10 Tips to Beat the Heat in Walt Disney World

I get dehydrated incredibly easily. So one of my main concerns when I visit Walt Disney World is that the heat doesn’t ruin my fun. Luckily there are quite a few ways that you can beat the heat in Disney.

Dress correctly

I love getting the perfect Instagram shot as much as the next millennial, but you know what I love more? Not having to visit the First Aid areas because I’m about to pass out. Your outfit might be adorable, but you have to think about your park day while getting dressed. If you are only going into the parks for an hour or two vs if you are going from rope drop to the fireworks. Wear lightweight and breathable materials or even sports gear. One of my favorite tricks I learned on my last trip wearing a bralette instead of a sports bra or regular bra. They are comfortable and lightweight, and most importantly breathable. You won’t have that disgusting sweat feeling halfway through the day like a normal bra. They made my trip much more enjoyable, sounds silly, but 100% true.

Find escapes

When I went to Disneyland for the first time it was over 100° outside and miserable. I immediately started looking up what rides were indoors or at least had queues that were covered. I was shocked to find out there weren’t as many as I would have hoped. Disney World, however, has plenty of rides and queues that are covered or completely indoors that are perfect to escape the heat. If you are looking for somewhere to cool off for a bit, but don’t want to stop doing things, learn what rides are best to beat the heat.

Go early or late

The sun is hot, so it logically makes the most sense to go when it isn’t out in full force right? While this seems like a no-brainer, to some, for others it isn’t something they consider. If you know that it is going to be especially hot one day, head to the parks for rope drop and leave when it starts getting too hot and return closer to sundown. You’d be surprised how much energy the heat will take out of you.

Take breaks

Similar to going early or late, you absolutely should build in breaks to your Disney day. Whether that means going back to your hotel and just sitting down in air conditioning for a while to recharge, or hitting up a water park to cool off. Take a ride on the railroad at Magic Kingdom, or hop on the monorail to sit down. Having somewhere where you can relax and are not walking around in the heat will save you from a lot of meltdowns from both kids and adults alike.

Pack correctly

A lot of the things you can do to beat the heat don’t require much planning, simply knowing what to do while you are in the park. However, if you pack certain items with you ahead of time, it can help cut down on your potential dehydration. If you can only go into the park with one item, it should 100% be an insulated water bottle. You can fill up at any quick service location with ice cold water. The water bottle won’t sweat in your bag and it will keep your water ice cold. A cooling towel will also help immensely. Simply soak, wring out and snap it to activate the chilling effect. Provides you with a cool relief without dripping all over you. Disney sells misting fans, but I would order one ahead of time to save some money. Misting fans are a simple and great way to keep cool and added bonus is most kiddos love them. The only last item that I would pack ahead of time is anti-chafe balm. You’d be surprised how much more comfortable you feel during a park day by using this.

Find a misting station

Magic Kingdom has quite a few places you can run through to cool off for a bit. You can head over to the Cool Scanner in Tomorrowland or send the kids to play at Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station. Epcot has areas in Future World outside the Imagination Pavilion and also over by Test Track you will find the Cool Wash. Animal Kingdom is known as the hottest park and you will find misting areas all over.

Indulge in a cool treat

If you need a good excuse to order one of Disney’s many Mickey-shaped treats, “because I need to cool off” is a pretty solid reason. Grab a Dole Whip or Mickey Bar, find some shade, and enjoy! You’d be surprised how much that helps.

Grab a meal

Yes indulging in a sweet treat is a delicious way to cool off, but if you are looking for something a longer lasting, head to a restaurant. A table service meal will have indoor seating. If you are looking for a quick service meal, be sure to check out their seating options before you order so you know if there is a cool area to relax in.

Go shopping

All of the parks have gift shops throughout, so if you just need some relief from the heat in the air conditioning, go into a shop and look around. Main Street U.S.A. is lined with shops that are all interconnected. Hollywood Studios has the same set up. Most people recommend using these to skip heavy crowds or rain. I use them to have a break from the heat. During our drink around the world travels, we ducked into shops frequently. It was a nice way to see the pavilions and hide from the sun.

Get a drink

Getting a drink is the most obvious tip and it is often overlooked. You have to stay hydrated at Walt Disney World. You are walking anywhere from 7-15 miles a day. Walk up to any quick service location and ask for a complimentary cup of ice water. If you are in Epcot, head to Club Cool for some air conditioning and free refreshments.