We’re approaching the official start of summer here in the Sunshine State, which means it’s also prime traveling time for Walt Disney World! Are you looking for simple and easy ways to stay cool at the parks? These tips can help you beat the heat so everyone in your traveling party still has a magical time.
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!
One of the biggest ways to beat the summer heat is to stay hydrated. This includes before your trip even starts – up your water intake in the days leading up to your trip. Once you’re there, make sure everyone in the family is doing their part! Thankfully, Disney lets you bring in your own water bottles into their parks. Water fountains and bottle filling stations ensure they’ll stay full.
In case you forget your water bottle and don’t want to purchase any, free cups of water are available at quick-service dining locations, walk-up counters, and some snack carts. A good rule of thumb is if they have a soda fountain (rather than bottles of soda for purchase), free cups of water are available.
Take Breaks!
Between scheduled dining reservations, Lightning Lanes, walking from World Showcase to The Land pavilion and back, and “but Space Mountain is only 30 minutes right now!”, it’s easy to feel the pressure to just go, go, go. But, it’s important to pace yourself and keep your cool.
Find a shady spot, hydrate, and rest for a few minutes. This is a great excuse to order your favorite chilled Disney treat, too!
Here are my favorite places to take indoor breaks at all four parks:
- Magic Kingdom: Columbia Harbor House, upstairs, overlooking the walkway between Fantasyland and Liberty Square (bonus: people-watching)
- EPCOT: The Seas with Nemo & Friends (Ride in and peruse all the sea life at a relaxed pace) & leisurely shop through Mitsukoshi in Japan
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: STAR TOURS! And take extended A/C breaks by watching the many indoor stage shows!
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Festival of the Lion King & Restaurantosaurus (DinoLand forever)
Pool Time
Take a pool day (or afternoon!) at your resort.
If you’re planning on spending many days at the park, consider spending a full day at your resort to just lounge around the pool. This is a great way to give everyone a moment to decompress and gear up for the rest of the trip.
Personally, if I have multiple park days planned, I prefer spending the early morning at the park, heading back to the resort for pool time and naps, before heading back into a park for the evening. Why spend the hottest point of the day away from rest and relaxation?
Extra Cool Attractions
Okay, we get it. Riding rides and seeing shows are cool… but don’t you love those extra cool ones? You know, the ones with air conditioning, or maybe water splashes up on you once in a while. These are mostly-easy attractions to duck into, while a majority of them feature some nice indoor queue space before loading your [breezy] ride vehicle. Here are just a few of my favorites around all four parks:
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
- Haunted Mansion
- Space Mountain
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Mickey’s PhilharMagic
- Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid
- Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
- Spaceship Earth
- Living with the Land
- Soarin’ Over the World
- Mission: SPACE
- The Seas with Nemo & Friends
- Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros
- Star Tours
- Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
- DINOSAUR
Don’t Forget!
Be sure to pack these essentials:
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Cooling Towel
- Fan
- Water bottle
- Patience
What are your summer must-haves for a Walt Disney World vacation? Stay cool!
