Tricks for beating the heat

[firsttimer2010]

We are coming to Disney World next week. I know Aug. is not the best month to come heat wise, but that is when our timeshare had an opening. Any ideas for how to beat the heat while in the parks?

 

[StitchFan73]

The usual- a good hat that covers your face and ears, misting fans, light clothing. But 2 things I totally swear by-a hand fan-you can't believe how awesome they are until you use one and also wet and freeze a washcloth over night in a plastic baggie and take it with you. Nothing beats being able to wipe your face and neck with a cool washcloth when you're feeling especially baked. Just keep re-wetting and rinsing in the bathrooms as needed

One thing-if you don't bring one from home and decide to use the hotels washcloths-make sure to return them to the hotel room of course

 

[skiingfast]

Drink lots of water.

 

[Justsyd2]

This is my secret weapon. It's worth every penny!

 

[dyna]

I fold up paper towel an wet it...easy to carry around an if I happen to drop it I can throw that one away an get another NO LOSS.

Light colored clothing drink lots an lots of water, walking on shaded side of street. Ducking into gift shops to escape the sun an heat. Know which attractions are outside an in the heat for instance TMR the wait line is hotter than say SM, BatB is outside show but little Mermaid is inside so I'd do the outside stuff early am an save the inside stuff for later in the day an use a FP for those.

 

[CanadianPaco]

No cotton socks! The cotton absorbs the sweat and creates blisters that can ruin any trip!

 

[Hootch]

ideas so far. The air conditioned rides - all the 3d rides; Soarin, Pirates, Ellen's Energy Ride, Dinosaur, etc; provide a nice break. Even into late August the parks have long hours. Consider an afternoon break if your time share is not to far away. We usually stay at a Disney resort and do this. A short swim and showers really peps us up for the afternoon and evening.

 

[RockAndRollBallerina]

Get to the parks in the morning for rope drop. Stay until noon, bus back to your resort hotel for an afternoon swim in the pool, and then head back to rather the same park or different park around 5:30-6PMish when its cooling off a little bit. And if its still on the warm side for you take advantage of the indoor rides the park has to offer. Keep yourself hydrated and drink a lot of water.

 

[Symans3honeybees]

utilize all those air-conditioned gift shops to gain access from point a to z.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

Wear loose comfy clothes that breathe and choose light colors when possible. I know jean shorts are "in" for girls this year, but forgo them in the park. No heavy fabrics. Think Columbia fishing shirts and light cotton shorts.

Wear a hat if you can stand it. Yes, you can get sunburn through your scalp; yes, you can get skin cancer on the top of your head. (want a picture of the big ole' divot they took out of my brother's head?)

Speaking of which - sunscreen. We like Bullfrog ourselves. But buy it and use it if you are not used to getting sun on your legs, arms and face. And remember to use it on your feet, your neck, your ears, and your chest if they're exposed.

Drink lots and lots. Non-alcoholic is better, but some people feel more comfortable with beer. Whatever floats your boat (and is legal, of course). You can share your "I drank 3 diet cokes, 2 20 ounce bottles of water and had a mega-'rita today and only peed once!" stories when you get home.

I love neck wraps. You can get these at most atheletic stores and farm stores. They're bandanas with some sort of cooling material in them. DH has a $20 one he bought at Cabelas and I have several $2 ones I bought at the local ACE. But they are godsends when you're out in the heat all day.

Ponytails. Seriously, if your hair is long enough for a pony tail, do it. I have nice, thick hair. I will wash my hair in the morning and put it in a low ponytail while wet. The underpart stays damp and cool until about lunch time when I put my hair in a high ponytail. This year I will have short hair unless I change hairstyles, but I may just let it grow out a little to enjoy a 'tail.

There are water rides in all the parks. . .enjoy 'em!

 

[kirby428]

There are several places in the parks which offer a chance to get a squit of water aimed at your person. Donald's Boat in the M.K. and the sidewalk fountain in Epcot to name a couple. Getting clothes soaking wet on a sunny day might be a cooling thing as long as you stay outdoors, but keep in mind that if you enter an attraction, store or transport that is air conditioned, your wet clothes will become freezing cold. Have a dry set of clothes handy if you pick this option.

 

[Dismom55]

I know to most this might sound wrong, but do not wear sandals, your toes can and will burn.

Do drink lots of water, not soda, but water. We take one bottle to the park with us and refill as needed.

As stated wear light colored clothing as much as possible and I personally would rather wear a cotton shirt rather than a Tshirt anyday, for me T's are clingy where as cotton not so much and therfore cooler.

I like to go to the parks in the morning, take a break or nap in the heat of the day and head back to the parks in the cooler evening, if not I make my table service ADR's for the heat of the day and do counter service in the evening meal.

One tip that perhaps will only apply to those who have alopecia, if you have you need no explanation. What it boils down to is I MUST wear wigs, it is like wearing a stocking cap in the middle of summer. I get brown paper towels, wet them with cool water and put them on my head under the wig, this keeps me cooler. Each time I go to the ladies room I grab another brown papertowel, wet it and switch with the now dried one under my wig. The towel also serves to absorb the perspiration between wettings. So much nicer since I started do this for HOT weather trips to Disney and other venues.

Yes, wear a hat as the visor will help keep the sun off your face, sunglasses if you have them, get them if you don't. Also get the old fashioned lanyards for glasses, that way you do not have to worry about what you will do with them on the rides.

Take many shady breaks. Do not push yourself, take your time, just have fun with what you can SAFELY get to do and don't worry about the rest.

I do not criss cross across the park, I pick one section, do that section then go to the next.

Have a GREAT time!

 

[dskelton]

When we were there in June, the one thing that saved me was my frogtogg. It stays moist and cold all the time.

 

[ZoZo]

As others have said: misting fans, hat or visor, light colored clothes, sleeveles tops.

Go into air-conditioned attractions, restaurants, and shops as often as possible.

Take a break mid-day, go back to the resort, swim or nap, take a quick shower and change your clothes.

I like to use wet-wipes (I like Kleenex Splash and Go wipes; they're at Target in the travel-size toiletry area). Very refreshing.

One thing I want to try on my next trip is using a wet bandana around my neck. I also though it would be refreshing to roll the bandana around some ice cubes, which would melt and keep your neck cool. I tried those neck-cooling things (with gel beads) but they warmed up pretty quickly.

 

[podgora]

water.. water.. water.. that is the best one and only way to beat heat

 

[Dayday]

Get to the parks in the morning for rope drop. Stay until noon, bus back to your resort hotel for an afternoon swim in the pool, and then head back to rather the same park or different park around 5:30-6PMish when its cooling off a little bit. And if its still on the warm side for you take advantage of the indoor rides the park has to offer. Keep yourself hydrated and drink a lot of water.

Very good idea!!.. thanks

 

[aubriee]

When we were there in June, the one thing that saved me was my frogtogg. It stays moist and cold all the time.

Anyone else use these? I bought one the other day at Dick's Sporting Goods, but am wondering if: #1. it works? #2. if it's worth keeping up with all day and what do you do with it on rides? I like to travel light and am trying not to have to carry a bag into the parks this time at all.

 

[DisMc]

My family plans out the order of the rides we go on, and we always make sure to spread out the air-conditioned rides. This gives us a nice break from the humidity!

We're leaving for WDW in 18 days. Hopefully it's not too hot!