Stay safe at Walt Disney World in Florida’s heat and humidity

We all know Florida is brutally hot in the summer, but it’s been even more so the last couple of weeks with temperatures soaring. Orlando even tied a 17-year-old record of 100 degrees one day this past week!

I was reminded last week after spending the morning at Walt Disney World just how quickly a person can go from feeling fine to feeling sick from too much sun. You may think, like me, that you are not doing anything you don’t routinely do in the theme parks, but when the mercury and the heat index rise, it’s time to re-think some of your touring strategies.

First, those visitors who like to travel light should consider that they actually could benefit from some extra gear.

** Bring a reusable water bottle and fill and drink from it often. Walt Disney World has plenty of water fountains, and counter-service restaurants will provide cups of ice and ice water at no charge. If you really don’t want to tote around a reusable bottle, be prepared to fork over $2.75 for a bottle of Dasani water. (The price recently increased on Disney property.) Experts say you should be drinking water even if you’re not thirsty to prevent dehydration.

** Bring or purchase gadgets that help you keep cool, such as personal fans and misters. Can’t bear to spend the money? At the very least, bring a few washcloths in Ziploc bags that you can wet with cold water and place on your face and neck throughout the day.

Be sure to dress for the heat and humidity.

** Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. If your favorite shirt for vacation photos is black, try to find an alternative ahead of time.

** Hats will not only help with sun protection but also keep you cooler.

** Don’t forget the sunscreen!

Plan your day’s activities with the heat in mind. Temperatures are the highest between noon and 4 p.m.

** As much as possible, avoid standing in outdoor queues and waiting for parades and outdoor stage shows. Use your FastPass selections to limit exposure.

** Do not go from waiting an hour for the parade to waiting another hour for a stage show; try to alternate outdoor activities with indoor attractions so your body can cool off in the air conditioning. The Frozen Summer Fun activities come to mind here. Instead of waiting for the royal parade and Olaf stage show consecutively, break up the time in the sun by going to the sing-along in the new Hyperion Theater.

Finally, seek out a water adventure either in the park or at an entirely new park. Plan a day at Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon water parks. Break up a day in the theme parks by going back to your hotel and enjoying a dip in the pool. At the very least, book your FastPasses for Splash Mountain during the afternoon hours!

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