April visit... What to wear/bring?

[lolobug]

hi there!
We are planning an April 2016 trip with two little girls, 4 and 7. My girls are fair skinned and burn easily. I was considering long sleeve rash guard shirts to wear all week, I figured they would block the sun and dry quickly if the girls get wet. Is this a good idea? Are the long sleeve rash guards hot to wear when it's warm out or are they cool? Input appreciated!
What else should we bring for an April vacation? Shoes? Clothing? Extras? Thanks!

 

[Alesia]

They will be way too hot. Sunscreen is a better idea.

 

[Flynnismine]

They don't breath well and are really hot to wear, unless you're in the water. If you're set on long sleeves, maybe look for more of a thin, moisture wicking, UV blocking active wear type shirt in a very light color. My DD is fair skinned as well, I just diligently coat her in a 70 spf sunscreen every couple of hours. I know some kids has skin sensitivities to sunscreens though so long sleeves and hats are a must.

 

[lolobug]

Thank you both for the responses! If we do go the sunscreen route, any recommendations? I've heard the "wet skin" products are nice?

 

[Flynnismine]

I use the Neutrogena Kids Spray Waterguard Sunblock Mist, SPF 70+ and the Neutrogena Waterguard Kids Sunblock Lotion, SPF 70.

 

[lolobug]

I use the Neutrogena Kids Spray Waterguard Sunblock Mist, SPF 70+ and the Neutrogena Waterguard Kids Sunblock Lotion, SPF 70.

Thanks! Didn't know that they came in 70 SPF!

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I've recently been using Neutrogena Ultra Sheer dry touch SPF 100. I know some say there's really no such thing as an SFP over 45 but that doesn't stop me. I really like that it is not oily at all. My daughter is very fair also and it worked great for her. Have a magical trip!

 

[lolobug]

I've recently been using Neutrogena Ultra Sheer dry touch SPF 100. I know some say there's really no such thing as an SFP over 45 but that doesn't stop me. I really like that it is not oily at all. My daughter is very fair also and it worked great for her. Have a magical trip!

I feel the same way, looking into this. Thanks!

 

[scrapquitler]

I think rash guards will be way too hot. I'd stick with 100% cotton and use lots of sunscreen, and have them wear hats. We were there the third week of April this year, and the temperatures were in the high 80s and low 90s. Some days were quite humid, others not so much.

 

[Caseheidi]

I also find it important to put sunscreen on my little one before getting her dressed so it covers all her body. The sun in FL is much more intense the the NW where we live. Your clothes only offer so much protection, so applying it under your clothes keeps you from getting those weird I clothing burns that surprise you every once in a while.

 

[lolobug]

I think rash guards will be way too hot. I'd stick with 100% cotton and use lots of sunscreen, and have them wear hats. We were there the third week of April this year, and the temperatures were in the high 80s and low 90s. Some days were quite humid, others not so much.

Was the weather pleasant? We are New Englanders, the last time we went was January, we had some cool weather, only a few days we wore tshirts. I'm worried it will be really hot for us

 

[lolobug]

I also find it important to put sunscreen on my little one before getting her dressed so it covers all her body. The sun in FL is much more intense the the NW where we live. Your clothes only offer so much protection, so applying it under your clothes keeps you from getting those weird I clothing burns that surprise you every once in a while.

Great idea, I will do that!

 

[Thing 1]

April can be hot. I would chose, light colored thin cotton t-shirts and shorts. I would spray them in the morning in their underwear so you don't miss any places. We like the neutrogena products and that is what our pediatric dermatologist recommended. We use the stick for the face. We use the no sting/baby one. Take both into the park to reapply as often as needed. Be sure to get ears and tops of feet. A big floppy light colored hat is great if they will wear it, but if not, spray the top of their head, including the part too. Be sure to take enough with you. I would dare say you may use a can every day or two, and choices are low and prices are high at WDW.

 

[lolobug]

April can be hot. I would chose, light colored thin cotton t-shirts and shorts. I would spray them in the morning in their underwear so you don't miss any places. We like the neutrogena products and that is what our pediatric dermatologist recommended. We use the stick for the face. We use the no sting/baby one. Take both into the park to reapply as often as needed. Be sure to get ears and tops of feet. A big floppy light colored hat is great if they will wear it, but if not, spray the top of their head, including the part too. Be sure to take enough with you. I would dare say you may use a can every day or two, and choices are low and prices are high at WDW.

