dealing with the heat with kids

[nonzerosum]

We're Northerners, and while we certainly do get hot weather in the summer, we're not as tolerant as those who live in it year round. I was planning on putting my kids in tank tops with lots of sunscreen so they aren't as hot, but someone suggested to me that I should put them in swim shirts instead. Doesn't this seem like it would be hotter. Those swim shirts don't breathe and unless they're wet, it would seem like torture to me. Any advice would be helpful as my biggest concern about our trip in less than 30 days is the heat. We're doing mid afternoon breaks, mister fans, lots of liquids, but any overlooked advice would be great.

 

[skiingfast]

Where loose, light colored clothing and a cool hat. When you stop for a break ot to eat sit in the shade. If you can sit or stand in the shade for parades. Other than that drink lots of water so your body can sweat and cool you off.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

We made a daily visit to the Bugs Life area in DCA where there are a few water play areas. It helped them cool off, and then they spent the rest of the afternoon in their cool damp bathing suits (with shorts over it). Just remember to bring in flip flops or sandals since you have to wear shoes.

 

[ShellyMouse]

the last time i was at wdw, it was sooooo hot. we borrowed washcloths from the hotel, soaked in cold wated and laid them around the back of our necks. everytime we would see a fountain or sink, we would re-wet them with freezing cold water....oh it felt so good....that is until all my pixie-dust from my hair started streaming down my body, and got stuck between my cheeks, if you know what i mean?! oh my, did that hurt....my mom and sister never laughed so hard! i kept having to waddle to the nearest ladies room....

anyways ....hope you have a great trip!!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

the last time i was at wdw, it was sooooo hot. we borrowed washcloths from the hotel, soaked in cold wated and laid them around the back of our necks. everytime we would see a fountain or sink, we would re-wet them with freezing cold water....oh it felt so good....that is until all my pixie-dust from my hair started streaming down my body, and got stuck between my cheeks, if you know what i mean?! oh my, did that hurt....my mom and sister never laughed so hard! i kept having to waddle to the nearest ladies room....

anyways ....hope you have a great trip!!

Baby powder is good to get damp pixie dust and sand off!

 

[DisneyJewel]

I would not do a swim top.

If you just have an inexpensive bandana for each person (tied around a bag or something) you can just get it wet (in a sink) and tie it around your neck. It really helps. And definitely wear a hat and sunglasses, and stay hydrated.

Kool Ties are more expensive than bandanas, but they really can help. You can get them at REI. Since it is not particularly humid here in CA, the evaporative cooling really works well to keep you cool.

http://www.rei. com/product/691097?preferredSku=6910970505&cm_mmc=cse_froogle-_-datafeed-_-product-_-6910970505&mr:trackingCode=B1601A4F-3026-DF11-BAA3-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA

We're Northerners, and while we certainly do get hot weather in the summer, we're not as tolerant as those who live in it year round. I was planning on putting my kids in tank tops with lots of sunscreen so they aren't as hot, but someone suggested to me that I should put them in swim shirts instead. Doesn't this seem like it would be hotter. Those swim shirts don't breathe and unless they're wet, it would seem like torture to me. Any advice would be helpful as my biggest concern about our trip in less than 30 days is the heat. We're doing mid afternoon breaks, mister fans, lots of liquids, but any overlooked advice would be great.

 

[ShellyMouse]

Baby powder is good to get damp pixie dust and sand off!

thanks for that tip....ill be sure to remember it if im ever stupid enough to get pixie dust again (that stuff is really sharp!)

 

[Mike_M]

Other than that drink lots of water so your body can sweat and cool you off.

This more than anything else will help out. For our Son's first trip in Aug of '07 it was crazy hot in the parks. We got drink lanyards for all of us and drank only bottled water the whole trip and we fared pretty well as a result. We did see on that trip the ocassional kid get sick in line from heat/dehydration so we were modivated to stay hydrated.

 

[disneydreamer74]

We always go in the summer and I have a 3 year old! I just keep her hydrated, rely on Mistymates (must have), so afternoon naps/breaks and make sure to schedule rides/entertainment in shaded or A/C buildings. Like we typically do Golden Horseshoe, Tiki Birds, Turtle talk with Crush, or Aladdin show in midday when it is getting hot..that cool down really helps! It wont be too bad, the children will be enjoying themselves too much to really notice! Plus, take advantage of ice cream vendors...what a great way to cool down!!

 

[Mugglemama]

Of my 4 kids, I have one who is really sensitive to heat (he will pass out/vomit if he gets overheated - although it is subsiding more and more as he gets older), so we've always had to have solutions to heat for him.

By far the BEST strategy we've come up with is to just take his t-shirt off, completely soak it in a bathroom sink, wring it out somewhat, and stick it back on him. Every time it dries, we do the same thing again. And again. And again. Also, we'll get his head wet if it's particularly hot, but the t-shirt thing works really well. He is older now (12) and was less willing to do this on our last trip when he was 10 (I think he just didn't want to take his shirt off in front of strangers?). But when he was younger, he was happy to have the coolness of the damp shirt on him.

We're going next week, and he is actually wearing swim trunks for a couple of our days in the parks (his request). I figure if they end up being uncomfortable, he can change into some different shorts back at the hotel during our midday break.

