Umbrellas in the theme parks?

[LibrarianBecky]

My husband told me that there is no need to pack a poncho for him for our upcoming trip. He says that he hates them because they always make him so hot and sticky at Disney. He'd rather use an umbrella. I explained that he would probably still get wet, since blowing rain and all, but he didn't care. I don't know that I've noticed anyone using an umbrella before, but I"m sure people do. All of our umbrellas are the large golf kind, so I"m going to be purchasing a small travel one for him. Anyone with suggestions on what type of umbrella is best? Any tips for being a polite themeparker with an umbrella? Obviously, be aware of the people around you and don't poke out any eyes, but beyond that?

Thank you!

 

[a1tinkfans]

Ugh... umbrellas are a nightmare. They get in everyone’s view, they re unwieldy and weighty. Take up space to carry too. Then their wet n sloppy. They can easily invade others space and I personally wish they were banned, if not already done.
Have to agree, the cheapo Walmart type rain ponchos Are sticky.. despite that we just suck it up. That being said.. if it’s torrential we typically head Inside somewhere till it passes. And if it’s hours upon hours... no umbrella or poncho works, so we then change up plans and do something else entirely.
Sorry.. Just my two cents, lol. Enjoy ur visit.

 

[gwynne]

I think it is pretty difficult to be a polite umbrella user in a very crowded theme park.
We're not poncho people, either. We have a couple of very lightweight windbreaker/rain jackets we bring. I fold them flat and slip them in a narrow lightweight tote bag.
Another advantage-they dry fast, much faster than ponchos.

 

[EdnaMarieMode]

I am also in camp “no umbrella.” It is really difficult to be considerate of others while carrying an open umbrella. I’ve seen guests nearly poked in the eye. As considerate as your DH tries to be, he won’t have 360 degree vision to see where he is in relation to others from every angle. Also, it’s very easy to kind of forget you’re holding it and turn around or stop quickly.

Yes, a poncho can get hot and sticky. It’s Florida, and I’m not sure what there is outdoors that isn’t hot and sticky.

 

[Victoria3]

I use an umbrella in the parks. Just be aware of your surroundings.

Can we tell poncho wearers to be considerate too. I've had countless people walk right into me.

 

[dizneefan13]

Rain thins out the crowd depending on the intensity and how long it lasts. In a bad storm, an umbrella will probably just be a pain because of wind. In light or moderate rain, no wind, an umbrella works just fine. I hate ponchos but use them in a downpour.

 

[Wild4Walt]

We also bought windbreaker/rain jackets on Amazon. They are light weight and foldable so they easily went into a backpack or large bag. The one's we bought also came in a carry case. We're not poncho people either.

If you go the umbrella route, you can get ultra compact one's that are no more than 5 or 6 inches long. I'd also bring along a gallon size ziploc to put it inside to avoid getting you wet after the rain.

 

[WDW1970]

Umbrellas are a good idea. I’ve been in the parks many times and have never had any issues with anyone using the small compact ones when raining. Usually crowds are pretty thin at that point anyways. You should not have a problem. We always bring a couple that fit neatly in our backpack and work great for the lighter type rains. Torrential downpours are another story!

 

[cakebaker]

We use umbrellas for sun more than rain. My grandson is terribly sensitive and even with the best sunblock, re-applied frequently, he burns. They’re not nearly as obnoxious as kids on shoulders and iPads up in the air. We’re aware of our surroundings and know how to use them. It’s pouring here now and I can assure you, lots of people use them. I’d rather get soaked than wrap myself in plastic in hot weather.

 

[rideswithchrist]

We got hot enough that we bought umbrellas in China's World showcase. That is an awesome souvenir!
I had my kids put theirs almost on their shoulder to block the sun, but not be in anyone's way- more or less. And there were some heavier crowds where we put them away. I would rather my kids be shaded in the heat that worry about blocking someone's view. the only people that almost ran into them were on their phones anyway- so what view were they missing?

