If you’re planning to visit Disney World between June and August, I have a secret to tell you:
All of the locals are laughing at you.
Yes, I know, it kind of makes us jerks. But the heat is so bad here during the summer, most of us can’t imagine why in the world anyone would subject themselves to lines and crowds and hot, shadeless pavement if it wasn’t absolutely necessary. Of course, the reality is that many people travel to Florida – and other hot places – during the summer because school is out, many industries are between seasonal surges, and summer is the most convenient time for the entire family to hit the road. The good news is, millions of people have ventured into the heat before and lived to tell about it – and had a blast. These tips will improve your odds of being one of them.
How To Beat The Heat On Your Summer Vacation
1. Go early or go late.
When possible, schedule your outdoor activities first thing in the morning or after the sun sets. This might be difficult if you’re planning to spend 12 hours at an amusement park, but consider catching the indoor shows during the hottest hours or finding a shaded area to watch the afternoon parades.
2. Wear hats.
Think of your hat as your own personal mobile shade. Stick one on every child and adult and forget about your hair. (Or top two side braids with a baseball cap for the females – super cute!) You may worry that a hat will make you more hot, but you’d be wrong.
3. Wear sunglasses.
Sunglasses won’t keep you cooler, but it will protect your eyes from harsh UV rays and make the day more enjoyable. Squinting in the bright sun makes you feel more hot after a few hours.
4. Drink plenty of water.
When my family goes to the amusement parks, we each carry our own water bottle and refill them constantly at water fountains throughout the day. Cold water not only helps you avoid dehydration, it actually helps you feel less like you’re about to melt into a puddle of goo. This seems like a no-brainer tip that your grandma nags you about, but it’s one of the most effective and commonly neglected ways of beating the heat. Note I said water, not slushies or frozen coffee drinks.
5. Take shade breaks.
If you do find yourself outdoors when the sun is high in the sky, make a point to stop regularly to give everyone a break in the shade. Enjoy sitting beneath a tree or head inside a gift shop, but get out of the sun for a few minutes to bring your body temperature back into normal range.
6. Get wet.
This is actually a two part tip. The first step is to wear clothing you don’t mind getting wet. Layer a swimsuit under cotton shorts and t-shirt, for example. The next step is to run through a sprinkle, go down that water slide, stand in the rain, or splash around in the “kid zone” that has water shooting out of holes in the ground. If you’re headed to Orlando, an afternoon rain shower is a great way to cool off – as long as you’re not dressed in denim from head to toe! source: uptake.com/blog/
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, June 30th, 2010 at 4:26 am and is filed under Vacation.
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