I use an umbrella sometimes, a Disney poncho sometimes, a cheap disposable poncho sometimes and a full length plastic rain coat sometimes, just depends on what the weather is doing. During the summer and fall, I always have a cheap disposable poncho in my pants pocket for those quick showers that pop up and end just as fast. I don't use them for any longer than 5 min. since they don't really cover that much and don't usually keep you very dry. If it's already cloudy when I'm leaving for the day, I'll take an umbrella. I have a small one person one that is in a matching cover that has a sort of handle on the cover that I can hook to a belt loop so no carrying required. If it's not cloudy when I leave but the forecast is saying it's going to be more than a pop up shower, I'll carry the larger stronger Disney poncho. If it's already raining and I know it's going to rain all day, I'll wear the rain coat since it has a hood and pockets and covers me from head to toe. I can walk around in the strongest, windiest rainstorm in that and not get wet, shake it out when I go inside and fold it wrong side out. It comes in a sort of carrying cover of it's own that can also be hooked on a belt loop. I don't carry a bag into the parks unless I have to do the Disney poncho or the raincoat then I'll wear a sort of runners waist pack to tuck them into. As far as carrying an umbrella in a crowded park, mine is really small, just enough to cover one person and I'm always very conscience of where people are and am careful about that. Frankly, if it's raining enough that you need one, the parks tend to empty out anyway.