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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go to Florida in August with a 3YO and an 18 month old

17 replies

CountryMummy1 · 01/04/2015 21:21

We have been offered the opportunity to go to Florida for 2 weeks in August this year all expenses paid. We wouldn't be able to afford to go ourselves any other time. I know that we are really really lucky and it would be so fantastic to have a break after a pretty shitty few years. The people who we are going with (and who are paying) want to do the Disney parks for 2 days. It's all going to be very relaxed, no dashing about etc. so I'm not worried about it on that score.

The thing that worries me (apart from the long flight Confused is the sun and the heat. I am worried about the children getting burnt, especially if we are out in the sun around the parks all day. I will be taking a borrowed City Jogger Mini Double buggy which has a huge hood to try and keep the sun off them a bit but I am debating whether to put them in long leg/arm sunsuits for the parks. Will they look daft/roast in those and am I being a bit PFB? Would suncream and normal clothes do the trick? Is there any cream that lasts all day on wriggly and hot toddlers?

Anyone been with little ones in August and survived intact?? Any tips gladly received.

OP posts:
AlpacaMyBags · 01/04/2015 21:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Supersoft · 01/04/2015 21:31

I took my 3 year old in August and it was fine. Just have lots of drinks on you. You can buy that one application sun cream now, but I just slapped normal stuff on every few hours. I did buy one of those long sleeved / leg sun suits which was very useful as water play seemed to be a big feature out there. I always had that and a towel handy. It was busy but then are these places ever quiet? My 3 year old loved it. Still talks about it all the time now at 5.

ElizabethHoover · 01/04/2015 21:32

we went years ago when it was FREEZING for a few days. We laughed at all the shaded queing areas as we tried to get sun to hit us!

its really planned for shade.

( people were wearing blankets over their shoulders, we had woolly hats on!)

Welshmaenad · 01/04/2015 21:36

do the Disney parks for two days

Ha. Hahahahahahaha. No rushing about, Disney parks in two days?

Hahahahahahahahahaha.

Original poster
CountryMummy1 · 01/04/2015 21:40

We are only doing 2 parks, Disneyworld and Animal Kingdom and we are realistic that we will only have time to do a few rides. We don't mind this as we all have very young children and it's quality rather than quantity that is important as they're so small. We just want our babies to see the best bits of the 2 parks.

OP posts:
Welshmaenad · 01/04/2015 21:41

Also, I went lots as a child, only time I burned was at typhoon lagoon because the sunscreen wasn't as waterproof as we thought, I'm a proper milkbottle Celt though and burn in the UK in May. Be mindful of the sun and you'll be fine.

cassgate · 01/04/2015 21:41

Yes, we have been a lot at different times of year and August is very hot and humid. You will probably find that you will want regular breaks from the heat. I have always used p20 sun screen on my two Dcs and they have never burnt because we take regular breaks. I think it depends what you are planning for the rest of the holiday, 2 days in the parks is no where near enough time to see everything because of the queues. We queued for 2 hours to get on the seven dwarves mine train in Magic Kingdom last year. If the rest of the holiday is going to be by a pool or on the beach then personally I wouldn't be able to hack the heat. But that is just me. The parks are easier in the heat because most of the queues for the rides are inside anyway.

ElizabethHoover · 01/04/2015 21:42

i loved Animal Kingdom

jimijack · 01/04/2015 21:43

We went in July/ August. It was 40° every day, massive queues for every ride, up to 2 hour waits in 40° heat, awful.
Absolutely choca EVERYWHERE.

It is however THE most magical place on the planet for little ones, amazing place.

Top tips:
See if you can get a couple of those fans with integrated water sprays, fill with small amount of water & then pack with ice cubes before you set off...absolute bliss!
Put bottles of water into the freezer, take the frozen bottles with you to the parks.
Don't drink the water fountain water, we got terrible d&v from them.
Take a few face cloths with you, soak in cold water for wiping faces in the day.
Nip into the many shops regularly, they are all air conditioned, cool everyone down.
Plan a few days by the pool, lovely.
Enjoy!!!

jimijack · 01/04/2015 21:45

Oh & you will need more than 2 days for the parks....they are absolutely HUGE, you could never get round them in 2 days.

cassgate · 01/04/2015 21:49

If you want to see the characters I would suggest going to Epcot. They have a character spot where you will see mickey Minnie Donald goofy and Pluto all under one roof. The queue will be long 90 mins or so all inside but worth it if you want to see the characters. I think you will be hard pressed to see everything in magic kingdom in 1 day we have always done it over 2 days.

Strokethefurrywall · 01/04/2015 21:57

Not going to comment on Disney etc but they will be fine in the heat provided they have plenty to drink and hats etc.

I live about an hour's flight south of Miami so hotter here. I would highly recommend P20 (Factor 50+) - we get friends from UK to bring it out to us and used it when we went to mexico a couple of weeks back.

DS1 is 3, DS2 is a year, and the stuff is brilliant. You have to put it on 15-20 minutes before going out, but it doesn't run into eyes etc. It's one that you can spray on and then you don't have to reapply (google it is best thing!) - neither kids will wear hats and thankfully DS1 has a big head of hair but I used it on DS2's little bald head and used it on his face etc and it was the only one that hasn't run yet. Considering we rely on a LOT of sunscreen here, I've been through loads. Surprisingly Nivea were the worst for stinging eyes despite me loving the smell.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure you can get it at Boots or Sainsburys - it's pretty pricey as I recall, but worth it considering you don't have to apply so much.

Strokethefurrywall · 01/04/2015 22:00

They definitely sell it at LHR but imagine you can probably get it any other large UK airport.

Welshmaenad · 01/04/2015 22:35

Home bargains sells P20, on the perfume counter.

Ludways · 01/04/2015 22:42

You won't get round the parks in two days but so what, you'll have two lovely action packed days. Probably best to plan ahead and pick out the definites, the attractions you def want to see. I've been to the parks lots of times as I used to live in Florida.

Make sure everyone covers up and use plenty of sun protection.

Enjoy!

MrsPinotGrigio · 01/04/2015 23:01

It took us 6 days in total to do all the Disney Parks & we went in May (there were 8 of us). We spent 12 hours in the Magic Kingdom & waited about an hour to see Mickey - although the queue was inside with air con. Animal Kingdom isnt the biggest park but is spread over the biggest area so takes longer to get around it. It's also more open than the other parks with less shady/covered areas. I've never been in August but the parks are busy all year round as far as I know.

DisappointedOne · 01/04/2015 23:48

Why now, if you all have such young children?

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