Top 10 Ways to Stay Cool in Walt Disney World

The Florida heat in summertime can be BRUTAL, making it challenging for park goers to stay cool in Walt Disney World.  There’s a reason they call it the Sunshine State!  The high temps paired with high humidity can lead to some grumpy travelers if you aren’t prepared.  Try these Top 10 Ways to Stay Cool in Walt Disney World and get the most out of your vacation!     

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1. Visit the Resort Pool

Every Walt Disney World hotel has at least one themed pool area for guests to enjoy during their stay.  When it’s too hot to enjoy the parks, take a dip in the pool to cool off!

2. Stay Hydrated!

It’s incredibly important to stay hydrated when you are enjoying the parks.  The heat, combined with long days of walking and standing in line, can easily lead to dehydration.  You can always ask for a free cup of ice water from any Quick Service location.  But to avoid more lines, I highly recommend you bring a refillable water bottle.  There are plenty of water fountains located throughout the parks so you can keep the cool water flowing!

And if you aren’t a fan of the water at Disney, check out these filtered water bottles available on Amazon!

3. Get Wet on your Favorite Attraction

The new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom and Kali River Rapids in Animal Kingdom are sure to get you wet on a hot day.  And if you’re lucky, you may even get wet while riding the Magic Carpets in Magic Kingdom by that mischievous spitting camel!

4. Dress Cool

In the peak of summer, comfort is of the utmost importance when planning your park attire!  Be sure to wear light, airy clothing to keep from getting overheated.  Activewear with moisture wicking fabric is cool and breathable for those sweltering summer days in Disney.

5. Schedule a Water Park Day

Walt Disney World is home to two themed water parks: Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach.  These water parks offer swimming areas, lazy rivers, and thrilling attractions to suit the needs of all guests.  We visited Blizzard Beach on our arrival day during our last visit and it was a BLAST!  I highly recommend making time for a Walt Disney World water park to cool off when it’s hot.

6. Bring Cooling Towels or Misting Neck Fans

There are so many awesome gadgets to help you stay cool in Walt Disney World.  Two of my favorites are cooling towels and misting neck fans. 

Cooling towels MAGICALLY become cold when wet and stay that way for up to two hours.  Wear them on your head or around your neck to instantly cool off in the sun.

Misting neck fans are another great product to keep you cool in the parks.  Make sure to get one with a strap to hang around your neck for easy access.

7. Soak Up some A/C During an Indoor Show

Luckily, there are plenty of spots in Walt Disney World to soak up some A/C.  There are also several indoor shows with longer runtimes allowing you to BASK in it.  Here are some of the longest indoor shows in each park:

8. Cool Off at a Splash Pad

Guests can enjoy splash pads in Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney Springs.  The Casey Jr Splash Pad located in Magic Kingdom’s Storybook Circus was a LIFESAVER on our last trip.  Lines were long, the girls were hot, and people were getting crabby.  After 15 minutes of running around the splash pad, I had two revitalized kids ready for our next adventure!

Guests can also find a splash pad in EPCOT located near Test Track.  And while not technically a Splash Pad, guests of Moana’s Journey of Water can also have fun playing in the water!

Those visiting Disney Springs can also cool off at the splash pads located near Earl of Sandwich and behind the Days of Christmas store.

9. Take Breaks/Avoid the Midday Heat

Usually, the hottest time of the day is also the BUSIEST in the parks.  Take a break to head back to your hotel for some swimming in the pool or schedule dining reservations in the A/C.  Not only will you get some time to cool off, regroup, and recharge, but you can also avoid some of those LONG lines and waits that occur midday in the parks

10. Get a Cool Treat

There are TONS of frozen treats on property to help you stay cool in Walt Disney World.  Ice cream, slushies, Mickey Bars, and Dole Whip – there is something for EVERYONE available in the parks and at the resorts.  Grab a cool treat to help you beat the heat!

Do you have any tips to stay cool in Walt Disney World? Let me know in the comments!

Looking for other trip planning articles? Check out my Walt Disney World Packing Guide HERE and My Favorite Money Saving Tip HERE!

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