Keeping Cool In Costumes

[Cali_Sparrow]

For the record; I am not in the CP, but I am a college student so I figured I would post this here. C:
Summer is upon us and it's not going to cool off anytime soon!

Any tips for staying cool in costumes?

I drink lots of water but the area I work is outdoors and shaded (which usually doesn't help much!). I used to wear those "Cobber" neck wraps when I worked on the ranch, but I am afraid it might show under my costume so I need a new idea. I wear a floor length dress/petticoat, it's pretty heavy stuff!

 

[glendalais]

For the record; I am not in the CP, but I am a college student so I figured I would post this here. C:
Summer is upon us and it's not going to cool off anytime soon!

Any tips for staying cool in costumes?

I drink lots of water but the area I work is outdoors and shaded (which usually doesn't help much!). I used to wear those "Cobber" neck wraps when I worked on the ranch, but I am afraid it might show under my costume so I need a new idea. I wear a floor length dress/petticoat, it's pretty heavy stuff!

If you are a Cast Member at the Disneyland Resort, you should be able to purchase neck wraps from any TEAM Center location as the summer months approach.

In addition, due to the very hot climate in California, many Disneyland Resort Costumes do have approved hot weather modifications. Please consult with your Salaried Leadership and Cast Costuming to determine if your costume has these, and what exactly they are. Please note that these modifications may only be put into place once Resort Leadership has declared that the weather is hot enough to do so.

 

[Cali_Sparrow]

Thanks but that doesn't really answer my specific questions...

 

[Lukas87]

If you are a Cast Member at the Disneyland Resort, you should be able to purchase neck wraps from any TEAM Center location as the summer months approach.

In addition, due to the very hot climate in California, many Disneyland Resort Costumes do have approved hot weather modifications. Please consult with your Salaried Leadership and Cast Costuming to determine if your costume has these, and what exactly they are. Please note that these modifications may only be put into place once Resort Leadership has declared that the weather is hot enough to do so.

...

lol

 

[graygables]

WDW CMs are not permitted to wear the neck cooler thingies...I asked. Curious why DLR has them and it's generally cooler there...

When I was outside (merch), I used a squeeze breeze for "merchantaining", which was a perfect solution. Obviously, not everyone has that little benefit, either. Interestingly, wearing a tank top under my shirt did help keep me cooler. It absorbed the sweat and the evaporation helped cool me off. Some people swear by Under Armor as well for the same thing. Obviously, lots of water is important. I also knew a CM who carried a wet handkerchief in a baggie in her pocket to pull out and wipe her face/neck when she didn't have guests. Every little bit helps!

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

As far as I know, WDW CMs are indeed permitted to wear a black or white neck cooler, which they do sell at Company D.

At one point, my area actually issued me a neck cooler because they were looking into purchasing them for everyone in the area, and they wanted feedback. Pretty sure I still have it somewhere.

Other tips: If your costume has a hat with a bill or a brim, wear it, regardless of how silly it makes you look, or the inevitable hat hair. It will help keep the sun off your face, and that's the biggest thing you can do to stay cool.

Hydration is also very critical. I seem to remember reading that the average human needs to drink 64 oz of water a day, at a minimum. (If your area has cone-cups at the water cooler, those are 4.5 oz, so I usually figure the actual water is about 4 oz ... 64oz would be 16 cups ... remember, that's the minimum, and in a hot/humid environment, i'd recommend more)

Powerade is great, but it shouldn't be the only thing you drink. My managers say that for every cup of powerade you drink, you should be drinking 2 cups of water.

Lastly, remember to eat. Personally, when it's hot out, I have less of an appetite, but on the days I've eaten nothing, I feel worse. Don't over-eat, but you need to make sure to get something.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Sunscreen is a must. Even with a "shaded" area there will be reflection off the concrete. When I was there you could get a black waterbottle that clipped to your belt loop, get one if you don't have one. I would fill it up halfway and then stick it in the freezer so that my water would stay cooler, longer.

At one point CMs were allowed the neck coolers, but thinks may have changed. I know when we did parades we would take tube socks and fill them with ice for the day parade at MK. If it would not fit under the neck of your costume we would tie it around our waists. Could you do something similar with the neck wrap? Tie it around your waist instead of your neck? (Obviously an ice sock only works for character costumes.)

