Tips for Disney Parks & Cruise Lines

For our past couple of trips to WDW and elsewhere we have double labeled our bags. One set of labels we had pre-maid with just our last name on them in a bold green color. The other luggage tags we bought at the hardware store and they are in neon colors - pink, yellow, orange and green. We can't miss our luggage as it comes around on the conveyor belt. Michele M. McQuillen

Pin Trading Backpacks - they are great because the straps are comfortable on the neck and back and they hold a lot of pins. The lanyards tend to be heavy, bother some folks/kids around the neck and sometimes the pins fall off. But beware......if you set the backpack down you may not see it again. My 12 yr old's backpack was stolen from a bench at the Wishing Well near the castle in the MK last week. We checked lost and found daily, but it was not returned. There was a Pal Mickey in it as well as probably $500 in pins. Make sure you put a luggage tag on it just as you would any other bag you're travelling with. - Michele M. McQuillen

When we think of strollers, most people think of toddlers. The strollers at Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Epcot are large enough to accomodate a 6 year old. (Unfortunately this is not true at Disney Springs.) The rental may seem expensive to some, but it is worth the parental sanity. Children 6 and younger are unable to keep up when you want to rush to the otherside of the park to make that priority seating reservation. The stroller can be a lifesaver. Plus when they are not in it, you have a place to keep all your treasures. - Kathy Donofrio

A few years ago despite taking precautions, water, hat, spraying, I began to feel dizzy after standing in the sun waiting for and watching the afternoon parade. I went into the Emporium and sat down on the bottom of a clothing rack while my son ran to get my husband. A cast member came over and asked me if I felt okay. When I told him I thought I might faint he walked me over to the first aid station and stayed until a nurse took over. I was able to lie down until my body temperature regulated. I was given drinks and the nurse kept checking on me while I rested. She couldn't do enough for me and gave me some extra precautions to take so it would not happen again. The rest of the trip was fine but now I try to stay in the shade and I drink tons of water.WDW cast members are the best! - Susan Albert

There is a product by Banana Boat, called Hair and Scalp Protector SPF 15, that is a spray for your hair. It is light and not greasy at all. It keeps your scalp from burning, and also helps your hair color not fade. - Lynn LaMunyon

Eat light. Avoid hot, heavy meals and opt for foods high in water content: fruits, salads and soups. Unless you have a health reason for avoiding them, eat some salty snacks. The salt will help you retain extra fluids. Bananas are a great way to replace the potassium you lose through sweating. - Beth Foss

To keep cool while touring the parks we always carry a water bottle, we fill the bottle full of ice from our hotel room or at the food court of our WDW resort. Then we refill throughout the day with water from bubblers and any remaining ice from beverages that we've purchased. This keeps the water cool all day! Our other suggestion is to get up early and get to the parks for opening plus there are shorter lines. Around noontime we eat in a nice air conditioned restaurant then head back to our hotel for a dip in the pool, cool shower and a nap. Then we go out to eat and are back in the parks when the sun's going down until they close. This plan is great because you avoid the hottest part of the day in the park! J. Tutlis

The hot humid weather at WDW can cut a day short when you begin to chafe from body parts rubbing together. I recently learned of a product - Bodyglide [$7, www.rei.com] - looks like a stick deodorant but is actually a personal lubricant. It will prevent chafing & blisters. It is not greasy but it does eliminate the friction. It is a new 'must' take to the park item for me. - Marilyn F .

OK, I know this is totally cheating, but the absolutely BEST way to beat the heat is to avoid Orlando completely in June, July and August. Instead, go in early December -- great weather and holiday ambiance out the wazoo!! - Maureen Mellor

The very best way to keep cool would be those Mickey ice cream bars. They sell them everywhere in the parks, so whenever you feel the heat, buy a Mickey bar, sit in the shade and do some people-watching. That would be the best way I can think of! - Pat Schaub

My favorite way to keep cool while the sun is heating up Disney is to jump onto a "Sea Raycer" speed boat and drive around Bay Lake. There is nothing like the feeling of the cool water from the lake splashing up into your face while you are cruising around. And you can also get one of the best views of the Contemporary with Space Mountain in the background from the middle of the lake. - Billy Putrino

Even though my son is 15, he still enjoys collecting character autographs. However, he was too impatient to stand in line when we last went to Disney World in April, so he decided to collect autographs from Cast Members. Whenever he would meet a Cast Member who seemed to be doing something interesting (for instance, riding around on a Segway), he would stop them and ask for their autograph. He also requested that they describe what their job is by writing "Keeper of the ____." He ended up getting signatures from the "Keeper of the Peace" (security guard), "Keeper of the Ropes" (from the parade area), and "Keeper of the Baggage" (from the bell services at the hotel), to name a few. He had a blast, and every single Cast Member was so grateful that someone wanted their autograph that they thanked HIM. We met a lot of friendly people, and made some terrific memories. He has more than 100 autographs, and we laugh every time we look at the book. - Thomas Bruinooge

"Jungle" Jim Sirks, a former Cast Member, sent in a few wise tips, born of experience:

-- Make a mental note of where water fountains are located. The water is always cold, and keeping hydrated (for free) is the number one way to stay cool (and avoid heat stroke).

-- On Main Street, U.S.A., or in Frontierland, walk through the stores, especially during parades. You'll find that they're all connected, air-conditioned, and not as crowded as the streets and sidewalks.

-- Make avid use of the Steam Trains. They're very relaxing, and the 12-15 mph breeze is quite refreshing.

-- Take time to relax on Tom Sawyer's Island to cool down many different ways. Stroll through a cave, get a lemonade and sit on Aunt Polly's porch, or, my favorite, climb to the top of the hill and soak your feet in the stream for a few minutes!

-- Totally avoid the 3 p.m. parade and the afternoon shows at Cinderella's Castle unless you can sit in the shade. As a past Main Street Operations Host, I more than once had to help an overheated guest to First Aid.

(Epcot's) Club Cool (formerly Ice Station Cool). Need I say more? - Peevergo1

The CamelBak hydration backpack is a backpack with a water bladder inside. Bikers use them when hitting the road or backwoods trails to carry cold refreshing water with them. They come in various sizes and shapes and some also have cargo compartments for storing other essential items (sunscreen, etc.). Just fill it with ice and water before heading to the park and you can sip on it all day long. Use it up and just refill it at the park. Extra benefit for the person carrying it, they get a nice cool sensation on their back. - Rich Mellon