow garbage bag?

 

[Carrie772]

Clear adult sized ponchos at wal mart are $1. I would recommend that you also bring a plastic visor...or ball cap of some kind. Rain still drops on your nose and that can really be irritating!

 

[Greg K.]

Especially in the tropical weather of Florida. They do not breathe and they make you hotter and more uncomfortable, and they start to stick to your skin, and you feel all rubbery and sweaty and HOT. Ugh. No thank you.

I have a small Mickey umbrella that I bought in the MK years ago and it works fine for short dashes here and there during torrential downpours. My advice: find some shops or a restaurant and try to sit out the storm, if you can.

 

[shellybaxter]

I can not stand the ponchos. I really feel like a baked potato. They sweat. They stick to you. I would much much rather have an umbrella. As long as you are careful and considerate the umbrella shouldn't be anymore of a problem then all the other things people get cranky about in WDW - strollers, ECVs etc.

 

[TLC371]

I can't stand the ponchos either--I don't like the way they stick to me and it's just too warm to wear them. I always bring a compact umbrella and keep it in my bag. I also put a plastic bag with it, so that I can put the umbrella in it if it's wet from rain. I make sure to be aware of people around me, making sure that I don't bother them with my umbrella.

 

[kilee]

Bottom line---You may use an umbrella or poncho. You may also bring in a backpack. The poncho umbrella debate just happened last week.

 

[Disneyrsh]

There's the other option we all take-just get wet! I don't get why people are so against it! We take showers, go in the pool, but argh, don't let that rain touch me!

We've got cowboy hats which keep the rain off our faces (don't like it when my mascara runs), and we let the rest of us just get wet.

We dry eventually, and the evaporative effect keeps us cool!

We do put the plastic ponchos on the stroller to keep it dry, that thing stays wet forever!

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Bottom line---You may use an umbrella or poncho. You may also bring in a backpack. The poncho umbrella debate just happened last week.

Absolutely!! Regardless of all the people who beg you not to bring an umbrella, you can do whatever you like. We have about 15 of those collapsable Mickey umbrellas that we have purchased at the parks. For some reason, we always forget to pack them. The every store in any of the WDW parks carry them. You have to ask at the counters as they are kept underneath with the ponchos. They are only a couple of dollars more than the ponchos and alot more durable. I prefer others to carry umbrellas as well. I hate standing in line and someone in a wet poncho brushes up against me! Very rude! Umbrellas are easily folded up and small enough to hold in your hand. So there are positions on both sides. Do what you prefer and have a great vacation!!!