I was curious as to how much sunscreen we may need. Does anyone know how long sunscreen lasts (exporation wise?) also, do you suggest mixing cream and spray or does one do a better job than the other? Thx!

 

[scrapquitler]

I was curious as to how much sunscreen we may need. Does anyone know how long sunscreen lasts (exporation wise?) also, do you suggest mixing cream and spray or does one do a better job than the other? Thx!

From the American Association of Dermatologists:

• Use enough sunscreen to generously coat all skin that will be not be covered by clothing. Ask yourself, “Will my face, ears, arms, or hands be covered by clothing?” If not, apply sunscreen. Most people only apply 25-50% of the recommended amount of sunscreen.6
• Follow the guideline of “one ounce, enough to fill a shot glass”, which dermatologists consider the amount needed to cover the exposed areas of the body. Adjust the amount of sunscreen applied depending on your body size.
• Apply the sunscreen to dry skin 15 minutes BEFORE going outdoors.
• Skin cancer also can form on the lips. To protect your lips, apply a lip balm or lipstick that contains sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
• Re-apply sunscreen approximately every two hours or after swimming or sweating heavily according to the directions on the bottle.

 

[lolobug]

From the American Association of Dermatologists:

• Use enough sunscreen to generously coat all skin that will be not be covered by clothing. Ask yourself, “Will my face, ears, arms, or hands be covered by clothing?” If not, apply sunscreen. Most people only apply 25-50% of the recommended amount of sunscreen.6
• Follow the guideline of “one ounce, enough to fill a shot glass”, which dermatologists consider the amount needed to cover the exposed areas of the body. Adjust the amount of sunscreen applied depending on your body size.
• Apply the sunscreen to dry skin 15 minutes BEFORE going outdoors.
• Skin cancer also can form on the lips. To protect your lips, apply a lip balm or lipstick that contains sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
• Re-apply sunscreen approximately every two hours or after swimming or sweating heavily according to the directions on the bottle.

Good to know!

 

[michael's mom]

I bought a whole bunch of sunscreen for our upcoming trip (2 bottles cream, 6 spray cans for 11 days). DS has very sensitive skin so we stick with the one sunscreen we know doesn't cause him a rash which is the Coppertone Kids (green can). Neutrogena Wet gave him a rash which surprised me! We are planning on generously applying lotion in the hotel room before leaving each morning but bringing the spray with us to the parks for a quicker and easier re-application. We use a separate face stick (Neutrogena Baby) and a chapstick which we'll also bring to the parks with us, but those fit in pockets so no biggie.

I'd say leave the rash guards for the pool and just re-apply sunscreen often.

As for April weather, it gets hot. I've always gone 3rd week in April and for quite a while we've dealt with afternoons in the high 80's/low 90's with a fair amount of humidity. Tshirts and shorts have always been our clothing choice. I've gotten a few of the moisture-wicking tops for our upcoming trip to see if it helps at all.

I'd pack a light sweatshirt or jacket for the evenings and hope you won't need them. We were unprepared on our last trip and ended up dropping $$$$$ on sweatshirts for the kids. We went into dinner and it was 85 degrees at 5:00, we came out and it was 55 and windy. DD had spilled her milk on her at the restaurant and the only change of clothes we had was a sundress with very thin straps so we needed pants/sweatshirt for her to the tune of $70. I remember joking that was the most expensive outfit I'd ever buy her and she wasn't even 2 yet. It was our last night there and we were not going back to the resort before the fireworks as we hadn't had the chance to see them yet. You can be sure we put that sweatsuit on DD every chance we got once we were back home!

 

[monorailsilver]

I would just reapply sunscreen every few hours and make sure you get the ears and back of neck good.

I sunscreen my kids while dressing, well last time my oldest did herself so I just had to deal with 2 kids. I prefer summer time, late august so my kids already have a tan and at that point they don't burn at that point unless they are sitting there all day on a beach but I do make sure we all put sunscreen on before we leave the room and we return at about noon time. We are not in the direct sun a lot other then walking from ride to ride.

As far as April, dh and I got engaged the last week of March and it was chilly at night. We needed pants and a light coat. In 2013 & 2014 we passed thru Disney on our way to my sisters in Ft. Myers. I remember on the return in 2013, it was a Friday night. We were in +90° temps for the week and when we went to DtD for dinner I was chilly, LOL!