Heat Stroke Potential

[keypooh90]

Definitely stay OUT of BTMRR standby line until the sun goes down. That is one brutal queue!

 

[Aristocath]

Other posters have mentioned the neck coolers but I recently purchased the FroggToggs Chilly Pads (they have them at Dick's and Academy) and used them for my son's swim meets. They are towels and are great! You can use them around your neck, over your head, or wherever. They've really helped me and we are taking them on our trip next month.

 

[Explodo]

Thanks Ya'll...Appreciate the comments a ton. I think we're going to do the Early trip to the park and afternoons at the resort trick. I might look at the GAC for getting me into a shaded spot if need be, I'm not looking for a front of the line pass, just a way to keep from overheating.

 

[jecskc]

Well, we chose september because of the low crowd and the wonderful lack of items on the family schedule. Meaning it's about the only time we can go

I've been reading like mad on where the AC's are located in the parks...and we've got the water issue taken care of...I'm just wondering if I've missed some detail that could be extremely helpful

Take a look at Frogg Toggs Chilly pads. They are a piece of chamois cloth that stays cool when it gets wet. I would bring a small soft cooler and one or two of those. You can wipe your face with them or drape them around your neck and they are instantly cooling. I play tennis all summer in 90+ degree heat and we all use these to help us stay cooler. Go to www.froggtoggs.com and take a look. I hope you have a great trip.

 

[livndisney]

Thanks Ya'll...Appreciate the comments a ton. I think we're going to do the Early trip to the park and afternoons at the resort trick. I might look at the GAC for getting me into a shaded spot if need be, I'm not looking for a front of the line pass, just a way to keep from overheating.

Keep in mind a GAC will not help with traveling the park.You will still encounter long walking in the sun. And MANY attractions don't have a seperate shaded area to wait.

 

[dzorn]

If you decide not to split park days I would suggest a TS meal during lunch hours to get a break from the heat.

Use fast pass when possible.


Denise in MI

 

[celeratis]

I am planning on being with the mouse during the first week of August. I don't have a medical condition like you but I am not a big fan of the heat. I am also a teacher and so because of my schedule and our budget, the summer is the time for us.

So in preparation of our trip I've bought Froggs Toggs chilly pads and their hydroweave cooling hats (discontinued so you have to look around the net and take the colors they've got). I just got them so I tried the hat indoors and it does indeed feel like it cools me down.

I also bought UV blocking traveling umbrellas. It's like carrying your own shade around with you. I've heard that the silver ones can reduce the temperature 10 degrees if you are stuck in the sun (Epcot!).

Finally, I bought some hydrating tubes that attach to water bottles for my kids in the hope that having the sip tube right there will help them stay hydrated. We'll see.

I might look a little funny all geared up but I don't care as long as it works.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

There has been some really good advise from posters to follow. I would also wear very light clothing, light in color too as to not attract the sun. Another idea would be to wear dri-fit shirts, cuts down on the sweating. There is also a thing called a Chilly Pad that you can wear around your neck. You just run it under cold water (any water fountain will do) and it stays cool for a while. Here is a link to it.. we have them in blue & pink now..

http://www.froggtoggs.com/#cooling/

 

[NotUrsula]

Can I assume that like me you don't sweat much?

Misting fan. Don't go without one. Spray water on your skin really often when outdoors to help get the heat out.

Use a lot of barrier sunblock; it will literally keep your skin from cooking. Wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, too, as well as pale clothing that breathes.

Stay onsite and take advantage of EMH to access the parks earlier and after dark.

DO NOT attempt to do an open-to-close park visit; take a break that involves getting completely cooled down for at least 2 full hours during the middle of the day.

Any counter service or kiosk that has fountain soft drinks will also have potable ice, and they will give it to you for free. Brink baggies and don't be afraid to ask for it both to drink and to ice down your pulse points. The drawback to this is that you often have to wait in line for it, and if you are already feeling sick, that will take too long.

