Traveling to Someplace Warm – like Disney World??

Here are my top travel essentials for when traveling to where it’s hot – like Disney World!

1) Teva Sandals

My number one item when I am traveling anywhere warm are my wonderful Teva Sandals.  Not only are they waterproof and dry within minutes, but they are hiking sandals with shock absorption!!!! When I wear my wonderful Teva Sandals, my back can never feel better no matter how long I’m standing in line or how much walking I am doing and I suffer with degenerative disc disease.  Let me say that they are much more comfortable and supportive than sneakers – even when they aren’t broken in yet!

2) Monistat Chafing Relief Powder Gel

I use this where the backpack that I carry all day, lays on my arms – so when wearing tank tops, the backpack doesn’t rub and hurt my arms!  I also use this when I am wearing short shorts where my thighs touch. (I was never a skinny person, so after having children I am more on the heavier side)  This way I don’t have to worry about my thighs chafing each other.  I have also used it where I had brought a super old, worn out pair of Teva’s on a super HOT vacation to Hershey park, and there was something that was rubbing my foot, and it instantly stopped any blister from being formed.  You can literally use this stuff on anything that may cause discomfort!  It’s clear and has no smell, so you don’t even notice you have it on.  I even put it on my son’s neck to stop any irritation from a tag.

3) Easy Hair Extensions 

Now, when we pay extra money for that fantastic memory maker we want to make sure we look fabulous in every professional shot taken.  I finally came to the realization that as I age, my hair is only getting thinner and it just doesn’t look as nice as it used to. Hair can really make or break how you feel about yourself in a picture.   I found a few types of extensions that I brought to Disney and it worked rather well.  When going in such extreme heat, it works even better putting my hair up.  The first hair extension that I have brought is a clip on – the claw simply clips onto your ponytail – so easy!  It gave me long luxurious curls and went totally unnoticeable. (Notice my Teva Sandals in the pictures below.)

This year’s Disney trip 2017 I ordered these clip-in 20″, curly Synthetic 7 piece hair extensions.  These are awesome because they come so curly, but the curl does stick strong, even after washing.  The only problem I found was in the heat of August, they felt so unbelievably heavy in my hair…. compared to the claw clip-in from the pictures above, where it did feel slightly heavy (not going to lie) but these were definitely heavier.

I also bought this newer product called Secret Extensions – Hair Extensions by Daisy Fuentes and it is a great product to add a little bit of volume to your hair.  However it is not good for putting back when you are hot and sweaty. You basically have to leave it down.

4) Dove Deordorant

Next on the list is Dove Deodorant.   When you are in Disney World in long lines and perspiring, you really want good protection.  I also like to use Dove Deodorant as another chafing & prevention. I usually roll it all over my back to prevent excessive sweating, as well as on my inner thighs before I apply the Monistat Chafing Relief Gel, and on the back of the upper parts of my thighs where I sit and shorts rub the thighs – especially when I’m wearing short shorts. I roll it on the sides of my stomach, and the front of my stomach and under where my bra sits – this way it prevents a lot of extra sweating and I don’t have to worry about any foul smells. Sometimes I purchase a separate Dove Deodorant to use on my feet.

5) Makeup – this is for the gals that love and enjoy makeup.  (If you don’t, then don’t bother wasting your time reading this tip!)

Now we are getting to my most favorite part of this article and it’s makeup!  When you have to worry about excessive sweating, you don’t want to worry about your makeup running with the sweat.  I like to use a foundation that is NOT going anywhere and that would be MAC Prolongwear Foundation .  Revlon makes a great color stay foundation that is comparable and cheaper.  

Then after I apply the foundation and let it sit for a few minutes I like to use a setting powder called Dermablend Loose Setting Powder and this way I know it’s not going anywhere.

Next for eyes I use a concealer by Este Lauder called Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Brightening Serum and Concealer – and once I apply that I usually pat some more Dermablend over my eyelids.

Following, I like to dab some Mac Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation over the rest of my face before applying some blush or bronzer.  I always use both a non-waterproof mascara mixed with a waterproof mascara and my recent favorite mascara to use ever is Two Faced Better Than Sex Mascara and you MUST use the waterproof over all, as your last few swipes to ensure that its not coming off – you never know when you will get a splash going down the big hill on Splash Mountain or maybe you try the Kali River Rapids at Animal Kingdom?!! Freshly, I have found this amazingly easy lash-extender called Divaderm Lash Extender in a bottle – you simply brush it on in between coats of mascara! I personally LOVE the look of false eyelashes but who has time or wants to sit and play with them?!  This is just an easy way of getting thick gorgeous lashes. Make sure you start out with a coat or two, and then after you apply finish up with a few coats of waterproof.

After my lashes dry, I use a color stay liquid eyeliner on the lids of my eyes – Mac has a great one called Mac Liquid Last – I have been on water slides and have had buckets of water dumped on my head and this did NOT run one bit LOL!!!  Revlon has a great Color Stay liner .  I usually like to choose brown when it comes to eyeliners.

6) Wet Brush

What a great discovery! The Wet Brush – good for any hair type to detangle hair after the shower. The Wet Brush makes combing through knots so much quicker when trying to leave the hotel to head to the parks.  With all the wear and tear on my poor hair, it sometimes really needs help with those pesky knots.

