The heat and humidity are not something to play around with.. Tips for survival

[LovesTimone]

Most people don't get it with the heat and humidity here. It is really nothing to play around with or not to take seriously. What made me think of this, I was at the gas station on Friday it was 5:00 and it was 98 degrees not including the humidity factor and I noticed the car behind me the woman pumping gas was sorta swaying back and forth, then I noticed her face and I asked her if she was alright. She just looked at me, with a blank stare and I was like oh no she is gonna pass out. So I starting moving toward her when her Daughter came running across the parking lot and grabbed her as she started down, then I got there to help sit her down. The store manager came running out, and was calling 911. Luckily the store I stop at.. the Fire department is within 1 red light and they took over, They said it most likely is heat exhaustion. I left so that they could handle it and not to be a Looky Lou.

So here are some tips for dealing with the heat.

Stay hydrated- Water, Gatorade, Propel, - keep something to drink with you. Make your kids drink a lot, while this will incur more bathroom trips, its a must. I know that when touring it's is sort of a hassle, but its necessary. I keep a bottle of water, and when I am out running errands I bring a small cooler of drinks with me.

Sunscreen is a must, you really don't want to be sunburned then out in 100 degree weather, not fun at all.

Hat - with ventilation

Sunglasses

Lightweight clothing- make sure the garment, shorts, tanks, lightweight shoes that are breathable, if you go with sandals - make sure to spray your feet and ankles with sunscreen.

Lighter color clothing - I stay away from anything dark.

Body glide, cooling gels to keep everything from chaffing.

Fans that attach to the strollers at least 1 for each kid, or those mister bottles with fans.

Eat on the lighter side, even if you have to maybe have to eat an extra meal.. Being overly full mixed with the heat it not a good combo.

People with medical issues, have your medicine on hand and know your limitations.

Take breaks more often, head to the pool, or nap at the resort.

 

[JodyLynC]

Great tips!!!

 

[smbarr]

Awesome tips!

 

[JJZMgailey]

Stay hydrated- Water, Gatorade, Propel, - keep something to drink with you. Make your kids drink a lot, while this will incur more bathroom trips, its a must. I know that when touring it's is sort of a hassle, but its necessary. I keep a bottle of water, and when I am out running errands I bring a small cooler of drinks with me.

These are fantastic tips! Especially the stay hydrated one!

Something I recently discovered (even though it's certainly been around) is coconut water. Even though I can't stand the taste of it, it hydrates me so fast; faster than anything else - even plain water. The little boxes it comes in makes it so easy to take into the parks too. I usually drink two of them in a 5-hour timeframe and it keeps me feeling great!

 

[LovesTimone]

These are fantastic tips! Especially the stay hydrated one!

Something I recently discovered (even though it's certainly been around) is coconut water. Even though I can't stand the taste of it, it hydrates me so fast; faster than anything else - even plain water. The little boxes it comes in makes it so easy to take into the parks too. I usually drink two of them in a 5-hour timeframe and it keeps me feeling great!

My friend swear by coconut water she drinks it all the time. Unfortunately I am allergic to coconut so this is something that I can't really try. I also buy those little packets of Gatorade to mix with water, I travel with them all the time. Another friends DH get these drink mix packets at the health food store to mix with water, they are for hydration, he is a runner and use it all the time. I am not sure what they are called.. I will see if I can find out..

 

[Barbydoll8]

Most people don't get it with the heat and humidity here.

I live here too and yes, most people under estimate the heat here. While it CAN be hotter and more humid elsewhere in the US during the summer, it's not sustained like it is here.
I think the hydration and breaks thing are not taken seriously enough. You really almost can not drink enough. I like to tell people not from FL, LA, TX that you should force yourself to drink double what you would normally drink. Now I'm not talking about chugging liquids but really, drink 2 extra bottles of water a day at minimum. WDW will give you free ice water at any counter service so take advantage of it.
Breaks are a MUST. Get out of the sun. Get out of the heat. Sit down and people watch. Go into the stores even if you don't want to buy and SLOW DOWN. Slow your normal walking pace down just one notch. It's a noticeable difference in the heat. Especially people with children or elderly family members. It zaps them more than you know.
Bring cool-danna's or anything that you can use to help cool you down.
And finally, this might be a weird one but bring extra socks and underwear. Nothing worse than being wet and sticky in places that are um.... sensitive.
Change them through the day if you can.

 

[Shanti]

I'm from Texas and like to remind people that just as they wouldn't go to the Rocky Mountains in winter unprepared for the weather, they shouldn't do outdoor activities in Texas (or Florida) in the summer unprepared to manage extreme heat and sun. Those can be every bit as dangerous as the cold.

 

[dreiwhit]

Another tip is to make use of moisture wicking synthetic clothing. I've even gone to moisture wicking synthetic underwear and socks, because they don't absorb sweat and causing chafing like wet cotton does.

 

[Clifton Tesh]

Along with the stay hydrated, remember not to drink too much water as well. Too much water can possibly be worse than to little.

Also, increase your salt intake. It will help you stay hydrated. I do not put salt on food, except in the summer.

Too little salt and too much water can lead up hyponatremia and hyponatremia SUCKS! Take it from me, you never want it.

STAY AWAY FROM SODAS! They will dehydrate you real quickly.