Many costumes have shorts and short sleeve options. You will have to decide if you want shorts or pants. On days I knew I was likely to be stroller parking at Small World I would choose pants to protect myself from the sun. It was slightly hotter, but beat the hell out of getting sunburned. When I knew I was more likely to be spending most of my time in shaded/indoor areas I would wear shorts. Of course for your eyes you can get Disney approved sunglasses.

I will also second the powerade point. You can dehydrate yourself if you drink too much. That was one of the first things I was warned about in character training.

 

[disneychickforever]

this is something I'm really nervous about. Last time I went I had a medical accommodation to be out of the sun while at work because I was in recovery from something else, but this time I don't have that. I live in South Florida so I know how hot it can get down here, and standing in the sun for 8-10 hours, well I can only forsee problems.

One question I didn't have to ask last time is what happens if you need to use an inhaler but can't get back stage? I would assume you are allowed to use it in front of the guests because it's better then passing out or something, but I'm not entirely sure.

 

[americangeiko]

If you have a potential medical issue, I'd suggest contacting leadership, so that they know, and can possibly find some way around the problem.

As far as the cooling thing, I'd contact leadership/costuming and see what they suggest as they're going to know what will and won't get you in trouble.

I can't really comment about the heat thing because my CP position was permanently in-doors which made me a happy camper when it came to things like the humidity and the cold. (I was there in the Fall and can remember the huge coats we wore.)

 

[lilbugger23]

For the record; I am not in the CP, but I am a college student so I figured I would post this here. C:
Summer is upon us and it's not going to cool off anytime soon!

Any tips for staying cool in costumes?

I drink lots of water but the area I work is outdoors and shaded (which usually doesn't help much!). I used to wear those "Cobber" neck wraps when I worked on the ranch, but I am afraid it might show under my costume so I need a new idea. I wear a floor length dress/petticoat, it's pretty heavy stuff!

I have often worn the Red Robin Bird suit..and it gets very hot. They have provided us with a wrap around ice pack that hooks on your shoulders and then wraps around your stomach.. It gets very cold but def helps with the heat...Not sure were you would get one..maybe google it.

 

[Iceman10]

Back in the day when I was a CM, Epcot stood for;
Excrusiating Polyester Costumes Of Torture!

Anyway, I am a Civil War Reenacter and I understand the heat issue real well as I am often in the middle of a battlefield in Virginia in the middle of the Summer in a full wool uniform and gear shotting at Rebs. I am unsure what Disney will allow you, but a little ice or cold water on your wrist for a few seconds will help out tremendously. That is how we treat casualties in the field who are down with the heat. Anyway good luck, I just got home from Disney and man was it HOT!

 

[samsprincecharming]

i know they make ice waistbands

 

[samsprincecharming]

not sure where to get one probably a sports store or even a pharmacy

 

[samsprincecharming]

i'm sure they make wristbands as well

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Wristbands are not within the Disney look guideline and thus would not be allowed.

 

[kelly_1220]

If you have a potential medical issue, I'd suggest contacting leadership, so that they know, and can possibly find some way around the problem.

As far as the cooling thing, I'd contact leadership/costuming and see what they suggest as they're going to know what will and won't get you in trouble.

I can't really comment about the heat thing because my CP position was permanently in-doors which made me a happy camper when it came to things like the humidity and the cold. (I was there in the Fall and can remember the huge coats we wore.)

I suffer from migraines and am on a medication that I am supposed to take when I feel one coming on.. Should I do the same thing, contact management...?
I don't think it would be very "Disney" of me to be popping pills in front of guests...

Should I bring a doctor's note or something?

Thanks

 

[Joanna71985]

I suffer from migraines and am on a medication that I am supposed to take when I feel one coming on.. Should I do the same thing, contact management...?
I don't think it would be very "Disney" of me to be popping pills in front of guests...

Should I bring a doctor's note or something?

Thanks

Yeah, I would contact Disney about that.

 

[khancock]

Should I bring a doctor's note or something?

They used to have a medical accommodation form or something like that to send in before you arrived.

I doubt that they got rid of that form. It is probably still there on the site whereever all of the other forms are.

It would be important to have this documentation sent in ahead of time so that they can work with your area.