It’s time to start that packing checklist if you’re planning a summer trip to the theme parks. Here are my summer packing tips to help keep you cool under the collar…
Clothing
Daytime temperatures in Orlando can reach the mid 90s during the summer. It can also be very humid. Lightweight, breathable fabrics are a must. Unlike spring when I pack a light sweater or jacket for everyone, I stick to t-shirts and shorts only. Try this tip from our Facebook friend, Tammy N.: Pack each day’s clothes in a labeled Ziploc bag and push the air out to save space. Each morning of your trip, just hand each child their bag so they can dress themselves while you’re in the shower.
Sun Protection
Don’t forget the waterproof sunscreen, lip balm and sun burn relief gel. The Florida sun is STRONG, even if it’s overcast. Hats, visors and sunglasses (with straps so you don’t lose them on roller coasters) are also good ideas.
Might-Need Medications
The pollen count in Orlando is pretty high during the summer. It can really put a damper on things if you’re not used to it or you have allergies, so bring over-the-counter sinus/allergy medicine just in case. Eye drops are also a good idea. In addition to that, I have an “emergency kit” that I pack that includes ibuprofen, Pepto-Bismol, Band Aids and antibiotic cream like Neosporin.
Personal Air-Conditioning
As many of you know, those misting fans really drive me crazy. However, during the summer I’ve been known to ask Tad or Lily to spray me with theirs. You can buy them at the parks, but to save money, I buy a pack of them from an online store like Oriental Trading and bring them with us. I also pack a few cooling scarves. They’re lightweight, easy to pack, and do wonders to keep us cool in the heat of the day.
Rainy Day Fun
It rains a lot during the summer in Florida, but it usually only lasts a few hours before the sun comes back out. It’s a good idea to pack a few ponchos and bring them with you to the parks. That way the fun doesn’t have to stop if it starts to rain. In case of a prolonged thunderstorm and we’re stuck in the hotel room, I pack a few of the kids’ favorite DVDs and a card game or two.
Water Park Necessities
If you’re going to one of the awesome water parks in Orlando, be sure to pack the following:
* Water shoes-It’s recommended footwear for the water parks to prevent slips and falls. It’s also much more sanitary than going barefoot in the restrooms.
* Towels-You can rent them at the water parks, but I usually pack one or two beach towels. I also use them to sit on while we’re waiting for the parades to start in the other parks.
* Cooler-I like the soft-sided ones that I can easily stuff in my suitcase, but as long as you can safely carry it, any type of cooler is typically permitted in water parks.
* Wet bag & change of clothes-Whether you take the bus or drive back to your hotel, a dry change of clothes makes for a much more comfortable trip. Pack your changes of clothes in a wet bag (I use garbage bags) that you can use for your wet swimsuits when you change.
Lower the Risk
These helpful packing tips came from our Facebook friend, Linda G. 1) Put a luggage tag inside your suitcases in case the outside tag is snapped off. Put your hotel information inside the luggage also. 2) Pack some of each person’s clothes in every suitcase. That way if one bag is lost, everyone will still have something to wear until the lost bag is located.
Read more about planning your visit in our Orlando Planning Guide.
-
