Anyone planning a summer '06 trip, and if so..

[mommaU4]

when? And how are you planning to keep from melting in the hot sun?

We won't be going this summer, but I know alot of you are and I was wondering what your best "stay cool" tips are when it's hotter than...ahem, well, you know.

 

[LaughinPlace289]

I really don't think the heat is too unbearable. Try going to Arizona in late June. It may be a dry heat, but it's still hot.

But if it does get too hot, I'll go ride Splash Mountain repetitively. Best ride at WDW and it'll cool you off.

 

[jonimce]

This will be our third August trip. Never thought it was too bad. If it gets too hot in the afternoon you just have to find an indoor spot, or return to the resort for a swim or a nap. Rains most every day and that cools it off a bit. We were raised in Philadelphia, so we are used to the humity. We usualy do lunch in a sit down rest. so we are in the cool soots.

 

[suevee]

Pack a zip loc bag of ice with the cheap white wash cloths, Good for the back of the neck and wiping off face. As well as keeping water cool. But keep reapplying sunblock.

 

[Kteacher]

i'm actually planning a summer '07 trip we've been once in early July, and went last summer end of July/early August. As long as you know you have to take breaks during the hottest part of the day you'll be fine. Typical day for us was to go early-usually at the parks for rope drop- stay until around 11 a.m, then do lunch and back to the resort pool for the rest of the day. We usually ate dinner around 5, and then would head to a different park for the evening.

 

[abe_bb]

Going in August this year... We went in Sept last year and it was Hot every day. But with plenty of water (and a towel to keep our daughter out of the sun while sleeping in the stroller), it wasn't too bad. Most of the rides are air conditioned anyway, so you always get a little break in the cool(er) air.

The worst part, honestly, was my glasses! I have Transitions, and since the lines were extremely short at most attractions, they would still be "darkened" while going through the ques! Between my eyes adjusting to the dark, and my glasses being darkened anyway, I could barely see for a few minutes in the darkened ques. The worst one was PotC. I ran into three or four walls in there before I finally took off my glasses!

 

[luv2nascar]

mister fans and drink pleny of water. Go early and leave in afternoon for rest and shower. Heading back out at dinner time is a little cooler. Early morning hours are the best - least crowded and less hot.

 

[iluvladybugs]

Avoid AK. That park is unbearably hot in the summer. I'm not sure why. I agree that you should go early in the morning, go back to hotel around lunch, and then go back in the evening. The humidity is what KILLS me. Definately invest in one of the mister fans. Well worth it!!!

 

[lorli]

This will be our third summer trip. There is no doubt it is very hot and humid, however go prepared. Drink lots of water, make sure to eat to keep your energy up, duck into attractions that have air conditioning, choose places to eat that are inside, go slow and take breaks often. My mistake was was not driking enough or eating enough. I was doing both but not enough once I rehydrated or refueled I was ready to go for the rest of the day.

 

[Tinker74]

Lori you made me laugh One thing i definitly won't be doing on our summer trip is NOT eating enough!!

We will be on the dining plan and i have gone crazy with ADRs. Iam worried we might not see much of the parks But we will definitlly be eating.

 

[ciera321]

We're going August 7 - 18. We've been in early September and in June and it's been pretty darn hot and humid both times. We do what the other posters have said, especially start early and head for your resort around 1 or 2 for a swim!!! We've always done this except when we went in December...And when we were walking around one December evening in 40 degrees a little drizzle and some wind, bundled up and freezing, I decided maybe the heat was more appealing to me. Just can't wait to get back!!!

 

[dyna]

We've done summer several times tho not our favorite time to go but with DD in high school taking all weighted honors classes and in sports from midsummer till last of school it is impossible for us to go and take her any other time.

This may sound a little nasty to some but I use wet paper towel from bathroom to wipe hottest parts of my body with rewet it at water fountains when it gets warm. Yes I go thru several a day but I also go to bathroom several times a day and get a new one then. Don't got to worry about loosing it either. Or something to carry it in other than my hand. We travel very light into the parks.

That another thing the less you carry with you the less hot you will be energy not being zapped by carryin heavy stuff. We usually only take what we can put in our pockets.

Take break every afternoon go back to the room and the rule is everyone has to nap for an hour before swimming or at least lay down and rest sometimes DD or I will read a book but usually by the 3rd day we napping too.

