This is going to sound stupid- but I'm serious!

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

LOL
I know this is going to sound like the most stupid question ever- but I'm asking seriously!
Time and time again I see mention of going back to the resort and taking a plunge in the pool/etc to relax in the evenings, nap for the little ones, etc. Many reasons why to do this- and then either returning to the parks or doing other things afterwards.

Okay here is my question- how do you do that? I mean do you really get up, get everyone dressed, hair fixed -maybe even make up on yourself, etc- go to the parks and then come back in the evenings to swim in the pool and then DO ALL THAT STUFF ALL OVER AGAIN to go do something else that evening or go back to the parks???
I'm talking about washing hair to get the chlorine out, refixing your hair (assuming you have a hairstyle like I do now that is short and not able to just throw in a ponytail .... also unable to just let it dry naturally without looking really horrible LOL), putting makeup on (I assume you would for evening activities- especially like dining and such), getting everyone dressed again/etc.

While going back to the resort and taking a dip in the pool SOUNDS refreshing, the thought of all the work afterwards to get everyone presentable to go do something else- sounds exhausting and quite frankly a pain in my rump.

So honestly- how do you all do that.... and every day of your trip???

 

[Selket]

I know what you mean! Have you ever taken a vacation at the beach for a week? I think the only way to go back and forth between the pool and the parks is not to worry too much about the makeup and the hair. I usually have to take a shower after the pool though.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

No, I've never had a vacation at the beach. And all other vacations were always spent OUT of the water- and only going in the pool at the end of our evenings- whereas we just shower/bath and go to bed! LOL
There must be a lot of people that can get away without atleast fixing their hair, much less going out in public without makeup (I don't wear makeup much at home- I mean not like to go grocery shopping and such, but it's a must for church, eating out, and a few other occasions. LOL) to be able to do this daily. Honestly I can't imagine going back to the parks or dining out that evening- without fixing my hair after being in the pool. It's just not one of those "toss and go" type hairstyles. LOL

 

[Memaw2Wm]

Luckily my hair is long enough to pull back into a ponytail and I don't wear makeup ... so after a swim break we just dry off, pull on clean undies, re-dress and run a brush through our hair.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I was afraid of that being how people did it. LOL No such luck for us! Even my children- well atleast the older two, especially the oldest- have hair that really looks a mess after swimming and/or just washing the hair and that's it. You should see us after a day at a water park here in the summer. LOL

 

[NotUrsula]

My hair has a tendency to do interesting things in summer heat & humidity if I don't style it properly, but swimming for exercise has forced me to learn to deal with it efficiently. I went to my hairdresser and asked for ideas, and she taught me several tricks for alternative ways to style it that take less time. The look you end up with might not be what you're used to, exactly, but you will probably look quite presentable once you get the hang of it.

When I swim laps I wear a cap, but workout caps don't really keep water out. To prevent damage, my hair is slathered in conditioner under that cap, so I do have to rinse it out and style it when I finish my swim. (My hair is longer, but not really long enough to be able to snatch into a ponytail and expect it to stay put.)

As to makeup, why bother? Sweat will make it smear in any case. In Florida heat, one of the most refreshing things you can do for yourself is rinse your face in cool water; I clean my face several times per day while in the parks.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Well, the last trip I only wore makeup on one day and the trip before that I don't recall wearing makeup at all. LOL
But things are different now and I'm different. I find myself wanting to look nicer more often. I still don't wear makeup every day- but I'm planning on doing more nice dinners/etc on this upcoming trip.
It really won't be all that hot around Thanksgiving, will it??

I'll ask, but I doubt she'll be able to tell me how to fix it an easier way. My hair used to be really long (like past my hiney long- so I could do the ponytails or braiding that I can't now) but it's really short now- and basically cut to do one style- because my hair is naturally very straight and stubborn also. It's really not that easy to fix my hair- so I guess that's why I asked this. But really it wasn't just about ME, it was about the whole family. I could easily just sit by the pool or not get above my shoulders wet or something. But the thought of the entire clan- most of which requiring my help in almost all steps of bathing, washing hair, fixing hair, getting dressed/etc- having to go through all that every evening turns me off on the idea of afternoons spent at the resort for a dip in the pool like everyone mentions. It sounds good in theory- but the AFTERWARDS part has me cringing. Two times a day going through that? LOL

So that's why I asked- trying to see how others handle that. I know I can't be the only person in the world that isn't thrilled at the thought of it every day while on "vacation"?

