Strategies for beating the heat??

[caribbeanme]

I'm going to try and beat some of y'all to the punch and acknowledge that the best strategy for beating the heat is simply not going during the summer . Other than that, any suggestions? Any personal fans that you swear by (the Disney ones break on us)? Any other items? We're going in late August, and are already wondering if we'll make it.

THANKS!!

 

[Troy08]

Having gone six previous times in July all I can say is Early-Early-Early!!!Yes, it's a pain to get up early 6-6:30 a.m. for me but to make it into the parks from the get go and be able to get several rides and attractions done before the heat becomes too bad.....or the heavens open up. Head back to the hotel to nap/swim/ lounge, etc in the afternoon and head back out again after supper. You can always tell the people who went "commando" and tried to do it all at once and the people who took a much needed afternoon break.

 

[disney1990]

Yes, spray fans are a must. Target and Walmart both sell these and they are much cheaper than buying them at Disney.

Water -- A must! Drink water, not soda. We carry water bottles with us all the time during the summer months.

Pace yourself. Break up your time in the parks with attractions that are inside, where you can sit and cool off for a while.

Go to the parks when they open. Take a break. Go back to your resort, take a swim, take a nap. Hit the parks again in the evening.

 

[melanie03ok]

I have to agree, go early and then head back to the hotel for a break around lunch.

If you can't do that, then try to find indoor attractions/activities during the hottest part of the day. We always schedule our full service meals for lunch, so that we can be in out of the heat for at least an hour if we don't plan on going back for a nap/swim.

Cold washclothes, neck coolers, and spray fans can also help.

Most important is the obvious, just keep hydrated.

 

[Disney Gator]

If you're from up north you will need spray bottles, fans, etc. You aren't used to the heat like people from Florida are. I can walk around all day with no fan, no spray bottle, and drinking soda. I played football, baseball, and soccer in this heat. Walking is not a big deal. A quick meal at lunchtime in the air conditioning is enough to recharge me.

My advice to those not used to the heat is pretty much what everyone else said. I would add a couple of things though. Wear sunscreen! I can't believe the people I see walking around with a sunburn at WDW. All it takes is a couple of minutes to put it on. Also duck into the shops with A/C. Spend a few minutes browsing and cool off. Lastly, wear a hat. Something light colored will deflect a lot of heat off your head.

 

[Bev J]

Drown your self in H2O!! Carry a bottle and keep filling it. We just returned yesterday and my DH who is used to hot weather ended up at First Aid in Epcot with heat stroke. He simply did not drink enough water, he was drinking sprite quite a bit but it is just not the same as water. We did notice that they are selling alot of poweraid in the parks, that is what the nurse at the FA station gave him and he quickly recovered from his dizzyness and headache.
We also walked through airconditioned stores anytime we could to get a break from the heat, we really thought the humidity was worse than the heat. There are misters in the parks that helped cool us off.

We left the parks each day by 2 and took at break at the resort returning in the evening. We also had a sitdown lunch each day for a long break in the AC

Bev

 

[Goofy's Muse]

I have to agree, go early and then head back to the hotel for a break around lunch.

If you can't do that, then try to find indoor attractions/activities during the hottest part of the day. We always schedule our full service meals for lunch, so that we can be in out of the heat for at least an hour if we don't plan on going back for a nap/swim.

Cold washclothes, neck coolers, and spray fans can also help.

Most important is the obvious, just keep hydrated.

I agree 100% with melanie03ok's suggestions... those neck coolers turned out to be our family's #1 favorite find last August. You soak them before using and the beads retain the cool feel somehow without the dripping...

 

[jenbren]

We are from the North and found the misting fans a huge help in beating the heat! I bought the Squeeze Breeze brand (I've seen them at Target and Walgreens) and they have held up really well. I bought them 4 years ago and they still work! We used lots of spray on sunscreen and noone got sunburned (which is good with the nordic blonds in my family!) We also all had hats and wore very lightweight clothes that would dry out quickly. A lot of people say not to wear tank tops but I was most comfortable on the days that I did. I would also avoid thick cotton shirts - I had one t-shirt that was a heavier weight cotton and I was miserable in it! It was so hot! We are going again in August and I'm already stocking up on summer supplies! I also second everyone's suggestion at an afternoon break although we did not do that every day last time - sometimes a few nice air-conditioned rides are enough to recharge! The afternoon thunderstorms can cool you right down too!

 

[nluvwithmickey]

Being Canadian, I have to admit that when we went to WDW for the first time in 2002 (july) the heat made us miserable because we didn't know what to expect.

Last year we went again and we were well prepared. Somehow we got used to the heat and followed all of the tips that have been written by previous posters. I have bought those neck bands this year, I hope they will bring some kind of relief.

What I find difficult is getting drenched in a ride and noy being able to dry off, then going in an AC ride.....BRRRRRR cold.

 

[edinburghlass]

Coming from Scotland I find reading about the heat and humidity quite worrying especially as we will be there in less than 2 weeks for a first visit.

