Seven Ways to Beat the Heat While Vacationing During the Summer at Disney World

Summer and Disney World go hand in hand. With kids out of school and relaxed schedules, summer is a popular time for families to visit Disney, Universal, and other Orlando theme parks. However, Florida in the summertime also means heat, humidity, and daily thunderstorms. Here are the best ways to beat the heat and ensure everyone in your group has a cool vacation when visiting Disney in the summer. 

1. Experience Indoor Attractions During the Hottest Part of the Day

A typical Florida summer day includes highs in the low to mid-90s with a 40-50% chance of rain in the afternoon. The heat is most intense between 11 am and 4 pm, so you’ll want to spend as much time as possible inside during these times.

Whether you choose a standby queue, schedule a Genie+ return time, or secure a Lightning Lane pass, choosing an air-conditioned attraction will be a welcome relief from the heat. Here are a few of my favorite indoor attractions & shows with mostly indoor queue lines: 

Magic Kingdom

• Mickey’s PhilarMagic 
  
• Space Mountain
  
• Carousel of Progress 
  

Hollywood Studios 

• Rockin ‘n’ Roller Coaster 
  
• Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway 
  
• One Man’s Dream (a hidden gem with some cool memorabilia and models on display)
  

Animal Kingdom

• Dinosaur 
  
• Festival of the Lion King (back in full force starting in July)
  
• Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond (newly reopened!) 
  

EPCOT 

• Frozen Ever After
  
• The American Adventure
  
• The Seas with Nemo and Friends
  
• Soarin’ Around the World​
  

2. Visit Characters

Meeting characters is a great way to beat the heat when visiting during the summer at Disney World. Many of the best meet and greet locations are located at indoor facilities throughout the parks. Meeting Mickey at the Town Square Theater or getting a hug from Elsa and Anna will help you relax and cool down!

3. Make a Lunch Reservation ​

Opting for a sit-down meal in the middle of the day may be a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of the parks. Plus, securing a dining reservation for lunch will free up time in the early morning and late afternoon to enjoy outdoor attractions when temperatures are slightly cooler.

 Need help securing your dining reservation? Just Add Magic Travel® can help! Get a quote to get started. 

4. Spend Time in Indoor Play Areas

There are many indoor play areas that allow your family to explore the wonders of the imagination, explore the future, blast into space, or discover the oceans. These include the interactive game areas after Spaceship Earth and Journey into Imagination with Figment at EPCOT. I also recommend checking out the aquarium at the end of the Seas with Nemo and Friends attraction. You can easily spend a few hours exploring these areas!

5. Take a Midday Break

Planning to take midday breaks is one of the best tips for successful theme park vacations, especially when traveling with small children or elderly family members. Staying at a Disney Resort makes this even easier, as you can take free Disney transportation to and from your hotel. After recharging for two or three hours, return to the parks in the afternoon and enjoy the cooler temperatures in the evening.

6. Stay Hydrated

You may not realize it, but you could walk nearly ten miles every day you visit Disney World. Pair that with 95+ degree heat and the blazing Florida sun, and it won’t take long for symptoms of dehydration to kick in. Churros and Premium Mickey Ice Cream bars won’t sustain you for very long, so be sure to drink enough water, apply sunscreen, and find shade whenever possible. I recommend getting cases of water delivered to your resort to bring into the parks. The water in Florida can have a strong sulfuric taste that can be off-putting to some. Also, order free cups of tap water from quick-service dining locations (as long as they have a fountain drink dispenser). 
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If you or someone in your party doesn’t feel well, head to the First Aid center. Every Disney theme park has nurses on hand during normal park operating hours to help with minor medical issues. 

7. Cool Down with Water Rides & Attractions

The ultimate tip for beating the heat when vacationing during the summer at Disney World? Cool down with water rides, pools, and other water activities. Every Disney Resort has at least one pool, so cooling down for a few minutes or a few hours is easy. There are also two water parks, so you can spend an entire day slipping and sliding down various waterslides or taking a dip in the wave pool. 

Take advantage of the water rides like Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom or Kali River Rapids at Animal Kingdom, as well. There are also a few water play areas throughout the parks, like the Casey Jr. Soak-n-Splash Station at Storybook Circus in Fantasyland. 
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Another crowd favorite way to cool down is at Club Cool at EPCOT. This Coke-themed store features free samples of Coke flavors from around the world.

Just Add Magic Travel Makes Summer at Disney World Vacations Cool ​

As an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner Agency, Just Add Magic Travel is recognized by Disney for its dedication to planning family vacations to magical Disney destinations across the globe. Get your free quote to get started planning your Disney vacation! 
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For more tips on planning a Disney vacation check out my blog, which features tips like what to pack and ways to save time while visiting the parks. Sign up for our email newsletter to get theme park and travel updates to your inbox!

What are your favorite ways to beat the heat when vacationing at Disney? Let me know in the comments below!