How to handle the heat?

[lynnlee22]

Hi everyone. First of all, I'd like to thank all of you for posting such fun and informative posts. I've really enjoyed reading through some of them. I'm headed to Disney at the end of May for the first time since I was a child. I'm concerned about the heat. I am not accustomed to handling high temps and certainly not for extended periods of time. I have very fair skin and I can burn easily even with sunblock. Does anyone have any tips on how to remain cool while in the parks. I have read that it is best to wear walking shoes, but with the heat, I thought sandals might be a better option. I've also read that some people have used hydration packs, but I'm concerned that carrying them around all day might get tiresome. Any ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

Lynn

 

[dare2dream]

Lynn, Congratulations on your trip. I hope you have a great time. Here are a few suggestions, some kind of obvious, some you may not have thought of.

1. Wear a hat.

2. Take that midday break back at the hotel.

3. Bring a washcloth from the hotel to the park in a ziplock bag. Through out the day as you go into a restroom wet the washcloth, wring it out slightly, and use it to cool off your face, neck, and arms. Feels so good on a scorcher day.

4. Know where the air conditioned attractions are. Hit them when you need a break.

5. Stay hydrated. Remember you can get free cups of ice at all vendors.

6. Go early. We always get the most done in the parks first thing in the morning. Being early beats the crowds and the heat.

Hope this helps a little.

Brenda

 

[goofy 28]

I too will be at Disney around the same time also. Being a construction roofer by trade I'm used to it being HOT. my family is not, there fore not being able to deal with it like i can. Brenda had some very good tips that i would also recommend. Like she said STAY HYDRATED. When i know that it's going to be a hot day i try to start getting water in my system the night before, don't wait for that hot time of day to start drinking water , do it early.

It's nice to go back to the hotels and swim during hot afternoon hours, but if you are not staying at a disney resort and will be in the parks all day try to plan it that you will go on attraction's that are inside or in the shade, or even indoor shows during the hot afternoon hours.

Yes, do wear hats to keep the sun out of your face and eliminate sunburned noses. The ziplock bag with the wash cloth is a good idea also. I found this thing at a outdoor/landscaping store, what it is is a round cloth about 2 inches round and about 18inches long and it's filled with these jelled beads that swell up when soaked it water, and also gets very cool and stays that way for sometime, then you wrap it around your neck and it keeps the back of your neck cold which will effect your whole body. I can't remember whats its called though, but it works well. The end of may won't be to bad, as the real heat shows up in july thru august. Good luck and bring plenty of sunscreen.

 

[jenr812]

When we went last July it was sweltering. But we expected it and did many of the things already posted. Bringing a washcloth or hand towel in the park was wonderful. The misting fans were great as well and the kids took turns carrying theirs while DH and I carried ours (though the kids used it more than us LOL). You can get misting fans at Walmart for a fraction of the WDW price (though we did break down and buy one there anyway after forgetting ours in the room one day). Sometimes we took breaks to go swim but not always. Go to an AC counter service place for lunch or a snack at midday. Drink water constantly. Don't forget to reapply your sunscreen periodically. We used the coppertone spray on stuff and none of us got a burn at all, which is amazing. It was so easy to apply, which is a huge plus. We used the stick stuff on faces.

We are going at the end of next May. I am not expecting it to be too bad compared to July

 

[sammielynn]

I also sunburn very easily and wear 45 to 50 spf sunscreen every day we are in Florida. Go and get the highest you can and use it often. Make sure your make-up has sunscreen.
We also use the mister fans and have those neck things. We bring bandanas not washcloths to the parks for our faces if needed.
Be sure and drink water not coke or tea.
We will also be there the last week of May and were there the same time last year and it was hot but not to bad, you know it is a dry heat... or at least dryer than it is at home.
Avoid the sun and stand and sit in shaded places there are many of them all over the parks.
Good luck and have fun!

 

[leylowe]

May is going to be pretty hot, especially if you're not used to it. If there's anyway you can start spending some time outdoors in the heat before you go, you might want to try that. Somehow, I think it helps, even if only psychologically, to get acclimated to the heat.

I think it helps to wear sandals. Enclosed shoes make you feel hotter. There are lots of good comfort sandals on the market that are as comfortable as a walking shoe.

