Beat the Heat: Surviving Summer at Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World Resort can be quite hot during the summer season, which usually lasts from May 15th to October 15th. However, it can start feeling warm as early as March. If you're planning a trip to Walt Disney World during this time, it's important to find ways to stay cool and avoid the heat. With this ultimate guide, you'll not only survive the heat but also thrive during your visit to Walt Disney World.
To help you out, we've compiled a list of the gear you need, tips and trick on staying cool and all the indoor areas at each theme park, along with some tips on how to enjoy your visit during the summer. Whether you're looking for indoor dining, rides, or shows, we've got you covered.
ALL THE GEAR
As the end of March approaches, Walt Disney World starts heating up. To ensure that your family stays cool, it is essential to have the necessary gear. This includes neck fans, hand fans, stroller fans, cooling towels, and more. My ultimate park bag lists these items with links to the ones I have personally tested and can vouch for. I recommend purchasing these items before arriving at Disney, as the park's quality is not the best. While the park provides some basic items to help you survive, I want you to thrive. I have been using these products for years and have replaced subpar products. Trust me, you need them to stay cool! Head over to my Ultimate Park Bag Guide, which will list all the gear you will need for your Walt Disney World Vacation, there is even a section just on summer.
STAY HYDRATED
Remember to bring refillable water bottles for yourself and the kids when you go to the park. We suggest using Brita Filter bottles to improve the taste of the water. There are water stations available and you can also ask for a cup of water at any Quick Service restaurant. Don't forget to bring snacks for the kids and put them in your park bag. Disney allows small coolers that are 24″ by 15″ by 18″ in size. If your kids start crying for no apparent reason, it's probably because they are either tired or hungry. You can give them Pedialyte electrolyte packets to drink once a day. For yourself, bring your preferred electrolyte powder. If you're trying to reduce your sugar intake, LMNT is a good option. However, if you want to avoid salt, you can try Liquid IV, but it has more sugar. I have also tried brands like noom and ultima that I like as well.
PARK DAYS
Rope Drop, Midday Break, Stay Late
We are a Rope Drop Family only during the hot summer months. Our goal is to beat the heat and take some great family pictures before we get too sweaty. For those of us with longer hair, it's important to bring backup hair ties. The heat can make our hair uncomfortable, so putting it up is the best way to stay cool and get everything done at the parks.
The park reaches its peak around 2 pm every day, making it the hottest time of the day. Plan your activities so that you can exit the park before that time (Unfortunately, the Festival of the Fantasy Parade has now moved back to 3 pm.) For those who are staying off-site and may find it challenging to leave the park, I highly recommend that you transition to indoor activities during this period to avoid the intense heat. From 2 pm to 6 pm, the temperature is at its highest, or take a monorail resort tour and check out some of the resorts for a little bit. There are even quiet spots where littles may be able to take a short nap.
The heat index in Florida is the WORST! This combines temperature and humidity, can make it feel even hotter than it actually is. Wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and applying sunscreen with a high SPF can also help protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays.
Here are a couple of ways to plan a midday break into your day.
Plan shows midday, it will most likely be raining anyway.
Head back to the hotel to rest, swim, have a good lunch, or nap. I recommend staying inside. If you are swimming, you need to be in the water; no laying out, as that will drain your body. My philosophy is in water or indoors during your midday break. So take a short dip and then get inside.
One effective strategy is to plan a Table Service or Character Dining experience midday, followed by a show. This way, you can enjoy a leisurely meal in air-conditioned comfort and then relax during the show, giving you about a 3-hour break indoors.
For kids under 5, head to the baby care center to get out of the heat and give them a break.
The goal is to remain indoors or in water during these hours to prevent heat exhaustion and dehydration.
Park days can be very long, starting with an early morning and ending with the park closing. Taking a break in the middle of the day can help to re-energize your group, and staying late allows you to enjoy the park when the weather is cooler. During the summer months, park hours are typically extended, especially for guests staying at deluxe resorts. If someone in your group is susceptible to heat exhaustion, consider only visiting the park in the evening. Also, remember to bring your stroller or two if needed. We recommend using one stroller in the morning and returning with two later in the day if you have a bunch of littles like we do!
IT RAINS DAILY
During the summer season, it is highly likely that you will experience rain almost every day, but the rain usually occurs in the late afternoon for a brief period of time. It's always better to be prepared for the unexpected, so it's advisable to bring a raincoat or poncho to keep you dry during the rainy spells. If you are traveling with a baby or toddler, it's a good idea to bring a rain cover for your stroller to keep your little one dry; also, make sure to have a stroller fan. The humidity can turn the stroller into a hot box. So make sure the fan is running when the stroller cover is on.
