Best tips/tricks to keep cool at parks.........

[maslex]

Its been FOREVER since we've been to any parks........

But I'm trying to get a list going of things to bring with us to keep us cool (or other useful things to bring with us)

I keep seeing people either bringing battery operated fans, cooling towels, neck fans, etc. Do any of them really work? I would assume with the fans, that the batteries would run out quick, no? And what about those cooling neck towels? How long do they actually stay wet and cool? Has anyone ever brought just a regular ole squirt bottle and keep misting themselves throughout the day?

And I'd like to maybe keep some ponchos on hand. Obviously, I don't want anything too thick/bulky/heavy................where's the best place to grab a few to keep in our bag?

Anything else that we should have on hand to keep everyone somewhat comfortable during the day?

 

[Karalee402]

We purchased a big pack of ponchos from Amazon. They were very inexpensive, so if one got messed up, we were okay tossing it. When we were in the parks last summer, the cooling towels were amazing! They really help you feel a little refreshed when the temps are high. I also highly recommend taking some hydration packs with electrolytes and adding them to water throughout the day. Hydration is key! We did indoor/airconditioned rides and shows during the peak of the heat and were sure to take breaks often.

 

[GoofyDad_4427]

Our testing has been limited to use while sitting at hot baseball fields this summer and not yet at theme parks, but we recently started using both the Dr. Chilly ice rings (a cold ice ring tube that hangs around your neck) and the Ergonable cool clip fans (a fan that clips on to the top of your shorts and blows the air inside your shirt, but can also just be used as a regular fan) and both i would rate as excellent so far.

 

[holden]

I don't like carrying anything with me in the parks (just a waist bag for my phone/ID/credit card). Here's what I do:

1. Hit the parks at rope drop
2. Eat a lunch in a table service restaurant
3. Avoid waiting in long outdoor queues (use Genie+ and paid LL as much as possible)
4. Enjoy lots of indoor attractions/stores
5. Take a break in the afternoon/early evening (either by going back to the resort or just staying indoors as much as possible - stores, etc.)
6. Enjoying the parks when the sun goes down
7. Paying for late night events if available (it's more tolerable when the sun goes down)

Edited to add: drink a ton of water! I buy Smartwater throughout the day. It may be expensive, but I find it's worth it.

 

[HopperFan]

We used neck towels for years but they do get your shirt wet. We switched to the lightweight gaiters, smaller, get them wet, wring them out and they are only on our necks. They do a nice job of cooling, are lightweight, easy to drop back in a ziploc when not using.

We used to use the small hand fans and they do not use batteries that often. DS once got a Mickey Mouse head fan that hung on his neck (even had a light in it at night). When they brought out the small square fans that hang on your neck we switched to those because lighter. Again batteries last longer than I expected. We have no interest in those wrap around neck fans, not wearing or carrying.

Other wise - DS wears a floppy like hat with air vents, easy to drop off backwards & tighten string on rides. We drink lots of ice water, we take A/C breaks and try to time our rides the same. Mid day longer lunch in A/C is a great way to recharge. When asking for ice water we use some ice on our wrists.

We want to carry as little as possible so no water bottles (we ask for ice water at QS), no misting fans and lightweight ponchos when weather is predicted. IF it is just going to be afternoon random showers we just duck in somewhere to ride it out. GOAL IS MINIMAL carrying or weight added to our day, especially when hot.

 

[Miffy]

I was there last July and the biggest help, for me, was the UV umbrella. I used it every day and it really makes a huge difference. I had the neck towels as well, but I didn't find them all that helpful after about the first 5 minutes, but perhaps there are better ones than the ones I had.

Avoid standing in long outdoor queues. Purchase G+--and ILL$, when needed--for every park, if you can afford them, because they make a huge difference. Have your meals inside, when humanly possible.

RD and leave the park--whichever park--by noon. Enjoy your air-conditioned room or some pool time, then go back to the parks at night. Epcot, I think, is the absolute worst park to be in between noon and 3 p.m. due to lack of shade and lots of concrete. Not to mention DS, which is unbearable in the noonday sun.

Stay hydrated. Drink lots of water, even if you think you're not thirsty. Your body will thank you.

Don't compare yourself to anyone else you might see or who's posting here or even your travel companions. Everyone has a different heat tolerance. For example, I travel with my sister, and even though I think of myself as someone very heat-intolerant, I can outlast her at WDW by hours.

 

[Mouse Tracker]

We want to carry as little as possible so no water bottles (we ask for ice water at QS), no misting fans and lightweight ponchos when weather is predicted. IF it is just going to be afternoon random showers we just duck in somewhere to ride it out. GOAL IS MINIMAL carrying or weight added to our day, especially when hot.

Dress with appropriate fabrics that allow cooling, moisture wicking if wet / sweating.
A vented hat for being in the sun, especially those non-shaded queue areas.
Cold drinks, frozen snacks.
Duck into a/c areas for a quick "chill" or to reset core temp.

 

[neverlandsky]

We go in with the expectation that we won't do everything. Plans might have to shift at any given moment so being adaptable and flexible helps a ton. It definitely won't be perfect. There will be ride shutdowns and a ride might be down all day. That's ok. Extra breaks might be needed. That's ok. Someone might need more rest to recoup. That's ok. Someone might need to tap out early. That's ok. Etc.

We always go hands free. No bags or water bottles. We just wear hats & sunglasses. Mealtimes are always 10 am and 4 pm. Indoor rides/entertainment/break from 11am-3pm. Purchase lots of dripping ice cold water bottles and frozen drinks. Invest in G+/IIL$ because standing in queue with others who are hot, well it's hot and uncomfortable. We embrace gentle rides as they don't get the blood pumping and are relaxing when it's hot. We also visit gallery(s) as they are often overlooked and not crowded.

 

[elvispursley]

We went last Sep when it was hotter than Satan's armpit. I used a FroggTogg cooling towel (some people have reported that the towels bleed color and don't like the texture...I had hot pink and no bleeding. The texture wan't my favorite but after seeing that it kept my towel cooler than my mom's disney cooling towel, I was sold). I also had a little usb rechargeable fan from amazon. I charged it before we went and I have not had to recharge it once...and it's been nearly a year and I use it almost daily to dry down my sunscreen and other facial products. It fit very easily into my waist bag (I use the Lululemon 2.5L waist pack). I also brought packets of Liquid IV and added them to bottles of water that we froze. Unfortunately, we're not staying DVC this trip so don't hav access to a freezer. But I'll still add to my water bottle when needed.

This year, we're going end of Aug/Sep and I'm fully expecting the same or worse for temps. I'm hoping to use a UV umbrella and am still researching a better hat to wear. We always take afternoon breaks back at the resort for napping/pool time and a fresh change of clothes and shoes.

 

[loislane]

Like everyone else, I have a cooling towel I like along with a portable fan. I like my fan because: 1. the blades stop if they touch something, so no hair tangles! 2. It doubles as a power bank. 3. It folds up and easily fits in a pocket or belt bag.

Aside from things everyone else has mentioned, the biggest thing that makes a difference for us is to GO SLOW! Before we moved and became AP, we were there for a week and it was go, go, go! It's hard not to when you spend so much to be there and want to do as much as you can. But all that speed walking and being on the go nonstop will really take it out of you in the heat!