How to Stay Cool at Disney World in the Summer
Disney World in the summer is hot. Extremely hot. However, it doesn’t have to ruin your trip. With a little precaution and preparation, you can have an amazing time. The crowds are low. You don’t have to take the kids out of school. It costs less. So go! Here are some tips to keep to you cool at Disney World this summer.
They loved every minute of this trip in July, but it was hot
Stay Hydrated at Disney World
Staying hydrated is the key to dealing with the summer heat. It’s the absolute, number one thing to worry about if you’re in the heat all day. It's harder for your body to regulate its temperature when you're dehydrated, so you're more likely to get heat exhaustion. Every cell in your body needs water to function properly, so if you’re sweating it all out, it will make your vacation miserable and possibly dangerous. The first aid area is not as cool of an experience as the rest of the park.
Keep your water intake up throughout the day, and drink electrolyte-rich drinks like coconut water or sports drinks. Avoid soda or alcohol, which can dehydrate you. You can get free cups of water from counter service restaurants or use a filter water bottle to fill up at drinking fountain. If you have a stroller and cooler bag, you can bring your own bottled water into the park (it might get cumbersome trying to carry that in without a stroller). You can also bring in electrolyte packets to put in your water. They can add variety to the taste as well as give you important nutrients.
How can you tell if you’ve had enough water? You should be peeing regularly, and it should be a light lemonade color. Sorry if that’s gross, but it’s important.
Here's a link to an Amazon shopping list where you can choose from a list of recommended items. As an affiliate, I may earn from purchases and use the money to…buy the same items, so I can go to Disney in the summer.
Take Breaks
Don't try to do everything in one day and wear yourself out. Go back to your resort for a swim or a nap in the afternoon when the heat is the worst. Or find a shady spot to rest and cool off. Summer is not the time to be attempting to go to the park from rope drop to close unless you are scheduling breaks inside or outside the park.
Third Baby to the Right taking a break during on of our summer trips.
Set Reminders on Your Phone
If you think you’ll forget to drink water or take a rest before it’s too late, set a reminder in your phone to drink and rest regularly.
Visit the Parks in the Mornings and Evenings to Stay Cool at Disney
The temperatures are usually lower and more comfortable in the morning and evening at Disney World. The crowds are also typically larger in the middle of the day. The ideal schedule for a trip to Disney World in the summer is to get there at rope drop and ride the awesome rides. Then stick around until you start suffering and then head back to your hotel or designated resting spot (Go take a nap in the Grand Floridian lobby. Nobody will say anything). Then, return to the park (you can go and come to the same park with a normal ticket, or go to a different park with a Park Hopper) when it starts to cool down. Maybe eat an early dinner before you go. Avoiding the mid-afternoon heat is key if you want to stay cool at Disney World.
Pregnant women prefer the nighttime temperatures
Eat Cool Treats and Light Foods
Treat yourself to some refreshing treats like ice cream, frozen lemonade, Dole Whip, or Mickey bars. These can help you cool down and satisfy your sweet tooth. Don’t overdo it on sweet snacks though. Too much sugar in the heat is detrimental as well. Cool and light foods like fresh fruit and salads might not be the most exciting option, but it will help you fight the heat at Disney. Finally, avoid heavy and spicy foods because they raise your metabolism and make you feel hotter and thirstier.
The Mickey Bar. My favorite classic Disney treat. Eat it fast, or it will cover you in melted chocolate. Photo cred: Rick https://flic.kr/p/dseeJE
Get a Table Service Reservation
If you want to experience the amazing restaurants at Disney World but didn’t plan ahead, it’s easier to get a good reservation at a weird time like 2-4 PM. Fortunately for you, this is the hottest part of the day. Go experience that restaurant, order a couple of appetizers, and enjoy the air conditioning. It’s a great way to stay cool at Disney world.
Find some air-conditioning at 50s Prime Time
Plan All Your Pictures in the Morning or Evening
This one isn’t really a health concern, but if you want to take frameable pictures at Disney, you probably don’t want to have giant pit stains, hair plastered to your face, flushed cheeks, and running make up. Plan to take your pictures when you’re not sweaty, or switch shirts.
Go on Water Rides
There are several attractions that can get you wet and cool you off at Disney World, such as Splash Mountain (when it reopens), Kali River Rapids, or Frozen Ever After (if you’re lucky). Go get soaked. However, you may want to consider a change of underwear or shorts if you’re prone to chafing. Walking around for hours with wet thighs might not be fun.
