August clothing

[WEDWDW]

August is part of Florida's "Three Showers/Baths A Day Season".

And deodorant will be your best friend.

 

[Anal Annie]

I don't want to poo-poo your idea to make the dresses, but cotton is not the best fabric to wear as it does not breath and becomes a sweaty wet blanket. We always go in late August because the lines are short....I learned the hard way to wear the proper garments. The hard way, meaning I had chaff everywhere when I wore all cotton. Sorry I know it sounds unpleasant but its just the way it is. These days my Disney-wear consists of 99% breathable workout garments like UA and Nike right down to under garments.

If you decide to go with the cotton dresses I'd definitely go with the sleeves for the coverage brcause Floria sun in August will cook you in a heartbeat. I like what the other posted suggested about bringing along a change of clothes....if you decide on the dresses, maybe make an extra dress to change into when the other get wet. Florida heat in August is REALLY, REALLY, REALLY hot! Have fun.

I didn't mean to bring xtra clothes to the parks but to be sure to pack at least 2 outfits / day per person unless she's planning to do laundry. We usually try to get 2 days out of our shorts (if we can) but we always change our under clothes and shirts 2x a day. Light and LOOSE is key for clothes. You want a breeze down there......

 

[PlainJane]

I mostly wear cotton dresses in Disney, I'm sure they have some small blend of something else in them, but I've been quite comfortable. I would advise sleeves. For my dresses without sleeves I normally have it paired with a cardigan.

Hats are best. I'm not a big hat person. I've tried to recently start wearing the wide brim ones to the beach, but they are not something I've ever made a habit of at Disney. It's definitely the smart thing to do though. Skin damage is a big deal. To prevent sunburn on my scalp I make sure I have my hair pulled back into a style with no exposed part, which I would recommend even with the hat. She could either wear her ears with the hat or wait until the evening.

You definitely want sunscreen and to reapply as directed. Don't forget ears and feet!

 

[busymommy2pink]

As another Canadian who loves going in August, I can't imagine wearing anything BUT sleeveless. We sunscreen well and reapply during the day. As for our heads, we never wear anything, never dawned on us to. As we don't at home. Keep hydrated and sunscreened!

 

[brockash]

We come from the frozen North of Canada... so the concept of Florida Heat is pretty foreign.
I will be making my child some "disney-esque" sundresses - 100% cotton, easy on/off. I made the first one, but now I'm worried because it's sleeveless. Should I be putting sleeves on the dresses to keep the sun off her shoulders? Is the sun a problem, or are we going to be in shade or indoors enough that it doesn't matter?

Also hats: I was going to get a ear headbands, but I'm guessing you need a hat while there. How do you make the ears work with hats?

Thanks!

The sun is really not that much of an issue, especially compared to the humidity. I and my kids often wear sleeveless shirts/dresses when we go the last week of Aug. I will also say, that except for when we do the water parks or when we have a pool day, I'm not a great mom about making sure the kids have sunblock on, yet we've never had an issue or gotten a sunburn while at the parks. When they were little, I used to always bring sunglasses/hats for them, but they very rarely wore them, and now that they're older and have more of a say they never want to take them to the parks. At the regular parks, it's a lot of in and out of being outside, so while I would def. prefer to have a hat, stroller with a good sunshade for extended periods of time outside (waiting for the afternoon parade etc.), it's really not a big deal otherwise.

 

[Hikergirl]

As long as you have sunblock and re-apply you will be fine with sleeveless and no hat. Just remember to re-apply, that is the key.

 

[cjparker0110]

If you're coming from Canada I would advise your clothing be as cool as possible. That said, protecting shoulders is a good idea. I'm not sure what part of Canada you're in or how much sun exposure you get during the summer. I live in southern MN (but grew up in the south) so I know our extreme heat that compares to Florida lasts about 1-2 weeks...if we're lucky...haha. If you are in the sun a lot then you probably will be ok...it will just be MUCH more humid than you're used to. However, if you don't think it will happen, at least cover the shoulders. Disney with a sunburn will not be fun. Also, take a LOT of sunscreen.

You will have opportunity to be inside, but you will also be outside a LOT. THat hot Florida sun can give you a sunburn in less than 15 minutes if you're not used to it...and not protected. Be safe, not sorry. Next time plan a trip for early June or even in the spring. It will be a heat wave but not as intense as August.

