Keeping a Toddler Cool in the Parks?

[Kirk]

I'm taking my DD and 15 Month old DGD to WDW for 2 weeks in July. We took the little one last year at 2 months in June. We got by with:
1) good shading
2) hydration
3) Little fans
4) heading for the resort when it gets too hot

Are there any little tricks you've done to keep your little one more comfortable on a hot summer day in the Park?

-

 

[MelodyMack]

We're braving the August heat this year,and I have been looking for great heat-beating tips as well.

Besides the things you alreay listed, I am also bringing a MistyMate for my DD4 and I. Also, at tehe start of every day I am going to put ice in a ziploc bag, and a washcloth. When DD needs some extra "cool" (although she's already pretty cool) I will wipe her neck and face with it.

Basic summer day rules also apply: wear hats, lather on the sunscreen, wear light colored clothes that are lightweight...

Looking forward to seeing what other suggestions come up-
Mel

 

[mjmcca]

I let my kids hit all the water play areas in the parks.

 

[blondemom]

Hi, all. I'm also taking a toddler to WDW in August! Some tips I've received - in addition to the great tips you've provided - were using a light-colored stroller if possible. If you have a dark blue, black, etc., stroller, placing a thin white towel over the seat to absorb some of the heat. Another great suggestion on this board was to take a freezer pack (can't remember the "real name" - but the frozen plastic things you put in cooler's), wrap it in a thin blanket, and place it behind your child's back. I'm in NJ in the already 90 degree heat, and I tried that with my son during a walk in the park. It really did work! And, my last tip, is to refrigerate overnight (or freeze, for an hour or so) some face wipes. Take them with you to the park and use as needed. That is similar to the cool wash cloth and ice in a bag trick - but they all work!

Good luck to all of us braving the heat with little ones of all ages - and ourselves!

 

[shakespeare]

Good idea! I will try the washcloth idea. I also bought little fans. Can't wait to go and try all these ideas out!

 

[adisneymama]

In addition to the tips listed above, we would ride IASW or when DD went to sleep we would go into the shops and look around. This did 2 things, put us in the air for a while and also let us shop without little hands grabbing things they didn't need to! Also, remember to wear light colored and light weight clothing. These things really help.

 

[Belle1962]

In the first aid section of Walmart, Target etc there are disposable ice packs. These are around $1.25 and come in a small box. To activiate them you just squeeze the bag until it pops. I carry 2/3 of them in my backpack and when DGS (4) gets hot just pop one and hand it to him. He uses holds it on his head. So he walks around looking "injured" But it is really cold and is disposable when you are done.

 

[belle_of_the_ball]

ahhhhh the joys of frozen water bottles...use to cool the body and nice refreshing drink!

 

[eaturpasta1]

we bought the misty fans...plan on filling them with ice water to keep cool in July!

 

[HotMama]

They make little fans that attach on to stroller shades......I've been looking to buy one. Does anyone know where they sell them?

 

[meandtheguys2]

Good sunscreen.

We went sailing this weekend and had awesome luck with Coppertone's Spectra 3. I applied it early and let it set a couple of minutes before rubbing it in. Worked really well, and we are all fair skinned burners!

 

[scrapperjill]

Does anyone know much about the "Misty-Mates"? The ad said it will cool for 2 hours of intermittnet use or 20 min of continual use....But then what. Do you just re-fill it for another 2 hours of use or what? I was thinking of getting one for my dd 6 (shes very pron to over heat and become dehydrated)...but I didn't want to lug it around the MK all day for only 2 hours of use....but if we simpley just have to fill it back up and get 2 more hours...and so on...I'm going to run down to Costco today and get a couple. Any help/advice?

 

[Kirk]

They make little fans that attach on to stroller shades......I've been looking to buy one. Does anyone know where they sell them?

DD bought 5 or 6 of 'em at the Dollar Store.

 

[Briarprincess]

I don't really fit in with the crowd here, but I'm an 18 year old who's battled the Disney heat in August for the past 6 or 7 years, and before that the July heat since I was 2. We're from NJ and go every summer, and I'm really heat sensitive, getting dehydrated at home quicker than you can imagine. So we've found a lot of tricks over the years-
-always have a bottle of water, cold or not, because it just takes even a few sips of some water to get rehydrated enough to go find cold drinks
-keep sunglasses off and hats on, cause stuff touching your face in 90 degree heat isn't fun at all
-get maps before you go and circle all the places that have spare room to cool down, like in Electric Umbrella in EPCOT, around the side there are bathrooms and benchs and it's always air conditioned in this big hallway
-if you, or anyone, starts to feel dizzy or stops sweating when you should be, or get a little pale, find a shaded curb or bench and sit with your eyes closed. can't tell you how many times i've done this. it always gives me that push to get where i can really sit and relax.
-don't spray water on yourself too much, because you're setting yourself up for the water to evaporate and hotter skin
-the washcloth works, I promise, but make sure it's not too cold because once you put it on, you'll never take it off and when you do, the heat feels even worse
-when you get off of a ride, take a sip of water before you step into the sun, but don't swallow it until you're out in the sun. maybe just a mind trick but having that gulp for the second you hit the sun makes it seem less hot.

 

[meandtheguys2]

Awesome advice BriarPrincess!

 

[Minnie116]

We like to wear wet bandana's around our neck.

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

They make little fans that attach on to stroller shades......I've been looking to buy one. Does anyone know where they sell them?

My SIL bought one at Right Start, I think it was about $15.00. She ended up returning it though because she bought one of those battery powered water spray misters.

 

[karynnix]

We took the smaller fans for the kids when we went last week, but ended up purchasing the ones that Disney sells at the parks for $15.99. They were absolutely worth every cent. They circulate the air a lot faster and cool them off better. My kids ended up spraying the water all over themselves and were much cooler. Plus, you have a great souvenier!!

 

[barkley]

buy a couple of packages of either "Keep Kool" strips or "Migraine Ice" strips. both are adhesive strips that will lower your body temperature. keep kools are actualy made to use when a kid has a fever, migraine ice are for those headaches that require ice or a cold wet cloth. neither have any medication in them or any oder-they are less uncomfortable to remove than a bandaide.

i take them on vacation because i do not do well in humid conditions, but i have also used these extensivly when i've done community theatre productions that called for dancing in heavy, hot costumes in poorly ventilated theatres. they are best used on the back of your neck, the small of your back, and (for the ladies) halfway down your bra.

also, remember that while a hat is important for preventing sunburn and the like, it will also cause the body to retain more heat-you are much better off using a stroller with a roof and some side protection. just make sure it has good ventilation.

 

[quiltymom]

The only thing that worked for DD4 was one of the over-price water mister bottles. We brought all the other stuff (hats, sunglasses, mini fans, water bottles, ate lots of icees, etc., etc.) but she WANTED the bottle. It was the only thing she wanted at WDW. So I broke down and got one for her, and not only did she cool off everyone in the family, happily obliged doing the same to people in line with us, CM's, ducks, flowers, streams, and water puddles. It was entertainment as well as a way of keeping cool. She never complained about anything after that. Ya just never know...