Summer Tips please!

[bluecastle]

Our last summer trip was 10 years ago and I have been checking some of my notes from that trip, but would love some help. Anything from what to wear (there are already some shoes and dresses threads here that I have been reading) to how to stay as cool as possible in the Florida heat and humidity. Do you recommend personal misters? Wide-brimmed hats? Do we need bug spray? How do you keep your family from getting grouchy?
All ideas welcome!

 

[maxiesmom]

Wear light clothes, but don't wear tank tops. A little bit of cloth covering your arms and shoulders can actually make you feel cooler than a tank top. Plus you don't run the risk of sunburn on your shoulders.

Drink before you feel thirsty. And skip the pop, drink water or juice, and drink a Powerade once in a while to keep your body full of all the minerals it needs. It make a world of difference in how you feel.

Plan a sit down meal for the middle of the afternoon. That is good way of making sure you get an air-conditioned break. But don't eat anything heavy!

Take sunblock with you and use it often. Don't forget to get your ears too.

Take along some wet wipes. Using one or two when you feel sweaty and gross can make you feel much better. Just don't forget to reapply sunscreen afterwards.

 

[bluecastle]

Wear light clothes, but don't wear tank tops. A little bit of cloth covering your arms and shoulders can actually make you feel cooler than a tank top. Plus you don't run the risk of sunburn on your shoulders.

Drink before you feel thirsty. And skip the pop, drink water or juice, and drink a Powerade once in a while to keep your body full of all the minerals it needs. It make a world of difference in how you feel.

Plan a sit down meal for the middle of the afternoon. That is good way of making sure you get an air-conditioned break. But don't eat anything heavy!

Take sunblock with you and use it often. Don't forget to get your ears too.

Take along some wet wipes. Using one or two when you feel sweaty and gross can make you feel much better. Just don't forget to reapply sunscreen afterwards.

Great tips! I hadn't thought about adding Powerade. (I mostly drink water) I remember washing my face and neck with cold water at the restroom sinks, but are they all electric dryers now? (no paper towels?) Thanks!

 

[ItsyBitsy]

The tips above are great. I love the wet wipes idea.

When ever we go to the lake we take this old fashioned ice pack we got at the container store. Here:

http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10025746&N=&Ntt=retro

Fill it with water and Freeze it. It feel SOOOO good on your neck, head or chest. Its reusable and doesnt leak. The directions say to fill with water and ice but if you freeze it it last longer.

 

[Tink575]

Great tips! I hadn't thought about adding Powerade. (I mostly drink water) I remember washing my face and neck with cold water at the restroom sinks, but are they all electric dryers now? (no paper towels?) Thanks!

There are paper towels in the rest room. I find that wiping my face and neck with a wet towel helps alot. I find a hat to be a necessity in the summer sun.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

We stay on site..............sometimes we take 3 showers a day! One in the morning, a quick one during our afternoon break, and one before bedtime. That mid afternoon shower one can really make a difference................you get a quality AC break and a you get to feel clean!

 

[bluecastle]

We stay on site..............sometimes we take 3 showers a day! One in the morning, a quick one during our afternoon break, and one before bedtime. That mid afternoon shower one can really make a difference................you get a quality AC break and a you get to feel clean!

Great idea, especially because we won't have any kids with us that would make that process so time-consuming! I especially like to wash off sunscreen that's been baking into my skin for hours.

 

[Realgrumpy]

For our upcoming august trip I bought Chilly Pads from Frogtogs. They are supposed to help keep you cool. We shall see.

 

[Hootch]

We stay on site..............sometimes we take 3 showers a day! One in the morning, a quick one during our afternoon break, and one before bedtime. That mid afternoon shower one can really make a difference................you get a quality AC break and a you get to feel clean!

to this. I feel much fresher after a midday break and shower.

Also, each park has rides that are air conditioned;

MK - Mickey's Philharmagic, Carousel of Progress, Haunted Mansion, etc

Epcot - Ellen, Space Ship Earth

DHS - Muppets, Great Movie Ride

DAK - It's Tough to be a bug, Dinosaur

that can be scheduled for hotter parts of the day to cool down. Most of these do not have long waits.

 

[BigKid45]

My universal tip is to always return to your resort about 2PM, but especially in the hot & humid months. We hit the parks by 0900 (with 2 teens it's tough to get them going before noon!!), lunch about 1130 then head back around 2PM when the heat & crowds begin to peak. The bus, boat or monorails are pretty empty for returning to the resorts at this time. Back at the resort we swim, nap, or read. After quick showers we head back out for dinner around 5PM, and then hit the parks til closing. I think that mid-day break makes the day more enjoyable/comfortable for everyone.

 

[kellyman]

If your room has a fridge, buy a case of water and put some of them in the freezer. Then mix them in a bag with bottles from the fridge. The frozen bottles will act as ice cubes and keep the other bottles cold. As they melt, you have Ice Cold water that will last all day.

 

[ashmarie06]

i've always went during the summer. typically what my family does is hit the parks at RD and about 1230 have lunch then leave. We go back to the room, take a nap, hit the pool, shower and get back to looking halfway decent. We either then go to the park our ADR is in, or we just plan accordingly and go straight from our resort to our ADR. Then go to the parks. We plan our trip around night EMH's, so we always have extra time in the parks at night.