My favorite piece of hot weather gear is my desert boonie cover. People might think it looks stupid but it keeps the sun off your head and face, keeps your head cool, and keeps the sweat out of your eyes. I highly recommend one for everyone

 

[Accident]

I got a few...

- Learn what the symptoms of dehydration are so you can tell early when you need to hydrate the family better.
- Use how often your not using the bathroom vs a normal day out to gauge when it's time for a break.
- don't be the annoying disney family that is arguing all the time, it's ok to take a break and come back to the park when it's not surface of the sun hot.
- Pickles are excellent to hydrate with (and disney sells them). The pickle juice with them is even better. my daughter laughs but when she's noticing she is really bad.. powerade and pickle is the first thing she grabs while in the park (parks tend to not have pickles, its more the resorts)
- You can get heat stroke and dehydrated in a pool, you need to drink things to hydrate.

 

[LovesTimone]

I got a few...

- Learn what the symptoms of dehydration are so you can tell early when you need to hydrate the family better.
- Use how often your not using the bathroom vs a normal day out to gauge when it's time for a break.
- don't be the annoying disney family that is arguing all the time, it's ok to take a break and come back to the park when it's not surface of the sun hot.
- Pickles are excellent to hydrate with (and disney sells them). The pickle juice with them is even better. my daughter laughs but when she's noticing she is really bad.. powerade and pickle is the first thing she grabs while in the park (parks tend to not have pickles, its more the resorts)
- You can get heat stroke and dehydrated in a pool, you need to drink things to hydrate.

They have/had pickles in AK at the Harambe Fruit market, its not listed on the menu, but last year we meet up with some friends, and they got one for their son. I want to say I also think that I have seen them at the Liberty Square market its right next to the Hall of Presidents, if you haven't stopped there before they have some good options.

 

[dreiwhit]

My favorite piece of hot weather gear is my desert boonie cover. People might think it looks stupid but it keeps the sun off your head and face, keeps your head cool, and keeps the sweat out of your eyes. I highly recommend one for everyone

Not stupid at all. I wear a khaki boonie as often as I can. Sunburned ears and neck are no fun.

I'd love to use a USMC surplus desert camo boonie, but they are hard to find and go for way too much on eBay.

 

[Clifton Tesh]

Not stupid at all. I wear a khaki boonie as often as I can. Sunburned ears and neck are no fun.

I'd love to use a USMC surplus desert camo boonie, but they are hard to find and go for way too much on eBay.

Note I'm real big on if you didn't earn it, you don't wear it, but if you earned my beloved Eagle, Globe, and Anchor:

http://www.grunt.com/search?k=Boonie

If you didn't earn it:

http://m.qmuniforms.com/tru-spec-bo...sjoGy21-HFLuOCX-rORqWhBZYjBzZoFL08aAj5Z8P8HAQ

 

[Abro1975]

All good tips. We just got back this past saturday , june 25, and stayed OUT of the Parks between 1-5pm. Had Fast passes lined up for our key attractions, and spent minimal time waiting on any outside line. Between 1-5 we Ubered back to our resort (Wyndham Bonnet Creek, took a short swim then relaxed in our airconditioned condo. Ubered back to Epcot or Animal Kingdom lodge for dinner, then did some more rides or attractions at Epcot (spent mornings at MK,HS and AK). Drank lots of water, and used sunscreen, lightweight, light color colors, w light weight hats). We had a great time.
Another tip - don't wait for buses if you can help it. Spend a few bucks for an Uber or jump on a monorail if it helps.

 

[old feller]

Another tip is to make use of moisture wicking synthetic clothing. I've even gone to moisture wicking synthetic underwear and socks, because they don't absorb sweat and causing chafing like wet cotton does.

Can you recommend any type or brands. For our first sept trip

 

[jediteacher]

Silly question...do you recommend sunscreen after 5 in the evening? In IL you don't need to worry about it at that time, but I know the FL sun is different...

 

[KKB]

Great tips!!!

We went the week after Labor Day. We were at the park when it opened (early if possible) & hit the rides all morning.
We asked for ice water at QS places for free regularly.
After lunch, we hit air conditioned shows.
We had early dinner plans (between 5-6), then headed back to resort for pool time & early bed (between 9-10)
Youngest got up at the same time no matter what time we went to bed, so that made sure we were up early.
Tanks or tees, shorts, walking sandals, hair in pony, hats.

 

[Accident]

Silly question...do you recommend sunscreen after 5 in the evening? In IL you don't need to worry about it at that time, but I know the FL sun is different...

depends on time of year but there's still over 3 hours of sun out after 5pm right now. it'll cook you quick especially if it's not your first night out without it.

 

[jediteacher]

depends on time of year but there's still over 3 hours of sun out after 5pm right now. it'll cook you quick especially if it's not your first night out without it.

Thanks!

 

[dreiwhit]

Can you recommend any type or brands. For our first sept trip

For socks, I use a Dr. Scholl's synthetic boot sock, since I also like the compression on my legs. I got those at Wal Mart in the work wear section. I really like them and they work great. For underwear, I have the Wal Mart brand synthetic boxer briefs. They work fine.

If you go out to Amazon and search for "moisture wicking socks" or "moisture wicking underwear", you'll get several brands to choose from. I'm looking at several brands of both on Amazon myself to try out.