Summer Tips please!

[Zamsu]

very helpful info, thanks everyone.

 

[MissManda]

We are going in June this year and staying off site. Prior trips have all been onsite and in May or Sept. B/c we are staying offsite we plan to stay at the parks all day instead of taking breaks back at the resort.

We will have four adults and four kids in the group. This is a tight budget trip for the other set of adults and so we don't have any ADR's. We plan to do CS for most meals, which in a way is bad b/c at least with ADR's you know you have some downtime in an airconditioned restaurant. However, with just doing CS we do have that flexability of eat when/where we want.

This is our plan to hopefully stay cool, hydrated and refreshed:
Freeze bottled water and gatorade/powerade and carry it into the parks with us. With four adults we can each carry a few bottles in our backpacks. We also plan to have a soft cooler that we store in a locker with additional water for use throughout the day if necessary.

I thought that I would wrap some of the frozen bottles with a cloth. We would then have wet wash cloths to use during the day.

I plan to bring some sort of wet wipes that can be used to freshen up a bit.

Obviously tons of sunscreen and spf lip balm

I am not usually a hat wearer but I found a pretty nice wide brimmed hat the other day at Dicks Sporting Goods. The brim is wide enough to cover my face and keep it shaded (I wore it all day yesterday in the bright sun and never even had to put my sunglasses on. Everyone else around me were either squinting or wearing glasses). The top is lightweight so I don't think it will be too hot to wear for long periods. Also, it has some sort of built in insect replellant. So, I joked and said I will look like Safari Minnie all week, but if it keeps me from getting sunburnt, I don't care.

During the warmest parts of the day, we plan to do more of the inside stuff. Find a CS place that has indoor seating. Ride more indoor rides and see shows and take advantage of the air conditioning wherever possible.

Also, we plan on each taking a change of shoes to the parks. Start the day off in sneakers and then if our feet get hot or swollen, change to sandals or flips flops later in the day (can't forget to suncreen the tops of the feet!).

Of course, if its gets too unbearable, we will probably go back to the condo for a while but I hope that we can stick it out, especially since we are staying offsite and can't take advantage of EMH. (Would rather miss out on a little park time one day than getting to hot and worn out on a day and messing up the rest of the trip).

 

[ZoZo]

I concur with many of the suggestions already posted here:

Take a break mid-day to shower and change clothes. Makes a huge difference when you don't feel hot and sweaty all day.

I use Kleenex brand "Splash and Go" wet wipes - they're very refreshing, and not as sticky as other wet wipes.

Stay hydrated - drink lots and lots of water. It's easy to get dehydrated before you realize it. CS restaurants will give you free cups of ice water, so you don't need to lug around extra bottles of water (or pay for them in the parks). I use the cups is ice water to fill my refillable water bottle.

I use a wide-brimmed visor to keep the sun off my face.

Mini-mister fans are great! You can get them at Walmart for about $3 or $4. They aren't heavy, and have a carabiner clip so you can easily clip them to a belt loop, fanny pack, etc. I don't like the big mister fans as much because they're big and clunky, and a pain to carry around.

Whenever possible, wear clothes made from breathable fabric. I got some shorts from REI before my last trip, and they were wonderful! They were called Columbia Sandy River Hiiking Shorts, and were made of a quick dry material that was really lightweight and comfortable. I had two pairs and hand-washed them at night - they were dry by morning. I also used Coolmax socks.

I have never needed insect repellant at WDW, but usually go in October (not sure if you need it during the summer). Have never gotten a single bug bite.

You can use things like bandanas around your neck - wet them in ice water to help cool you off. They make neck-cooling wraps that you can buy, but I wasn't really happy with the one I bought.

Take advantage of air-conditioned attractions, shops, and restaurants when you need a break.

 

[ltktmk]

My advice is simple, if you are an early Morning family, get there right away and leave when the temps or the crowds start bothering you and go back to the hotel and enjoy the pool, take advantage of the morning extra magic hours. Likewise if you are a late night family then do not bother going till 3 or 4 and stay till the park closes (after midnight at times). We are a late night family and I am always amazed how much more we get to do from 9Pm-Midnight. Getting caught in the 11AM-3PM peak times is the toughest

 

[bluecastle]

We are going in June this year and staying off site. Prior trips have all been onsite and in May or Sept. B/c we are staying offsite we plan to stay at the parks all day instead of taking breaks back at the resort.

We will have four adults and four kids in the group. This is a tight budget trip for the other set of adults and so we don't have any ADR's. We plan to do CS for most meals, which in a way is bad b/c at least with ADR's you know you have some downtime in an airconditioned restaurant. However, with just doing CS we do have that flexability of eat when/where we want.

This is our plan to hopefully stay cool, hydrated and refreshed:
Freeze bottled water and gatorade/powerade and carry it into the parks with us. With four adults we can each carry a few bottles in our backpacks. We also plan to have a soft cooler that we store in a locker with additional water for use throughout the day if necessary.

I thought that I would wrap some of the frozen bottles with a cloth. We would then have wet wash cloths to use during the day.

