Handling The Heat?

[TINK61]

How are you summer-in-Orlando-vacationers handling the heat? We're heading to USO and IOA in July. We're staying at the RPH, so I guess taking a mid-day break to swim or nap would be a good idea, huh?

 

[the Dark Marauder]

I'll throw out General Information that will help:

Drink plenty of water
Wear a hat
Wear sunscreen

Those three are the best tips.

 

[gschmerl]

Go early. Take a mid day break at the pool. Go back in the evening.

 

[JessicaR]

Make good use of the misters through out the parks. Hit a water ride every so often and get wet! Take a break in a cool store or restaurant. Grab some ice from the vendors and put it down your shirt and shorts.

 

[robvia]

Originally posted by gschmerl
Go early. Take a mid day break at the pool. Go back in the evening.

What he said. At noon the place gets crowded and very hot.
You could go over to USF and see some shows since they're inside. But I'd go back to the hotel, take a nap, and come back around 5pm. Or you could hit a bar at 3pm and do happy hour if you're not tired.

 

[FindingNemo]

Originally posted by robvia
Or you could hit a bar at 3pm and do happy hour if you're not tired.

Excellent idea!

 

[TINK61]

Thanks for the advice. Speaking of those rides that you get wet on - I heard that your socks and shoes get soaked. It seems like that might be a problem. Any suggestions from you veteran USO and IOA fans?

Also - We have vouchers for a meal at one the many restaurants or free admission to WetnWild. I've never been there before either. I have two girls 12 and 9. Which would you choose? The free meal or the free admission to the water park. Is the water park nice?

Sorry about all the questions but I'm interested in what your opinions are about this.

 

[JessicaR]

The only ride my sneakers and socks get soaked on is Bilge Rat Barges. In this case we board the ride buckle up and take the socks and shoes off and place them in the center (covered compartment). This past trip we all wore air cushion Merrell's. They are so comfortable!! They are also made with neoprene and dry right away. You can get them at Sports Authority if interested.

We did Wet n Wild last trip and my boys really enjoyed it. If you have the extra day you may wanna give it a try. I have a hard time tearing myself away from the parks unless we have extra time.

 

[TINK61]

Great advice. Thanks Jessica.

 

[BarryHom]

Don't forget to find an air conditioned attraction during the afternoon (usually the hottest part of the day). USF has plenty. IOA has Posideon's Fury and cool AC in Spider-Man, Cat in the Hat, and the JP Discovery Center.

Also, drink plenty of water, even if you're not thirsty. Water fountains are plentiful at both parks.

 

[mulchpuppy]

Oh, you can get your shoes and socks drenched on Dudley, as well. We thought we were soaked when we got off Popete; after Dudley, we had to redefine our definition of "soaked."

As far as what everyone else has said, the most important thing you can do is drink TOO MUCH water. If you don't, you won't realize you're dehydrated until it's way too late to do anything about it (and Summer's not the only time you have to worry about that - I didn't drink enough water in December and ended up sporting a severe headache by dinnertime).

Pick up a decent sized bottle of water and bring it in with you. Keep it refilled. Keep drinking it.

 

[Belle1962]

bring a misty mate/squeeze breeze (about $5 in WalMart--mister fan thing)

drink drink drink water not soda

Water is free at most stationary (i.e. not carts) food places. bring a brita water filter bottle if you think you won't like the taste of the water.

Take those first aid ice packs---the kind you squeeze when you want to use then dispose of. Great to have on your neck (secured a bandana or such)

 

[Tigger Woods]

Your kids (and you) will love WetnWild. It's a blast, especially on a hot day. Single Day Adult admission is $31.95, Kids $25.95, so those free passes will come in handy.

 

[robvia]

I'd pick Wet N' Wild over the meal.
Get there when they open and the slides will have short lines for a couple hours.

 

[BarryHom]

Avoid any caffinated drinks or alcohol. They tend to dehydrate you fast. Water is great, sports drinks (like Gatorade) are good.

 

[Figment22]

I bought those insulated cooler bottles for about $4.00 at Wal-Mart. We fill them with Gatorade and freeze them overnight and take them with us to the parks. Obviously, you need to be staying somewhere with a refrigerator to do this. They stay nice and cold for most of the day. We generally buy the powdered Gatorade and make it extra strong so as we add water from the fountains during the day it dilutes it down. This works better for us. I really got faint from the heat a couple of times two summers ago so we never go without Gatorade anymore.

Try to get into air conditioned places to give yourselves a break from time to time, even if it's just a store. USF has more air conditioned attractions than IOA so it's a little easier to take in the heat.