We arrive in Orlando at 7.30 pm, travelling via ME to Pop Century and not hiring a car so I guess we have to bite the bullet and buy these spray fans in the parks or should I be looking at the Airport shops? We travel through Chicago airport.

And any clues as to what the neck things are?

Having read all the good advice here my plans are for very early starts and long afternoons at the resort, although our first day is planned for Seaworld on 4 July, what sort of journey time is it by bus to get back to resort?

 

[melanie03ok]

And any clues as to what the neck things are?

The neck coolers are a tube of fabric filled with polymer crystals that becomes gel-like when soaked in water for 20 minutes or so.

There are several brands out there, just google neck coolers or cooling bandanas.

We bought ours from www.craftywench.com because it was the only place I could find that had any in Mickey fabric.

 

[bytheblood]

*Misters or fan misters
*Drink lots and lots and lots of water
*After standing in line for an outdoor ride, let's say, Peter Pan's Flight, we head to something indoorsy, like Philharmagic.
*Don't wear ponchos when it rains. Use them to cover your valuables and enjoy the rain to cool you down.
*After being in the heat for a while, we take time to go into an air-conditioned shop for a few minutes.

 

[ElizaB39]

Coming from Scotland I find reading about the heat and humidity quite worrying especially as we will be there in less than 2 weeks for a first visit.

We arrive in Orlando at 7.30 pm, travelling via ME to Pop Century and not hiring a car so I guess we have to bite the bullet and buy these spray fans in the parks or should I be looking at the Airport shops? We travel through Chicago airport.

And any clues as to what the neck things are?

Having read all the good advice here my plans are for very early starts and long afternoons at the resort, although our first day is planned for Seaworld on 4 July, what sort of journey time is it by bus to get back to resort?

Not sure of your questions about trip time by bus to get back to resort (Seaworld) since Seaworld is not a Disney park. Others that are more knowledgeable would be able to answer the hows and whys of getting to Seaworld and back from a Disney resort.

Also, information is flying around as to what is happening at the parks on 4 July and either the day before or after since that is our Independance Day (national holiday). Special fireworks and etc at all of the parks except AK from what I have been reading.

 

[civileng68]

One thing I've learned living in South Florida and traveling NORTH to go to Disney is how to deal with heat.

1) Few things are more miserable than sweat soaked clothing (namely underwear, socks, shirt). Take a bag, rent a locker, have a change of clothes. Once per day, or after sunset, when you are ready to refresh, go to the locker, go to the bathroom, and change clothes. You'll feel like a new person. One hint is to take baby wipes also and when you change you can sort of "clean" with the wipes. You'll feel brand new!............at least for a few hours until the final bit of exhaustion creeps in.

2) Misters: Yes take misters like someone else said, but note that they only cool you down for the second that you spray it. It really doesnt have any lasting effect.

3) Plan your indoor/outdoor rides. Plan your indoor rides in intervals where you can go in for a cooldown.

4) When in Epcot, run to Spaceship earth for an extended cool-down. When in MK, go to Hall of the Presidents.

 

[MagicalMom]

Misty mates are great! We take one & share it with the whole family. They really cool you down fast.

 

[disgal1]

Having grown up in florida, and living in Virginia I can tell you , it really is the humidity that makes you feel like you can't breathe. The heat coming off the pavement, and all the people can get to you.

That being said, we go over the 4th all the time! We have been other times and just don't like the park closing early, or the possibility of wearing gloves!

The secret really is to take breaks and change some of your clothes. either rent a locker with a change of shoes and tshirt. or what we do is like others have said, get to the park when it opens, stay till lunch, go back tothe hotel for a swim, a rest and change clothes there. then hit the park for dinner and till closes. I can't imagine staying all day in that heat. We 've only done that once, and all of us felt so sick and exhaused, we said never again.

If you can't go back to the hotel, go to a sit down lunch,then to a cool long show like hall of pres, and just rest in the ac.

we tried the fans, were too much to lug around, although did feel really good. now we try to take one to share, but only to AK.

To each his own, but to any first timers, Please try to take an afternoon break at the hotel the first day, if you dont' like it or you are offsite and it is too much trouble, try to do the ac rest break.

 

[JFrey4240]

-go early
-use a fan mister
-drink LOTS of water
-browse shops to cool off in the A/C
-take a hotel break in the afternoon to swim, nap, change clothes
-head back to the parks for dinner or after dinner
-WEAR SUNSCREEN even at 8 AM and REAPPLY throughout the day
-HAVE FUN!!

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

What stores sell misty mates?????

 

[krismom]

We got our Misty Mates at CVS (in NY) They have no fan or battery. They have a pump thing that makes a very nice cool mist- Good Luck!

 

[edinburghlass]

Sorry again but what/who is CVS in NY? My boss is going to NY on Wednesday and I'd like to ask them to look out for these Misty Mates if possible