My best trick is a couple of flat cloth diapers in a ziploc. The fabric is VERY absorbent, thin, and large enough to wrap around your neck or even your head. I often get ice from the tub vendors who are set up for bottled soft drinks, etc. -- it isn't fully potable, but you don't have to wait in line for it like you do potable ice, and it's plenty clean enough for misting fans and wetting down your pulse points with a rag.

Also, eat frequently and keep your blood sugar up. If it drops it will make you go down all that much faster.

For whatever reason, I find that not wearing closed shoes helps immensely. I always wear sports sandals that can get wet, and I wade right into the splash fountains with the kiddies and wet down my legs and shoes several times per day.

 

[Taja]

Terrific advice from everyone!

Another person who suffers from heat stroke and sun poisoning--and I live in the desert! And I've visited WDW in August, September and October. One time each. Seriously expect to stick to December in the future! *LOL*

My only advice is to monitor yourself. You know how you feel when you become overheated. Be proactive and try to avoid it, when possible. When it isn't, get into the shade or A/C quickly, sit down and drink some water.

 

[lroger01]

All good suggestions so far, but I have a few to add:

Every 60/90/120 minutes (depending on need) go somewhere air conditioned and stay there until you completely stop sweating and are no longer hot AT ALL. Perodic total cool-down will go a much longer way than 5 minutes in an attraction.

Do a search on Amazon. com for cooling gear. They have everything from neck, head, and wrist coolers, entire cooling vests and even hats with built in fans.

Always have a pocket fan with you. You'll be more likely to carry a small fan than a big mister fan. They are indispensible for those times when you're in line, on the bus, or otherwise stuck somewhere where the air isn't moving. Evaporation is the body's air conditioning and it only works if there is air moving around you! The best fan I've found is no longer being made, but you may still find some around. It's made by Coleman and costs less than $3. They stopped making it because the blades are unshielded hard plastic. Yes it hurts if you get a finger caught in it, but the plastic moves a lot more air than foam blades. I found mine at Target about 2 weeks ago and bought all 5 they had.

 

[Taja]

All good suggestions so far, but I have a few to add:

Every 60/90/120 minutes (depending on need) go somewhere air conditioned and stay there until you completely stop sweating and are no longer hot AT ALL. Perodic total cool-down will go a much longer way than 5 minutes in an attraction.

Do a search on Amazon. com for cooling gear. They have everything from neck, head, and wrist coolers, entire cooling vests and even hats with built in fans.

Always have a pocket fan with you. You'll be more likely to carry a small fan than a big mister fan. They are indispensible for those times when you're in line, on the bus, or otherwise stuck somewhere where the air isn't moving. Evaporation is the body's air conditioning and it only works if there is air moving around you! The best fan I've found is no longer being made, but you may still find some around. It's made by Coleman and costs less than $3. They stopped making it because the blades are unshielded hard plastic. Yes it hurts if you get a finger caught in it, but the plastic moves a lot more air than foam blades. I found mine at Target about 2 weeks ago and bought all 5 they had.

Definitely agree with the pocket fan rather than a misting fan. If you're visiting WDW during high humidity, you're already going to be about as wet as you would like to be, so the fan alone will help cool you more--and dry you off a bit! I've purchased mine (foam blades) for about $1 to $2 each--usually Walgreens and WalMart carry them. They use two AA batteries--carry a spare set with you! My fan is on a carabiner clip so I can attach it to my purse strap and access it quickly.

 

[ZoZo]

What a bummer! I got heat exhaustion once, and it's pretty awful. Have never gotten full-blown heat stroke before. Be very careful.

Lots of good suggestions already listed here! Mine are (many are repeats):

Use a mister fan, filled with ice water.

Tie a bandana around your neck, filled with ice. I find that works much better than neck coolers.

Go into air-conditioned shops and restaurants whenever possible, and indoor attractions. Take lots of breaks.

Get cups of ice water from CS restaurants - the colder the water, the better. Drink way more water than you think you need - it's so easy to get dehydrated.

Wear a hat or visor. They even make "cooling hats" with the same sort of evaporative cooling technology as the neck coolers people wear.

