ORLANDO — So it rained on my (Disney World) parade last night, and here I thought there was never any inclement weather at the Happiest Place on Earth.

And I’m not talking any old rain — it was a thunderstorm accompanied by wild gusts, causing parade-goers to scurry like rats. You gotta give it to the park’s “cast members,” however. They gamely performed and marched on, bolstered by cheers and applause from the soggy crowd.

Speaking of that crowd, most of what was left of it, my family included, huddled under a small, covered bench area during the show, and was still standing there long after the last lighted float had rounded the corner and out of sight. Now what?

Well, I had faith in Disney’s famously solicitous crew — they would save us. They’d bring umbrellas, hot chocolate, you’ll see. That’s what Walt would do.

Minutes passed, ticking quickly toward midnight. My wet daughters began to claw at our clothes — “Let’s go!” — and the tourists around us began debating game plans in French, Spanish and English.

“Well, I guess I’m just going to have to make a run for it,” muttered the guy standing next to us in a Southern drawl. And off he hoofed, leaving the rest of us to watch after him dolefully.

Well, I guess we were going to have to make a run for it, too. My girls had on thick hooded sweatshirts and my husband was at least wearing a baseball cap.

Me? I had nothing.

We bolted. Down Main Street, away from Cinderella’s Castle and toward the railroad station, standing like a beacon at the park entrance. We pulled our now-delighted girls behind us, trying to keep them from stopping and splashing in every puddle that we encountered.

No such luck.

When we reached the first shops, we stopped to catch our breath. And, of course, The Spouse decided that that was a good time to buy himself and the kids some ice cream. Because it’s always a good time for ice cream.

While he was doing that, I ducked across the street and into a store where I noticed people streaming out, wearing white vinyl ponchos. Aha! I knew Uncle Walt wouldn’t let us down. Up at the counter, I gave a broad smile. Two adult ponchos and two kid ponchos, please. And that would be $30.

OK.

As I worked my way back to the door, I bumped into a damp woman and her family: “Oh, good! Where did you get those?” she asked in a slight European accent. “Over there,” I pointed. “Four are $30.”

“What?!” she exclaimed, her eyes protruding. “When we were here the last time, they gave them out for free!”

Well, thank goodness I wasn’t the only one with sunny-side-up expectations.

In the end, everything turned out fine. It was a great day, and for my girls, the rain was one of the best parts, trumping most of the rides. (Although not the spinning tea cups. They rode those twice — wisely before dinner.)

The forecast today calls for partly cloudy skies. I’m taking the ponchos with us when we go back this afternoon.

Mine already has a hole in it.

(You’ll find links to Web sites with helpful tips, information and more on the Cool Travel Sites page. –G. Gross)

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