Avoid Chafing and Heat Rash
Speaking of chafing, walking around in the humidity and sweating all day is liable to cause painful chafing and rashes on your inner thighs and armpits. If you’re prone to this, consider getting preventative anti-chafing stick before you leave for the parks, and some hydrocortisone cream for after you start hurting. See my Amazon shopping list for my items. Vaseline works well, too.
Hang out at Splash Pads and Cooling Zones in the Disney Parks
Magic Kingdom and Epcot both have Splash pads, where water shoots out of various thematic elements to soak you. Magic Kingdom’s is in the back corner of Fantasyland near Dumbo and Barnstormer. Epcot has one in Future World near Mission: Space. I can only assume that the new Moana water area at Epcot will have somewhere to get wet. There is also a splash pad near Earl of Sandwich at Disney Springs.
Second Daughter to the Right enjoying the Splash Pad at Magic Kingdom (Shoes: https://amzn.to/3OEcU6D )
Also, Magic Kingdom and Epcot both have misting zones. Magic Kingdom has one in Tomorrowland near Space Mountain and another in Adventureland near the entrance to Jungle Cruise. Epcot has one near Test Track that is, of this writing, listed as Temporarily Closed, so hopefully it will be back online soon.
Third Baby to the Right Enjoying that Mist
I’m not sure why soaking people while they are walking around is not a priority at Hollywood Studios, or especially Animal Kingdom.
Swim at Your Disney Resort's Pool
If you have some extra time, you can enjoy some fun in the sun at your resort's pool. These are great places to beat the heat and have a blast. The parks are amazing, but as a parent, I also love the pools. The lifeguards are the most attentive I’ve ever seen, and there are life jackets available in every size. It allows you to relax your vigilance. Most of the resorts at Disney have great pools, splash pads, and water slides. This is an amazing way to cool off during the afternoon heat.
Second Daughter to the Right directing us to the water slide at the Lost City of Cibola pool, Coronado Springs.
Go to the Water Parks- Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach
Disney has two water parks that really help summer Disney guests beat the heat. Currently, they are alternating as to which one is open. Both have amazing wave pools, toddler areas, lazy rivers, and a variety of exciting water slides. Typhoon Lagoon’s jet-powered Crush ‘N’ Gusher and Blizzard Beach’s 120’ freefall slide, Summit Plummet, offer thrills that match any of the rides at Disney. The cost of the water parks is usually half that of the theme parks, and if you get a Park Hopper Plus Ticket, you get to go for free as many times as you have park tickets (4 park tickets=4 free water park tickets, you can go on different days).
Typhoon Lagoon also offers H2O glow nights, where you can go to the water park at night. Water park and nighttime, it’s the best of both worlds when it comes to dealing with the heat at Disney World. And as a bonus, you might get photo opportunities with Forky and Rex, who are pretty rare character photos in Disney World. I know they were just statues, but still.
H2O Glow Party with Forky. Don’t worry, Second Mom to the Right didn’t like the beard either
Wear Light and Breathable Clothing to Stay Cool
When wearing clothes at Disney (a strict requirement), choose fabrics that are comfortable and wick away sweat, such as quick drying polyester, cotton or linen. Avoid dark colors that absorb heat and opt for lighter shades that reflect it. You should also wear hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun. The peak time for sunburn is 10-4PM, so make sure you’re ready. Check out my Amazon list for some ideas. I’ll try to get Second Mom to the Right to add some women’s clothes to the list.
Pack Cooling Towels
These are towels that you can wet and wring out, and then place around your neck or forehead to cool you down. They can make a big difference in how you feel in the heat. You can use them over and over again.
Use a Fan or Spray Fan
You can bring your own fan or spray fan to create a breeze or mist yourself with water. I recommend getting a USB or solar powered rechargeable one so that you don’t have to carry around batteries. You can also buy these items at the parks, but they will be significantly marked up. Here’s an article I wrote on the best fans for Disney.
Use Genie+, Individual Lightning Lanes and Mobile Ordering
Anything you can do to avoid needlessly staying the heat will help you stay cool at Disney World. Use the My Disney Experience app for Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes to limit the amount of time you spend in lines, particularly outdoor lines (Slinky Dog Dash is by far the worst). You can also use the app to mobile order your food, so you can sit down and wait for it indoors at quick service restaurants instead of standing in line.
Use a Stroller Fan to Keep Your Kids Cool At Disney
If you have young children who use a stroller, you can attach a stroller fan or a misting fan to keep them cool and comfortable. Kids love the misting fans, maybe a little too much. My middle daughter is obsessed with Chinese paper fans, and she can be manipulated into fanning the rest of the family.
