Convention and Park Clothing Advice

[michellej47]

Hey friends! I am headed back to my happy places (Disney and Universal...I love them both) at the end of June, start of July...so it will be hot! I am attending a conference, but taking my 20 yo son with me and we will be hitting the parks while there. On two of our park days, we plan to hit Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom with early entry to try to get in the popular rides. Then I plan to leave mid-morning, head to the conference (while my son stays in the park), and then I'll meet him back in the park late afternoon when the conference is over. While I will be taking the bus back to our resort (Coronado in the tower) before I drive to the conference (at the convention center), I figured I could save a bit of time by not changing in between. The conference is semi-casual. Last year when I went (not in Orlando), I wore a maxi dress and sneakers everday. I was hoping for some suggestions/recommendations on some cute sundresses that I could wear both in the park and then head to my conference. Comfort and coolness are a must! Of course, I plan to have backups in case the heat/humidity is awful (I'm from the south so I can take it to a certain degree) and I sweat through everything in the morning!

 

[Marthasor]

Honestly, I would work some time to freshen up and change before heading out to the conference. If you have to go back to CSR anyway, maybe just have your change of outfit hanging and ready to go. I'm not sure what your particular style is, but I find Lily Pulitzer and Tommy Bahama jersey dresses super easy to pack and incredibly lightweight - they fold up very nicely and don't wrinkle easily. Anything in a "travel" fabric as well - Helly Hansen (of Norway pavilion fame) - makes some cute packable, lightweight dresses. I, personally, would probably go back to CSR, quick refresh, throw the new dress on and maybe throw a cardigan over my shoulders in case the conference center is chilly. Quick, simple, but still a bit of professional polish and no residual park sweat!

 

[Upatnoon]

Your plan to go the park, back to the room, then drive to the Orlando Convention Center seems overly ambitious to me.

Have you done this before?

It would not take much for you to end up missing the conference or being late.

 

[CarolynFH]

It can be so humid early in the morning that your clothes can be soaking wet with sweat in a matter of minutes. I’d plan to change clothes, at least, which unfortunately might mean your plan won’t work if you return to CSR between the park and the convention. You might consider driving to the park, bringing a change of clothes, and stashing them in a locker so you can change in a bathroom before you drive to the convention. Neither plan is ideal, but humidity will be at least as big an issue as heat itself.

 

[lovethattink]

If you wear make up, June is “melting” makeup hot and humid. You might want to go to the park with no make up and as other said, allow time to freshen up a bit.

The convention center at CSR is typically very cold. Might need a sweater over your sun dress or maxi.

If I wasn’t going back to my room, I’d get off the bus at Bus stop 1, El Centro, where the convention center is. It would be counter productive to walk back to the tower, get in the car, and drive to El Centro. Have some toiletries in a back pack and freshen up in one of the convention restrooms. Maybe an extra outfit in the backpack for backup just in case.

 

[IndyToThere]

No way you'll be able to wear your conference clothes to the park - you'll be sweaty and uncomfortable. I'd suggest bringing your conference clothes in a bag that you place in a locker at the park. That way you can change and uber / lyft straight to the convention center and change either in the park bathroom or the convention bathroom.

 

[michellej47]

Your plan to go the park, back to the room, then drive to the Orlando Convention Center seems overly ambitious to me.

Have you done this before?

It would not take much for you to end up missing the conference or being late.

I've been to Orlando at least 20 times. I can manage it.

 

[michellej47]

It can be so humid early in the morning that your clothes can be soaking wet with sweat in a matter of minutes. I’d plan to change clothes, at least, which unfortunately might mean your plan won’t work if you return to CSR between the park and the convention. You might consider driving to the park, bringing a change of clothes, and stashing them in a locker so you can change in a bathroom before you drive to the convention. Neither plan is ideal, but humidity will be at least as big an issue as heat itself.

Thanks for this suggestion. I actually may drive to the park, which would cut out having to go back to CSR.

 

[michellej47]

No way you'll be able to wear your conference clothes to the park - you'll be sweaty and uncomfortable. I'd suggest bringing your conference clothes in a bag that you place in a locker at the park. That way you can change and uber / lyft straight to the convention center and change either in the park bathroom or the convention bathroom.

I'll have a car, so I may just drive to the park in the morning and do just that.

 

[Mle8308]

Thanks for this suggestion. I actually may drive to the park, which would cut out having to go back to CSR.

I was about to suggest that! Drive to either DHS and/or DAK and either change at a restroom in the convention center once you arrive or get a locker and change before leaving the park. No need to take a bus back to Coronado unless you were going to shower. And don't leave any make up that isn't powder in your car!

 

[michellej47]

I was about to suggest that! Drive to either DHS and/or DAK and either change at a restroom in the convention center once you arrive or get a locker and change before leaving the park. No need to take a bus back to Coronado unless you were going to shower. And don't leave any make up that isn't powder in your car!

Parking is still free at the parks when you stay onsite, right?

 

[lovethattink]

Parking is still free at the parks when you stay onsite, right?

Yes