 |
| Tips for Beating the Heat at Walt Disney World © Katrena |
You can run...but you might get fried. Well, maybe that's a little bit of an exaggeration, but the summer sun in Florida can be brutal. Especially if you are traveling with kids and headed to Disney World. Here are a few tips for surviving the Sunshine State's most popular vacation destination.
 |
| How to Stay Cooler at Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom © Katrena |
Smart Clothing Choices
Pack clothes that allow air to flow through and are less likely to retain moisture. Talk with the kids about comfort versus being cool. I've seen an awful lot of children walking around in cute costumes looking pretty miserable. You might suggest a compromise to wear the floor length dress at the hotel if she really wants to look the part of a princess.
Choose shoes that are comfortable with thick soles. Sidewalks are quickly warmed by the sun and you may find yourself carrying a little one who is too big for a stroller if he feels like he is walking on hot ashes. Ensure that each person has an extra pair of shoes for the trip in case you end up doing a lot of puddle jumping.
Hats with a wide brim and sunglasses can protect one's face, eyes, and head from some of the sun's relentless rays. Some people carry umbrellas, which can be helpful rain or shine.
Rain ponchos can be very useful, especially if you are caught in an area where it is not easy to duck underneath some sort of roof.
 |
| Practical Ways to Avoid the Sun at Disney World © Katrena |
Additional Items to Pack
Sunscreen is a must. Bring the suntan lotion with you and re-apply as directed. Areas that are often missed include the ears, back of the shoulders and neck, back of the knees, and tops of the feet. Pain from a sunburn can easily wreak havoc on an otherwise enjoyable trip. Even if it is cloudy, you may still develop a sunburn within a few hours.
We found water bottles with a small fan and neck strap to be very helpful when visiting Disney World. Consider packing extra batteries if you have fans. You might start the day with ice, but it will quickly melt. Refill the bottles frequently and drink plenty of fluids throughout the day to avoid getting dehydrated.
Those who park a vehicle at the amusement park might consider keeping a cooler loaded with ice and cool refreshments. Parking isn't cheap...you might as well take advantage of your vehicle's storage capacity. Even if you don't return to the parking lot until the end of the day, enjoying a cool beverage may help everyone to feel a little less hot and cranky.
 |
| How to Avoid the Sun at WDW in FL © Katrena |
Take Opportunities to Escape the Sun
Plan your day carefully to decrease line time. It can easily take an hour just to catch a shuttle bus or ride to the theme parks. Lines are often shorter when the parks first open. Some parts of the park may open after the main part of the park, so you may find shorter lines if you are at that area when they open the gate. Consider catching a night parade rather than the daytime one. Hollywood Studios is smaller than the other main theme parks and offers fewer outdoor lines. The Festival of the Lion King theatrical show in Animal Kingdom was one of my kids' favorite activities in the theme parks.
If you are staying on Disney property and plan to take advantage of Extra Magic Hours, ensure that you are visiting the theme park that is offering the extra hours for that day and plan to take in some of the rides with outside lines in particular during that extra time if possible. If you aren't interested in the Extra Magic Hours, you may find that the other parks may have smaller crowds. Utilize Fast Passes, Child Swap (for parents who have children of different heights or interests), and make eating reservations well in advance if eating on Disney property to cut down on wait times.
Consider indoor activities, particularly during the middle of the day, while catching those with hotter outside lines, such as Dumbo the Flying Elephant and the Magic Carpets of Aladdin, earlier or later. Sitting in the air conditioning while riding in It's a Small World, walking through an air conditioned store, or watching a fish feeding in Epcot can provide a welcome cooling off time for everyone. Kids who are particularly interested in photo opportunities will find a cooler indoor wait in the Toontown Hall of Fame.
Look for shaded transportation opportunities. The monorail, railroad, boat, Tomorrowland transit authority, and trolley can provide an interesting, shaded ride and perhaps a new experience for the kids. It can also give you the opportunity to sit down and reapply sunscreen while headed to another area of the park.
Take advantage of free water sprayers. If you are riding on the Magic Carpets of Aladdin, fly your carpet midway and you might get sprayed by a camel. The nearby statues in the area will squirt water on occasion also. Those who are tall enough might find a cool spray on Splash Mountain. Epcot has a particularly fun interactive fountain near the Journey into Imagination.
Many of the local hotels and campgrounds offer swimming pools, and Disney also has water parks. Taking a dip in the pool or splash pad can be a nice break. A cool shower can also be refreshing.
 |
| Ways to Keep Cool at Disney World © Katrena |
Beat the Heat at Walt Disney World
Florida is hot...very hot...but many families must plan vacations around the kids' summer time off from school and find themselves trying to fight some of the hottest days. Armed with a few basic supplies, sensible clothing, and a careful plan can make the trip much more enjoyable, safer, and cooler for everyone.
Readers may also wish to read Katrena's
Find more travel articles at
Love 2 Travel With Kids and
Travel NC with Kids.