Sit or stand in the shade whenever possible - consider taking a parasol or umbrella for those long lines when you're trapped in the sun. Might feel cooler than a sweaty hat. Don't worry about looking silly - better than cutting back on your fun.

Eat more salty food than usual. You don't really need salt tablets or sports drinks, but eating some salty peanuts or chips can help maintain your electrolyte balance.

Good luck!

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

Hello and Welcome to the DIS!
As everyone has already said, drink, drink, drink water throughout the day. Don't wait until you feel thirsty. I understand that everyplace at WDW that serves drinks will give you a free cup of ice water. We ususally just stop at about every fountain we see to fill up with water.
Another tip is to get to the parks at opening. It will not be as hot as later. You can also get a lot done in a few hours at all the parks before the really big crowds arrive later in the morning (this is true for both EMH and regular opening times). Then leave the park by noon for a resort break and return to another park later on. Of course, the hottest part of the day is when the sun is directly overhead from around noon to 3pm.
As for wearing sandals, I would urge caution. Many years ago a friend of mine did this and ended up with sunburn on his feet.

 

[mkygrl]

Last Aug a few of the days were around 108 in the shade! It was hot and I am also fair skin/hair/eyes and no spf protects me. My WDW rule..don't pass a water fountain ALWAYS take a drink. Don't wait til your thirsty it is too late then..you are dehydrated! If I can walk thru a store (covered and A/C ) I will..plus I can browse. Don't push yourself and take an afternoon break. Just to reload!

 

[julsmom]

Last time we were there we bought the fan mister and filled it up every morning. Also I take one of those mini fans. I think those helped. I am going to take my mister again with us in May.

DD(5)

 

[dyna]

We've had very good luck with the Coppertone sport block that is sweat and water proof it does last all day like the bottle says.

Rather than carrying a washrag or towel with me I get a paper towel in ladies room wet it with water and carry it with me for wipin the sweat and cooling off. Easy to rewet or just grab another one as needed and if I loose it I'm not caught doing without for the rest of the day.

Walk in the shade as much as possible along with sittin in shade.

The monorail makes a great mid day break from Epcot or the MK no one says you have to get off at the next park you can ride as long as ya want.

Do the outside theater shows as early in day as possible saving those that are in the A/C for afternoon.

If wearing sandles don't forget a good dose of sunscreen on the tops of your feet.

WATER.WATER, WATER,WATER, WATER

 

[aubriee]

I don't remeber who makes it, but the last two trips I've found a sunscreen with a spf 70 at Wal Mart. It's really thick and in a silver/gray bottle. I'm a fair skinned brunette, but burn easily. I never burned with this stuff. I carried the little coppertone dab on tube (with a spf 45) for touchups during the day. If your wife uses make up, use tinted moisturizer with built in spf for extra protection and Bare Essencials mineral makeup for staying power. She can also carry blotting tissues to use during the day.

I didn't need to use them, but on the internet I found some hats (with bandanas to match) that have some sort of beads in them. You soak them in water and they stay cool all day. They had several different styles of hats (baseball as well as safari styles).

Wear light colors and fabrics.

With the heat, be sure to apply body glide between your thighs and Arrid cream antiperspirant (or Avon antiblister balm) all over your feet. Also don't fortget to apply plenty of sunscreen to your feet if your wear sandals or flip flops. Personally I like flip flops when it's hot.

Drink LOTs of water!!! and take frequent air conditioned breaks. Tempers naturally erupt when you are hot and tired.

Finally Dole Whips from Aloha Isle in MK--so refreshing

 

[OverplanninJess]

We will also be there the last week of May and were there the same time last year and it was hot but not to bad, you know it is a dry heat... or at least dryer than it is at home.

DRY Heat??? Where is home? A rainforest? Sometimes I feel like I can't breathe it's so humid!

 

[goofy 28]

DRY Heat??? Sometimes I feel like I can't breathe it's so humid!

Where Ohio, please!

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

Drinking Water while walking in the parks is best, sunscreen, hat, closed in shoes, and keep your shoulders covered, ( sleeves ),... I find that when the shoulders get too much sun, it makes for a tiring day. Take your mid day breaks, a dip in the pool... While walking in the parks, going in and out of the air conditioned stores helps. Enjoy your trip....