That "Toasty" Florida Weather!

[DaniellePoppins]

Hi there everyone!

So I'm looking for a thread with some suggestions of actual products people use to power through that Florida summer heat. I haven't been able to find a thread with actual tips/product links all in one place, especially tested products that hold up. Maybe I'm just searching the wrong spots. I have a trip coming up in early September this year and my last three trips have either been in November or January, so I'm pretty out of practice with the brutal heat. Last time I went in the summer was an August trip and I was only 22, (a long time ago). There's got to be lots of new products around to make things better since then. So tell/show me your best tips and products (links are great!) for getting through the dog days of summer in Florida!

Favorite UV umbrella or clothes? Something moisture wicking? Best cooling fans? Water bottles or electrolyte additives?

Whatever you got I'm all ears!

 

[FreeCA]

The cooling towels and a UV Umbrella have been our favorite items!

Also going into the park as light as possible. Depending on the group this could be easier said than done but anything more than a Fanny pack just drag the day down.

 

[suse66]

An UV umbrella for sure (sunbrella is the brand I have)
A wide brimmed shady hat.
Refillable water bottle (I add flavoured rehydration tablets to the water. Numm is a good brand),
Sweat wicking underwear (definitely the skim shorts if you are wearing dresses to the parks.)
Extra hair ties if you have longer hair.
Stick sunscreen

 

[DaniellePoppins]

Also going into the park as light as possible. Depending on the group this could be easier said than done but anything more than a Fanny pack just drag the day down.

Yes I'm not a fan of being weighed down by a bag either. Sadly I'm a solo traveler so I'm the only pack mule. My preferred plan would be a crossbody for the essentials and storing my backpack in a locker, but the need to lug my water bottle and possible rain gear means that might not work out. It might end up being a backpack and no crossbody, but that ends up being a hassle if I don't have pockets for my phone.

An UV umbrella for sure (sunbrella is the brand I have)
A wide brimmed shady hat.
Refillable water bottle (I add flavoured rehydration tablets to the water. Numm is a good brand),

Looking up Sunbrella and Numm now! I'm looking into Mission hats as well which have SPF fabric and a cooling effect if you wet and fan them. I have a Yeti bottle that I'm probably bringing. I know its on the heavier side, but the insulation that would keep things cold can't be beat. I have a lot of different cups from them as well I use and they are so nice and sturdy.

 

[holden]

Hit parks at rope drop, leave at lunchtime, head back to the parks around 7pm (depending on when they close). Take advantage of any extra evening hours if you are eligible.

 

[dez1978]

I just wear the least amount of clothes in the coolest possible fabric. I carry a fanny pack with a stick of sunscreen (the kind that is shaped like deoderant), my wallet and some drink mixes and I have a water bottle that has a clip that can clip to my bag. Oh and a visor hat and sunglasses. Even with my kids, I don't carry much more than that. Maybe a couple fruit snacks lol.

 

[VandVsmama]

I use this portable USB-rechargeable hand-held fan. $18-20 on Amazon. Has multiple speed settings. It's wonderful.

I also use this UV umbrella. The 42" size, which is currently $27 on Amazon before tax & shipping. I and 1 of my teenage kids can comfortably fit under it. When you combine that with the fan mentioned above, it makes things tolerable in early June sweltering Orlando weather.

When I first busted out the UV umbrella, my DH mocked me for it, said we all looked dumb using it. Then an hour later, he was asking if we had an extra one that he could use. Why yes, DH, we have 2 in total so you & 1 of the kids can share!

I've tried those cooling towels, but they don't do anything for me and actually make me feel hotter.

I 2nd everyone's suggestions to use an insulated water bottle because ice cold water combined with the 2 items above really makes a difference, too.

 

[DaniellePoppins]

I use this portable USB-rechargeable hand-held fan. $18-20 on Amazon. Has multiple speed settings. It's wonderful.

I also use this UV umbrella. The 42" size, which is currently $27 on Amazon before tax & shipping. I and 1 of my teenage kids can comfortably fit under it. When you combine that with the fan mentioned above, it makes things tolerable in early June sweltering Orlando weather.

When I first busted out the UV umbrella, my DH mocked me for it, said we all looked dumb using it. Then an hour later, he was asking if we had an extra one that he could use. Why yes, DH, we have 2 in total so you & 1 of the kids can share!

