Keeping cool

[Dr. Toons]

We will be at Universal the week after the 4th of July. My wife and youngest daughter (9) are not great in the heat. So far, I haven't been able to talk either into using the cooling headbands you soak in water or carrying around a misting fan.

So my questions are these:

What advice do you have on keeping cool in the parks? We're staying at the Hard Rock, so I'm guessing we won't be subjected to too much line wait time. We can take some pool break time in the afternoons or hit one of the table service restaurants. I also imagine we'll hit the wet rides some.

If the cooling headbands or misting fans really work, can you help me make a case? They are both maybe too fashion conscious to wear the headbands and my wife isn't crazy about carrying around a misting fan.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Claire-Bear]

I use the misting fans each time we go and normally fill them with ice too. I find them lovely! Some built-in fans for non-AC queues do have mist in them (or they used to anyway), but it feels lovely having your own when you're all hot and sweaty! I bring a rucksack to put the fans in when we're not using them or for AC queues (since I normally bring a towel or change of clothes following the water rides too).

Although I don't stay onsite, so have more queues to face :

 

[Bradsdadg]

Stay hydrated, try to stay indoors in the a/c when you can. Just go slow, and mop yourself off when needed, lol.

 

[Planogirl]

Shop a lot! I love to browse anyway and it's a great way to stay cool.

I like the misting fans personally. I agree that they're a hassle to carry though since we usually carry nothing otherwise. How about one of the tiny pocket fans to at least get a breeze? I'm planning on getting some cargo shorts so that I can carry small things without dealing with lockers.

 

[Claire-Bear]

I know it sounds silly due to the g-forces, but I'm always worried things will fall out of pockets on the coasters

 

[Planogirl]

I know it sounds silly due to the g-forces, but I'm always worried things will fall out of pockets on the coasters

Me too! I'm looking for cargo shorts with pockets that zip.

DS did lose his glasses on the Mummy but he had them on. Now I put them in my pocket when we ride.

 

[Magpie]

Me too! I'm looking for cargo shorts with pockets that zip.

DS did lose his glasses on the Mummy but he had them on. Now I put them in my pocket when we ride.

After my daughter lost her glasses on a coaster in Canada Wonderland, everyone in our family wears glasses straps when we go to theme parks. It looks dorky, but it sure saves us a lot of anxiety. You can buy glasses straps at pretty much any drug store. I just tie a knot in the back of them, so the strap is snug, and they can't fly off.

 

[Dr. Toons]

I always wear cargo shorts to any amusement park. I learned this lesson after I lost my father-in-law's car keys on a ride in Busch Gardens, Williamsburg. Didn't know I'd lost them until we were out in the parking lot trying to get into the car. We got the keys back about month later, but like I said, lesson learned.

My cargo shorts have velcro closures and I usually carry everyone's passes, my wallet and a cell phone with no worries. I'm not sure I want to try and carry a mister fan in there though, I guess I need to look at the size. My wife wore a fanny pack in Disney a few years back, maybe that would work.

 

[Planogirl]

I don't think that a mister fan would fit in even a large pocket unless it's tiny and then it wouldn't hold much water. I was thinking a tiny fan that would just make a breeze at least but I don't know.

There's also some aloe vera gel that some stores sell in tiny sample sizes. It's nice for bug bites and scratches and feels really cool when you put it on. Of course that doesn't last long though.

Again, I recommend shopping but that's in any case.

 

[czycropper]

Lots, lots, lots of water and the misting fans really do help.

I think that I lose about 7 lbs everytime we go to down the in the middle of summer - that's one good excuse for me to eat just a little bit more than usual

 

[Kath2003]

Arrive early. Ride until lunchtime. Then go back to your hotel and swim. Then return in the evening.

This is the advice for ANY situation in ANY weather - because it also avoids the crowds.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Nobody mentioned ride the water rides?

 

[Planogirl]

Nobody mentioned ride the water rides?

That would be misting to the zillionth degree at least in the case of the Bilge Rat Barges.

Seriously that's a good idea though. The big misting machines and the water features in Comic Alley are helpful too.

 

[Pink Flamingo]

Love the misting fans, but don't always like lugging them around.

I've also used the cooling headbands, but not as a headband ~ I would just throw it around my neck whenever I started getting hot. When the headband would get a bit warm, I would just put run it under some cold water. When not in use I'd store it in a ziplock bag.

Must agree with Dark Marauder ~ the best way to stay cool is to ride the water rides ~ and if your still hot, just step into one of the air conditioned shops while soaking wet ~ you'll feel like your in the arctic after that!!!

 

[truck1]

One of the things I generally do with themes parks, especially in the heat,is to take water or gatorade bottle, or any water type container, and freeze it before we go. The fluid will melt thru the day, keeps the fluid cold, and as an added bonus, you can hold it to your neck or forhead if you get too hot.When they run out, Ill just refill them from the water fountains scattered thru the park.Not as cold, but it helps to keep you hydrated.
Another thing is if you have a large brimmed hat, that has ventilation holes such as straw type cowboy hats, or an umbrella, to keep the sun from beating down on you will work also.

One other important tip. Make sure you drink plenty of clear fluids the day before you go.This will give you a surplus so to speak of water in your system the next day, and you wont feel as bad.Try and stay away from the sodas etc as they will help speed up your fluid loss.Also, wear light colored clothes.The darker the color, the more you feel the heat.

 

[Albytaps]

I also imagine we'll hit the wet rides some.

Yea he mentioned it.

You hit about every possible way to cool off. If you don't mind carrying the misting fan, do it. They will thank you later.

 

[mysparky]

We've been to universal and wdw twice in August and we've managed with the heat pretty well. In our family of 7, I'm definitely the most sensitive to the heat, but it's never been unbearable. And BTW, my kids (teens) wouldn't be caught dead with the headbands so we've had to find other options!

Here are our keys:

Get to the park at opening, and take a lunch break around 12:30 in an a/c, table service restaurant.

After lunch, spend the afternoon hanging out at the pool, pool hopping, reading, napping, etc.

Dinner around 5:30 and then head back into the park around 7 when it's a little bit cooler.

We each carry a "mistymate" with us. These release a mist of cool water and they don't use batteries, which means they're lightweight and small.

Hydration is CRITICAL! We each carry a "camelbak". An investment initially, but we've definitely gotten our money's worth. We fill these camelbaks up in the morning and then refill for the evening before we head back out to the park. We also bring along the single "propel" drink mixes because after a while that water just gets....bleh. As we're walking through the park, waiting in lines, etc, we're always sipping our water. To put it in context, we each drink between 3-4 liters of water a day, plus whatever we drink at meals. Regardless of how you bring water in with you, drink tons and you'll stay appropriately hydrated and feeling ok in the heat and humidity.

Finally, about every hour or so, we try to get to an "indoor" ride or attraction where we can sit and relax. Sitting indoors in the a/c for 15-20 mins is definitely re-energizing!