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TIP #10. Keep Cool.

By Teresa Plowright, About.com

WDW Miss Piggy

Miss Piggy knows how to stay cool.

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Orlando is a hot part of the earth, at certain times of the year-- and the peak weeks of heat occur exactly during the most convenient vacation time for families. I visited WDW recently in August with my three boys and we were hot-- but had plenty of fun.

Dress light: ladies, washable silks are light as a feather; also try skirts instead of shorts. My three boys wore only t-shirts and bathing-suits which were like very lightweight shorts.

Wear sandals : every theme-park guidebook advises proper shoes and socks, but during our August visit, there was no way we were putting anything hotter on our feet than sandals, period.

Buy the fan-sprayer gadgets:these little gizmo's are life-savers. You can buy the Mickey version in the park for about $15; or buy 'em at Walmart for much less.

Other tips: bring a bandana or washcloth, and keep it cool by wetting it at the water fountains; bring frozen juice packs or water bottles, if your hotel room has a fridge; and of course don't forget to drink, drink, drink.

Take a wet ride: Kali River Rapids, in Animal Kingdom, or Splash Mountain in Magic Kingdom will cool you down. Epcot has a little waterplay zone with sprinklers, for tots.

Visit the water parks : if you have a Park-Hopper Pass, be sure to cool down by visiting one or more of the water parks-- admission to one of both is included with the Park-Hoppers. Both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon are terrific waterparks, with slides, raft rides, river float, lots more. Be sure to arrive right at opening: at 9 a.m. you can ride the slides with no line-ups; but by 11 a.m., expect plenty of queuing in the hot sun.

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