 

[dahess]

My husband just asked me last night if I was going to look like crap for our trip in 8 days I was like "a yeah, if I want to have fun". I don't worry about my apperance, everyone else looks just as bad as me!

 

[crisi]

My hair is so short that it air drys fine. And I don't even bring makeup with. My daughter needs hers combed out, but we are capable of getting ready in ten minutes (if I do blowdry and wear makeup, its only another five - I'm pretty efficient). But we still don't do the "head back to the room, swim, and leave again" thing. By the time you spend an hour getting back to the room and the suits on, an hour (or two) in the pool, and an hour getting dressed and back out, its a three or four hour break - even if you can skip makeup and let everyone's hair air dry. We tend to go in low attendance times, when the park is only open until six - there is no way we will take a couple hours out of the middle of the day - and we are traveling with little ones that need to be in bed by 8:00 (9:00 if we are pushing it). We've discovered the kids are too hyped to nap in the room - and we do best taking some downtime on the monorail or bus or the MK train (this year we are bringing Grandma and scheduling some of the less exciting, longer shows - Hall of Presidents, American Adventure - see if we can string together a couple twenty minute naps).

But, I can see how this works well if your kids are a little older and you are traveling when MK is open until 10:00. To a certain extent, it also depends on where you are staying. A dip in the pool when you are staying at the Poly on a MK day is more doable than heading back to StormAlongBay (where there is no such thing as a "quick dip"). And a trip to the BW pool in the middle of the day is doable if you are spending your day at MGM anyway.

I've seen a lot of people put the KIDS in the pool. And they grab a seat and maybe stick their feet in (put a towel under you so that you don't rip up your suit on the cement - if you even bother to change). Hair and makeup stay in place. And if the kids don't look perfect for dinner, well, they are kids.

 

[Robmom]

I usually would just swim after dinner and then we would just stay at the hotel. Only once we went to DTD for dinner, so we showered and I put on minimal makeup. I thought I looked ok until I saw a photo of me. That pool water really does a number on your hair and the heat just melts all the make up off.

 

[always dreamin']

BibbidyBobbidyBoo,

I COMPLETELY understand what you are talking about. I too have short hair that is not "wash and wear". I also wear make-up everyday (for sure when I don't, that's when I run into someone I know!). I was wondering also how people did the afternoon break thing! I dread doing all that work in the morning... let alone twice a day! It takes us a good hour or so to get us all ready to go out. That is just too much time cutting into our fun at the parks. Therefore, we forgo the swimming and stay at the parks all day. The little ones just nap in the stroller when they need a break. It works for us and we plan to do it again on our next visit in November!

 

[rlduvall]

I, too, have beautiful blonde hair (how arrogant of me, I'm being a little sarcastic) that looks great, UNTIL, I get in the water at the pool. I absolutely look like a drowned rat with my hair wet and no make-up. So yes, I do get totally cleaned up again to go the parks. I am very vain and like to look as good as I can; not just for my husband, but for myself. (I also never go the grocery store without makeup on; I might see my old high school flame and I want him to eat his heart out, lol) That being said, it only takes me 40 minutes to take a shower, do my hair and put on fresh make-up. I feel so much cleaner and better and more rested for doing so. Definitely take a break from the parks. We usually get to a park first thing in the morning; stay until 12:00 or 1:00 and don't go back until about 3:00 or 4:00. Makes the trip so pleasant and enjoyable. Looking good is part of the fun. lol.

 

[Mortlives]

Have you considered hats? They cover hair, so the problems don't show. As for makeup, if you skip foundation and blush, it doesn't take that long. Personally, I couldn't sacrifice my swim and hottub for appearances' sake.

Ciao,
Mort.