If you plan to explore the parks, consider investing in TEVAs or Crocs (they have some adorable sandals that I wear), especially if wet shoes bother you. These shoes are perfect for adults and are designed to be water-resistant and quick-drying, keeping your feet comfortable and dry even in wet conditions. For the kids, Nike Sunray water shoes or Crocs are a great option, as they are made to be sturdy, comfortable, and quick-drying.
In addition to all the fun rides and attractions, some parks have splash play areas where kids can have a blast. These areas are perfect for keeping the kids engaged and entertained while you take a break and relax.
If you're a thrill-seeker and planning to ride the coasters, it's best to do it early in the morning or late at night. This is because lightning can shut them down, and you might miss out on the opportunity to experience the thrill of the ride. So, plan your coaster rides accordingly and enjoy the parks to the fullest.
ALL THE TREATS
MINI GUIDE TO ALL THE PLACES YOU CAN FIND DOLE WHIP AT WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT
Disney sometimes gets snacks wrong, but the one treat they never miss on is the Dole Whip. The love for Dole Whip comes from its refreshing and light taste, especially on a hot summer day. This creamy, dairy-free, and vegan goodness is so delicious. You can find it all over the Walt Disney World Resort. Apart from Dole Whip, there are plenty of other frozen treats like ice slushes and ice cream available in every park at the Walt Disney World Resort and at various locations in Disney Springs. Stay cool and treat yourself!
Magic Kingdom Park
Aloha Isle
Sunshine Tree Terrace
Disney Springs
Swirls on the Water
Wine Bar George
Disney Resort Collection Hotels
Disney’s BoardWalk, Joe’s Marvelous Mrgaritas
Disney Polynesians Village Resort, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, Barefoot Pool Bar, Pinapple Lanai e& Oasis Bar & Grill
Disney’s Old Key West Resort ,Good’s Food to Go
Saratoga Springs, Backstretch Pool Bar
Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Contempo Café
Disney Water Parks
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, Happy Landings & Shake Shack
Disney’s Blizzard Beach, Water Park Warming Hurt
DISNEY WATER PARKS
There are two water parks at Walt Disney World Resort: Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. Before the pandemic, both of these water parks would be open at the same time with one occasionally closing for refurbishment during the winter. Since they have reopened, usually only one is open at a time. A new promotion in 2025 includes a water park day on the first day you arrive at your resort. Hopefully, this will help bring more visitors back to the water parks and enable Disney to hire enough lifeguards to have both parks open again. We enjoy both of the water parks for different reasons, and they are a great way to spend a day, especially on hot summer days. However, the water parks can get a bit crowded during the summer months, so it's never a bad idea to rent a tent or get a cabana.
WHAT TO WEAR
You need to protect yourself from the sun and do not take this lightly. Make sure you are wearing sunglasses, hats, light clothes, and grab those antichafing deordant sticks and powders. For the kids make sure you are reapplying sunscreen, and if you use a stroller and have a rain cover over it make sure you have a fun going because that will create a hot box for the kids inside due to the humidity. You want to wear breatheabel. fabrics and sweat wicking fabrics to keep you cool.
HALLOWEEN SEASON
The Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party starts in August. If you plan to wear a Halloween costume, keep in mind that it's very hot in August and September. It only starts to cool down in October. My advice is to choose light and short-sleeved costumes to stay comfortable. You can also bring a change of clothes if you want to dress up for pictures but don't want to be too hot.
FLEXIBITY
INDOOR RESTAURANTS, RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS AT EACH THEME PARK
Magic Kingdom Park
Rides
Haunted Mansion - Liberty Square - Rope Drop/Genie+ Recommended
It's a Small World - 10 minutes - Fantasyland*
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh - Fantasyland
Peter Pan's Flight - Fantasyland - Early Entry/Genie+ Recommended
Pirates of the Caribbean - 8 minutes - Adventureland
Space Mountain - 3 minutes - Tomorrowland
Under the Sea Journey of the Little Mermaid - 7 minutes - Fantasyland
Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress - 21 minutes - Tomorrowland
Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room - 16 minutes - Adventureland
Shows
Country Bear Jamboree - 16 minutes - Adventureland*
Hall of Presidents - 25 minutes - Liberty Square*
Monstters Inc Laugh Floor - 10 minutes - Tomorrowland
Water Ride & Splash Pad
Indoor Dining - Magic Kingdom
Table Service & Character Dining
Be Our Guest Restaurant*
Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen
Liberty Tree Tavern
The Diamond Horseshoe
The Plaza Restaurant
Tony’s Town Square Restaurant
The Crystal Palace*
Cinderella's Royal Table*
Indoor Seating Quick Service
Columbia Harbour House
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café
Pinocchio Village House
Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant
Tortuga Tavern
Hollywood Studios
Rides
Star Tours - 5 minutes - Echo Lake
Rock n' Roller Coaster - Sunset Boulevard
Tower of Terror - Sunset Boulevard
Toy Story Mania - 8 minutes - Toy Story Land
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance - 18 minutes - Galaxy's Edge
Millennium Flacon: Smugglers Run - 4.5 minutes - Galaxy's Edge
Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway - 7 minutes - Hollywood Boulevard
Indoor Shows & Meet and Greets
Disney Junior Dance Party - 25 minutes - Animation Courtyard
Star Wars Launch Bay - Animation Courtyard
Lightning McQueens Racing Academy - 10 minutes - Sunset Blvd.
