The summer of 2025 has finally arrived, and the Disney Parks are bustling with vacationers enjoying the freedom of the seasonal break. Even though the fun-in-the-sun idea of Disney at this time of year feels relatively carefree in planning mode, in practice, it can be stressful. The crowds descend, the weather can offer unrelenting heat with a hurricane chaser, and it’s easy to feel all together overwhelmed. Sometimes, it is our kids who suffer the most, feeling the pressures of exhaustion and long lines. Not to worry, with a bit of planning, it is possible to avoid those cranky kid vibes and keep things light. Here are five tips to keep everyone happy and enjoying your vacation!
Prep Them in Advance
I know I sometimes sound repetitive with this one, though I really do feel that it is the key to success with any sort of travel. Spend some of your planning time prepping your kids for what to expect when you arrive, more so than just the exciting things to look forward to. I have always found that, at any age, when kids have a better understanding of what to expect, they are more prepared to rise to the occasion. Just as you are having those talks about how much fun the rides and shows will be, don’t forget to keep them aware of the waiting they will need to do as well. In this day and age, where kids don’t need to wait for anything, this can be particularly challenging for some to cope with.
Make the Waiting Fun!
Just because you are in a queue doesn’t mean life needs to be boring. Make plans ahead of time and let your kids problem-solve with you. Ask them for suggestions of things you can do as a family when the lines are moving slowly and everyone needs a distraction. Playing quizzing games or Disney character Guess Who can be a good way to keep kids engaged and less focused on being hot and uncomfortable while they wait. I’ve always been known to keep a small bag of treats, like M&Ms or Gummi Bears, in my backpack, only attainable with the correct answers to my pop quizzes! Sometimes they are Disney-related, with questions about history or attractions, sometimes fun with character impression competitions, and other times more reflective, asking the family to think back on their experience to answer questions about what they’ve done so far. One day, after five consecutive Disney days, my teens wasted a whole hour of queuing time for the Incredicoaster, trying to accurately remember every ride we had been on, in correct order, arriving.
Plan a Resort Break
If you are staying at a resort that is close to the Disney Park you are in, consider scheduling a resort stop into your plans. Planning an early morning in the parks followed by a later evening of parades and fireworks can be a long day, and a pit stop at your resort’s swimming pool might be just what you all need to reset, regroup, and get the most out of your return to the park. If more time in the sun doesn’t sound that appealing, even simply a lie down in your room, or an hour of your favorite Disney shows, can help kids regulate and recover their energy for that second wind later on.
Keep Them Cool in Character-Inspired Clothes
If you’ve been planning this Disney vacation for months, you might have thought about every last detail, from what you will be riding to what you will be wearing, but sometimes, the weather can make things more uncomfortable than they are worth. For those picturing their little ones wandering around Walt Disney World in their favorite Character costume, just like the commercials, consider putting them in a character-inspired outfit instead. Costumes are often hot, scratchy, and easy to get sick of wearing. The last thing you want to do is contribute to their irritability. A few light layers of similar colours will look just as good in photos, be much more comfortable,e and far less likely to get in the way or cause a problem than character costumes.
Listen to Them
This one is tricky, because home parent self thinks, of course you would listen to your children and be guided by what they need, but you vacation self might be too tempted to want to make the most of their time and miss those early signals that your little ones need a break. While we are thinking, if I can just get you through this hour line to meet Elsa, you will be so happy, they might be too wrecked by the time you get to the front to cope with the encounter at all. You know your child better than anyone, and getting on top of those early signs of stress can mean a small break has you back on track instead of a day-ending meltdown a little later on.
We hope your Disney vacation is a magical one this summer! For more tips and tricks to handle the heat in Disney Parks, see more of our Disney Summer Series.
Feature Image: Photo by Amy Humphries on Unsplash
