Tips about Kids and Sun & Heat Tips

ALL EARS® readers sent in so many wonderful ideas for keeping cool and touring WDW in the summer! Among the most popular suggestions:

Freezing water bottles; soaking bandannas in cold water or in ice, then wrapping them around your head or neck; cooling off in a shady area; and eating snacks in the air conditioning. Many others suggested using the water mister spray fans. To save a few dollars, plan ahead and buy them from a discount store for $5 to $7, rather than from Disney at $17.

When we took our 5 month old to Walt Disney World last June, we brought along a small battery operated fan that hooked to the edge of the stroller. The blades were child safe so even if he touched it, he couldn't get hurt. This kept him cool and entertained-many people commented that they wished they had thought of that! - Angie G

I brought along a thin ice/gel pack intended for a 9x13 baking pan. I would freeze it, then wrap a towel around it and slide it in my son's umbrella stroller between the stroller back and his shirt. This kept him cool and wasn't awkward or too big to use. - Juli Vieke-Peach

Most strollers are in a navy blue or some other dark color that hides spills and stains. This is functional for general use but in Florida it just attracts the hot sun and turns a baby's sanctuary into a sauna. To keep babies cool, line the seating area with a big white terry cloth towel and safety pin it to the seat so it fits snugly. Drape a light-colored scarf over the navy blue/dark material carriage cover as well. The light color won't absorb as much heat. You'd be amazed how much it cuts down on the heat for the little ones and the towel soaks up sweat and can be washed the next day or replaced with a fresh clean towel. - Alisa Starke

Take advantage of each park's Baby Care Center. These are a haven for both mom and baby. When we took our son down one year he refused to nurse because he was too hot -- this was in early April! When I finally found a Baby Care Center with its wonderful air-conditioned, dimly lit nursing rooms, he was much happier and nursed. It is important to keep a baby hydrated, too! Remember the old rule of thumb: "What goes in, must come out." So if your kid isn't going to the bathroom (or wetting the diaper) then you know they haven't had enough to drink. - Michelle

Limit strenuous exercise. And yes, that includes walking around the theme parks. Walking around in the heat and humidity can make ALL parts of your body sweat, and that includes your poor feet. When feet are wet, blisters can develop, so try to wear socks that are not 100 percent cotton. If you feel a hot spot developing, find a place in the shade to sit down. Take off your shoe and sock and inspect your feet. Put a bandage on the tender area, and let your feet dry. Dry feet are happy feet! If you get bad blisters, go to the First Aid Station (there's one located in each of the parks).

Remember to drink even when you are not thirsty. In fact, if you wait until you're thirsty, you've waited too long. Increase your fluid intake, regardless of your activity level. During heavy exercise in a hot environment, drink two to four glasses (16-32 ounces) of cool fluids each hour. Avoid caffeinated or carbonated beverages, as well as alcoholic drinks and those high in sugar -- these cause you to lose more body fluids. Sports drinks can supplement fluids in your body, but water should be your first choice. Warning: If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask the doctor how much you should drink while the weather is hot. Also, some folks find that drinking sports drinks (when they normally don't) can cause digestive problems. Again, listen to your body.

Be extra cautious in the sun/heat if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other medical conditions. Also be extra careful if you are taking any medications. For instance, certain medications (like some antibiotics, NSAIDS [such as ibuprofen and aspirin], and some oral contraceptives), may make you sunburn more easily, so be sure to protect yourself and stay out of the sun as much as possible.

The most important thing to remember is to listen to your body! Do not push yourself. Your body is a perfect alarm and knows when to take a break. Listen to it. Keep in the shade and drink plenty of water - Nikki Hendrix

A tip for parents is to carry a few changes of clothes for the kids. There are a few places where there are fountains that come out of the ground (like at the bus stop entrance to Disney Markeplace) and some rides on which you can get very wet. This way the parents can take their kids into a restroom and change them into dry clothes so that they'll enjoy the rest of the trip to the park without having to run around in wet clothes or underwear. - W.V. Daniels, Jr.

I have been going to WDW for the last 25 years... Three years ago I took my children for the first time when they were 7, 3 and 6 months. We are going back this year in June and I have already started the planning. The best thing I have found are the Disney Deals on eBay. Last time my kids loved the souvenir light-up Pooh bears. In the park they were around $7 each. They have long since disappeared. I found them on eBay for only $2.99 each and have ordered three. I also bought T-shirts for around $5, candy, ball caps, etc. I have put all this in a suitcase the kids have not seen. When we get to Disney, I will give them a new treat each morning. This way, we have already saved more than $150, and we haven't even left the house yet! - Aimee F.

Our daughter is not yet 2, but we have gone to WDW twice in her short lifetime. Every time we go, we stop at our favorite resort, Wilderness Lodge, and take her picture with the totem pole right in front of the Trading Post store inside. This way we can see how much she's grown since our last trip. There are a lot of places you could use as a "heightchart". Just look around at your favorite Disney spot. The Indian on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom, any one of the thousands of signs, the tile wall inside the castle... just make sure it's something that's going to be around for awhile! - Alea Laughery

Just back from our first trip with a toddler. He goes down for a nap each afternoon. We were unsuccessful getting him down in the Magic Kingdom (too much stimulation) so we headed out for the buses through Tommorrowland. As we strolled through the Tomorrowland Terrace, we realized less noise, no visual stimulation, and protection from the sun! It was the perfect place for our son to finally fall asleep. It probably saved us an hour to the hotel. - Doug C

Whenever we traveled with the children we would make up "airplane bags". I would pack snacks and small surprises for them and things they could do during the flight. The rule for the bags was that they could not open them until the seat belt sign went off. This kept them attentive during takeoff and patient for the first part of the trip which was always the hardest. We kept seat belts on during the entire flight and if there was in issue with unusual turbulence so the sign would remain on we would pick an appropriate time and let them open the surprise bags. They loved it and so did we!

We found it very helpful when traveling with our toddler to pack a plastic tablecloth and some plastic clothing pins we got at the dollar store. We stored them in a small Ziploc bag and threw them in the bottom of the stroller. When we would go into an attraction and had to leave the stroller outside with some of our other belongings, we would get the tablecloth out and cover the stroller with it and clip it down so it wouldn't blow away. There is nothing worse than returning to your stroller and finding out that while you were inside having a great time, there had been a passing thunderstorm (which happens all the time). Our stuff and the stroller were still dry. I can't tell you how many people thought we were the smartest people in the park! - Karen Rosenberger