Mom and daughter on Expedition Everest; Animal Kingdom
  • On Jul 7, 2015
    Kathleen from MD Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    My son has Down Syndrome (2). Because of his diagnosis and complicated medical issues he cannot tolerate heat. We are planning a trip to WDW in September and are worried about how he will respond. Any tips for keeping him cool in the parks?

    Hi Kathleen! Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel!

    September in my experience is typically a very warm month at the Walt Disney World Resort. Temperatures usually tend to be between the mid 80’s to the low 90’s, typically with high humidity. However, there are plenty of air conditioned areas and some ways that you can beat the heat!

    My first recommendation to you would be to try to tackle the parks early in the day, head back to your room for a nap or pool break mid-afternoon, and then go back to the parks in the evening as the sun begins to go down. If your son is in a stroller, consider getting a clip on fan or two that you can run while you are in the parks. I also bring with me a stroller sun shade (Summer Infant Rayshade Stroller Cover) that can also be purchased on amazon. This provides extra coverage if in a stroller from the sun.

    All four of the Disney Theme Parks offer Baby Care Centers. These centers offer a respite from the heat. You can feed and change your children here and the changing tables are full sized. There is a kitchen with a microwave and sink. There is a room with a television, sofa, and chairs for a little down time. You can even purchase things like juice and sunscreen.. These areas have been a lifesaver for us, especially with my son who has a sensory processing disorder. When he would get overheated or have a sensory overload, we would bring him here to just relax and unwind for a bit.

    Lastly I would try to plan your days so that you are spending your daylight hours in a lot of the indoor attractions and entertainment settings. I would plan to spend a lot of time at places like the Sea’s with Nemo & Friends in Epcot, or taking in some of the shows like Disney Junior - Live on Stage! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

    I hope that you have a fantastic time!

    ~Heather~
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Meet the Panelist: Heather, New York

Hi there! I'm Heather from Buffalo NY, a planDisney Alumni and proud mom of three. By day, I'm an oncology nurse, but my heart belongs to Walt Disney World. Having navigated the parks with babies, toddlers, tweens, teens, and multigenerational groups, I live to turn dreams into magical vacations. When I'm not exploring the wonders of Walt Disney World, you'll find me sailing the high seas on Disney Cruise Line. Adventure awaits - let's make your Disney dreams come true!  Learn More About Heather

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