Umbrella? Does it help?

[cindy17]

We’re heading down tomorrow for the week and see rain in forecast ... and looking at hourly forecast might not just be the 5 or 10 minute shower. We’ve hit rain many times at wdw and usually put on our rain jackets and power through but wondering if anyone has used umbrellas? I’ve always avoided them due to hazards with crowds. But in recent times, when crowds are lighter, are more using the small compact umbrellas? Do u find them helpful or are they more trouble than they’re worth? Thanks!

 

[ejdmomma]

Because I try to limit sun exposure (issues with pre-cancerous skin cells), I always take a compact umbrella to the parks for those times when I'm going to be in the sun for more than 5 minutes. Even when it's crowded, I haven't had any issues and I just try to be mindful of where it is in relation to those around me. I definitely think I'm more likely to poke someone in my family than a stranger.

Using it for rain, you run into the same issue as with your jackets...having something wet that you need to store after the rain passes. I keep a large ziploc bag for that exact purpose. Also I like keeping the rain off of my face which is hard to do in a jacket, especially while you are walking.

 

[Victoria3]

We’re heading down tomorrow for the week and see rain in forecast ... and looking at hourly forecast might not just be the 5 or 10 minute shower. We’ve hit rain many times at wdw and usually put on our rain jackets and power through but wondering if anyone has used umbrellas? I’ve always avoided them due to hazards with crowds. But in recent times, when crowds are lighter, are more using the small compact umbrellas? Do u find them helpful or are they more trouble than they’re worth? Thanks!

I use an umbrella in the parks for both sun and rain protection. I've never poked anyone in the eye.

 

[cindy17]

Good points, thx! I’ll hv a drawstring “ditty” bag for the wet jackets, lightweight and only the wet jackets, maybe a small towel will be in it thx!

 

[crazymomof4]

Taking an umbrella to WDW for 1st time ever, next week. Lower crowds (more space to use w/o poking or dripping on another) and.... I feel this will keep my mask dry, where poncho hood will not.
PS- I'm short, so it's possible that I have to be more aware than average of poking someone else. My umbrella is above NO ONE's head (except small children)

 

[js]

Taking an umbrella to WDW for 1st time ever, next week. Lower crowds (more space to use w/o poking or dripping on another) and.... I feel this will keep my mask dry, where poncho hood will not.
PS- I'm short, so it's possible that I have to be more aware than average of poking someone else. My umbrella is above NO ONE's head (except small children)

We arrive on Tuesday at BWVs! See you on the Boardwalk!

 

[tex1989]

Have carried an umbrella for years. I get the compact, but large one and carry it with me in a drawstring backpack everyday. I cannot stand ponchos as I wind up getting wetter in them from sweating than I do from rain. I carry a plastic bag to put the umbrella in after shaking it off really well. Wife carries one as well. It works fine for us.

 

[Geomom]

We brought umbrellas and used them for our July/August trip. Since people are supposed to be social distancing, there should be no issues using them--people are supposed to be 6 feet away from you. With umbrellas, we had no urge to rush under cover where people forget to socially distance the moment it starts raining.

 

[Eldritch]

I normally don't believe in umbrellas, but I got them for this trip. Didn't think about putting wet umbrellas back in the backpack. Have to figure that out.

 

[erinch]

Myhybby brought an umbrella last trip. We got got in a mini monsoon and the wind turned it inside out. Was great for rain. He hates ponchos.

 

[crazymomof4]

We arrive on Tuesday at BWVs! See you on the Boardwalk!

Speaking of the *need* for an umbrella..... this morning I started my unofficial "hurricane watch". Looking at the tropics, the 2 named systems (Renee and Paulette) are projected to turn north, so not a threat to FL unless the predicted path changes. There are 2 more tropical depressions behind those that I'll be checking on over the next week or so.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I normally don't believe in umbrellas, but I got them for this trip. Didn't think about putting wet umbrellas back in the backpack. Have to figure that out.

Large Ziploc bags. You can get them on Amazon. I never go to WDW without a variety of them.

 

[crazymomof4]

We brought umbrellas and used them for our July/August trip. Since people are supposed to be social distancing, there should be no issues using them--people are supposed to be 6 feet away from you. With umbrellas, we had no urge to rush under cover where people forget to socially distance the moment it starts raining.

All good points!

I normally don't believe in umbrellas, but I got them for this trip. Didn't think about putting wet umbrellas back in the backpack. Have to figure that out.

Someone earlier mentioned bringing a ziploc for the umbrella. I'm going to do that. I've always rolled up a shopping bag tightly and stuffed it in my backpack for the drippy ponchos.

 

[twinmom13]

We are also visiting in a few days and bringing umbrellas. Instant social distancing!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I always carry an umbrella. Be aware, with new entry / bag screening processes, they ask you to take the umbrella(s) out of your bag and hold as far in front of you as possible when going through the scanner.

 

[Lumpy1106]

In CA we are rainsuit people, but the storms in DL/DCA tend to be colder, last longer, and finish with a big downpour. You don't get a little wet, you get soaked, and you get cold. It's a day killer if you are not prepared. We tried rainsuits on our trip to WDW two years ago and they are just too hot. We did umbrellas on our recent trip and now I am a convert. The smaller, more compact, easier to stow and get out the better. The ones we brought are small enough that they fit in the water bottle pockets on the outside of the backpack - that solves the wet umbrella problem. The storms don't last long and you can find cover pretty easy if the storms get serious enough. Bonus, as others have mentioned, they double as sun shades if you are stuck out and exposed in the heat.

 

[lovethattink]

I brought an umbrella last time I went to MK. It ended up not raining. We didn’t have any bags with us. So I just carried it under my arm.

 

[cindy17]

Speaking of the *need* for an umbrella..... this morning I started my unofficial "hurricane watch". Looking at the tropics, the 2 named systems (Renee and Paulette) are projected to turn north, so not a threat to FL unless the predicted path changes. There are 2 more tropical depressions behind those that I'll be checking on over the next week or so.

We’ve been watching too ... praying those depressions don’t turn into anything. The regular, almost everyday rain is enough to handle!

 

[North of Mouse]

We’re heading down tomorrow for the week and see rain in forecast ... and looking at hourly forecast might not just be the 5 or 10 minute shower. We’ve hit rain many times at wdw and usually put on our rain jackets and power through but wondering if anyone has used umbrellas? I’ve always avoided them due to hazards with crowds. But in recent times, when crowds are lighter, are more using the small compact umbrellas? Do u find them helpful or are they more trouble than they’re worth? Thanks!

Dh & I have always taken very compact umbrellas with us to the parks and they have worked great for quick showers or drizzles. We never stay in the parks for rain that 'sets in' - just not our thing. For large quick downpours we just always wait them out indoors. We neither like walking with wet feet.

No problems with protecting others as we're super careful and mindful of everyone, unlike most people with ponchos that we've encountered - don't mind at all if they brush up against you, or sit by you on transportations, etc. - very disrespectful. Our umbrellas are dry almost instantly and can be folded back compactly immediately and hung on our sides with a carabiner.

 

[OKW Lover]

Not sure where the OP is getting their weather forecast info. I just checked weather.com and it shows only the typical scattered thunderstorms for the next week.

An umbrella is essentially useless in those circumstances. These thunderstorms are accompanied by strong winds that will turn the umbrella inside out. Even if it doesn't, it will only protect your head and shoulders.