Sandals rather than sneakers.

Use "wet wipes" to refresh your face, arms, chest. I like the Kleenext "Splash and Go" wipes - they're very refreshing. Just wiping the sweat off your face helps you feel better.

You can even use a light-colored umbrella to block the sun!

And finally, don't forget that there are first-aid stations at each park. Go there at the first sign of trouble. They might even have a place you can lie down if you're feeling woozy.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

My son is very sensitive to heat, he has trouble controlling his body temp. He has never had heat stroke before though.

We have gone in June/July and Sept. and this is what we always do for him:

Hat at all times if he is outside, wide brim specifically for the heat
Camelbak filled with ice on his back
lots of water and electrolyte drinks
going inside every so often to cool off

So far he's been ok.

 

[Phlip]

I just have one more thing to add:
Talk to your Doctor about hydrating before you go into the heat. For instance, if you were to go hiking on saturday, you would want to make sure you have plenty to drink a few days before the hike on Saturday. Also, talk to your Doctor, there is such a think as too much water. You may do better with water and something like gatorade, powerade, etc. You may be flushing the salt you need out of you which can mess you up.
Go to Guest Services at the first park you go to and get a GAC. Use it when you need it.
Have fun and stay hydrated!

 

[wendydarling826]

I don't know what the cause of your heat stroke tendency is, but if you are heat intolerant, you can get a note stating that from your doctor and you will be able have the same accommodations as any other guest with a disability. I believe there is a special pass for guests with disabilities when attraction lines are long. Some of the members of my family, including myself, are heat intolerant as a result of a condition in which the body doesn't sweat and so the body doesn't regulate its own temperature properly. I still enjoy my August vacations, but I've developed coping strategies such as those other posters here have mentioned. I go out early in the day and in the evening, and I'm always armed with a portable fan and plenty of water and I keep my head covered with a wide brimmed hat. As we make our way through the parks, I move in and out of air conditioned buildings so that I'm never out in full sun for an extended period of time. I haven't yet requested the special guest pass, but I know that it is an option. With some planning and self-monitoring, you should be able to enjoy the beautiful Florida sunshine!

 

[SueM in MN]

There is more information about Guest Assistance Cards (GAC) in post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. You can find that near the top of the disABILITIES Board or follow the link in my signature to get there.

The GAC information that someone posted at the top of page 2 of this thread is from a site called PixieDustInn.com and was last updated in 2002 by a DIS poster named Teri. It originated when she and I were working on a project for the disABILITIES Board. Some things have changed since 2002 - the biggest being that most attractions do have accessible lines now. The information in on post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread is a much updated and edited version of that information.

One hint no one has given is that many people have found TourGuide Mike to be very helpful for situations where people have difficulty waiting in lines or in sun/heat. Many people who previously used GACs found that using TourGuide Mike was more helpful and they seldom had to wait more than 10 minutes for anything since the touring plan helps you to be in the quietest part of the quietest park.

 

[lustergirl]

I have never had heatstroke but probably close to it; last year we went the first week in October and I was so miserable, it was still quite warm in florida then, sorry I am a yankee. I would much rather go in December when it only gets up in the lower 80's during the day and 60's during the night. Sorry I am no luck- so good luck,.

 

[mom2rtk]

I have never had heatstroke but probably close to it; last year we went the first week in October and I was so miserable, it was still quite warm in florida then, sorry I am a yankee. I would much rather go in December when it only gets up in the lower 80's during the day and 60's during the night. Sorry I am no luck- so good luck,.

No "sorry" needed. They set record highs that week. I was there then too. And I have now bailed for December again.

 

[A M&Asmom]

I have the same problem as you! It stinks! Last time we went to WDW was in June and I was 7 months pregnant on top of it. Wasn't my choice of year, but work had a conference there so we went. We brought in a small cooler with water bottles and wet washclothes. We just stopped in the shade or AC and used that every once in a while. Really seemed to do the trick! Good luck! and have fun, just don't push it.