I plan to bring some sort of wet wipes that can be used to freshen up a bit.

Obviously tons of sunscreen and spf lip balm

I am not usually a hat wearer but I found a pretty nice wide brimmed hat the other day at Dicks Sporting Goods. The brim is wide enough to cover my face and keep it shaded (I wore it all day yesterday in the bright sun and never even had to put my sunglasses on. Everyone else around me were either squinting or wearing glasses). The top is lightweight so I don't think it will be too hot to wear for long periods. Also, it has some sort of built in insect replellant. So, I joked and said I will look like Safari Minnie all week, but if it keeps me from getting sunburnt, I don't care.

During the warmest parts of the day, we plan to do more of the inside stuff. Find a CS place that has indoor seating. Ride more indoor rides and see shows and take advantage of the air conditioning wherever possible.

Also, we plan on each taking a change of shoes to the parks. Start the day off in sneakers and then if our feet get hot or swollen, change to sandals or flips flops later in the day (can't forget to suncreen the tops of the feet!).

Of course, if its gets too unbearable, we will probably go back to the condo for a while but I hope that we can stick it out, especially since we are staying offsite and can't take advantage of EMH. (Would rather miss out on a little park time one day than getting to hot and worn out on a day and messing up the rest of the trip).

Good plan, even if it may get to a point where you can't take the heat anymore. Since you are not doing ADR s, why don't you go to a close by WDW hotel and eat at one their food courts or quick serve places? It might be a nice break in your day and if it's one of the deluxes you could hang out and explore a bit. Their restaurants are usually easier to get into than in the parks. Or maybe take a boat ride over to Ft. Wilderness for the more reasonably priced Trail's End? I don't know how old the kids are in your group but they might enjoy it there.
I am thinking I should get a wide-brimmed hat also. Which department in Dick's did you find yours? Happy Planning!

 

[dyna]

I've done many summer visits NEVER have i carried wash cloths but I have went to restroom gotten a big paper towel that I folded to fit in my hand an wet it with cold water sometimes rewet with cold water from my water bottle or ice from my cup. No problem if if i loose it an I can get a new one each time I go to restroom etc.

Take advantage of FREE ice water or FREE ice if I know I do not like the water at a resturant or they do not have the filtered water I get a cup of ice to suck on one piece at a time.

Walking in the shade helps a bit or even better thru the stores when possible. Plan attractions that do not have A/C early in day or after sun goes down.

Always Always eat in the A/C an stop in get water and relax an cool off a bit in between meals.

They might look a little silly but sweat band really helps....I have always found hats HoTTER than without myself.

If you have to watch the afternoon parade be sure to stake out a spot early enough to get a shady spot.

Afternoon breaks really help too.

NEVER NEVER have I carried a backpack or anything else with drinks in it thru the parks. Backpack full of drinks etc is heavy wears ya out faster an makes ya hotter to me it just not worth it.

NEVER Ever carried sunscreen in the parks either DH uses a Sport block in the am he's good to go for the day. Myself I don't need it.

But then we travel very lightly in the parks if it doesn't fit in pocket it usually does not go with us.

 

[marielynn724]

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!

sorry this is off topic, but would you mind sending the links to the shoe/dress threads my way? thanks!

 

[bluecastle]

I concur with many of the suggestions already posted here:

Take a break mid-day to shower and change clothes. Makes a huge difference when you don't feel hot and sweaty all day.

I use Kleenex brand "Splash and Go" wet wipes - they're very refreshing, and not as sticky as other wet wipes.

Stay hydrated - drink lots and lots of water. It's easy to get dehydrated before you realize it. CS restaurants will give you free cups of ice water, so you don't need to lug around extra bottles of water (or pay for them in the parks). I use the cups is ice water to fill my refillable water bottle.

I use a wide-brimmed visor to keep the sun off my face.

Mini-mister fans are great! You can get them at Walmart for about $3 or $4. They aren't heavy, and have a carabiner clip so you can easily clip them to a belt loop, fanny pack, etc. I don't like the big mister fans as much because they're big and clunky, and a pain to carry around.

Whenever possible, wear clothes made from breathable fabric. I got some shorts from REI before my last trip, and they were wonderful! They were called Columbia Sandy River Hiiking Shorts, and were made of a quick dry material that was really lightweight and comfortable. I had two pairs and hand-washed them at night - they were dry by morning. I also used Coolmax socks.

I have never needed insect repellant at WDW, but usually go in October (not sure if you need it during the summer). Have never gotten a single bug bite.

You can use things like bandanas around your neck - wet them in ice water to help cool you off. They make neck-cooling wraps that you can buy, but I wasn't really happy with the one I bought.

Take advantage of air-conditioned attractions, shops, and restaurants when you need a break.

More great suggestions! I can't decide if shorts or dresses would be better. I may check out those shorts at REI. I will be checking out their shoes/sandals as well. Been reading the best shoes thread also.

