Your best tips for beating the heat

[Slartibartfast]

We leave in a week, and friends are telling us we've made a mistake going the 2nd week in August. They say that the heat will ruin our vacation, especially for DS6 and DD5. Help me prove them wrong! Give me your best tips for beating the heat.

We do have 2 very large squeeze breezes, so thats a start!

 

[Stepman]

No, there're right, its too hot, i would never go in the summer, whats the point of going in the summer, everyone knows its going to be hot and crowded, but people still decide to go.


Those squeeze breezes should help..........good luck......

 

[Tyr23]

We went during the middle of August 2 years ago. It was hot and humid, but we didn't let that ruin our fun! We're from Seattle so the heat (actually the humidity) takes a bit to get used to. You will learn to love your squeeze fans! Just take breaks and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! If your kids start to get cranky, take in an air conditioned show or take a break from the parks for a bit. We found that going early in the morning and leaving for a midday break is a good way to beat the mid-afternoon oppressive heat.

 

[hulagirl]

I heard the same for our 4th of July trip but we had a blast! I have 3 boys, 3, 4, and 8 and the heat didn't seem to bother them much. We took things slow and easy and I have to say, I won't have any problem doing a summer trip again. (And we are diehard first week of Dec. WDW visitors!) Don't worry, you'll have a great time! It is hot, but it is manageable.
Here is what helped us:
We brought a backpack into the parks everyday (we found one at Walmart that had a luggage handle like on those rolling suitcases). It was invaluable because we didn't have to get all hot wearing it on our backs. We just rolled it along behind us. In that backpack, we packed water bottles (we froze them overnight because we had a freezer at OKW), a hand towel for wiping things off (can't tell you how many times that came in handy - popsicle cleanup for instance) and the most important thing of all, a ziploc bag full of wet washcloths with a blue ice thingie next to them. We used those ice cold cloths in line for rides or resort busses or when just walking around. Will you have a freezer where you are staying? If not, I think a cooler and some ice would do the trick.
One other silly thing. Someone posted that if you are prone to blisters spraying your feet with anti perspirant would prevent them. I thought that was hilarious but we tried it and not a blister on one of us in 10 days!
Have a great time and don't let someone rain on your parade. There are so many airconditioned places to rest and cool off and the pools are wonderful. Take it slow and you'll be fine!

 

[geffric]

We are going the first 2 weeks of August.. what we do is ... go early to the parks, plan to do the air conditoned things in the hot part of the day.

We leave when we get hot and cranky and take a pool break and then return in the late afternoon.

I find AK a very hot park, go to conservation station to cool off in the Ak ,ride Kali river Rapids, get wet . Epcot is easiest to get out of the heat because it has so many A/C places to go.

1 drink lots of water
2 drink even more water, we bring frozen water bottles with us. At least 4 per person.
3 lots of sunscreen
4 leave in the hot part of the day, and get to a/c or a pool


Hope this helps, see ya at WDW in August

 

[S. C.]

We were there a few weeks ago. We took insulated water bottles about $3 to 4. filled them with ice and water at the resort every morning, saves on the cost of drinks and if we got thirsty while walking or in lines we had a cool drink right there.
they have shoulder straps and you almost forget that you are carring them. Water is much better for you then soda in the heat, and it's much cheaper to take your own, also we didn't have to wait in lines to buy a drink.

Ice water is free at any of the stands that sell cold drinks....but they will not refill your bottles. they give you a small cup of ice water.

 

[Robmom]

I went the last week in August one year and the heat was bad, but with the misting fans and going into a lot of a/c attractions, it helped a lot. Enjoy yourself! There are a lot of stores and places with a/c, so you can handle it. One place that I couldn't handle was Epcot, there is a lot of walking and not enough a/c places!

 

[plutospup]

We have often gone during August. Yes...it's hot, and the humidity is high. We beat it by...
1.Drink LOTS of water.
2. Tour the parks during the morning and evening.
3. Relax! Take your time, and remember...You're on vacation!
4....and drink more water.
Enjoy

 

[honeymo78]

I have gone almost exclusively during the summer months. And as many posters have said water is key. Gotta keep hydrated. Also are you used to being outside in ther summer at home? I find that helps, it's more of a shock if you are used to being in the AC all day and spend little time outside at home. Yes you will get hot and sweaty and may need a break during the day. We don't take breaks but in recent years its just been teens and adults so we don't seem to tire as easily.

 

[HappyMommy2]

It certainly doesn't have to ruin your vacation! Our July trip was indeed horribly hot, but we just took it easy and used a lot of the tips that the other posters have suggsted. Keys for us were arriving early, tons of sunblock, staying super-hydrated, and using the mister fans. If we were getting really hot and the lines were long we'd duck into a cool place like Hall of Presidents, a store, or one of the neat indoor pavilions at Epcot. Ice Station Cool and the interactive fountains at Epcot are also fantastic for cooling off. We were always amazed by how "alive" we felt again after a short refresher in the air conditioning or a quick run through a fountain!

Also, we spent WAY too much money on cold treats like Mickey Mouse ice cream bars, but those treats are one of our sons' best WDW memories!

We usually spent afternoons resting in our cool dark hotel room or at the hotel pool; this recharged us for the evenings ahead.

Have fun!

 

[swilphil]

I loved our July trip much more than our December trip. Disney just seems like a summer place to me.

The best way to keep cool is alternate indoor rides/shows with outdoor ones. This worked great in MGM, and not well at all in AK.

Of the great advice already here, I'd say the water and taking a mid-day break are the most important. We bought a case of water at our grocery stop on the trip from the airport. Things really cool off in the evening, so the kids will be able to stay up later if they have a midday rest.

 

[Muffy]

We went in late June once and it is brutal but i would do it again! Drink lots of water even if you aren't thristy. Take an afternoon pool break. Go back to the parks in the evening when it cools down a little.

 

[jimmalru80]

You have NOT made a mistake. We go late June/early July every year and while it does get hot, we improvise, adapt and overcome. Less rehabs, later park hours, more daylight, etc. To echo previous posters, water is a key. Use EMH whenever possible. Do a bit of planning to take advantage of the AC where you can, slow down and try to fit in that mid day resort/pool break that really makes a difference. You'll have a geat time. No matter what the circumstances, you're in WDW!!!

 

[tn4mickey]

This may sound kind of silly, but we always take at least two pairs of good walking shoes. We go back to the resort in the afternoon to rest, then change socks and shoes to go back to the parks. It really seems to help those tired feet!

 

[Poohbear123]

All of the above and: Wear LIGHT Clothing! For instance, if you have those Cami Shirts wear those, with the spaghetti straps, they save my LIFE! Just remember to put sun screen on your back, shoulders, and chest area!