7) Redkin Diamond Oil Shampoo & Conditioner

My favorite shampoo and conditioner to bring on vacation for when you just want perfectly shiny hair is Redkin Diamond Oil Shampoo and Conditioner.  It really creates a tremendous vivid glow that also helps out with matching your hair to those extensions!  🙂  Love the smell of this shampoo and conditioner too.  I usually like to put Redkin All Soft Conditioner on top of the Diamond Oil Conditioner and let it sit for a few minutes for deep conditioning, while I soap the rest of myself. My favorite PRODUCT for my hair currently is Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine which is very comparable to Paul Mitchell Super Skinny.      I also really love Thick and Full Biotin and Collagen Weightless Healing Oil Treatment that I use along with the Sleek and Shine. 

8) Face Wash

This Diz Lover’s desired way to clean my face at night is with simple organic coconut oil this way my face is never dried out.  I simply apply coconut oil and take a wet warm cloth and scrub.  When I feel like I need a deeper clean, I turn to Ponds Cold Cream.

9) Moisturizer

When I use a moisturizer and especially in the summer, I always make sure it contains an SPF.  My favorite at the moment is Oil of Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream with Sunscreen. 

10) Lightweight Backpack

Wow!  You have not felt a lightweight backpack until you have felt this!  Super light backpack on your back.  It only made it through 1 short beach vacation, 1 short Hershey Park Vacation and then a 11 day Disney Vacation before it went in the garbage.  I believe it would have lasted longer had I not been carrying around my children’s IPads in my pack. It’s called a Venture Pal Lightweight Packable Durable Travel Hiking Backpack.  Its probably the best $15 I have ever spent on a backpack!

11) Neck Fan

One thing we discovered this past 2017 Disney Vacation was that the kids, and my husband and I enjoyed Mini Neck Fans, much more than carrying around the big spray fans that you can purchase inside the parks.  I originally purchased my mini neck fan in the travel section of Harmon Cosmetics but the highlighted link is to one on Amazon.com . They don’t take up much space at all – unlike the big spray fans.  We also enjoyed mini cooling neck towels as opposed to the normal sized cooling towels.  The less you have to lug around – the happier everyone is!  Besides, I have learned you can walk up to any quick service station and ask for 2 cups of ice, or ice water when you’re hot!

12) Alarm Clock / Nightlight

I always use my IPhone as an Alarm Clock, but if you need, don’t forget to pack one!  When we fly to Disney and luggage is limited, I usually pack a few small flashlights that I use as nightlights.  They seem to do the trick.  When we drive I can snag some of my kids battery operated candles that we use as nightlights for them.

13) Meds

Lastly, I ALWAYS make sure to pack all sorts of medicines!  The last thing you want to do is become ill while at Disney World!  Always, always, always make sure you have your allergy meds as well as Benedryl!  You never know what sort of itchy bite you may get, or what allergic reaction you could possibly have (even though we hope that never happens).

In my backpack that I always carry inside parks (or wherever we are vacationing)  contains:

*Itch creams for bug bites – Cortisone / Benedryl / Desitin / Aquaphor

*Motrin / Tylenol

*First aid like band aides and neosporin

*Sanitizing Wipes / Sanitizer

*Drinks / Snacks

*MiniFan

*Cooling Towel

*Baby Wipes

*Sweatshirts – sometimes you freeze when walking into air conditioning after sweating all day and sometimes it cools off at night – you just never know!

*Lolipops (not just for children but I have a diabetic husband so we have to keep Gluclose Tablets as well)

*Phone Charger – I have had an My Charge from Amazon.com for 5 years now and it still works! Here is the latest version on Amazon.com.  I paid $60 back then and incredibly it STILL works great! My only complaint is that its a little heavy but its usable! 

We usually start taking extra-strength Probiotics a week to 2 weeks prior to ANY vacation and then make sure we bring extra-strength Probiotics during our vacation. The brand we use is Culturelle Extra Strength Digestive Health.

For EVERY vacation I also make sure we have a lot of WetOnes antibacterial hand wipes on hand, as well as hand sanitizer.  I try to sanitize after each ride and wash hands as soon as we enter a restaurant.  I also like to use Essential Oils as an immune booster while there too – like Theives and Frankincense by Young Living.  Peppermint can help any congestion or motion sickness, and can be used as an anti-viral as well.

Also, don’t forget to pack your typical Motrin / Tylenol – and remember meds for any sort of stomach upset, like Tums, Pepto etc.  We use children’s Dramamine as we travel to and from our destination.

I like to bring a lot of baby wipes to clean up throughout the day as well.

Lollipops can be a great way to pass the time while waiting on lines for rides!  We also love to play Disney Trivia with each other (if you run out of ideas there is an app for that which is easy to use on your phone).

I shouldn’t have to mention this one but….. Sunscreen!  Pack your sunscreen and sunglasses.  Who wants to get stuck without those essentials?

When is your next Disney World Vacation?

Check out my article on Saving Space in your Luggage: Shipping Yourself Items to your Disney World Resort prior to check in!