As for the ears vs. hats, I'm not sure if they still have them but at one point when I was there YEARS ago they sold hats with ears on them in Animal Kingdom. They were safari hats with Mickey ears. If that's something you might like then go for it. Otherwise just bring your own hat for protection during the hottest parts of the day. At other times wear the ears. This obviously only works if you have something to put the hats in (like a bag) when you don't need them.

Whatever you do, enjoy! It will be a blast!

 

[GillianP1301]

Fellow Canadian here who also travels to WDW in August (for the last 4 years) and I absolutely love the heat! And it's not like we don't get hot weather here as well (I'm in southern Ontario), so I dress in Florida the same way I would dress on a hot summer day at home. So, light fabrics/colours is best. Your daughter should be okay w/sleeveless, just make sure you stay on top of your sunscreen application. You are right in that there are tons of opportunity for shade/cooling down between queues, restaurants, shops & attractions. Because of that, the heat very rarely bothers us while we are there and we've also never gotten a sun burn.

Hats are an absolute must, IMO. It blows my mind how many people walk around in full on summer sunshine with no hat all day. How they don't have massive headaches or heat stroke, is beyond me.

 

[Stars In The Night]

but cotton is not the best fabric to wear as it does not breath and becomes a sweaty wet blanket.

What fabric would you suggest making them out of? I always thought cotton was the go-to summer heat clothing! Where I'm from the temp never really gets above 25 celcius.

Next time plan a trip for early June or even in the spring. It will be a heat wave but not as intense as August.

I wish we could pick a different time, but as a teacher/ summer school teacher - I am unable to take time off work during the year. I get a week off between summer school and regular school in August, and that's it.

 

[tomeaine]

This is some great information..Our family too is going down on the 18th and trying to plan ahead.
What do you guys recommend for socks?
We found some moisture wick socks for the kids, just not sure if a particular brand on type is best to get before we sweat it out.

 

[Stars In The Night]

oh god - I never even though about socks...

 

[busymommy2pink]

oh god - I never even though about socks...

Socks and shoes sound like the seventh circle of hell to me in the Florida heat. While I am unaffected by wearing flip flops (what I wear st home). My daughters wear keens. Support of a runner but coolness of s sandal, and waterproof! They dry very quick. And no slipping and sliding out of sandals when feet get wet! Honestly check them out. It's all we buy now!

 

[jahber]

What fabric would you suggest making them out of? I always thought cotton was the go-to summer heat clothing! Where I'm from the temp never really gets above 25 celcius.


I wish we could pick a different time, but as a teacher/ summer school teacher - I am unable to take time off work during the year. I get a week off between summer school and regular school in August, and that's it.

Honestly, if you're going to make clothes, just go with cotton. I can't imagine trying to find cute prints or patterns for moisture-wicking fabric. Not gonna happen. I often wear cotton to the parks because, well, I live here and I guess I don't see the point in a special wardrobe for park touring. Also, really, it's so humid here that I don't find drifit/sports clothing to be essential. On a really humid day, nothing is going to be evaporating. It's not like up north where it's so dry that your sweat actually evaporates. . They just tend to be less heavy (so, for example, I try to run in only wicking fabric because cotton is miserable when you're totally soaked in sweat). But otherwise, I don't typically find myself soaked--even in the summer. Now, on a day when rain is expected, then yes, wear moisture-wicking clothing and you'll dry faster than cotton if you get soaked. And if you have it around anyway, then wear it. But don't fret if you have to wear cotton. It'll be ok. Just change before dinner or in the middle of the day after swimming or a nap.

 

[holden]

I have gotten sunburned THROUGH my clothing before in Disney. The sun is that intense. It's like being in a sauna on the surface of the sun. "Real feel" temps can easily hit 110F.

 

[lpizzuro123]

Don't forget to put sunscreen on the tops of your ears - even if you have long hair - if you pull it back your ears will be exposed. If you wear a baseball type hat the tops of your ears will be exposed. I was in FL a few years ago with a good friend that has short hair. She uses a ton of sunscreen but did not do the tops of her ears. They got sunburnt and then she actually got water blisters on the tops of her ears.

