How to Beat the heat

[mkplatypus]

I have become increasingly heat sensitive over the past few years, to the point that I've gotten quite sick the last 2 times we visited Disney. We are planning a trip with the entire family May 29-June 5th 2016 and I'm already worried about trying to stay cool enough to enjoy being there with everyone. I've been looking at those cooling neck wraps and misting fans. I'm wondering if they really work. Does anyone have experience with these things or suggestions for other things I can do to try to keep myself cool?

 

[DisneyCAL]

I haven't used our frogg togg sport chilly pads in Florida yet, but they are wonderful in the summer and we've had 90 degree days with bad humidity so.... Fans tend to not work that well. We have some H2O cool misting water bottles which is pretty cool. You can mist yourself while drinking water. Our grocery store sold them but I think you can get them on amazon.

 

[Barbydoll8]

Not sure if you've been here at that specific time of the year yet or not but it's horrible hot. Our usual afternoon T-storms have not quite kicked in yet so it's hot! (this year was a slight exception to that). I know it's a broken record from those of us that live here but drink, drink, drink. Most people visiting here do not drink enough water to keep up with the heat. I always suggest to at least double your normal intake of fluids.
The neck wraps do work but for limited time. If you use them, keep re-wetting them and thy should help.
Can't say enough about making sure you take breaks. Hand out in the shops. Go early and then again late in the day & go back to the hotel mid day (actually anytime after 2-6ish works) and swim or nap. Do all the indoor stuff in the afternoon. Hotel hop if you can. It's a great way to cool off and get a change of scenery. Schedule sit down meals for late lunch and linger. Not only is lunch usually a bit cheaper but it gets you out of the heat of the day.

 

[beccasmom]

If you're not able to return to your resort mid-day, the monorail resorts are a quick ride away for a break. Eat lunch, shop, just enjoy staying cool - sit in the lobby and people-watch! Or schedule the "cool" attractions during the heat of the day -- Hall of Presidents, Country Bears (even the Haunted Mansion, although I would caution against it if the line is long; that attraction seems to be in a hot pocket location with little air movement). Try the Peoplemover in Tomorrowland; very relaxing! Try to wear fabrics that stay cool.....cotton just traps the moisture. Don't eat heavy meals.....stick with fruit, salads, sandwiches, and cool beverages (other than soda) and ice cream treats. You can very easily request a cup of water w/ ice at any counter service spot for free. And think about carrying a washcloth that has been dampened and frozen overnight in a zip bag. Use it for periodic refreshment. We will be in WDW in 20 days. Not my favorite weather either, but I love Disney. Use common sense and don't push beyond your limits. It's not wimpy.....it is smart!

 

[gap2368]

take a lot of breaks do some shows that are inside, they do offer free ice water and QSR just go in and ask for some first aid if you start to feel a little over heated yes the frog tog or o2cool towls are great a fan mister I wear columbia omni freez and think it really dose help but do not push your self go back to your hotel and rest for a few hours ( yes a few hours) and then come back at night

 

[ZoZo]

Some things that have worked for me are:

Mister fans (I use the "mini" ones, bought at Walmart, lighter weight than the big ones/easier to carry)
Moisture wicking clothing
Drink lots of water; you can get free ice water at any CS restaurant
Wear a hat or a visor
Take mid-day breaks at hotel; shower and change clothes
Carry a ziploc bag with a wet washcloth, and keep some ice in bag. Very refreshing.
Kleenex "Splash and Go" wipes; less sticky than Wet Ones wipes.
Sandals instead of sneakers.
Air-conditioned shops, restaurants, and rides (Ellen's EA is great - 45 minute break! And CoP)
Even walking on the shady side of the street helps!

 

[Annaeher]

I have the same issue. I plan on taking my frogg togg pad, and do inside things during the day. If I start to get sick I will just go back to my room. I also plan on taking peppermint oil with me. It has a cooling sensation when put on.

 

[LinderInWonderland]

I too got sick at WDW due to heat (AK is no joke during the afternoon). We were treading the same path back & forth to do all these rides and there was little shade and not a lot of places to rest. I only lost half a day (and it was the time we planned to spend in Downtown Disney) but I think that's because we had plenty of Gatorade in the fridge and I stayed in my room pounding water and Gatorade.

The rest of the trip, we started following the tips everyone else has given: Mid-day breaks at the resort, filling our Brita bottle with ice every morning and refilling it every time we passed a water fountain, taking AC breaks in indoor rides. Next year I am definitely bringing cooling towels.

