We’re going to level with you – if you plan on visiting any of Central Florida’s theme parks during the summer, it’s going to be hot. Whether you are a local or on vacation, it’s important to prepare for the heat so you can still enjoy your day. We moved to the Orlando area in 2014 and over the years we’ve learned a few tricks so the heat doesn’t put a damper on our day. Here are six tips for staying cool at the theme parks during the summer.

• Dress appropriately — It may seem obvious to say, but dressing for the weather makes a huge difference. You’d be surprised just how often we’re in the parks during the middle of the summer just to see someone in line wearing a black, long-sleeve cotton shirt and blue jeans…in 90-degree weather! Wearing a thin shirt made of light, breathable material (such as polyester or spandex) allows wind to pass through while also wicking moisture.

• Bring a cool towel — Cool towels use the latest technology to not only retain water but stay at a cool temperature for a surprisingly long time. Even better, they are reusable throughout the day. All you need to do is get the towel wet, snap it a few times, and you can enjoy a cool sensation for the next few hours. We’ve been using cool towels during races for years and have since translated them to our theme park days. You can pick up a cool towel at any pharmacy or big box store.

• More than just water, electrolytes — Water is extremely important, but you lose more than water when you sweat. Drinking something with electrolytes a few times throughout the day provides your body with important salts and minerals. This is easiest if you’re visiting SeaWorld, Universal or a park with a refillable cup, but if you’re just drinking water, then we recommend packing something to add electrolytes to your water. We recommend using Nuun Sport tabs. Each tab dissolves easily in a bottle of water and not only fuels your body with electrolytes but also contains WAY less sugar.

• Find water spots — More than just going on a water ride, plenty of theme parks offer spots where you can simply get splashed with water. Here are the water locations for Orlando’s Big Three:
  • Disney: In the Circus area in Fantasyland
  • Universal: Next to Jurassic Park River Adventure and in KidZone (near ET)
  • SeaWorld: In Sesame Street
    
    These spots are great because you don’t need to wait in line for a ride and the chance to get wet – you can get as wet as you want. The water isn’t very cold, but it’s still refreshing

• Grab ice from the bins — This is a bit of a hidden trick that works best at Disney. Throughout the park, there are kiosks full of ice which sell bottled drinks. While you’re walking by, grab a handful of ice cubes and put them on your neck/forehead/down your shirt. Fair warning, these ice cubes are made with non-potable water so DO NOT EAT THEM!

• Pack a cooler for the car — Even after working hard to keep cool there’s still a chance you’ll leave the park feeling overheated. Do yourself a favor and pack a cooler (full of ice) and keep it in your car as you enjoy the park. This way, after a long, hot day at the park you’ll be able to come back to your car and enjoy an ice-cold drink. Feel free to pack some water-rich fruit such as grapes or watermelon too!

What tips and tricks do you use to stay cool at the theme parks? It’s taken us a few years to come up with what works for us so we’re all ears for what works with others! Drop us a comment below!

Note – Even though we are 2019 Nuun Ambassadors, we’ve used the product long before then and are big fans!