Tips on how to keep cool @ DW?

[lmbcdb]

So, we are headed for our 4th trip to DW September 17-25. From another thread I've been reading, I am gathering that it's going to be pretty darn hot.

We've only gone in late October, December and January, where it never got above 75.(and once got down to 19 degrees!)

Can you please share your best tips for staying cool at the parks?

Thanks!

 

[Butterbunkins]

I just found something at our Bed Bath and Beyond called a Frogg Togg. I happened to see it at the checkout 2 days ago and I picked one up for DH. He works outside and yesterday it hit triple digits here. He said it helped a lot and now all of his co-workers want one. It’s a towel that you get wet (hot or cold, temperature doesn’t matter) and ring it out and it stays cool for hours. He just puts it around his neck and it made a world of difference. When it loses it’s cool you just get it wet again. When you aren’t using it you just roll it up and store it in the sturdy plastic container it comes in.

 

[DakotaRose]

I picked up a Frogg Togg Chilly Pad towel at Dick's Sporting Goods a while back. Now I see our WalMart has a few, too. They're really neat. Even if you wet them with hot water, they turn cool in seconds. They're made of some kind of super-evaporative material. For $12-15, it seemed worth a try.

 

[lmbcdb]

I just found something at our Bed Bath and Beyond called a Frogg Togg.

I picked up a Frogg Togg Chilly Pad towel at Dick's Sporting Goods a while back. Now I see our WalMart has a few, too. They're really neat. Even if you wet them with hot water, they turn cool in seconds. They're made of some kind of super-evaporative material. For $12-15, it seemed worth a try.

Those sound awesome! Where in the store did you find them at Wal-Mart and BBB?

 

[Butterbunkins]

Those sound awesome! Where in the store did you find them at Wal-Mart and BBB?

At BBB they were right at the cash registers. They also had one on display at the Customer Service desk so you could feel it for yourself. $15 and three colors: pink, blue and green.

 

[disney_me]

We are going in late August and was wondering the same thing. How the heck are we gonna stay cool . My DH is looking at getting us cool scarfs. I hope they work.

 

[ZoZo]

• Mister fans.
• Moisture wicking clothes in light colors.
• Drink lots of water (LOTS!) and eat lightly.
• Hat or visor.
• Get to the parks early, take an afternoon break to rest, swim, or shower.
• Go in air-conditioned shops, restaurants, rides, attractions often.
• If hot and sweaty, use wet wipes. Kleenex brand "Splash and Go" are great.
• Sandals instead of sneakers.

 

[LindaLeigh]

We dealt with this last month when we were there. My "ways to keep cool" list would include the ideas posted already (we do find the Frogg Toggs and the Dri-Fit type clothing to be very helpful) plus two more. We carry an umbrella, not only for the rain, but for those times when we end up standing in a line in the sun. It has prevented me (more than once) from giving up on waiting for a ride or attraction. The other thing we carry are small battery operated 3-speed travel fans that I've ordered through the Magellan's and TravelSmith websites. They have a cord so you can hang them around your neck and they bend so you can direct the airflow up at your face. They can also sit on a table. We had lots of people ask us about them when we were at the parks last month. We did buy one of the Disney mister fans because my DS really wanted one, but not only was it more expensive, we also found that it was pretty big to carry around all day and it didn't move as much air as our smaller travel fans! Good luck with staying cool, and enjoy your trip!

 

[Eliza32]

We also go in September and I think ZoZo has it pretty much covered. Just relax and take your time, rushing will make you hot, sweaty and irritated.

Don't forget that feet behave badly in heat, so take comfy sandals, and blister plasters because it is likely you will get some!!!

 

[DakotaRose]

...in the camping section at WalMart. The towel comes rolled up in a plastic tube about 12" tall and 3" diameter.

 

[Lady_Gracey999]

I echo all suggestions and also post one of my own... be aware of your body and remember to rest.

I have been twice in June and twice in Sept, both time super hot (esp taking in account the humidity!). And my advice is to find things to do indoors during the hottest hours of the day. Thankfully most Disney rides' queues are indoors or at least in the shade. So if it's hot, take it easy! The last thing you wanna do is spend a good chunk of your trip passed out lol.

One trip my friend and I spent a good hour just sitting/laying on the floor inside the east innoventions plaza. We were alone when we sat down, but by the time we got up there were several families who picked up on our idea! LOL!

 

[maxiesmom]

Here are the things that helped me survive 4th of July at the parks:

Dress in loose fitting, light colored clothing. Something with short sleeves will help you feel cooler than a tank top will. Keep the sun off as much of your skin as possible!

Hit the parks first thing in the morning, and schedule a lunch ADR to get out of the sun. Nothing helps you to re-energize like a break in the air-conditioning. But don't eat a heavy meal. That won't help.

Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen.