If you are a Northerner, you are likely accustomed to high humidity when it's warm out (we lived in MI for a year and I swear I thought we were going to have to grow gills to breathe, lol!). The air will not be like that at DLR, so wearing swim trunks will not be as uncomfortable as you are probably imagining it will be, because the air will NOT be sticky. I mean, there are some muggy days here and there, but nothing like what you are probably used to.

 

[nonzerosum]

Great suggestions everyone. I love the idea of the Kool Tie. They aren't sold anywhere near me, so I did a quick search on how to make one. It sounds really easy to make!

 

[wendypooh22]

I too am a fan of the kool ties! They work great!
Whenever we go to the parks, the boys have a rubber mickey shaped clip that holds a bottle of water and hooks to their belt loop. If I can remember to pack them, they have tiny battery operated fans that are pretty cheap and at least move the air to give the illusion of cool air. My last two mistymates broke rather quickly, so I have given up on them.
One trip we bought a water bottle/fan at DL and it worked great, but after a while it was a chore for someone to carry around all day.

 

[azdisneylover]

One thing I would like to ad is to get a chapstick with SP of 15 or more in it. I carry that and Sunblock in the stick form for easy application in the parks. The other posters have given you great advice. Keep the water, or other drinks handy and sip throughout the day. Try to snack on fruit too, like grapes, apple slices, pineapple slices, watermelons, oranges, to help replenish the minerals and other things your body is sweating out.
If you can wear cotton light colored clothes, it would help. Water shoes or Crocs would be a good idea too. Ride on Splash Mountain in DL and GR in DCA to get wet to cool off. Sample the yummy ice creams and the Tinkerbell twist lemonade slushy drink in a souveneir cup (one place you can get it is a stand in front of the Haunted Mansion).
During the early afternoon, head for the pool for a bit, then take a quick nap. You will be ready for the late afternoon and evening!

 

[mrswh]

Best thing to do is just stay out of the hot sun in the heat of the day! Go to the parks early, when it is not so hot and as an added bonus, not so crowded! Go on the rides with outside lines early. When it starts to get hot, go on rides with indoor lines, visit indoor shows and attractions, or find a shady or indoor spot for lunch. (The beauty of the lack of humidity is that even in 95 degrees, if you are in shade you won't be sweltering.) Leave the parks during the hottest and most crowded part of the day for a nap or pool break, then return around 5 or 6 when the shade is easier to find and the temps start cooling off.

Oh, and a wet swim shirt sounds like torture to me, too.

 

[Mugglemama]

Oh, and a wet swim shirt sounds like torture to me, too.

Ewww, me too! I wasn't suggesting that....my son wears cotton T-shirts, otherwise I wouldn't wet them down. He won't do it anymore now that he's older, but he's more tolerant of the heat these days, too. He doesn't seem to get sick the way he would when he was younger.

 

[darph nader]

ShellyMouse is right about the washrag on the neck. Here in Az though,we use just tap water,(on the cool side), cold water can give you a headache.

 

[gigi1976]

Reading this I'm having such a hard time comprehending what this weather will be like. When I check the ten day forecast it looks HEAVENLY! We spent all last week in with 100 degree heat index... So will I think it's hot there or is it a different kind of hot? You know here the saying is always "it's not the heat it's the humidity"

 

[Mugglemama]

Reading this I'm having such a hard time comprehending what this weather will be like. When I check the ten day forecast it looks HEAVENLY! We spent all last week in with 100 degree heat index... So will I think it's hot there or is it a different kind of hot? You know here the saying is always "it's not the heat it's the humidity"

I don't know what to expect...I checked today and the forecast for Disneyland on Wunderground does look fantastic (high 70's to low 80's M-F), BUT the humidity is at 63%.

I live in Northern California, where the weather has been AMAZING...high 80's to high 90's, but the humidity is only at 30%, so it feels nice and dry. I really, really, REALLY hope we don't get there and it's sticky and muggy!!

 

[nonzerosum]

I don't know what to expect...I checked today and the forecast for Disneyland on Wunderground does look fantastic (high 70's to low 80's M-F), BUT the humidity is at 63%.

I live in Northern California, where the weather has been AMAZING...high 80's to high 90's, but the humidity is only at 30%, so it feels nice and dry. I really, really, REALLY hope we don't get there and it's sticky and muggy!!

Yikes!! Sticky and muggy are exactly why we chose DL, not WDW this summer. Great tips everyone.

 

[Kittyskyfish]

Wear loose, light colored clothing and a cool hat. When you stop for a break ot to eat sit in the shade. If you can sit or stand in the shade for parades. Other than that drink lots of water so your body can sweat and cool you off.

This is excellent advice! White and pale fabrics reflect solar energy. Ever touch something dark that's been in the sun? It's HOT. Dark clothing will do the same thing! White is the coolest color to wear.

Also, wear loose clothing to allow air circulation between your clothes and skin. Tight clothing traps body heat. I'm also a fan of loose-weave clothing. Dense cotton t-shirts and denim shorts are warmer than summer-weight cottons and soccer shorts.

I don't recommend tank-tops because shoulders are particularly vulnerable to sunburn. Sunscreen only does so much; the remaining sun protection is clothing and common sense. Seek shady areas and find air conditioned activities in the mid-day heat. And the hotel pool! Or get soaked on a water ride.

Avoid caffeinated beverages as they dehydrate the body. If your kids are fussy about plain 'ol water, bring "to go" flavor packets and mix it in with bottled water. And while we're along the lines of CHEAP, we take a bottle and refill it at the fountains all day long.