Spend as much time in the A/C as possible. Know what attractions has the longest lines do them early in the am before lines get long or late in evening. Know that the hall of presidents and few others is a easy way to cool off and sit down comfy for a few mins maybe take a quick nap during the show. The monorail is a easy rest too gives ya a break from heat no one says you got to get off works well during the middle of the day in the heat.

We don't do the early park openings but usually at the park when it opens or very shortly there after. We might try some late nights this visit not decided yet. Usually avoid the early and late parks that day all together.

We will be goin 1st week of June so will be ahead of lot of the summer crowd that helps. Also goin midweek this time and will avoid the weekend crowd possibly on Fri and Sat for sure on Sat. Sat am we'll do downtown disney afternoon rest and relax by the pool got dinner ressies for like 7:30 at the 1900 park fare. We might leave there ride monorail over to the MK watch all the tired cranky ppl come out of the MK at closing and be glad we not one of them then when the crowd thins out hop the bus back to Pop.

We been hoping to spend a day or 2 at the beach after our disney visit but might just ride over and do that on Friday tho I'd still love to spend more time at the beach waiting to see what pans out. There is a condo we have rented several times for the week from same lady and we got a deal goin with her if the condo not rented we can stay there a couple nights pay enough to cover cleaning fee rather than having to rent it for the entire week. I'm sure if that doesn't work out we can get hotel if we decide we want to stay at the beach more than just the 1 day.

The lady has to pay the minimal amount on water and electric anyway whether anyone there to use it or not will depend on how she is doin with her rentals how we work that out. She knows how we keep the place knows how much electric and water we us and we have told her be less this time as we won't ge doin as much laundry.

She is a very nice lady did us a very well when we had rented the condo for a week and had to turn around the next day and come home. She sent us our money back. Knowing that when we rented it we was only hopin to get to go. But no one else had contacted her to rent it that week either. Which was surprising because it was a very busy time for Daytona.

 

[CindyT]

We always go in summer. Drink lots of water, we freeze water and take it in an insulated carrier, stays good most all day. Take breaks at the hottest part of the day. Visit airconditioned exhibits. Have fun!!

 

[HunnyPots]

We are going July 9-15. This is our first July trip, as we have gone the first week of June on both our other trips. But truthfully, I'm more concerned about crowds than heat. Being from Texas I am used to very hot summers, in fact I am a cold weather WIMP! To me, anything below 70 is cold! Give me a 95 degree day anytime!
One thing I advise though, avoid EPCOT's Future World, aka the land of endless concrete, during the sunniest part of the day.

 

[eblack0409]

Since colleges let out in May..I consider May the start of summer....DH and I will be going in May....but I have never felt heat like Hawaii in July......that is HOT!!!

 

[mommaU4]

Alot of good tips so far.

I know they will come in handy for anyone going this summer especially the first-timers.

 

[ericafny]

DBF and I went last July and just booked again for this coming July/Aug. We love it in the summer even though its HOT!!! We go to the parks early, come back to the hotel and cool off in the pool with some cold drinks...then back to the parks in the late afternoon evening when the sun goes down!

WDW in the summer is the best because everything is open late and the level of excitement is even higher than it normally is (and thats pretty high!). Sure its crowded, but if you use FP and stay one step ahead of the crowds you will have a blast!!!

 

[jonimce]

Dyna, not nasty at all. If it works, it's got to be OK. We always carry the travel packs of wipes. I think there wet wipes or something like that. They come in a pink package about the size of large candy bar. they really cool you off and feel good when you sweat. Also great when your hands get dirty from touching railings and other places stickey hands have been before you. You can usualy find them in Wal-Mart or Target at the ends of the registers. They are only .99 cents, and fit easily in a fanny pack or right in your pocket.

 

[Samantha/NC]

I teach, and just can not see going any other time except in the summer. We have done some research. We are going to visit some of the shows during the hottest parts of the day. We also plan to go back and swim/rest and come back in the evenings. We also will purchase the mister fans for our whole group.

 

[Magic2000]

We've been going during the summer for quite a few years now, especially since the kids are in school. We take our longer vacation in summer, and go for a LONG weekend in early December!

I agree with the other posters - go early, take a mid day break, then head back in the evening! We've actually gone during the 4th of July week - it was busy (and hot), but we had a blast!!

Can't wait to be back in a few months!!!!