- Use PPE (personal perspective equipment)
If you work for Disney, then you learned all about PPE in your Welcome to Operations class at Disney University. While PPE typically has to do with cleaning chemicals, or food safety tools, it also includes things like hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen. As you know, the sun is very strong in Florida, and it's important to protect yourself from it while working outdoors all day. One of the nice things about working at Walt Disney World is that most locations will provide you with sunscreen backstage-- so not only do you not need to purchase sunscreen yourself, but you really have no excuse not to wear it because it will always be there for you at work. If your role has you working outdoors a lot, check with costuming to see if your costume has a hat option as well.
Rockin' that PPE, aka sunglasses
- Make sure you have every available option for your costume
By this point, I mean that you should have the shorts option, along with pants, hats, gloves, jackets, rain gear-- everything. It it's all of a sudden "freezing" one day, it will be helpful if you already have a jacket on hand, and don't have to stop at costuming before your shift. The other advantage to getting your jacket early is that you'll have a better chance of getting the sizes you want. Disney's jacket sizes tend to run big, so the common sizes will be gone early in the season.
- After getting your rain gear from costuming, actually bring it to work with you
During my college program, I knew so many CPs who for whatever reason, never had their rain gear with them at work. Costuming even gives you a little pouch to carry it in, which makes it super easy to just throw it on in with the rest of your costume. And don't that letting your costume get soaked in a downpour is bad show.
- Stay hydrated
Once you start working for Disney, everyone you meet will constantly be telling you to drink more water. One of the most common medical problems that people experience at Walt Disney World is dehydration, which can be easily avoided. There is no excuse for not drinking enough water, as Disney will provide you with a bottle carrier that clips to your costume, and your leaders and coordinators will always make sure that you're able to refill your water bottle.
Side note: You should stay hydrated while drinking water, not beer. This is the only picture I had of me holding a drink, just use your imagination and pretend it's water.
- Learn to deal with (or ignore) your sweat.
I know this sounds disgusting, but when you work outside at Walt Disney World, you really just have to get used to sweating all the time. It might sound crazy, but once you live in Florida for a couple of months, you do get used to the heat, and it becomes pretty easy to disregard the fact that you're sweating profusely. The other gross part about working outside is that even if you're used to the heat, you are still going to sweat all the time, and there's really not much you can do about it. Just pack extra deodorant and body spray in your bag when you go to work, and don't be embarrassed about sweating because it happens to everyone and it's out of your control.
So sweaty, but also so done worrying about it
- Wear your hair up
The Florida humidity and your hair are not going to be friends, and especially at work you'll quickly find that it's much more comfortable to wear your hair up. Sometimes I would start the day with my hair down, but eventually it would have to go up because the extra heat it created around my neck would just become too annoying.
Hair up, even while meeting Gaston
So there you have it-- my tips for tolerating the weather while working outdoors at Walt Disney World.
Don't forget to like or share the Brittany Earns Her Ears Facebook page for your chance to win a $15 Disney gift card!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Brittany Earns Her Ears" is on Amazon! Click here to get your copy today!
Facebook.com/BrittanyEarnsHerEars
Instagram: @brittanyearnsherears
Twitter: BrittanyEHE
No comments:
Post a Comment