I've tried those cooling towels, but they don't do anything for me and actually make me feel hotter.

I 2nd everyone's suggestions to use an insulated water bottle because ice cold water combined with the 2 items above really makes a difference, too.

Thanks! I saved those links.

 

[helenm29]

We are going in September also so I am stealing all the information you get! lol
Actually we go between September and October every time we go and the weather can very drastically from cool to absolutely scorching! last year it was cool enough to wear Jeans and a sweater because it was in the 60's in the mornings and evenings...which was fine with me.
All of those suggestions are fantastic! we also bring a water bag with drinking spouts but the Umbrella is absolutely a life saver along with a hanging or hand held rechargeable fan.
Just keep on reading and all will be good. Have a fabulous time and hopefully it won't get too HOT this year!

 

[kwdw]

Just a fanny pack with a D ring clip to attach my 12 oz Hydroflask. I also start the morning with an ice cold bottle of water in my hand with the Hydroflask filled with ice. Dollar store poncho fits in Fanny pack, or if I know it’s gonna rain, another D ring on the fanny pack with a tiny umbrella. Occasionally I switch to a string backpack if I need to carry a bit more stuff. I firmly avoid real backpacks with wide straps as those are way too bulky and HOT. I bring the smaller Hydroflask because the larger ones I own are too heavy to carry in the heat. You can get free ice water all over so I just refill. Yetis are great, too, just don’t go overboard on the size so you can avoid the extra weight.

Really, carry as little as you can. Some days, it’s just cargo shorts for me. Since they don’t make good ones for females, I look for guy ones with elastic in the waist so I can find something that fits a female shape. If it’s going to be super long day, sometimes I bring more stuff and rent a locker. A change of shoes, a thawed water bottle still cold later in the day, a change of clothes, all can be well worth the break.

Don’t get sunburnt as that makes the heat way worse. I apply liberally before leaving my room in the morning but carry a small travel size one each day. Sometimes I need two in a longer trip but it’s way better than carrying a big thing of sunscreen around all day. I do wash my face sometimes during the day as getting the park grime/sweat off and the cool water can be refreshing and it also means a longer break in an air conditioned bathroom.

I put my sunglasses on a strap so I don’t have to put them away as you go in and out of the sun as you enter ride queues.

Hats make my head hot, but even on the hottest days, the brim to help with shade on the face is worth it. I usually use a baseball cap that can attach to the fanny pack so I don’t have to carry it in my hands and still use just that fanny pack.

Awesome shoes for you that you know when your feet swell and are sweating they still won’t rub or give you blisters. I have to wear sneakers with socks, even in the heat, but lots of folks swear by sandals. If you opt for sandals, don’t forget the sunscreen on your feet.

Fans, misters, and cooling towels aren’t me as I find them too heavy to carry without enough benefit to justify them. Others do swear by them.

I haven’t tried any of the wicking or cooling clothes, but if I were going in early Sept this year, I’d probably try them. I do know that the weight of clothing makes a huge difference! Thin, loose fitting tops and legging style shorts work best for me. Make sure your shorts don’t chaf in the heat! Thick waistbands on shorts are a no-no as they are hot! You will see a lot of tank tops and spaghetti strap tops, but I burn too easily so I tend to bring both wide strap tank tops or short sleeve shirts so I can rotate and make sure I don’t get too much sun. T shirts come in a lot of different weights of fabric and the heavier ones are great in Nov, but they are icky in summer heat!

Also, seriously, stay in the shade and walk through air conditioned shops as much as you can!

Done with my book long answer now!

 

[butterscotchcollins]

I like Supergoop sunscreen bc it works really well and doesn’t feel heavy.

Also use the Megababe Thigh Rescue (or any anti-chafing stick you can find) to keep sweaty skin from rubbing raw.

 

[VandVsmama]

I forgot about Body Glide. Put it on your feet to prevent blisters. And also apply to any other areas that might be prone to chaffing. There’s nothing more miserable than getting a chaffed rash in sensitive areas at the beginning of your trip!

I’ve also had good luck with using moleskin on certain spots of my feet that are prone to blisters. Use the moleskin BEFORE a blister develops.