5 Clever Hacks For Staying Cool At Disney World
With the kids out of school, the sunshine hanging out high in the sky and your summer Fridays at work giving you all of the good vibes – there’s something about the third season of the year that can make you feel zen. That’s why packing up your favorite little ones in the car and heading out to make their dreams come true with a visit to Disney World is a mighty fine surprise.
And while there’s nothing quite as welcoming as Floridians at the happiest place on Earth, temperatures can reach the mid-90s in the dead of summer, meaning you can feel sweaty, overheated and exhausted, really quick. And on a more serious note, staying cool at Disney World, keeping dehydrated, and regulating your body heat is an important part of making sure your vacation doesn’t turn into a trip to the emergency room.
To keep you – and your most prized possessions, your children – safe while you’re enjoying your family vacation, try these hacks, tips and tricks for staying cool:
Pack a Reusable Water Bottle
Instead of shelling out the extra dough for several plastic water bottles for the whole crew while you’re jumping from roller coaster to character greeting, and from lunch to musicals, pack a collapsible, reusable water bottle for your trip.
Located throughout Walt Disney World are several ice cold refill stations with filtered water that’s safe for chugging. If your kids might throw a fit at ‘boring’ water, pack a baggie of strawberries to add some flavor so they don’t reach for soda that definitely won’t give them the hydration they crave (and need!).
Purchase and Pack Moisture Wicking Clothing
Did you know the fabric in your wardrobe and in your kiddo’s drawers makes a big difference when you’re trekking for hours across a big park. It can definitely assist you with staying cool at Disney World.
You can find moisture wicking go-to’s from several big fitness brands – like Nike or Adidas or Brooks Running – that will keep the sweat from sticking to your back or body, allowing you to cool down ASAP. How does it work? Because this type of apparel is made from a polyester blend (a.k.a. – synthetic material), it doesn’t retain sweat like, say, cotton.
Take Breaks
Though you might try and cram every little thing possible into your vacation, the more moving you do, the hotter you’ll be. A travel agent that specializes in Disney can help you maximize your trip, without running you all sweaty and ragged. Because the park is accustomed to the heat waves, you can find plenty of shade, air conditioned performances and other ways to get out of the sun, but still have plenty of fun.
Check Out the Water Attractions
A sure-fire way to cool down in a hot second? Water! Especially if you stay at the Disney Resort, you have a plethora of swimming pools to pick from. And on the park itself, you can make your way to Disney Typhoon Lagoon Water Park or Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, both with slides, wave pools and plenty of water to splash around in.
These two water parks are surefire ways to staying cool at Disney World. The only downfall (if you can call it one, that is) will be that your children will not want to leave to see the rest of Disney when they’re busy in the pools!
Book Your Lunch During Peak Summer Hours
Instead of waiting to board the roller coasters that reach the highest peak in the air – and thus are closest to the sun! – or taking photos with characters outside at noon, we organize your plans. Typically, the hottest times to be outside are between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. – which is actually pretty amazing timing, considering your tummies will be growling right about then.
Your travel agent can map out your lunch reservations, so your little one won’t mind taking a break to chat it up with a Disney Princess or dine beside Minnie Mouse.
Most Importantly, Listen to Your Body
When it comes to feeling out of breath, overheated or overworked, you truly know your body the best. Instead of pushing past the point of exhaustion or putting your family in danger under the sun, take note of how you all feel.
Though you want to get the most out of your vacation, your health is always the number one priority. If you miss out on one of the things on your bucket list because you all needed a nap in an air-conditioned room, don’t worry. While you might think Disney is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, if you work with a travel agent who will save you money, you’ll be back in no time. And hey, maybe even when it’s much cooler.