 

[Memaw2Wm]

Originally posted by dahess
My husband just asked me last night if I was going to look like crap for our trip in 8 days I was like "a yeah, if I want to have fun". I don't worry about my apperance, everyone else looks just as bad as me!

Yep, that's me ... the heat and humidy do me in ... my hair frizzes and my faces glistens with sweat ... such a pretty sight!

 

[vicb]

DH and DS are pretty much wash and go, sometimes they even just rinse off at the pool in those outside showers then come up to the room to get dressed. DD and I take a little longer so we usually start upstairs 20-30 min. before the boys. We take quick showers and blow dry. Don't do much make up.

Usually my kids don't shower in the morning, just after the swim.

Besides, have you ever looked around at WDW, not that many people look their personal best!


It's all about the fun!

 

[Sue & Co.]

Hey I know exactly what you mean, a trip to the pool would be a lot of work. So as we are going in November when the parks have shorter hours closing at six we won't even attempt it. We will either swim first in the morning and then head to the parks for the rest of the day or get to the parks as they open and leave the swimming until the end of the day when we get back.

 

[rejobako]

Our three year old runs like a top all day, so she really needs a break in the afternoon; we usually go back and nap or at least relax a bit by the pool to break up the day. As has been noted in this thread, if you look around at your fellow park-hoppers, there's very few of them that seem to have worried too much about their appearance that day. It's about being comfortable and relaxed. My wife is a hair-freak; she has long brown hair that takes weeks to dry; put she just stuffs it under a cap at Disney, and she looks great.

The only other thing I might note is that sometimes I see families who have really overestimated what their kids can take; the kids end up cranky and the parents' nerves are on end. My guess is that these people look a lot worse in that condition than they would if they had taken a nap and a dip in the pool that afternoon and shown up at the parks without drying their hair, etc.

But you're the best judge of what your family can handle. I know other folks who can go to the park with their kids at 9:00 a.m. and stay until the fireworks are over without any problems at all. As for us, we tend to jones for a siesta after lunch, and we live close enough to Disney that we don't feel any pressure to maximize that precious ticket for every minute in the park. We'd rather go doze by the pool for awhile and come back with a second wind that evening.

 

[disneybud]

When we are at Disney World, priority #1 is having fun. Looks is secondary. We don't think of Disney World as a place where we need to look our best. Great Example of this was our first trip with DD age 16 months in October 2001 where I have some great shots of myself with baby daughter and me in my "GROOM" t shirt! Wife was like what are you thinking! It looks like you are on your honeymoon with your 1 yr old!!! I just liked the TShirt and it was white so it is cool. Now we have 2 young children ages 3 and 1. We will hit the parks as early as we can. Go back to our resort in early afternoon. 1 parent can stay with 1 yr old for nap. 3 yr old can nap or hit the pool with the other parent. When that is done, the two wet rats get dressed and we go back to the parks. No showers! No primping! We can do that later! Makeup is very much a second consideration here. Wife will slap on some mascara or whatever, but we are not talking much else than that.. Takes 2 minutes as we are running out the door. We honestly don't have time to worry about the stuff it seems that BippityBoppityBoo is concentrating on in some of her original posts on this thread. To each their own, but we are lucky enough to remember to put everything in the diaper bag and to bring the stroller!! Just different priorities I think..

 

[vicb]

quote by rejobako:
"The only other thing I might note is that sometimes I see families who have really overestimated what their kids can take; the kids end up cranky and the parents' nerves are on end. My guess is that these people look a lot worse in that condition than they would if they had taken a nap and a dip in the pool that afternoon and shown up at the parks without drying their hair, etc.:


so true!

 

[dvcfamily5]

Great question!

What we do is get up in the morning and the kids 4, 3 and 7 months wiill get dressed and ready for whatever we are doing for the day, either a park, pool or water park. We usually do not do both in one day, its too much on the kids and they really have fun at th epool and don't know the difference of missing the parks when we are there for a week anyway. After our day of fun everyone showers for dinner and when we return we get our pj's on and they are still clean for the morning. Now I usually shower in the morning and depending where we are eating I will shower again. The main thing is too have fun and go with the flow.