If you’re planning a summer vacation at Disney World…or one in the spring…or fall, it’s gonna be HOT!  Sure, you should have strategies for beating the heat and avoid roasting and burning in the sun, but you can also make sure you carry just a few supplies in your park bag that can make coping with the whole sweaty, sticky, hot mess you (and your loved ones) will become much easier.

Surviving the Heat at Walt Disney World

Besides staying hydrated – which is the #1 thing you must focus on either by carrying your own beverages or taking advantage of Disney’s free ice water (available at restaurant counters upon request), here’s a list of what I make sure I keep with me on super hot days:

1.  Baby wipes – I cannot tell you how much these mean to me!  I’ll wipe off sweaty arms and legs – oh, how heavenly a fresh neck feels!  Little ones perk up with a cool wipe-down and the overall advantage of toting around some wipes is that we feel instantly more…well, presentable.  If there’s no time to freshen up at our resort, these babies will do in a pinch and make us feel more suitable for a table service dinner.

2. Zip Lock Bags – For so many reasons!  You can carry a few of those baby wipes if you’ve invested in a large package of those.  You can pack your basic first aid supplies (see #3) in a zip lock.  You can even keep Disney pins for trading or Sharpies for autographs easy to find by toting them in a zip lock bag.  When traveling with little ones, sometimes a baby wipe just won’t do the trick.  Carry a clean washcloth in a zip lock bag – moisten when necessary and do a great big wash-down.  Then pop the dirty washcloth back in the zip lock so it doesn’t ruin anything else in your park bag.

3. Mini First Aid Kit – This has come in handy more times than I can say!  When the sun, heat, humidity and walking begin to take a toll, you’ll be ready.   Ibuprophen or Tylenol, band-aids, anti-chafing balm (oh, stop it with the “T.M.I” thing – you may appreciate this someday), sun screen, lip balm, blister relief, antacid, and even blotting papers (Thanks, Heather!).  You can find everything in travel or sample-size, bundle it up and be prepared to save the day!

4. Hair-aphernalia – I’m not talking about a huge inventory of hair products.  All you may need is a comb.  I like a brush and a travel-sized hairspray or, at the least, a ponytail holder or hair clip.  Call me old fashioned, but my mother raised me to be presentable at the dinner table.  Everyone can take a sec to tidy up – especially if we’ve been soaked on Splash Mountain or Kali River Rapids or we’ve been tossed about on Rock’n’ Roller Coaster or Test Track.

5. “Plan B” – This may come in many forms.  The first Plan B is that we might want to abandon the park during the hottest time of the day to enjoy a leisurely meal, go swimming, or just explore other resorts via monorail or boat.  Many rides like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train are just as, if not more, exciting at night when it’s at least a little cooler.  Other Plan B’s may be carrying a change of shoes and socks, a rain poncho, fresh shirt, or perhaps opting to watch things from afar rather than up close.

Once again, I’d be right there with you if you’re an obsessive planner!  In the warmest months, I’d advise you to plan to be ever ready to escape from, recover from, hide from, guard against, or otherwise cope with the heat.

Experienced Disney vacation fans!  What are your best tips for coping with the heat at Walt Disney World?