On my last trip to Disney World (here in Florida), I found myself scowling and trudging through the oppressive heat and humidity. I thought, "Why do people come here when it's this bad?" Which is a question I was surprised to hear myself ask, because I won't hesitate to go to Disney on ANY day! But now that I've been a FL resident going on 7 years, and have recently become an Annual Passholder again, I realize I'm spoiled with the ability to go basically whenever I want, so I get to be choosy! I don't have to plan a trip months-out and around school holidays (though I still will). So, if you find yourself at Disney in the horrible heat, but that's the only time you CAN be there, here are some tips I hope you will find useful.
1. Hydrate (and wear SUNSCREEN)
This is probably the most obvious tip that you already know. Please, please, please make sure you are drinking water throughout the day!! You might NOT know that the water at Disney doesn't taste the BEST, so we always bring insulated water bottles from our own water at home (I use a Brita). Yes, it's annoying to carry it around, but I always have a backpack, and lately I just carry it in my hand because I drink from it so often. My boyfriend, Wayne, brought his running belt made for carrying water bottles, and that worked quite well since he didn't have a backpack.
Every Starbucks will give you a cup of ice water for free if you ask. You can buy ice-cold bottled water throughout the parks as well. There are water bottle refilling stations and water fountains near the bathrooms. My favorite place to get water in Epcot is the entrance to Spice Road Table in Morocco. Just walk in, look to your right, and there is a cold pitcher and cups (they prefer you to fill cups, not bottles, but you can pour the water into your bottle from the cup quite easily). This week at Hollywood Studios, we ate at Pizza Rizzo, and found a few water stations there too!
2. Shop (and reapply your sunscreen)
The souvenir shops have the best AC! So even if you don't intend to buy anything, just pop in, admire the cute and creative merch, and when you're ready, head back out!
3. Use Cooling Accessories (over your sunscreen)
I see people with those headphone-shaped personal fans hanging around their necks--I haven't taken the plunge to get them myself, but they always look like a good idea. There's also a ton of personal fans that are phone-sized that you can wear on a lanyard, and of course the ones you can clip onto strollers for the little ones. Read the reviews though, because some are much better than others!! And Disney parks sell the spray-bottle fans so you can mist and fan yourself at the same time!
The one accessory I DO use is the cooling towel. They sell them at Disney with Mickey silhouettes printed on them, but I actually got mine from a pack my dad ordered for a family trip last year, I think from Amazon. Just pour water fountain or sink water over it when you're ready, squeeze it out (or don't--you might want the extra drips), and drape it around your neck, head, wherever. Yes, they warm up quickly, but just move them and flip them over for more cooling, and re-soak them when you can. I still claim I would have collapsed without mine when my friend Kim let me borrow one of hers on a trip we took to Universal last July.
4. Take Breaks (to put on more sunscreen) and Edit Plans
The only must-do on vacation is to take care of yourself! If you're too hot and tired to wait in line for a ride or stay at the park for a dinner reservation, listen to your body, and your travel party. You can cancel dining reservations with no penalty up to 2 hours before your reserved time. I love being in the parks, but my favorite relaxation memories have been at the hotels. There's something to just lazing about your hotel room eating snacks, getting a cocktail at the hotel bar, or walking around the resort looking at the water and little magical details in the theming. An added bonus--if you're leaving a park and staying on property, you can enjoy the blast of AC on the Disney bus back to your hotel!
5. Use Windshield Covers!! (a literal sun screen!)
That being said, if you're NOT staying at a Disney hotel, or if you're a local and heading home at the end of the day, make sure to use one of those windshield sun-blockers! If you plan on renting a car, see if one will fit in your suitcase! I feel a HUGE difference between the times I remember to use it and the times I forget! Like a 10 or more degree difference!
