Genius Hacks For Staying Dry On Your Favorite Water Rides
While the latter months of the year mean that cooler weather is creeping into many places, several areas of the United States enjoy warm weather year-round. That means you can always be primed and ready for water rides while visiting some theme parks. Sure, Chicago may have had snow on Halloween, but Los Angeles still has warm enough days to visit the beach — or even head south for a ride on Grizzly River Run at Disney California Adventure.
But no matter what season you happen to be in, if you're riding your favorite water rides, you don't want to have to walk around for the rest of the day with soggy socks. This is especially true if you're in your most dapper Disneyland attire, which won't have the same effect if it's soaking wet. It's one thing to have a sick drip, but it's another thing entirely if your outfit is literally dripping after a log flume.
Whether you're preparing to include a water ride on your theme park itinerary next week or next year, we have a few top tips for staying dry as you spend some quality time on your favorite water rides.
Stay dry by wrapping yourself up
Ponchos — tried-and-true theme park accessories — are an excellent way to stay dry in rainy weather. However, they also work wonders on water rides. These lightweight plastic coverings can be folded small enough to take up a minimal amount of space in a backpack, purse, or fanny pack. Be sure to purchase multipacks from stores like Walmart or CVS before your day visit so you can save some money. Then, after you've gotten your fill of water attractions, simply throw out (or better yet, recycle) your poncho.
While this tactic certainly helps to keep your torso dry almost all of the time, what do you do about your feet? Shoe covers can save your socks and sneakers. These are typically made of disposable plastic or reusable silicon, and online retailers like Amazon have a number of options that will work on water-based thrill rides as well as during any rainstorms. Basically, before you put your shoes on, you can wrap them in these waterproof booties. With their protection, you're free to wear whatever shoe you want while splashing around to your heart's desire.
Of course, if you want to use ponchos and shoe wraps but lack the extra wiggle room in your budget, trash bags and plastic bags from any retail establishment will work just as well. You can even add extra protection by using duct tape to secure the bag to your ankles, which lessens the chances of any water getting in.
Lock it down at the theme park
Another way to stay dry after partaking in your favorite water rides is by toweling off and changing your clothes. However, what good does an extra set of clothes do you if they get wet on the ride with you? Well, many theme parks offer lockers for the guests to use at their convenience. Sometimes, they're even free.
For example, those visiting Disney California Adventure can use the red lockers behind the giant bear at the entrance to Grizzly River Run. They're free to use for up to two hours, though you'll have to provide a card to charge in case of extended rentals. When packing for your day at the park, bring a pair of flip-flops or sandals to wear instead of your shoes or sneakers. After the ride, you can put on your water-free footwear and duck into the nearest bathroom to change clothes. Alternatively, guests staying on the property can skip this step entirely and just head back to their room through the nearest park entrance for a quick outfit change.
Luckily, many theme parks with water rides will supply lockers as a courtesy for their guests — but it's still a good idea to check their websites before you go so you will be prepared. Whether it's Six Flags, Hershey Park, or a theme park you've never heard of, these tips are sure to keep you as dry as you want to be during a fun-filled visit.