 

[amberpi]

I'm taking one this year for the sun. I'm on 2 different medications that have the sun side effect, and I'm already transparent in terms of coloring. I've always been a sunscreen warrior, but now, sun poisoning is a legit concern for me. My Dr. said it was the only thing to watch out for on our trip in a few weeks. We'll be indoors or at the pool (with me under an umbrella) during the worst of the day, but if anyone has an issue with my umbrella, honestly, they can suck it. We don't do parades or anything with huge crowds, so I can't imagine I'll be in the way, but I will be very conscious of others. I'm already self-conscious to have to bring it, but I am and will according to my Docs.

 

[amberpi]

We got hot enough that we bought umbrellas in China's World showcase. That is an awesome souvenir!
I had my kids put theirs almost on their shoulder to block the sun, but not be in anyone's way- more or less. And there were some heavier crowds where we put them away. I would rather my kids be shaded in the heat that worry about blocking someone's view. the only people that almost ran into them were on their phones anyway- so what view were they missing?

On the shoulder is how I'm imagining will best shade from the sun...and also be the least annoying.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

We are poncho people but there were a lot of people with umbrellas all around us the last couple days. I was wishing I had one for the couple of times we just wanted to get from A to B and both points were indoors. I did not see any inconsiderate behavior with them. The thing I'd have your DH be careful about is suddenly stopping in a path or changing direction because I could see where that would lead to eye poking. I would also think it would be better not to use it when attending fireworks or anything else where sight lines are important.

 

[MomOfDisneyPrincess]

Last trip in May was so rainy, we did both ponchos and umbrellas. I find it rather difficult to slip into a building to get out of the rain due to everyone else doing the exact same thing. Plus, the breeze sends the rain at you sideways, so no umbrella will keep you dry when that happens. I keep a plastic bag in the pocket of the backpack for the wet umbrellas when we finish with them. We take the ponchos off and turn them inside out before folding and placing back in the backpack. This keeps everything dry inside the backpack for the rest of the day. As soon as we get back to the resort, I unfold and drape the ponchos over the chairs and open the umbrellas to air dry. With the air conditioning, I find they all dry nicely before needing to fold them up for the next outing. I have also been known to open my umbrella for a sun shield while waiting for the bus outside of the value resorts since they are not covered.

 

[lotsohugginbear]

I'm short, but have come close to getting poked in the eye by umbrella spokes. You can't really walk safely in a crowd with an umbrella. Btw, Disney is frequently crowded!

 

[TikiBabe]

Umbrella's in the park are the worst. I can't tell you how many times I got whacked with one this past week because people don't pay attention to their surroundings/don't care.

 

[trubgerg]

For my last trip to the parks I bought a compact umbrella that easily fit in on of my pockets. It was about the same bulk as a poncho, and it has a little bag / cover so when I fold it up after it rains my pocket doesn't get soaked. And at 6'4" I don't worry too much about my umbrella being at eye poking levels.

On a side note, people who are rude and inconsiderate with umbrellas are probably going to be rude and inconsiderate without umbrellas. They're still going to clip your heels with a stroller, or try to push ahead of everyone when there are slow moving crowds, or leave their trays on the table when they leave a quick serve restaurant.

 

[Breezy2]

Frogg Toggs Ultra Lite Ponchos. Also, don't forget ziplock bags to protect your phones if you don't carry them in a waterproof case, backpack or purse. Phones in pockets don't do well in driving wind blown Florida rain.

 

[kdisser]

I took an umbrella for the first time last trip in September, because of the complete lack of shade in Toy Story Land. It was a smaller one that I got from Walmart (it had Minnie on it). It worked wonders to take the heat off, and it was great when our party split up doing food and wine because I did not want to take my poncho with me..so instead I wore it with the wrist strap. Sure your legs still get rained on, but they do while wearing a poncho unless you have a full length to the ground kind of style. It is not hard to be considerate with an umbrella...don't crowd people. Take your time. As you stated you were thinking of getting a smaller more manageable one, so I think you will be just fine!

 

[AngiTN]

We use umbrellas. I don't use ponchos or raincoats because they have to come off/on in order to get on rides. You can't get on them with a wet cover on. It's super easy to close an umbrella. It's not easy at all to pull off a wet poncho. Besides, anyone who is rude with an umbrella is probably going to be rude with their poncho too, and sling water all over others too
I've never once poked another guest with an umbrella