A stroller fan doing work for Third Baby to the Right
Wear comfortable shoes and socks
You’ll be walking a lot at Disney, so you’ll want to wear shoes and socks that are comfortable and breathable. Avoid sandals (unless they are hiking sandals) or flip-flops that offer little support, and make sure to put sunscreen on your feet if exposed. You can also bring an extra pair of shoes and socks in case they get wet or dirty. My wife and I swear by Brooks shoes for the park.
Find the Air-Conditioning at Disney World
There are many indoor attractions, shows, shops, and restaurants that offer a respite from the heat. Some of the best are Carousel of Progress, Spaceship Earth, Mickey's PhilharMagic, The American Adventure, Toy Story Mania, Smugglers Run, Frozen, Soarin’, and Pirates of the Caribbean. The best air conditioning experience is by far Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind.
Here are some great spots to get out of the heat and stay cool in each park:
Staying Cool at Magic Kingdom:
Air-conditioned rides include Buzz Lightyear’s Ranger Spin, Pirates of the Caribbean, Peter Pan, It’s a Small World, and Winnie the Pooh. Air-conditioned shows include Mickey’s PhilharMagic, Carousel of Progress, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, The Hall of Presidents, or The Enchanted Tiki Room. You can also visit some shops on Main Street U.S.A., such as The Emporium, The Chapeau, or The Art of Disney.
Staying Cool at Epcot:
Air-conditioned rides include almost everything at Epcot. You can explore some pavilions in World Showcase that have indoor areas, such as Impressions de France, Reflections of China, O Canada!, or The American Adventure. You can also visit some exhibits in Future World, such as The Seas with Nemo and Friends, Living with the Land, or Journey into Imagination with Figment. Epcot has some of the largest indoor areas not dedicated to rides, such as The Land, The Seas, and Connections Café.
Staying Cool at Hollywood Studios:
Air-conditioned rides include most everything except Slinky Dog Dash, but a lot of the queues are outside. Particularly bad queues are Slinky Dog Dash, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and Rise of the Resistance. You can enjoy some live performances that are indoors and air-conditioned, such as Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular (kinda indoors), Muppets 3-D, Disney Junior Dance Party, or Voyage of the Little Mermaid. You can also visit some shops on Hollywood Boulevard or Sunset Boulevard, such as Mickey’s of Hollywood, Keystone Clothiers, or Legends of Hollywood.
Staying Cool at Animal Kingdom:
Air-conditioned rides include Navi River Journey, Flight of Passage, and Dinosaur, but like Hollywood Studios, parts of a lot of queues are outside. You can watch some shows that are indoors and air-conditioned, such as Festival of the Lion King, Finding Nemo - The Musical, or It’s Tough to be a Bug. You can also visit some exhibits that are indoors or shaded, such as Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, Maharajah Jungle Trek, or Conservation Station.
It Rains a lot in the Summer at Disney World
I know we’re mostly talking about the heat, but summer in Disney World also means frequent rain showers. Almost every day sees a few minutes of rain and possibly storms. Take cover during lightning. Bring a poncho for you and your belongings if you don’t want to get wet. But seriously, it might feel good to let the rain do its thing. Just remember, when the sun returns, the humidity is more intense.
Second Dad to the Right Tip: Outdoor rides shut down in the rain. If you think a shower is going to be short-lived, go get in line for a long queue outdoor ride like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or Slinky Dog Dash. You’ll be near the front when it reopens. This is a gamble because if it doesn’t stop raining, you’ve wasted a lot of time, so use this tip with caution.
Illness- First Aid or Cast Member
Be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke in you and in others. Symptoms include:
· Heavy sweating
· Cold, pale, and clammy skin
· Fast, weak pulse
· Nausea or vomiting
· Muscle cramps
· Tiredness or weakness
· Dizziness
· Headache
If you experience any of these symptoms, make your way to the nearest First Aid center or ask a cast member for assistance.
Conclusion
Summer at Disney World can be magical. The crowds are lower. The sun is shining, well a lot of the time. There are lots of extra events to help you beat the heat. The parks stay open longer, and everything costs a little less. Just make sure you take precautions to keep yourself hydrated, healthy, and not sunburned.
Here’s a guide to weather and packing in July.
If you have any tips, let us know in the comments.
A review of Disney’s Deluxe hotel, the Wilderness Lodge. We stayed here right as they were putting up Christmas decorations.