9 Best Cooling Essentials for Hot Disney Theme Park Days From CVS

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As someone who makes a trip out to the Disney Parks every month, I like to believe I know a thing or two about what to pack for your upcoming magical adventure. Now that it’s summer, your park day essentials are bound to look a little different than it does at other times of the year. After all, both Disneyland and Walt Disney World can get pretty hot in the middle of the day — especially when we hit July and August. After years of going the parks as both a fan and a creator, I’ve discovered which products you need to help you and your family make it through those scorching summer days.

First things first, Disney during the summertime is a totally different beast. While it’s undoubtedly a lot of fun, making the trek from Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to Peter Pan’s Flight or queueing up to meet your favorite Disney characters can be quite the struggle under the sun. Fortunately, there are things you can buy ahead of your trip to make the heat more bearable for you and your family. While this may come as a surprise, you can find some great Disney vacation cooling essentials at your local CVS store (or order them online to pick up in store).

While you’re prepping for your Disney trip, you may even want to check out all of CVS‘ deals on summer must-haves. Right now, they’re even in the middle of their Extra Big Deals event, which has savings on everything from park day snacks and water bottles, to sunscreen.

Whether you’re seeking a new water bottle or a fan for an extra breeze, read on for some items you can purchase now at CVS. And, the best part is that you can snag each item for less than $70. 

The CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen is my go-to sunscreen for a day at the parks as it is made with a blend of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. This 2.5-ounce bottle offers SPF 50 and is lightweight, so my face doesn’t feel heavy even after sweating. While it may take a few minutes to make sure you work the product into your skin thoroughly (I know I do), it’s worth it. 

This Joyward Rainbow Heart Baseball Cap can help keep your head and hair protected (and do so in style). This lightweight hat features a rainbow heart stitched onto the front as well as a visor to protect your eyes. While you can’t adjust this cap, it is designed to fit a range of head sizes. Pair it with a T-shirt and shorts or a dress for an extra stylish look — either way, you’ll love the way this baseball cap looks (and feels) as you navigate the Disney Parks. 

If you’re seeking a handheld fan for your upcoming visit, consider the Jisulife Handheld Fan Life 9 Blade. When you fully charge this pink fan’s 3600mAh rechargeable battery, you can look forward to up to 12 hours of cooling across its five speed settings. You can simply place it in your pocket or bag when you’re not using it, too. While you can use a standard plug to charge this nine-blade gadget, you can also use a USB port or car charger for added convenience.

You don’t have to choose between a non-insulated and an insulated bag for your Disney trip when you buy this RTIC 2-in-1 Chillout Cooler Bag. You can keep any autograph books, trading pins, or sunscreen in its top non-insulated portion and store any snacks, cans, or beverages you’d like in the bottom cooler compartment (yes, it’s allowed to bring in!). We can’t forget to mention that you can easily wipe down your bag after each use to ensure it is clean for the next one. 

If you’re not a fan of a tote-style cooler, the RTIC 15-Can Lightweight Backpack Cooler can be another great option. This backpack-style cooler can keep up to 15 cans cool for an entire day, thanks to its high-density foam insulation when you place ice packs or sealed ice inside. While you might be worried about this bag hurting your back while you make your way around the theme parks, you can rest assured that this bag offers protection by way of its adjustable straps and padded back panel. 

Staying hydrated can help you feel cool, and is why buying the 18-ounce Thermos Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Hydration Bottle can be a good idea. Whether you’re filling up your bottle with water, an energy drink, or electrolytes, you can expect it to stay cool for up to 14 hours (suitable for even the longest of park days). Plus, it has a rubber grip to keep your hands comfortable with every sip. 

While we hope you don’t experience sunburn during your Disney trip, this Banana Boat Soothing Aloe After Sun Gel can help your skin feel cool if you do. Made with pure aloe vera extract, it will hydrate and nourish your skin each time you apply its lightweight formula to affected areas. You’ll experience relief without all of the greasiness. 

While staying hydrated is important during any Disney Park day, ensuring you maintain your electrolyte levels is, too. That’s where the Pedialyte Classic Strawberry Lemonade Powder can come in. Each packet contains 180 milligrams of potassium and 290 milligrams of chloride. It’s strawberry lemonade flavored, so keeping up with your electrolytes throughout your day doesn’t have to taste bland. 

Whether you’re headed to Orlando, Florida, or Anaheim to visit Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort, an umbrella like this Weather Station Manual Super Mini 42-inch Umbrella can help keep you both protected from the sun and rain. This compact umbrella is easy to open, can be stored in its carrying bag, and can be placed in your bag or wherever you plan to keep it until it’s needed.