Top Ways to Beat the Heat this Summer at Walt Disney World

Visiting Disney World during most of the year means that guests will encounter some hot temperatures as well as some oppressive humidity.  Guests are certain to feel those effects even more as they are walking around the theme parks moving between favorite attractions and hunting down their next snack.  Guests certainly don’t want to push it too hard and overdo it when visiting Disney World, so it is important to have a plan on how to beat the heat and stay cool during their trip.  Here are the top ways to beat the heat on your next trip to Disney!

 

1. Stay Hydrated

The simplest suggestion is to make sure that you are drinking an adequate amount of water to keep your body cool and replace water lost to sweating.  You’re welcome to enjoy a soft drink or some frosty, delicious adult beverages, but make sure you are drinking water, too.  If you want to avoid the cost of bottled water, consider bringing in water of your own and refill your water bottle when needed.  If you don’t want to be carrying around a water bottle or bag all day, guests can also get a small cup of ice water at counter service restaurants across the parks. 

2. Take Frequent Breaks, Preferably Inside

Being outside in the sun can easily sap you of your energy and make an enjoyable day one you’d rather forget.  All of the theme parks are designed with enjoyable outdoor spaces, as well as indoor spaces to explore, enjoy, and cool off.  So, the next time that you are enjoying the kiosks from the seasonal festivals at Epcot, be sure to explore the pavilions and go inside the stores and the attractions.  Even if you have to wait in line, you’ll enjoy some air conditioning, as well as the opportunity to get off of your feet and recharge for the remainder of your day.

3. Visit the Pool

All of the Disney resorts have multiple pools for guests to enjoy and to cool off — kids will love jumping into the water and making a big splash or hurtling down the waterslides at the main pool at each resort.  Adults can rest away any pains from the day by soaking in the hot tub or laying back on a chaise lounge poolside while enjoying the scenery, as well as a refreshing beverage from the pool bar.  Check the hours on the pool because most stay open even after you’ve returned from the park, so you can even beat that late night summer heat once the sun goes down.

 

 

4. Cool Down

When we began running in the runDisney races five years ago, we discovered cool towels that aid in keeping our body temperature regulated by cooling us down, as well as wicking sweat away from our body.  These towels aren’t limited to use in running — we love bringing them along with us to the park and soaking them in cold water and draping them over our necks when it gets hot to help cool us down.  You may want to bring a plastic bag with you to put them in if you don’t intent on wearing them until they completely dry out.

6. Ride a Water Attraction

Three of the parks have attractions that take place on the water, so there is always the chance that you can get a little wet (or a lot wet) by riding any of these attractions.  At the Magic Kingdom, guests will want to take a plunge into the Briar Patch on Splash Mountain.  Over at Epcot, you won’t get as wet riding aboard their three water attractions — Living with the Land, Frozen Ever After, or the Gran Fiesta Tour.  Lastly, guests needing to completely drench themselves should head over to Animal Kingdom and climb aboard Kali River Rapids!  You’ll want to make sure that you have a dry pair of shoes or flip flops to change into!

7. Avoid the Afternoon Sun (and Rain)

Afternoons in Central Florida get very hot, humid, and, usually, rainy.  Taking a break in the middle of the day is the best way to avoid all three of these things.  Back in your resort room, you can choose to take a nap, watch a movie, take a dip in the pool, have a snack, or all of the above.  Not only will you avoid the heat and prime sunburn hours, but you have the ability to head back to the parks after your break and even park hop to a new park (assuming you have a park hopper ticket and there is additional park availability through the park reservation system).

8. Water Park

The top suggestion we can offer for beating the heat would be to never get hot!  Disney is home to two water parks, although only Blizzard Beach is open currently, but guests can float, slide, and splash to their heart’s content here.  Maybe you’re a thrill seeker and want to take the plunge from the top of Summit Plummet or you just may want to float around and enjoy a relaxing trip (or three) around the lazy river.  The water parks are amazing fun, so we highly recommend checking them out on your next trip!

What are your top tips for beating the heat while you’re at Disney?  What are you most looking forward to doing on your next trip?