Drink a Powerade at least once a day to replace any minerals you are losing thru sweat. Stay away from caffeine as much as possible. Drink before you feel thirsty too. By the time you feel thirsty you are already a bit dehydrated, which is not good.

 

[lmbcdb]

• Mister fans.
• Moisture wicking clothes in light colors.
• Drink lots of water (LOTS!) and eat lightly.
• Hat or visor.
• Get to the parks early, take an afternoon break to rest, swim, or shower.
• Go in air-conditioned shops, restaurants, rides, attractions often.
• If hot and sweaty, use wet wipes. Kleenex brand "Splash and Go" are great.
• Sandals instead of sneakers.

hadn't thought about the moisture wicking clothes. I wear them to run, so definitely would be good for DW. Know where I can get cheap ones for the rest of the family?

I wish I could get my family to wear hats.

Adding "Splash n Go" to my Target list.

We carry an umbrella, not only for the rain, but for those times when we end up standing in a line in the sun.

Good luck with staying cool, and enjoy your trip!

Sounds like a good idea to me! I am going to slip a small one in the bottom of the stroller.

Don't forget that feet behave badly in heat, so take comfy sandals, and blister plasters because it is likely you will get some!!!

I had always wondered about that. I have seen dozens of threads about blisters, correct shoes, yada yada, and we have NEVER had a problem. Everyone just wore their current tennis shoes. But we've always gone in 75 or less temperatures.

...in the camping section at WalMart. The towel comes rolled up in a plastic tube about 12" tall and 3" diameter.

Thank you!

.

One trip my friend and I spent a good hour just sitting/laying on the floor inside the east innoventions plaza. We were alone when we sat down, but by the time we got up there were several families who picked up on our idea! LOL!

Everytime we've gone to AK, The Festival of the Lion King has been my favorite place in the afternoon. Nice, cool, dark, and I usually take a nap!

Dress in loose fitting, light colored clothing. Something with short sleeves will help you feel cooler than a tank top will. Keep the sun off as much of your skin as possible!

Hit the parks first thing in the morning, and schedule a lunch ADR to get out of the sun. Nothing helps you to re-energize like a break in the air-conditioning. But don't eat a heavy meal. That won't help.

Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen.

Drink a Powerade at least once a day to replace any minerals you are losing thru sweat. Stay away from caffeine as much as possible. Drink before you feel thirsty too. By the time you feel thirsty you are already a bit dehydrated, which is not good.

Interesting thought about the short sleeves. I'm going to have to go shopping for DS9. I think all his shirts are tank tops and black or dark blue.

That's a good idea about the lunch ADRs. We usually do dinners, but if i can't rearrange my ADRs, I'll just make sure our lunches are inside and not patio service.

Thanks everyone for the awesome ideas!

 

[ZoZo]

Regarding where to find inexpensive moisture wicking clothes, I've had good luck at Target with Champion brand (in the athletic wear department), areound $12 to $15 per piece, shorts or top. Also, try sporting goods stores.

Last trip, had great luck at REI with their Columbia brand Sandy River Water Cargo Shorts. Moisture wicking, lightweight and very cool. You can hand-wash in the sink at night and they're dry by morning. Not cheap (around $35) but you could probably get away with two pairs for a one week trip.

Not sure if they make kids' moisture wicking clothes or not, but you could try some place like REI or a sporting goods store.

 

[OhanaBreadPudding]

I worked at Blizzard Beach in the summer of 02, and I was HOT! Stay in the shade, even if you don't feel hot and drink LOTS of water. For every soda you drink, you need to drink double the water to help stay hydrated.

As a mom, I started keeping those little spray bottles from the Target $1 section in my bag at all times, if it gets too hot, I just fill it up and spray my son down. He loves it, and it really cools him down. I know mister fans are big, but at this age my son would stick his fingers in it and stop it. Which brings me to....

Stroller fans! If I put it too low, my son will play with it and stop it. (foam blades) but if I keep it high enough that he doesn't notice it, we're good! Bring extra batteries!

I read a tip on here to use 2 stroller fans, one for the child, and one facing you! Brilliant!

 

[lmbcdb]

Regarding where to find inexpensive moisture wicking clothes, I've had good luck at Target with Champion brand (in the athletic wear department), areound $12 to $15 per piece, shorts or top. Also, try sporting goods stores.

Last trip, had great luck at REI with their Columbia brand Sandy River Water Cargo Shorts. Moisture wicking, lightweight and very cool. You can hand-wash in the sink at night and they're dry by morning. Not cheap (around $35) but you could probably get away with two pairs for a one week trip.

Not sure if they make kids' moisture wicking clothes or not, but you could try some place like REI or a sporting goods store.

AWESOME! Target has those for everyone online, even for my DD4. Pretty cheap, too - $9 to $10 for shorts and shirts(for the kids).