Top Tips for the Summer Season

Our Top Tips for the Summer Season

If our calculations are correct, a small army of British visitors will be heading this way from late June through to early September.

It’s what we like to see, the annual summer migration from Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh and other points around the UK.

Most of those happy, Florida-bound tourists will be thinking of blissful days in the theme parks, or by the pool, or shopping, or just sitting and soaking up the sun. It’s the dream holiday.

But we do need to sound a word of caution here, especially for those first-timers arriving at Orlando Airport, or Miami or Tampa. Florida’s nickname as the Sunshine State is well earned.

It could also just as easily be called the Wow-It’s-Hot State, the It-Isn’t-Cooler-In-The-Shade State, or simply the I’m-Sweating-My-Chocolates-Off State.

The Weather Forecast

We tend to joke that the local weather forecasters put up their main bulletin at the beginning of June. It says something like, “There’s a 50 per cent chance of a thunderstorm today. It will be hot. Make that sweltering.”

And then they leave it sitting there. Until October.

Seriously, you can be 100 per cent sure that there will be no significant variation in the atmospheric conditions over Central Florida until the UK is well into autumn.

It will definitely rain somewhere in the region, probably quite heavily, for around an hour, and then the sun will come out again and it will feel even hotter.

It is part of Florida’s lure, of course, but it IS possible to have too much of a good thing, and that could certainly apply to our weather, especially from July to September.

The reason is the humidity. Orlando is located in the sub-tropics, on the same line of latitude as Morocco, Egypt and Pakistan, but it is surrounded by water, has a ton of lakes, and generates huge amounts of atmospheric moisture when it heats up. The humidity level approaches 80 per cent for much of the time, and can easily top 90 per cent at peak periods.

At times, there are cooler saunas in the world than waiting for the afternoon parade on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom.

Be Forewarned, Not Sunburned

But fear not! Because you’re reading the Debbie’s Villa’s blog, you are a step ahead of the masses, and you are able to absorb the essential message for every new summer arrival: Be ready for the heat.

It is SO easy to think, “Oh, a bit of sun doesn’t bother me.” But, every day, dozens of people end up in the theme parks’ first aid stations with dehydration or even sunstroke. They are The Unprepared. You, on the other hand, are The Forewarned.

It is absolutely essential to know what you’re getting into when you emerge from Orlando Airport and the humidity goes straight up your trouser legs. At first, it’s a novelty. After a few days, it starts to become a bit wearing. After two weeks you can feel like a wet rag that’s been wrung out once too often.

Don’t be That Guy. Be smarter, be savvier, and be prepared.

Top Tips for the Summer

While it may sound like a bit of an ordeal, there are some simple steps you can take to ensure you stay on an even keel as much as possible.

1) Bring (or buy) a really good sunscreen, and use it liberally. Because you’re in the sub-tropics, you should have at least a SPF50, with full sunblock for your face and ears.

2) Don’t be fooled by a cloudy day. The UV rays can still do significant damage to your skin, as they will penetrate the thickest cloud cover. 3) Drink water. Lots of water. Ideally, you should triple your usual water intake in this climate, and ensure children, especially, take regular water breaks. Nothing makes for cranky kids like being dehydrated. 4) Take regular breaks from the sun. If you’re in the pool, don’t go more than an hour without seeking shade. If you’re in the theme parks, head indoors regularly, and try to take in the indoor shows in the afternoon when it’s hottest. 5) Air-conditioning is your friend. Let it bathe you in its cooling ways as much as possible. The humidity makes even shady outdoor areas seem hot, hence it’s vital to chill out, literally, in the A/C-blessed spots like shops and indoor rides. 6) Everywhere inside is air-conditioned. Everywhere. This is a state where buildings are properly geared up for the heat, so take advantage of them when you can. 7) Wear a hat, with a brim front and back. You need to keep the sun off your head as much as possible. Cricketers, now is the time to dig out that old, wide-brimmed David Gower hat you’ve had sitting in a sports bag for years. 8) Be ready for the 4pm Thunderstorm (especially as it can crop up anywhere from 1 to 10pm). They rarely last long but they can dump a LOT of rain in a short time. They can also be extremely localised – it might rain on the Magic Kingdom but be dry at Epcot! 9) Florida is also the Lightning Capital of the World. Thunderstorms often generate a LOT of lightning, and you MUST seek shelter when they threaten, especially near water or on the beach. 10) Try to avoid alcohol in the heat of the day, and stick to water whenever possible (yes, we know beer consists of mostly water, but it’s not the same!). 11) Take a break from the theme parks during the afternoon. They usually have longer evening hours in the summer and are much easier to negotiate when the sun goes down. 12) Try to book a sit-down lunch when you’re in the theme parks. A proper break from the heat (and crowds) outside will re-charge your batteries in the best way possible.

Finally, be ready to go with the flow at this time of year. It’s easy to get carried away with your theme park planning and make it more like a forced route march to ensure you do ALL the rides, but, trust us, you will be much better off if you slow your pace down and allow everyone in your group some down time.

And remember, your villa is your ultimate retreat from the theme park hustle-bustle. A quiet hour by the pool can take the sting out of several hours in the Disney queues!

Be sure to look up our Weather page for more details about what to expect month by month (but don’t forget those are also average temperatures, and they can definitely be hotter at times).

What are your best tips for Florida in the summer? Let us know on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.