 

[GaryDis]

I will also say, that except for when we do the water parks or when we have a pool day, I'm not a great mom about making sure the kids have sunblock on, yet we've never had an issue or gotten a sunburn while at the parks. When they were little, I used to always bring sunglasses/hats for them, but they very rarely wore them, and now that they're older and have more of a say they never want to take them to the parks.

Though I have gotten burns, I tan easily, have a medium complexion, and can survive with less sunblock than many people (like DH).

But I got cataracts at a young age. Granted, they're not as serious as the dangers of sunburn, but it's still less than ideal. I'm not sure whether sun exposure was a significant factor, since I wore eyeglasses most of my youth; perhaps back then standard eyeglasses didn't block UV well.

Currently I keep my sunglasses on a croakie which makes them very convenient, though I'm tempted to get Transitions for my upcoming trip. But for the kids, at some point they'll start perceiving sunglasses as cool and fashionable, and then you'll be ready to get good quality ones for them.

 

[PlainJane]

Though I have gotten burns, I tan easily, have a medium complexion, and can survive with less sunblock than many people (like DH).

But I got cataracts at a young age. Granted, they're not as serious as the dangers of sunburn, but it's still less than ideal. I'm not sure whether sun exposure was a significant factor, since I wore eyeglasses most of my youth; perhaps back then standard eyeglasses didn't block UV well.

Currently I keep my sunglasses on a croakie which makes them very convenient, though I'm tempted to get Transitions for my upcoming trip. But for the kids, at some point they'll start perceiving sunglasses as cool and fashionable, and then you'll be ready to get good quality ones for them.

I completely forgot to say anything about sunglasses. Very good suggestion. They're very important.

Definitely want to make sure they're UV400. A lot of people think they're protecting they're eyes, but if you have bad sunglasses they aren't protecting you and they're actually allowing the rays better access to your eyes than if you were wearing none at all! It's not really expensive either. I think my last pair at TJMaxx cost about $10-$15.

 

[CaoilinnsMom]

I agree with most of the previous comments. Being from Canada, you will probable not be prepared for the heat and humidity. I would be sure to drink lots of liquids, wear hats, sunscreen, and breathable clothing. Take lots of breaks and go swimming to cool off in the afternoon; get out of the sun as much as possible. Try to get to the parks early and maybe return when the sun goes down.

 

[elaine amj]

You'll be fine. Good to be prepared though - and it all depends on your own tolerance for heat. My family and I don't let it bother us too much. Friends of ours - the wife was miserable last year. But then again, she only did Disney because her DH insisted on taking the kids. She was campaigning for a cruise lol.

As for the dresses, I typically recommend drifit, but I find a light cotton sundress (a breezy one) is just as comfortable. Just find very thin cotton as that doesn't absorb as much water as thick cotton. On the plus side, it should be cheaper Make sure the design you choose has a lot of swing, fits a little loosely, and all will be well. My DD has always been skinny so no chafing when wearing sundresses. For me, I add a pair of bike shorts! I loved when my DD was at the age where I could pack a pair of thin leggings so she could add them at night (she got cold easily).

Hats are good if you guys are fair and burn easily. My family hate them in the hot weather - but then again, we are Asian and with our darker skins, we rarely burn...just turn really brown. Sunglasses are a good idea. DH and I wear them - but the kids don't like them at all and can't be bothered. This year I did get my DD Transitions so I don't have to worry there.

As for socks and shoes, we wear them even in the summer heat. We just do better with more support. We also have good, supportive sandals - but can't last all day in them. They're fine for a 1/2 to 3/4 day. Otherwise, give me my sneakers. I always recommend bringing 2-3 pairs of shoes per person. Not necessary on short trips....but on long trips, it's a relief for the feet to be able to trade shoes. ymmv though as everyone is different.

Another suggestion is frogg toggs or other cooling towel. Last September, my friend was super dizzy from the heat. I got her to drink some water, gave her my frogg togg and got her to eat something. After that, she felt much better and was able to keep going rather than head back to her hotel room.

 

[aretha30]

We go every August and I always wear sleeveless. I also burn if I'm out in the sun for more than a few minutes. I make sure to apply at least 50 sunblock before we leave our room and then again multiple time throughout the day. I do this for our boys as well.