 

[ErinInCT]

Another vote for Frogg Togg! You can buy one and cut it in half for two people. It's a godsend. We also "try" to alternate btwn outdoor rides and indoor rides to cool off. Any cs restaurant will give you a cup of ice water for free. Use it to your advantage. We also have the O2cool caribiner mister (super tiny, like the size of an egg) but I haven't tried it yet. I didn't wanna carry one of those huge mister fans with me.

 

[dja14]

We used a misty mate when we took a May trip (all the workers were talking about how it was unusually hot) It was a bit larger, held about 16 oz water (so a large cup of water went right in) I thought it worked really well for helping us keep cool, but after a few days it quit working, the seal had broken. Kids were using it a lot so not sure now if they dropped it or we shook it on a ride or something. I really, really liked it though. For our next trip (Aug next year-so I know it will be hot) I bought small misters and also little fans you wear around the neck. I am hoping the misters being smaller and more compact will be less likely to break a seal. If they do i guess we will have the fans. I bought both at walmart and they have moved that stuff to our clearance. I hope you can find something to work for you

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

It's kind of a PITB to carry, but bring a collapsible parasol. You might not be able to walk around with it all the time due to crowds but could use it while seated or out of the way. It makes a difference getting the direct sun off your skin.

It won't be the difference between hot and cool (not much can squelch heat index well over 100 with humidity), but it will help.

 

[leahgoogle]

I also love the cooling towels! I cut them in half and they worked great for our family. Granted, we were there in October and the temps were in the middle to upper 80's so not so bad. One of the days at AK seemed pretty hot though and the cooling towels helped me not to feel sick.

 

[Mouse3Dad]

We usually do a few things to combat the heat in June.

Same as others have said...

Frogg Toggs - We bought the actual Frogg Togg ones on Amazon. Good size, worked great.
Plan accordingly - If we were going to be in the park during the hottest hours, we'd plan on indoor shows, or sit down lunches if possible.
Misting Fans: During the spring time, misting fans can be picked up for $5 at Walmart, or ones at the parks

 

[leebee]

I have a personal fan that you wear around your neck. It's about the size/shape of an iPhone, and the fan blows out of the top. You wear it like a necklace and it blows air up onto your face and neck. I think this works better than the misting fans, and it is hands free!

We also do frozen washcloths. It's a little complicated to explain, but here goes: Go to the Dollar Store and buy an insulated lunch bag. (I have one that would probably hold 2 sandwiches, not much bigger and it folds down flat in my suitcase). Bring several wash cloths (or use the hotel's) and some sandwich-sized ziplock baggies. Each night, wet the washcloths and wring them out a tad; you want them wet, but not soggy. Fold in quarters, put one in each baggie, and freeze them overnight. The next morning, pack them in the insulated lunch bag. I found they would stay very cold until around 2pm in June, and if I put a little baggie of ice cubes in there, they'll stay cold even longer. It feels WONDERFUL to wipe your neck, arms, and face with an ice cold washcloth in the middle of a hot summer afternoon!

We can't drink enough water to stay hydrated; everyone starts to feel bloated. I bring flavored drink powder in sticks to add to the water. We can drink more that way; somehow nobody feels as "bloaty" when the water is flavored.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

A couple years ago we bought a cooler backpack from Target an LOVE it. BTW they still sell them . We freeze bottles of water (Deerpark 23 oz bottles) and they stay cold all day long. Just recently used it and still had partially frozen ice water at 5 p.m I put my FrogTog towel in a ziplock bag and carry it in the cooler with the frozen water and when I need it, it is icy cold. I drink a bottle of water with Propel in it before I arrived. I have even carried a zip lock bag and ask for a large cup of just ice at the walk up counter and make an ice park which is very cooling .

 

[Mommy26]

If you are drinking a ton of water don't forget about salt too. I've gotten sick drinking tons of water, kept cool, but I sweated so much without replacing the salt that I got sick.

 

[diznymom]

Use caution when using the misting fans. You can sunburn very quickly with those.
I definitely recommend the cooling neck wraps. Even a wet bandana around your neck helps.
Stay hydrated. Get the free cups of ice water. Just ask for "a cup of ice water" from any place that has a soda fountain.
Take a break during the hottest part of the day. We like to hit the parks from rope drop till noon, then late in the afternoon and into the night.
Stay hydrated. Get the free cups of ice water. Just ask for "a cup of ice water" from any place that has a soda fountain. (yes, it is a repeat b/c it is important)