Umbrellas in park for the heat?

[Luvchefmic]

waiting outdoors for up to an hour in June in full sun it made a huge difference.

It's not the same thing but almost, I have big umbrellas in the front for the dogs to have shade in addition to their dog houses. Several kiddie pools that I change the water alot during the day. I moved them all under the umbrellas today because I felt a big difference in the water temperature with the pools under cover and the ones not. So yes that shade makes a difference.

To answer the question, I have seen people using umbrellas in the parks and after today I may do it too.

 

[shyjade]

to be sensitive to the sun. Some people use them for that reason. Being in the sun for hours on end can make some people sick. You never know what is going on with someone's body.

Yes! DD16 and I have both gotten sick in the sun, fainted in the heat, etc. Not getting "overheated" is a priority for us. This is why we don't visit Disney May thru September.

 

[disnut8]

OK - no one on this thread said anything about carrying an umbrella and poking out someone's eyes. Yes, there was a post about joking about not poking out someone's eyes but that wasn't saying anyone shouldn't carry an umbrella. The original post said "poking" and last time I checked, the human body had a ton more places than eyes that could be poked by an umbrella. OK - vent off.

That being said, I am not an umbrella user and have to watch when others do use them, mainly because I am 5 feet nothing tall so the spokes are over my head but when the user bends down, well, it could be unpleasant.

However, I want that other guest to have a good time at Disney World while I have mine. So I need to dodge an umbrella, big deal. And the times that has happened to me in over 60 trips? Maybe once or twice. The times I have done something to another guest and not realized it? Probably once a trip.

OP - take your umbrella, use it and be healthy. You can be silly as well - make a sign and hang it from the umbrella that says something like "This umbrella lets me enjoy life!"

 

[subtchr]

I have no problem with someone else courteously using an umbrella, but I personally would not want to carry one around. I take tons of photos, and it would be a pain to have to put the umbrella down to use my camera.

I bought one of these this year: TILLEY HAT, and it was the best purchase I've made in a very long time. I had a Disney trip in early June, a family trip to Arizona and Utah later in June, and a European trip in July (Disney and Europe were for work, not vacation!). The hat made a huge difference. I've used a ball cap in the past, but the extra coverage of the large brim, and the vented crown, made this so much better.

Have a great trip however you decide to beat the heat!

 

[MartDM]

I have never seen this...of course we usually travel in the Fall when the sun is less intense. Nonetheless, I would think an umbrella might be problematic in a crowd.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

All the time. Did it myself only a couple of times while waiting around for Star Wars Weekend stuff. in fact there were several folks with umbrellas who kind of moved in to "pool" their shade so more folks could stand there.

it came up on a previous thread that you cannot use umbrellas on a moving ride.

HA! Before I read this, I was going to post that I made about this very topic last summer...when we were preparing for SWW. People on here said that people absolutely use them, so I brought a couple and used them exactly like this.

 

[disney world dreamer]

there's lots of people that use umbrellas for the sun but personally i am not a fan.
then you have to hold onto it.
i like hands free.
i use spf 50 sunblock and a hat.
i just went for a week in july and did not even get a tan (i have fair skin and i like it that way lol)

 

[kungaloosh22]

There are umbrellas with rounded, blunt tips (like this one). They are pricey, but might be great in crowds.

 

[hbisch]

I've used an umbrella during SWW when I knew there would be a lot of lines in the full-on sun... I can tell you the only comments I got were from other guests in line who suddenly wanted to be my best friend you won't regret taking it.

 

[Disneylandnewbie]

Glad to hear that I am not the only person who stays in the shade by carrying an umbrella.

 

[sethschroeder]

There are umbrellas with rounded, blunt tips (like this one). They are pricey, but might be great in crowds.

This would be the biggest reason I would never carry one in the parks. When it's raining everyone gets under cover but when it's sunny it will be packed in the walkways some places. It could be a little dangerous carrying it around.

I am a heck of a lot more likely to say something when I get hit by an umbrella than a stroller. I know I had one discussion last time with a person carrying an umbrella for sun protection after they swung it around when they were looking at something and it caught me on the cheek.

Just be extra extra cautious if your using one its not the person standing or walking next to you that they are so close when in some parts of the park there will be 1000 people in an area meant for 250 people it seems like walking by Asia in AK and some other places.

 

[dawnhaze]

I pack a small umbrella to use for shade when I'm stationary - like waiting for a parade or something. But, I personally won't walk around with one, because I don't want to accidentally hit anyone in the face with it. That's just my own choice, if you do want to walk around with one, use a small one and be careful and no one's going to care.

But, here's a pro tip - don't open a giant beach umbrella in the massive crowd exiting Fantasmic. I had to replace a lens in my glasses a couple years ago because someone else thought this was a good idea.

 

[king kamehameha]

You won't be the only one....we alway's see this woman dressed in white with one...her name is Mary Poppins and she always has her umbrella!

 

[lauratd]

I've used a small Totes umbrella in Disneyland and many other places with no problems. It isn't much wider than my hips so anyone getting poked would have been a bit to close to me. I was very careful when walking around. If it was super crowded I closed it, but if it was mostly uncrowded I would use it and then if there was a small patch where it was a bit tight, I just put my arm up like the Statue of Liberty so it was above anyone's head and brought my arm back down when I was through the squeeze. Mostly I used it when standing or sitting waiting for a parade (I would close it once the parade started to avoid blocking anyone's view) or when in a slow queue in the sun) The only comments I got were to the effect of "That's a great idea, wish I'd thought of it." Once in line for IASWorld there was a couple in front of me whose baby didn't have a hat and they were trying to shelter her with their hands so I offered to have the mom hold her under my umbrella and they were very grateful.

I definitely plan on using it at WDW next week.

The thing is to think about where you are and what you are doing. That is the same whether you are carrying an umbrella, pushing a stroller, wearing a big backpack, or playing with a Buzz Lightyear spinning light up toy (got seriously clocked with one of those while waiting for the fireworks)

 

[surferdave]

If you use one, please be courteous and put it away (or move to the back of the crowd) when viewing parades and other shows where you would be blocking someone's view.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Haven't read the whole thread, but why not just wear a sunhat?

 

[fla4fun]

A hat can be very hot to wear if it doesn't allow any air circulation.

If you use an umbrella for sun protection, choose a light color. A black umbrella absorbs heat, while a light color doesn't. I learned that lesson the hard way.

I have used an umbrella many times for shade, but mostly at Epcot where shade can be very elusive around WS. A couple years ago at Mouse Gear they were selling umbrella Mickey hats. I bought one just to use on Disney trips. Since it sits above the head, it allows air to circulate. It provides shade, it folds up small, and if it does rain, I can wear it instead of putting up my poncho hood, which makes the poncho cooler to wear as well. It has proven to be very versatile and one of my more useful souvenirs.

 

[mom2rtk]

If you use an umbrella for sun protection, choose a light color. A black umbrella absorbs heat, while a light color doesn't. I learned that lesson the hard way.

I agree! I used a pink umbrella once while waiting in line for a bus. It was early but it was a really hot day (late Sept/early Oct) and it was a lifesaver. I really was feeling overheated and it let me regroup. I don't use one often, but sometimes it saves the day.

 

[flutterby3744]

We were there two weeks ago, and I saw quite a few people using umbrellas for shade.

 

[eschil]

Umbrellas work great for creating some shade. We used them when we were at wdw in June. They made a big difference when waiting for parade, show, etc in the sun. We bought black umbrellas that has some SPF in the fabric.