Walt Disney World Presents - 25 minutes - Animation Courtyard
Muppet Vision 3D - 17 minutes - Grand Avenue
For the First Time in Forever: a Frozen Sing-Along - 30 minutes - Echo Lake
Water Ride & Splash Pad
Indoor Dining - Hollywood Studios
Table Service & Character Dining
The Hollywood Brown Derby and Lounge
50s Prime Time Café and Tune-in Lounge
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant
Oga's Cantina (45 min limit)
Hollywood & Vine*
Roundup Rodeo BBQ
Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano
Indoor Seating Quick Service
The ABC Commissary
The Backlot Express
PizzeRizzo
Docking Bay 7
Ronto Roasters (small section)
BaseLine Tap House (limited)
EPCOT
Rides
Spaceship Earth - 15 minutes - World Celebration
Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival - 18 minutes - World Celebration
Journey into Imagination With Figment - 8 minutes -
World Celebration
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind - 3 minutes - World Discovery
Mission:SPACE - World Discovery
Soarin' Around the World - 5 minutes - World Nature
Living with the Land - 15 minutes - World Nature
The Seas with Nemo & Friends - 5 minutes - World Nature
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros - 7 minutes - Mexico
Frozen Ever After - 5 minutes - Norway
Remy's Ratatouille Adventure - 5 minutes - France
Indoor Shows & Meet and Greets
Turtle Talk with Crush - 15 minutes - World Nature
Awesome Planet - 10 minutes - World Nature
Reflections of China - 12 minutes - China
The American Adventure - 29 minutes - America
Palais du Cinema - Beauty & the Beast Sing Along - 15 minutes - Impressions of France - 18 minutes - France
Canada Far and Wide in Circle - Vision 360 - 12 minutes
Water Ride & Splash Pad
Table Service & Character Dining
Coral Reef Restaurant
Garden Grill*
La Hacienda de San Angel
Le Cellier Steakhouse
Nine Dragons Restaurant
Rose & Crown Dining Room
San Angel Inn Restaurante
Space 220 Restaurant & Lounge (walk up list)
Teppan Edo
Tokyo Dining
Tutto Italia
Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall*
Indoor Seating Quick Service
Connections Eatery Cafe (VERY LARGE)
La Crêperie de Paris (walk up list)
Rose & Crown Pub
Lotus Blossom Cafe' (Covered)
Regal Eagle Smokehouse
Tangerine Cafe (limited)
Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar
Sunshine Seasons
Indoor Plays Area at EPCOT
SeaBase - World Nature
Bruce's Shark World - World Nature
Space Base - World Discovery
ImageWorks "What If" Labs - World Celebration
Animal Kingdom
Rides
Na'vi River Journey - 5 minutes - Pandora The World of Avatar
Avatar Flight of Passage - 4 minutes - Pandora The World of Avatar
Dinosaur - 3 minutes - DinoLand USA
Indoor Shows & Meet and Greets
Meet Favorite Disney Pals at Adventurer's Outpost - Mickey & Minnie
It's Tough to Be a Bug - 8 minutes - Discovery Island
A Celebration of Festival of the Lion King - 30 minutes - Africa
Rafiki's Plant Watch - The Animation Experience at Conversation Station - Africa (Conservation Station)
Water Ride & Splash Pad
Table Service & Character meals
Tusker House*
Rainforest Cafe (Landry's)
Tiffins Restaurant
Yak & Yeit (Landry's)
Nomad Lounge
Indoor Quick Service
Pizzafari
Restaurantosaurus Burgers & Sundaes
Satu'li Canteen
There are A LOT of food options at Animal Kingdom, but they are mostly outdoor or partially covered seating.
Table Service, Signature Dining, and Character Meals require Advance Dining Reservations. ADRs can be made 60 days before your travel date.
*Pre-Fixe Menu & Characters Present
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