keeping cool?

[Disneybabe84]

The last time I visited Disney was July '04 & it was the hottest I have ever experienced; like a blow torch scolding my face as soon as I left the hotel room. Even though it felt pleasant, after awhile it really REALLY starts to annoy me because you cannot stay cool in Disney. No matter how many bottles of water you drink, (throw on yourself) how many wet rides you go on, how many air conditioned places you visit .. you are FOREVER feeling sticky and hot!

I bought these cloth type things (blue bandoo) or something like that. It has these cooling beads that when you put it in ice water for awhile, then put it on your neck, while you are walking you will remain cool? Has anyone ever tried these? or something close to this? I'd appreciate any feedback or other ideas to keep yourself cool while enjoying the parks!

Krissy

 

[Pigletlover]

We just sweat and then we just get used to sweating! When my husband and I went in December it was a lot colder than we thought it would be and although we enjoyed the low crowds, we both decided we much preferred visiting during the hotter months (during the less busy weeks of course!). You don't have to take warm coats or worry about getting wet on the rides when it's hot.

In summer we use small battery-operated fans that are available from drugstores etc (and remember to take several spare batteries). Also those Asian paper fans that fold in half. They have a plastic edging on either side with a hinge so you can fold them in half to store them in your fanny pack. We got them very cheap at an Asian gift/toy store.

To keep the sun off our faces we wear soft light fabric hats with an approx 4 inch fairly-stiff brim around the whole hat, and a cord you can fasten under your chin if it's windy.

That type of hat protects much more of your face and neck than a baseball cap does. It's also much easier than wearing a straw hat, because you can just remove it when you board fast rides and sit on it (so as not to lose it). It actually flattens completely and is good as new again when you're ready to put it back on.

Off course a hat and sunglasses often make you sweat even more, but I try to cool off by taking them off each time I am in the shade or in air conditioning.

It's definitely easier and cooler if you don't have to haul around bags or backpacks of stuff all day. We just wear fanny packs with a few basics inside.

 

[eeyoreiscool]

We go during the months of December, January and February.

We try to take the paths through the stores or shops to stay out of the sun. We drink lots of water. We also plan for table service lunches where the air conditioning works.

 

[Eljay]

It can certainly be brutally hot in the summer in Orlando.
I am a big fan of the cool bandanas, the ones mentioned by the OP. You can find them in WalMart, in sporting goods. You soak them, they swell up with a cool, gel-like center and you drape them around your neck. They are remarkably good at keeping your body temp down! They are reusable also, you just resoak them. I also swear by the slushy drinks and the Kaki Gori ice treat at Japan in Epcot.

 

[airtime]

The best way to avoid the Orlando heat is to go during winter!

Seriously, rest in a/c areas often, try to avoid long periods of time in direct sunlight, and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Other than that, you'll just need to tough it out. My dw and I both hate the heat, and we made it through an August trip by making sure we stayed hydrated and out of the sun.

Tim, who would rather tour WDW at 60F than 85F!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We went in Jan. '05 and nearly froze at Epcot. DS and I were wearing gloves and hats. Not very comfortable!
When we went in October the weather was glorious!
Now we are going in August. UGH! Not sure how this will go since I am not a fan of being too hot OR too cold!
We each have a little battery powered fan, and we each have a Brita sport bottle. The counter service places will give you ice, then you can fill the bottle with water as you go. Better to have COLD water than lukewarm water! We will probably wear baseball caps most days (DH has almost no hair so a hat will keep his head from frying). We bought a Nike mesh backpack that will hopefully be cooler than our usual one. I also bought 2 fanny packs that we will bring in case the backpack is too hot. Lots of sunscreen (we like the Coppertone spray) and plenty of time in the shops and shows. We are planning to go back to the room every day after lunch and stay there until around dinner time. That way we can nap, swim, shower, whatever. I am going to make sure we all have at least 2 outfits for each day so we can change out of our wilted stuff.
Not sure how much it costs, but my friend was telling me about some sort of personal cooling device from Sharper Image. Supposed to be better than the gel thing. Good luck!!

 

[Anniegirl]

We did Disney this past August with 2 strollers and 3 little boys (5, 2 and 9 months). It was amazingly hot and humid but we managed just fine. We had spray fans for the kids and a Misty Mate attached to the double stroller. We kept everyone hydrated, took all the paths through the air-conditioned stores, did lots of rides and stayed out of the sun as much as possible. It is impossible to not be sweaty because of the humidity but the heat can be managed. It helped to start the day off early and end our park days early. We'd head back to our room for showers/baths, back out again to eat dinner and then they'd crap out for the night (remember, my guys are little). I was happy to hit the sack as well at 8-9 pm. We are going again this August, and bringing the inlaws as well. They are concerned about the heat as well. I hate to be hot and sweaty but I LOVE to be at Disney!

 

[Thinktinknpixiedust]

All of the above advice plus the deoderant towlettets. My whole family used them throughout the day and it really helped inthe feeling sticky ucky department.