Umbrella

[pfeifer1990]

Does anyone have an umbrella to recommend? One that they have successfully used in the parks?
I'm looking for something small and compact that can be put in a mini Loungefly.

 

[LovesTimone]

I would leave the umbrella at home, or in the resort room...

Umbrella's are really not a park friendly item, you can poke someone in the head or face easily, which we have had happen many times.. and they run water all over other guest... and if you are wearing a backpack, most of the time the backpack gets wet...
Either a poncho, or a hooded rain jacket... We go the hooded rain jacket route, the ones we have are Columbia, they are really light weight, and can be used as a normal wind breaker or light jacket for in the restaurants. Ours have been all over with us, and they are holding up very well, and still look brand new, even though they are about 8 years olds... With ours with a couple of good shakes and a couple of paper towels, you can dry them off and they have a zippered pack that they fold up into for easy storage...

 

[OKW Lover]

Agree with @LovesTimone above. Umbrellas don't work well at WDW. They are not crowd friendly as the ends of them are at eye level of those around you. They are also fairly useless in the typical daily afternoon thunderstorms which are accompanied by high winds that drive the rain sideways.

 

[THE BARRON]

I agree also! Umbrellas are not park friendly.

 

[cterral]

I always take an umbrella with me in the parks. I like the Totes brand mini umbrellas. They are lightweight and fit nicely in a small compartment in my purse. They are about $10 at our local Wal-Mart. I use it to keep myself in the shade when ever possible because I am very fair skinned and sometimes sunscreen just isn't enough. However, I avoid using it in the Fantasyland area of Magic Kingdom, because I don't want to accidentally poke someone, and that section of the park is usually the most crowded. However, having it open (and holding it up higher than usual) does give me a little more personal space.

 

[loves to dive]

Sometimes I use an umbrella, sometimes a poncho and sometimes a rain jacket, just depends on the rain. I use a small totes that has the button you push to raise and lower it. I don't carry a bag and I have two umbrellas I choose from. One has a strap that has a snap on it so I can snap it around a belt loop and the other just has a wrist strap. If it's going to be a hard rain all day or windy, I don't carry the umbrella as someone has already said they are pretty useless in the wind or heavy sideways rain. If it's going to be just the quick afternoon showers, I'll carry the umbrella. Since I don't carry a bag, the ponchos and rain jacket end up tied around my waist and it's a pain to dry them off. If there is just a slight chance of a quick shower, I'll carry a disposable poncho in my pocket but those are pretty useless if it's a heavy rain or a longish rain.

 

[Debbie-TN]

I always take a very small mini Totes. They just barely cover you. So they’re not very big.

 

[NotGrumpyButPrettyClose]

I received a Davek Mini as a gift six years ago and I love it. Expensive for an umbrella, but it's very well engineered and light. It collapses small enough that I can carry it in my shorts pockets while in the parks. I've never had it fail in heavy rain or windy rain, so far . When it's collapsed, CM's often ask if they can look at it...

 

[ShadowCross]

I'm tall. I'm the person who gets poked in the eye by the umbrellas going by. So I'm in the no umbrella camp.

 

[Victoria3]

Target has super compact umbrellas. I use them all the time in the parks and I've never poked someone in the eye.

Ponchos are super hot and uncomfortable. Stick with the umbrella.

 

[JM23457]

Does anyone have an umbrella to recommend? One that they have successfully used in the parks?
I'm looking for something small and compact that can be put in a mini Loungefly.

I use a UV umbrella that acts as a parasol in the sun and also protects from rain. Just do an Amazon search for UV umbrella, and see if you can find one. These are not ordinary umbrellas. They have a special coating underneath that blocks sunlight.

I've never poked anyone with my umbrella. I wouldn't trust a child or a careless teen with one in a crowded area, though.

 

[Carol_]

I recommend this:

 

[kwdw]

I take a mini umbrella that's kinda flat and about the size of my hand. Neither of mine have been a name brand - just saw one at my grocery store and one at a discount store. Yes - they can be unfriendly in the parks and I definitely don't recommend them for kids under 12 who just don't get it. But I prefer my umbrella when the park crowds are lighter or when walking to the bus. I tend to be pretty "umbrella observant" myself - but the problem can be that others around you aren't - so even if you are trying your best to keep it out of the way of others - other folks are going to be distracted and run into your space unintentional. So - I recommend some disposable dollar store ponchos, too, and just see what feels appropriate at the moment. If its crowded and you can't avoid the crowds - umbrellas are tough. Now.... of course... right now the parks are practically empty.......

 

[crazymomof4]

I've never taken an umbrella to WDW but for our Sept trip I'm considering it since we are supposed to be keeping 6' space between ourselves and other guests anyway. That + the lower crowd density makes it seem more do-able.

 

[_19disnA]

We took those small/compact umbrellas during our trip last year and they work great for the adults to use when making a dash for cover during a sudden rainstorm. Totes is one brand name, but you can find all sorts of those available online if you can't find it in a local store.

 

[Meglen]

People should be 6 feet away use an umbrella all you want! Heck get a golf umbrella and no one can't get close to you

 

[crazymomof4]

Also, I'm thinking an umbrella will keep masks dry during rain more so that a poncho

 

[Disneylvr1971]

This was the 1st time we've used umbrella's in the parks. It was easier now with the lower crowds. We bought small compact ones. Just enough to get from place to place without getting drenched.