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Do you wake up feeling like death after a day at Disneyland? You’re not alone!
Please note, this is not about Disney withdrawals. It’s not about missing Disneyland. It’s about how to prevent yourself from feeling like crap after a long day at Disneyland.
This post is all about how to prevent exhaustion and dehydration (a Disney hangover) the day after a Disneyland trip.
When you’re nursing a Disney hangover, you’ve spent 12-15 hours outside, walking constantly, and are down at least $200. You’ve probably had more sugar than usual, no water and then went on a ton of rides to mix it all together.
After a full day or weekend at Disneyland – your body hurts.
So what’s the best Disney hangover cure, sorry, the best way to avoid a Disney hangover?
Let’s get to it!
Tips for How to Avoid Feeling Hungover After Disneyland
Hydrate
Yes, I know, I know, we should always drink water but for some reason, it’s the last item on everyone’s list when they’re at Disney. The only time you realize you need water is if it’s 100 degrees in Anaheim or ridiculously humid in Orlando. Other than that, I’m drinking Bottle Logic beer or a cherry ICEE.
Pack a reusable water bottle (preferably with a filter) that you can fill up at the water stations. You can also ask for a free cup of ice water at the restaurants. A single bottle of Dasani water will cost you $3-$4, pick one up at CVS for a $1 before you go.
I also take my Disney weekends very seriously and when I know I’m about to be walking around for 12 hours, I start to hydrate early and at the end of a Disney night before bed.
One of my favorite items to keep in my bag when I travel or go to the parks is, electrolyte packs. They are small to carry in your bag and you can mix them in your water bottle or a glass of water at a restaurant and refuel. I like the Liquid I.V. and DripDrop packs from Costco or Amazon. They are also great to carry when you are flying or heading to Vegas for the weekend.
My point is, stay hydrated. You don’t want to get a headache or body aches because you forgot to drink water. Always hydrate
Eat Healthy Snacks
Don’t attack me for this one, hear me out. Let’s balance the snack options for the day. If you’re at the parks for a few days I suggest having a protein-heavy breakfast for one or two of the days instead of Mickey Waffles or Cinnabons.
It’s easy to go wild and crazy at the parks but your stomach will not be happy. If you can’t eat pizza, ice cream and cookies in one meal at home, don’t try it at Disneyland on vacation. You can always pick up packaged desserts to eat later at your hotel or once you get back home. Disney always has an option for you.
If you plan to eat out for each meal, try to add in some healthier snack options. Disney has great fruit stands across the parks that sell pineapple spears (perfect with Tajin), pickles, apple slices, strawberries and more! I also like to pack hummus cups with crackers or cut veggies. Peanut butter and honey sandwiches are always a winner for my group too and they hold up well in a bag without needing to be refrigerated.
Get Your Rest
I know it’s tough to sleep the night before a Disney trip but trust me, it’s necessary. If you aren’t able to take the day off before your trip, try packing a little bit each night the week before your trip.
It’s fun to get to the parks bright and early at 6:30 AM when the parking garage opens, if you’re one of those people (like me) then please go to bed early. You’ll probably need to wake up around 4 AM that first day, so getting to be around 8 PM or 9 PM is necessary.
For the second day of your trip, you’ll probably still be excited and have an early reservation for breakfast or an early boarding group for Rise of the Resistance. I suggest only planning two early days in a row. Leave that third day for sleeping in before heading home or your next park trip.
It’s okay to take breaks at Disney, especially if you’re traveling with kids. My family likes to wake up early for Magic Hour and hit our favorite rides and then head back to the hotel to rest or head to the pool. On the really hot days, you’re going to want to take advantage of the pool and nice restaurants. Plan extra time to just sit and take it all in. Shows are also a great way to stay cool and rest your feet.
Sunscreen
I’ve definitely been burned at Disney before, please always wear sunscreen. A bad sunburn can be dangerous, it can also hurt a lot and ruin your day.
Use a long-lasting sunscreen in the morning and reapply during the day, especially after a water ride. I like to carry sunscreen sticks for my face and hands and a spray for my arms and legs.
You can find travel sizes at your local drug store like Walgreens and CVS and also online on Amazon. Disney sells the basic drugstore necessities at their gift shops too, usually at the hotel or a kiosk in Downtown Disney or Disney Springs. Just ask a cast member where to locate the store if you need it while you’re out.
If you’re visiting during a particularly hot or humid day at either park, you may want to invest in a cooling towel. I highly recommend these for young kids and older family members. You wet the towel and keep it around your neck and it will help to keep you from overheating. Definitely a must!
Pain Reliever/Medicine
I never thought I would see a day where I couldn’t eat a chili cheese dog, ice cream and churro in one sitting – but here we are. At 32 years young, my body does not like me eating all of the yummiest food Disney has to offer. And to top it off, my feet start to hurt after a few hours.
I was always so annoyed with my parents when they would ask to sit and relax on a Disney vacation. How could they be tired? I wasn’t tired.
Now, and always, I come prepared. This is for any trip I take, anywhere. I always pack Pepto and Advil and anything else I can think of. DayQuil and NyQuil are also a must-have as well. It may sound dramatic but your body will hurt and be very tired once your Disney excitement wears off.
Appropriate Apparel: Hat and Sunnies, Comfortable Shoes
I forget to take my own advice sometimes and end up at Disneyland for 12 hours with a crazy outfit on and platform shoes – don’t be like me. I LOVE to dress up for the parks but I also have to be realistic. If we’re going for a full day and not just to take pictures – I’m going to need a change of clothes.
I recently went on a trip with my family and mid-day we all changed into more comfortable attire like leggings, bike shorts, and an oversized t-shirt. We started the day off in cute dresses but once the 4am wake-up call hit us – we needed our comfies.
My first tip is to wear comfortable shoes. If your outfit requires fancy shoes then pack them in your bag and slip them on just for the photo – people do it all the time. Anything for the gram!
I’ve started adding arch support insoles to all of my shoes too since I mostly wear Vans and Converse. They are very flat shoes, so adding a bit of support helps with the long days.
For sunny days please wear a hat and sunglasses. You may not realize how bright it is outside until you take an extended break. A larger sun hat will help a lot with staying cool and not over-exhausting yourself.
Closing Thoughts
Please don’t underestimate theme parks and the amount of walking you will be doing. Stay hydrated and take breaks.
My most recent trip to Disneyland (a 20 hour day) left me exhausted for about 4 days after the trip and I was sore for about 2 days (I have bad knees).
If you’re going to the parks for short periods of time then you are okay but if you’re planning full days, especially for longer than a weekend, then please schedule a hotel day. Hotel days are great for hanging out at the pool and trying out new restaurants.
I wish you all the best on your next Disney adventure! If any of these tips helped you on your trip, please let me know.
See you at the parks!
This post was all about how to avoid a Disney hangover and stay hydrated and comfortable at the parks.
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