Rain Panchos/Gear?

[mymickey]

I know that it generally rains daily at Disney, and was wondering where to get the best/most economical rain panchos? They can all be adult sizes since my DS is almost 12. I don't want to pay a fortune, but want a better quality than the $.99 cent ones. Any suggestions?

[lettripp]

I have seen some quality yet affordable ponchos at Target. In the past, I've bought cheap plastic but I think I will also be buying higher quality ponchos this year! It is DEFF a good idea to buy some that come in a small case so you can crunch them up and make them compact... otherwise they become a hassle to carry.

[DisneyBunch5]

We used the the .99 ponchos for a few trips, but found that they ripped much too easily. So we decided to go with more durable ones that we found at the sporting goods store (in the camping section) for less than $10.

We used them on a couple of trips last year and were very happy them. In addition to not ripping, they didn't cling to you, so wearing them was alot for comfortable. We were worried that they'd be too bulky to carry around, but they easily folded.

[cmshelton1979]

The one good thing about buying a ponch at DW is if it gets torn, you can get it replaced if you still have the receipt.

We bought ponchos from Walmart last year...they were bigger than the Disney Ponchos and it made it easier to spot our strollers when we had them over the top of them. We bought them not thinking they'd ever make it out of the package.....We wore them proabably 85% of the time we were down there.......we were so glad to throw them away when the trip was over.

[btharvey]

Ditto the Target suggestion. They appear to have "inexpensive" ones (not "cheap") and "moderately-priced" ones. If you want to go all out, I'd suggest REI either locally or online for the "high performance" ones.

[MMFreak]

I bought mine at Walmart last year. I bought it specifically for Kali river rapids as we always are SOAKED when we get off of that ride. I hate walking around in soggy clothes all day! When I asked my children if they wanted one they laughed and said NO. However once on the ride they made sure they sat next to me and spread my poncho as far over them as they could. I was laughung so hard. In any case the poncho was of good quality was only a few bucks and it came with it own little pouch to stuff back into once it was dry. So I did not have to carry it around all day it folded up nicely and right back into my purse.

[elmjimmlm]

I personally like my Disney ponchos and umbrella... We use them at the parks and at home too...I don't think that they are overpriced and they are also great for outdoors at home...

[DVC2004]

The Disney ponchos we bought at WDW- while more costly- lasted us for years before one ripped (and only 1 of the 4)! Well worth the small investment and always keeps us dry. Sometimes too some stores have more durable pack-n- wear anoraks that can fold up into a little attached pouch. I have found those on occassion at Old Navy and Gap. They come in different colors and are made of a nylon or poly blend I think.

[biodtl]

We always go with the 99 cent ones, simply because they are compact, and most of all - because I don't mind chucking them when we're done. I hate dealing with wet ponchos.

However, Walmart (and I am sure others) have ones in their camping section which are still quite compact, but are made with thicker plastic (rather than the clear, dry-cleaner bag stuff that the 99 cent ones are). They are solid colors (red, blue, green) and not transparent. We have had some for years that we have used over and over again and they haven't torn. They cost about $3 or $4.

[mickeys_princess_mom]

We always go with the 99 cent ones, simply because they are compact, and most of all - because I don't mind chucking them when we're done. I hate dealing with wet ponchos.

However, Walmart (and I am sure others) have ones in their camping section which are still quite compact, but are made with thicker plastic (rather than the clear, dry-cleaner bag stuff that the 99 cent ones are). They are solid colors (red, blue, green) and not transparent. We have had some for years that we have used over and over again and they haven't torn. They cost about $3 or $4.

We may check these out...

[DisneyBunch5]

If possible, try on the poncho before purchasing. We found that some seemed to have a smaller hood opening making it uncomfortable to wear.

[DizneyRox]

My favorite quote:

What's wrong? Ain't you never taken a shower before?

My take is, it's just water, and (if you go when I go), the downpour is welcome, short lived and you dry so quick, I never even bother with a poncho.

I hate sticking to those things, I gave up on them years ago.

[Julie_Mouse]

Although I can't remember how much they cost, honestly, the Disney ponchos are quite durable. I have used mine on 3 trips and counting and never had a problem with it!

I don't have kids so I don't how well this would go over but... maybe you could try and pass it off as one of their souvenirs?

[Darbylew]

We have the ones from Disney and have had
them for years. We use them everytime we go
which is at least two times a year. So they have
lasted a long time. I think it is worth the money.
FIRST TRIP 1972
LAST TRIP NOV. 2009
NEXT TRIP MAY 2010
AND MANY TRIPS IN BETWEEN

[btharvey]

My take is, it's just water, and (if you go when I go), the downpour is welcome, short lived and you dry so quick, I never even bother with a poncho.

Our problem is that when we go and either rain or K-rapids soak us, if we don't have a change, we stay wet, due to the rampant humidity. For the rapids, we don't bother with ponchos, but we do bring pretty complete changes of clothes and backpacks.

[DizneyRox]

Our problem is that when we go and either rain or K-rapids soak us, if we don't have a change, we stay wet, due to the rampant humidity. For the rapids, we don't bother with ponchos, but we do bring pretty complete changes of clothes and backpacks.

I go in July, and still dry quickly with the humidity... If you're talking about sneakers, I don't wear sneakers in the summer. Too hot and they stink after getting wet.

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

We've been avoiding buying ponchos for years, but on our last trip we had an entire evening of rain, and we were caught.

Turns out, we LOVE our Disney ponchos. They have lasted quite well, and we even wear them around here, just to bring some of the Disney spirit home with us

[btharvey]

I go in July, and still dry quickly with the humidity... If you're talking about sneakers, I don't wear sneakers in the summer. Too hot and they stink after getting wet.

I'm afraid we all soak for hours after ... then again we're kinda sweaty people, so the rain or water just melds into sweat, and it feals no different.

Each of us in our own way. Agreed about the sneakers ... we keep them in the backpack and wear flipflops during the rapids.

[ljgirl]

We got caught in an all day rain this past Sunday at the MK. I bought all of us Disney ponchos even though I did not want to spend the money!!! Turns out, they are great ponchos. They are thick enough and textured so they do not stick to you like the cheap "garbage bag" ones. None of us got even a little wet! It is a great investment!!!

[magicalmom]

If your kids are little, you should think about getting non-Disney ponchos, or decorating the backs of the Disney ones somehow - I will never forget the shrieks when my five year old pulled her hand out of mine, and instantly lost the rest of us in a sea of yellow ponchos.

(The five year old is now fourteen, and seems to have survived the trauma)