Tips for dealing with the heat/humidity

[goofy4tink]

You've heard it already.....hydrate. You should be in the ladies room every 90 mins. When in there, cool off with wet paper towels.....face, neck, arms, even legs.
Wear a hat with a nice big brim. I prefer short sleeved shirts over sleeveless. I hate the sun beating on my bare shoulders!
Eat at least one good table service meal a day. It gets you off your feet, in a cool spot. And your body needs fuel. But eat fairly lightly! Nothing overly 'heavy'.
Hit the parks at opening. Head back to the resort after lunch. Swim, stretch out, relax. Head back to the park later in the day. Maybe have dinner around 7ish, then stay until park closing.
And keep hydrating!!! More than you think you need.

 

[Lids]

Thanks for the great tips. We are going the week of 8-16 as there are two school teachers in our group so summer really is our only option. Already discussed that rope drop and breaks (whether going back to hotel or taking in an indoor activity) are a must.

 

[INDEV]

We have several strategies for the heat - and while look for the cool sounds obvious, there are some that people don't think of.

For example - the Hall of Presidents in MK. First you enter and can sit in the waiting area, which is pleasantly air conditioned. Then you get to sit in the nice dark air conditioning during the 20 min show. It's a great break from the heat.

Monster's Inc Laugh floor is a similar kind of show - highly recommended for the heat of the day as a break.

Some other rides that have been recommended are good bets with indoor waiting and/or ride - TTA, POTC, Buzz Lightyear, Space Mountain. There are others that you should avoid during the heat of the day - the speedway, carousel, several in Fantasyland with outside lines.

The recommendation for a lunch reservation is also a great idea. We often go to the Crystal Palace character buffet. The foods ok, who doesn't love seeing Pooh and you can hang out there for about as long as you want! If you're in Epcot, go by the Mexico pavilion and get frozen margaritas. In the MK, the Dole Whip and the citrus thing near Alladin's carpets also are a great cooling treat.

Have a great trip!

 

[AlixaLock]

Everything that has been said is 100% on target! Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!!

However, my number 1 hint is to cut yourself and your family some SLACK! LOL! Everyone's tempers run short. Also, remember that anything that goes wrong will be triple annoying in the heat and humidity, so make sure you wear comfy clothes and shoes. Finally, leave the heavy backpack in the room... it will feel like a ton of bricks in the heat and humidity!

 

[MillauFr]

We always make a reservation for lunch in a park... never underestimate the restorative powers of getting off your feet for an hour in the air conditioning and rehydrating! We just do grab and go breakfasts in our room so we can get to the parks at opening. Drink lots of water!

Ditto. Lunch inside an air conditioned place was great.

 

[JennyHall]

Definitley get the Frogg Togg's! Those Chilly Pads are miracle workers while waiting in lines!

 

[danjoan14]

And please don't forget the deodorant!

 

[Laz]

Also remember to expect the typical afternoon thunderstorm.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Dri-fit shirts are also great to help you feel a little cooler. We've found the bamboo shirts to be very good at keeping us cooler. Rawthreads.com has a lot of Disney inspired shirts - they always have a booth at the runDisney expos.

Dri-fit yoga pants are also good although I only wear yoga pants to the gym, you will see a lot of yoga pants-wearing guests in the park. Dri-fit material really does help.

 

[ethanwa]

1. Lots of ICE water... not just regular room-temperature water. What you want to do is cool down your core, and that means drinking a liquid (water always preferred) that is a much lower temperature than your body.

2. Get one of those swamp towels or rags like others have mentioned. Get them wet and put them around the back of your neck. They will really help you cool down.

3. If people get hot in your group and need to take a break in an air conditioned place, then DO IT. The last thing you want to do in to try and push through it. Just jump into one of the merchandise shops where its cool and stand there for 15 minutes if that's what you have to do. Just getting everyone comfortable will make the trip SO much better.

4. If you are overweight at all, just try to drop a few pounds (5-10 or more if you can) before your trip. The less weight you carry on your body, the less you will overheat and sweat. It makes a big difference.

5. Schedule meals in air conditioned buildings. Take breaks in the middle of the day back to your hotel / swimming pool. Try to have your time at the parks in the mornings and when the sun starts to go down. Middle of the day in mid-summer in Central Florida will just suck the energy right out of you.

Ethan

 

[Lady Marie]

I made cooling neck wraps for DH and I. He thought they were stupid until about 10am when the heat was unbearable. Now we don't do summer without them. We both almost cried when I realized I left them in the hotel in the fridge one morning!

I am sure the Frog Toggs are similar but I saved a few bucks by making my own with fabric and those floral beads--- plus I was able to do it with fun fabric that we liked.

Anyway, just another vote for some sort of cooling neck thing-a-ma-jig!

 

[Luv2Run]

Other than the tips already mentioned above (hydrate, find shaded rides or restaurants, etc), I have a few other tips I always follow if I plan to visit WDW in the summer months:

1) Buy a Camelbak (or similar backpack with a water bladder). In the morning, I fill the water bladder near full with ice and then add water from a 24oz bottle from the food court. The bladder cools you as the ice melts throughout the day, and you'll have cool drinking water on you without having to purchase it or ask for it in the parks. Don't worry about the condensation leaving a water mark on your back - your sweat would be leaving that on your t-shirt anyway!

2) Bring a mini-umbrella. Not only is it hurricane season in South Florida (afternoon showers) but the umbrella can act as portable shade for you as you wait in lines, traverse the parks, etc.

3) Do not sit on the metal benches in EPCOT. I learned that one the hard way. (Duh moment, for sure.)

4) Bring the washcloth from your room to use to mop up the sweat from your face. If you're dripping in sweat from walking around in the heat & humidity, it feels good to just get it off you. I find the washcloth method works better than relying on paper towels from the washrooms (which can and will run out, especially when you need it the most).

5) Pack a travel sized packet of Wet Ones antibacterial wipes. Not only are these good for practical uses like wiping down tables at QS restaurants, cleaning off handrails, etc, but they're also great for wiping off your body. Sweat + bacteria = body odor. Since Wet Ones are antibacterial, they eliminate part of that equation so you don't start to stink from sweating all day. I make 3 or 4 stops a day to the washroom to use this trick, and it works like a charm. Just be sure to reapply sunscreen when you're done, since the wipes remove that.

6) Speaking of sunscreen, Coppertone Sport Coolzone sunscreen is awesome for helping beat the heat. Plus, it smells good, too. I found it in travel size at Target, but I'm sure you can get it on Amazon or at Walgreens/CVS, as well.