 

[bluecastle]

My advice is simple, if you are an early Morning family, get there right away and leave when the temps or the crowds start bothering you and go back to the hotel and enjoy the pool, take advantage of the morning extra magic hours. Likewise if you are a late night family then do not bother going till 3 or 4 and stay till the park closes (after midnight at times). We are a late night family and I am always amazed how much more we get to do from 9Pm-Midnight. Getting caught in the 11AM-3PM peak times is the toughest

So far my plan is to do some early mornings and then a few late ones also if we do an EMH evening. We have been known to burn the candle at both ends, but I make sure that, if we do, we have a lazy day in there somewhere to regroup. I hate waking up early, but it's the only way to get to see AK and some of the rides/shows that run out of FPs by the afternoon. I love MK after midnight!

 

[bluecastle]

sorry this is off topic, but would you mind sending the links to the shoe/dress threads my way? thanks!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2915276

That's a dress thread. Hope that works! I don't really know how to do this. Sorry.
Just look through the tips threads and I am sure you will find plenty of shoes/sandals threads also.

 

[MissManda]

Good plan, even if it may get to a point where you can't take the heat anymore. Since you are not doing ADR s, why don't you go to a close by WDW hotel and eat at one their food courts or quick serve places? It might be a nice break in your day and if it's one of the deluxes you could hang out and explore a bit. Their restaurants are usually easier to get into than in the parks. Or maybe take a boat ride over to Ft. Wilderness for the more reasonably priced Trail's End? I don't know how old the kids are in your group but they might enjoy it there.
I am thinking I should get a wide-brimmed hat also. Which department in Dick's did you find yours? Happy Planning!

I had thought about going to a resort food court for lunch. It would be a way to get a little bit of break not only from the heat but from the madness of the parks for a little bit. It is a good idea.

I found the hat in the women's clothing section. Its the Koppen Women's No Fly Zone Boonie hat. I've only worn it once but I was really pleased with it. I'm hoping it works well at Disney. I have really sensitive skin and burn super easy and so I think that this will be a great way to keep my face and back of my neck (I have short hair) shaded. Also, my hair hates the Florida humidity and always looks a hot mess and there is only so much you can do with short hair. I figure this way, I can just wear the hat and not worry about it!

 

[MissManda]

I've done many summer visits NEVER have i carried wash cloths but I have went to restroom gotten a big paper towel that I folded to fit in my hand an wet it with cold water sometimes rewet with cold water from my water bottle or ice from my cup. No problem if if i loose it an I can get a new one each time I go to restroom etc.

Take advantage of FREE ice water or FREE ice if I know I do not like the water at a resturant or they do not have the filtered water I get a cup of ice to suck on one piece at a time.

Walking in the shade helps a bit or even better thru the stores when possible. Plan attractions that do not have A/C early in day or after sun goes down.

Always Always eat in the A/C an stop in get water and relax an cool off a bit in between meals.

They might look a little silly but sweat band really helps....I have always found hats HoTTER than without myself.

If you have to watch the afternoon parade be sure to stake out a spot early enough to get a shady spot.

Afternoon breaks really help too.

NEVER NEVER have I carried a backpack or anything else with drinks in it thru the parks. Backpack full of drinks etc is heavy wears ya out faster an makes ya hotter to me it just not worth it.

NEVER Ever carried sunscreen in the parks either DH uses a Sport block in the am he's good to go for the day. Myself I don't need it.

But then we travel very lightly in the parks if it doesn't fit in pocket it usually does not go with us.

We don't usually carry drinks with us either, but we do plan to do it this year especially if its really hot outside. With 4 adults and 4 kids, I figure it would just be easier to have drinks with us and readily available rather than stopping every few minutes to get a free cup. Also, if we freeze the bottles, they may actually keep your back cool for a bit.

Wish I didn't have to carry or worry about sunscreen. Unfortunately, I burn quite quickly and have to continuously reapply sunscreen throughout the day.

 

[jm106]

I bought chilly pads too, reviews were good. They are small enough to take along. I also saw other disposable cooling wipes that may be a good option.

Wear skirts and light weight tops. I got DH light, moisture wicking shorts. Kids light colors/fabrics and hats(not thick ball caps either.)

Mister fans(walgreens were cheaper and I had water bottle straps from 2001 that fit great.) Dont forget extra batteries for them.

This time, We planned a longer trip so we can break longer but even on a shorter trip, we try to make time to swim and get out of the sun. I have most days planned with swim time but also a break to eat in an air conditioned place for lunch then return to parks later rather then stay in parks all day and do TS dinner.

Also, I try to plan some shows or indoor attractions mid day so we can cool off(like nemo, and of course, hall of Presidents DH falls asleep in,lol.) Long enough to sit and cool off and rejuvenate a bit. FP for water rides are good but stand by lines get crazy long(last trip, Stand by said 45 min, took DH and ds over 1 1/2 hrs! I thought something happened.)Water play areas for kids and just a cold ice cream (we share, they melt too fast)or icee in the shade helps. Of course, lots of water and I even have gatoraid packettes.