People would give my parents a lot of slack for this schedule, people were saying that they weren't getting their money's worth out of the tickets. but they would rather not have 3 tired kids (i'm the oldest, my little brothers are 10 and 13 years younger than i am) who are over heated and not enjoying themselves, then push us to the limits at disney world so that we ruin everyones vacation!

 

[bluecastle]

For our upcoming august trip I bought Chilly Pads from Frogtogs. They are supposed to help keep you cool. We shall see.

I have bookmarked their site and will be checking them out. In the past I have wrapped washcloths around frozen bottles of water and we use them to cool off, but maybe some of the newer technology items, like a swimmer's towel and these chilly pads, are lighter to carry. I have a bad back and every ounce that I add to my bag counts!
Thanks for this idea.

 

[Realgrumpy]

You're welcome.

 

[bluecastle]

Thanks for all the great ideas. We were once a commando family that learned how to take breaks and enjoy more by doing less. I think it is easier to do that when you know that you will be going back someday. Of course, we didn't know that way back then!
We are big fans of the afternoon break and enjoy spending time at our hotel. I love seeing the crowds of people streaming into the park as we walk out!
The one thing I remember from a summer trip years ago is that we were always too hot and tired to go to the live shows at WS and we really enjoy them! (I love the drummers in Japan) Do they have evening shows? Thanks again all!

 

[CarolineB]

Thanks for all the great ideas. We were once a commando family that learned how to take breaks and enjoy more by doing less. I think it is easier to do that when you know that you will be going back someday. Of course, we didn't know that way back then!
We are big fans of the afternoon break and enjoy spending time at our hotel. I love seeing the crowds of people streaming into the park as we walk out!
The one thing I remember from a summer trip years ago is that we were always too hot and tired to go to the live shows at WS and we really enjoy them! (I love the drummers in Japan) Do they have evening shows? Thanks again all!

World showcase evening shows this week:
canada 5:30, 6:30, 7:30
uk -- british revolution -- 6, 7, 8
uk --world showcase players -- 5:00
uk -- hat lady -- evening only
france -- no
morocco 5:50, 6:40, 7:30, 8:20
japan -- drummers -- 5:00, 6:15 was latest
japan -- fantasy candy -- 5:15, 6:30
america -- fife & drum -- no
america -- voices of liberty -- last performance is at 5:00 p.m.
italy -- mime -- last performance is at 5:30 p.m.
italy -- zita sisters -- last performance is at 5:00 p.m.
china -- 5:15, 6:15, 7:15
mexico -- mariachi -- last performance is at 5:10
mexico -- viva mexico -- last performance is at 5:10

this is just to give you an idea about this week at EPCOT

also -- the performers are off 2 days per week

 

[Itinkso]

Our last summer trip was 10 years ago and I have been checking some of my notes from that trip, but would love some help. Anything from what to wear (there are already some shoes and dresses threads here that I have been reading) to how to stay as cool as possible in the Florida heat and humidity. Do you recommend personal misters? Wide-brimmed hats? Do we need bug spray? How do you keep your family from getting grouchy?
All ideas welcome!

We take bug repellant "wipes." Essential for us because we are especially allergic to mosquito bites and there are tons of mosquitoes at Fantasia Gardens and near Splash Mountain. Personal misters filled with ice water worked out well for us!

 

[Hootch]

Matsuriza performs:

Rhythmic magic of traditional Taiko Drummers.
Monday, Tuesday & Thursday-Saturday at 1:20, 2:15, 2:55, 3:35, 4:15, 5:00 & 6:15pm
Length of show: 15 minutes

Great source for show times:

http://www.wdwent.com/

 

[bluecastle]

Thanks CarolineB and Hootch for the info and website on the live entertainment. I used to go to Steve Soares's site years ago and it was so helpful. (didn't realize the name had changed) I am glad that there are some shows around 7 or 8, but will have to make sure we are in WS around 6 in order to see Matsuriza.
Itinkso- at first I read water ministers! Anyhow, do you recommend any particular misters? I hate wearing anything around my neck in the heat, but maybe there are some light-weight ones. We had some that ran on batteries and they got pretty heavy as the day got hotter. Insect wipes are a great idea! I assume I can find them at Target? I know Disney sprays for bugs, but it is Florida, right?

 

[Itinkso]

Itinkso- at first I read water ministers! Anyhow, do you recommend any particular misters? I hate wearing anything around my neck in the heat, but maybe there are some light-weight ones. We had some that ran on batteries and they got pretty heavy as the day got hotter. Insect wipes are a great idea! I assume I can find them at Target? I know Disney sprays for bugs, but it is Florida, right?

I re-read my post and read ministers too! will go back in and edit. Found Off wipes at CVS and a pack of Deet wipes at Walmart in Clermont off of the 192. We took turns carrying the mister because we did have the battery operated Cool Mister from Lowes. I had previously read that a small cosmetic spray bottle works too, just fill it with ice water from a counter service restaurant.