Coping with the heat--is this a good idea?

[Treasure]

I thought we might handle WDW in the same way as we do Sea World. That is, we wear our bathing suits with T-shirts over them and water shoes, so that when we get splashed on a ride or want to play in a fountain, etc. we can without having to change our clothes or shoes and socks.

Land's End has athletic-style shoes for adults and children that are designed to get wet and dry quickly, and I'm thinking about trying those instead of shoes and socks. Also, they have water shorts for women to wear over their suits.

I am thinking that staying wet all day might keep us cooler during the day. (We'll bring a small towel to dry off seats on rides or theaters in case we get them wet!)

What do y'all think?
Good idea or not?

 

[CharlesandCamilla]

Until you go to one of those shows that's in an air conditioned theater. Then you freeze.

 

[Hippychickali]

Personally, I couldn't walk around in water shoes all day. My feet would be really sore and it would probably ruin my day.

Ali

 

[GarrettJD]

I agree... I couldn't walk around in water shoes all day, and I really couldn't stand to be wet all day. There are enough air conditioned spots in the parks that I wouldn't find this necessary, except maybe at the AK where there is very little AC. The best place to wear your bathing suit under your clothes is probably the AK, especially if you ride Kali River Rapids. As the sign says-- "You will get wet...you may get soaked!!"

 

[Treasure]

Good points, both.

Yeah, water shoes wouldn't be very comfortable to wear all day--I actually hate them! That's why I was thinking of the athletic shoes that can get wet/dry quickly from Land's End. I'll try them before we go and just see if they're comfortable.

Maybe we'll need to dry in the sun before going into any theaters!

 

[Hippychickali]

Honestly,

I don't see why this is necessary. There are plenty of places to cool off. I think a bottle of water would do the same thing and be a lot more comfortable.

Ali

 

[Treasure]

Actually, unless we change our plans due to EMH changes, we were planning to go to AK first, and it's the only park that we planned to stay all day (instead of going back to resort for naps, etc.), so it would be a good park to try this out at!

(Otherwise, we would only be going to the parks for several hours in the morning, and several hours in the evening.)

 

[sweet maxine]

Treasure, I also noticed the same shoes in my Land's End catalog, and I thought it mentioned about them being comfortable for walking. I got the impression that they were more than just water shoes. They look more like an atheletic shoe, or maybe a cross between the two.

 

[Treasure]

Sweet Maxine,

Yeah, they should be more like athletic shoes. The kids version actually had a kind of warning that they should not be used for swimming! Too heavy, I guess.

 

[Harambe]

I have worn Teva sandals all day at a park without any problems - they have support for your feet - and you can get them wet.

I also saw the Landsend shoes (on the back cover?). They look like they have support also. But I didn't like the looks of them, sorry to say.

I also have a pair of the Landsend water shorts - very lightweight - great for packing!!! I think I'm going to order a few pairs for DD to wear around the parks for Sept.

 

[Kermit]

The main problem with the shoes would be that you can't really wear socks with them or you negate the ability to dry quickly. I could never wear shoes like that all day without socks.

I think you'll do fine with just some extra water to drink. WDW has so many air conditioned areas.

 

[TinkKel]

I had the same idea, but we are going to IOA too, where there are a lot of water-type rides. Lands End has new Cargo water shorts that look ideal. I too like the idea of not having to change clothes.

 

[SnackyStacky]

You might want to check out this thread:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=528548

 

[Grumpy92]

Hydration is the key, drink lots of water. Tea & sodas will not help you.

Consider purchasing a mister.

Take midday breaks. Go back to your resort for lunch, a swim or a nap. Believe me this an excellent strategy.

If you think the shoes will work for you order them way ahead of time. Then wear them in before you go to WDW. Remember this tip for blisters. Spray Arrid Extra Dry on your feet and it will prevent blisters. Avon also has a blister prevention product.

 

[sweet maxine]

Thanks for the reminder about the deodorant spray for feet! We did this last summer (my daughter thought we were nuts!), and I have to say it really worked! We bought a mister while in line for Dumbo and it was definitely a blessing!

 

[Treasure]

Thanks for all the advice and opinions. As you can tell, I'm really worried about the heat. But we'll definitely go back to the resort mid-day which I've learned from UG and here at DIS. We'll also try the deodorant spray and spray misters, too. I was just thinking that wearing quick-drying clothes and shoes would allow us to wet ourselves down if we get too hot!

 

[NotUrsula]

You do have a point when it comes to underwear, b/c wet conventional underwear is much less comfortable than a wet swimsuit. However, from a practical standpoint, being wet all the time just isn't likely at WDW, except for at AK b/c of Kali, or if you make a practice of playing in every splash fountain you see.
Generally you will be cooler in clothes that let your skin breathe.

As you will have seen if you read that thread on the Tips board, there is some question about the support level of the Land's End water sneakers. However, sport sandals are another story, and there are LOTS of brands of sport sandal that are ideal for theme park walking. I like Nikes and Merrells, myself. (No one in my family wears sneakers in parks; sport sandals all the way.)

My recommendation for quick-dry clothing is to wear lighter fabrics in light colors, preferably wovens instead of knits, b/c thin wovens dry fastest, except for special fabrics like CoolMax. I would go with thin or sport underwear if you're the type who tends to soak it in sweat.

 

[Treasure]

Thanks, NotUrsula. Your ideas about the quick-drying clothes are good. I thing I'll also try the sports sandals. Thanks for your help!

 

[JESW]

The thing that would be bother me the most about that would be when I had to use the bathroom. You'll be drinking a lot to hydrate, and when you have to use the bathroom you have to take your shorts, shirt, AND your bathing suit off just to go!

We were at WDW last June in the heat and we let the kids get those misting bottles and that helped A LOT. Plus, Disney has places that spray water (one is near test track at EPCOT at a drink stand) where you can get cool.

Jil