If you haven’t heard, it has been HOT at Walt Disney World and it doesn’t look like it is going to cool off anytime soon. With that in mind, we thought we would give some suggestions on how to stay cool while in the Disney Parks. We hope these tips help you continue to enjoy the magic even when it gets super hot. And remember, it often remains hot throughout October. Those heading down this fall will want to make sure they keep in mind these tips as well.
Pack for Success
One way to stay cool while in a Disney Park is to come prepared for the heat. There are a few items that we suggest packing to help you remain cool while enjoying a Disney Park.
Fans
Having air movement can be a game changer while waiting in line or for a parade. We love bringing individual portable fans. There are great options on Amazon that you can choose from. Choosing a rechargeable one is key so you don’t have to worry about batteries. Fans are a great way to keep cool.
Cooling Towels
Another item we bring with us to stay cool are the cooling towels. These you can wrap around your neck or place on your head to help your body cool down. These feel fantastic when it is hot outside.
Umbrella
Bring an umbrella for those outside queues that offer no shade from the sun. We are talking about Toy Story Land. Having a way to block out the sun can make a big difference in the heat. There are even special UV umbrellas designed for this special reason.
Hydrate Packets
One of the dangers of heat is becoming dehydrated. To keep us all hydrated we bring along hydrate packets. These have extra electrolytes to help keep your body hydrated. There are lots of different flavors and options to choose from so you’ll have some options.
Those are some of the items we bring into Disney Park to help keep us cool. Let’s look at what you can do once you are in a Disney Park to stay cool.
Drink Water
As we mentioned earlier, making sure you stay hydrated is key to battling the heat and staying cool. Make sure you are drinking water all day long.
Bring in your own refillable water bottle or find free water from many quick service locations. No matter how you get the water, make sure you have a plan on how to stay hydrated.
Do Some Shopping
Finding air conditioning is an important step toward staying cool. If you are needing a break from the heat, take some time to visit the nicely air-conditioned shops throughout the Parks. Disney Parks has some fun and well-themed shops. We love the Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Magic Kingdom. These are great places to find some fun souvenirs and enjoy the coolness.
Have a Good Meal
Having a good meal at one of Disney’s many sit-down restaurants is a wonderful way to cool down. Consider making a reservation at one of the table service restaurants either in the Park or at a nearby Disney Resort.
These meals can take anywhere from an hour or more giving you a nice break from the heat.
If you don’t want to do a table service meal, then get your mobile order in for a quick service location with indoor seating. Cosmic Rays in Magic Kingdom has a lot of seating as does ABC Commissary at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. At Disney’s Animal, you can enjoy indoor seating at Satu’li Canteen and EPCOT has both Sunshine Seasons and the new Connections Cafe and Eatery.
You’ll want to enjoy some Disney food so why not take that time to stay cool as well.
Visit Indoor Attractions
A big way to stay cool while in the Disney Parks is to know where the indoor attractions are and take time to visit them.
We call this air conditioning hopping. You hop from air conditioning to air conditioning as quickly as possible.
Magic Kingdom
In Magic Kingdom, there are a variety of shows and rides that offer air conditioning. A great choice is Carousel of Progress. This is a longer attraction that will provide a good break from the heat.
Other shows indoors are Mickey’s PhilharMagic, Country Bear Jamboree, Enchanted Tiki Room, and Hall of Presidents. For rides, Under the Sea: Journey of The Little Mermaid, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, and Peter Pan’s Flight are all good options.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
We love watching For the First Time in Forever A Frozen Sing-Along. Not only is it in great air conditioning, but even snows! Vacation Fun is a Mickey short film that is a nice break. Toy Story Mania, Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run, and Star Tours are all indoor attractions. Rock n Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror are also indoor attractions but beware of the outdoor queues if the wait time is long. They can be tough so make sure your fans and cooling towels are ready.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Both Festival of Lion King and Finding Nemo The Big Blue and Beyond are wonderful shows that offer great breaks from the heat and allow your body to cool down. Dinosaur and Na’vi River Journey are the two main indoor attractions in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You can also try It’s Tough to Be a Bug but know it is intense.
Throughout EPCOT there are a lot of films inside that offer a break from the heat. These are great options for getting some air conditioning. Most rides in EPCOT are also indoors making it a nice option for hot days. You can also spend time enjoying the aquarium as a way to stay cool. Keep in mind that EPCOT is large and getting from one place to another isn’t a quick process. Have those umbrellas and fans ready.
Walt Disney World is magical, but it is also hot. Make sure that you are prepared for the heat and know how to stay cool with these tips.
