Welcome to the first stop aboard Magical Blogorail Green. Enjoy the ride as we share our favorite tips to stay cool at Disney. This month we’re talking about all the ways to stay COOL during your summer Disney vacation.

For many families with school age kids, summer is the most practical time to travel.  Florida in the summer months means heat and humidity and many people head to Disney World anticipating the worst as far as weather is concerned.  But families traveling during the hottest weeks of the year should not dismay.  I am here to tell you that I have visited the Mouse during July and August several times and have had a wonderful vacation every time.  Here are some of my favorite strategies to beat the heat in Disney World.

Five Great Ways to Stay COOL in the Disney Parks

1.  Arrive EARLY (or Stay Late)!

I cannot emphasize this point enough for Disney travel during the summer months.  I know most folks like to sleep in on vacation, but please trust me on this point–planning to start your Disney days early ensure that you are touring the parks in the cooler morning hours with very low crowd levels.  For the most part, the Disney Parks open at 9:00 a.m. each morning throughout the summer with an occasional 8:00 a.m. opening.  Arriving at the park gates about 30-40 minutes prior to the official opening is a great way to keep you ahead of the summer crowds.  I use this time to find a shady spot near the entrance to give my kids a little extra breakfast and put on everyone’s sunscreen. Wait times are far shorter during the first few hours a park is open each day and you’ll be able to visit many of the attractions that tend to build lines with little to no wait.

The same logic goes for touring the park at night.  If you have small kids, the early morning strategy is likely going to be better for you, but families with nocturnal teenagers can take advantage of spending the hours after the sun goes down in the parks.  The Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios tend to stay open until 10:30 or 11:00 pm most nights during the summer.  As the day winds down, so do crowds and heat, and while those early morning hours are still the best, temperatures in the parks tend to be comfortable at night as well.

2. Take a Mid-Day Break

Visiting Disney in the summer ensures that you will have great swimming weather during your vacation–something that people traveling during the cooler months aren’t guaranteed! Take advantage of your gorgeous resort pool each day during your stay at Disney World.  Leaving the park by noon each day for a nice, long break at your resort keeps you from touring during the hottest part of the day.  This is another tip that I cannot emphasize enough.  Pounding the pavement in the parks when the sun is at its highest and hottest is a recipe for misery.  Eat lunch in the cool comfort of your hotel’s quick-service restaurant, take a nap, and float in the pool.  Around 3:00 everyone can get cleaned up for your evening activities and you can head back to the park around 4:00 or 4:30 for some more touring, dinner, and the nighttime entertainment as the sun starts to set.

3. Get Cool IN the Parks

Even with touring early in the morning or later in the evening and taking an afternoon break, it’s still summer and Florida is hot and humid all day long.  There are plenty of ways to get cool inside the theme parks.  First off, each of the parks has a spot or two where you can walk through stand up water misters or where your kids (and yourself!) can get wet in splash areas or fountains.  I remember one day in Animal Kingdom in July when my youngest daughter found a little fountain in the Asia section and absolutely drenched herself.  I thought she’d be miserable but she dried pretty darned quickly!  In Epcot there is a splash area near Mission Space and fun jumping fountains outside of the Imagination Pavilion while the Magic Kingdom is home to Casey Junior’s Splash ‘n’ Soak in the Storybook Circus area.  Kali River Rapids in Animal Kingdom pretty much guarantees that you’ll get nice and wet, especially when other visitors shoot you with water sprayers as your raft passes under the bridge toward the attraction’s end and a plunge down Splash Mountain in the Magic Kingdom will also cool you down.

Another way to get out of the heat in the parks is to enjoy a longer attraction or an indoor show. Many of these boast high-capacities and low waits and are a great way to get out of the sun and relax in the frosty a/c for a while.  In the Magic Kingdom, The Hall of Presidents, Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor, The Carousel of Progress, the Country Bear Jamboree and the Enchanted Tiki Room are your best bets.  In Epcot, Ellen’s Energy Adventure in Future World and the American Adventure in the World Showcase are great choices as are all of the films in the World Showcase pavilions in France, China and Canada.  In Hollywood Studios, The Great Movie Ride and One Man’s Dream offer respite from the heat while in Animal Kingdom, Finding Nemo the Musical is not to be missed.  The majority of attraction queues in the Disney parks are air conditioned as well.

4. Sunscreen and Hats and Shade, Oh My!

These days I think we are all aware of the importance of using a sunscreen with a high spf and sunscreen is an absolute necessity during a summer Disney trip. Lube up well and often to protect your family from the sun’s rays.

Dress is another way to stay cool–lightweight, light colored clothing will make a big difference.  I tend toward comfortable sundresses during my summer Disney vacations, but skirts, light shorts and cool t-shirts and tank tops are great, too.  I’m also a stickler for a good sunhat and my whole family sports light colored, wide-brimmed hats when we’re in the parks to keep the sun from beating down on our heads.

With babies and younger kids, renting a stroller is key.  I like to rent comfortable jog strollers from an off-site company as the hard, plastic Disney strollers come up short on comfort.  And though my kids are absolutely desperate to own one of those misting water fans you see at all of the shops, I’ve managed to avoid purchasing one thus far.  If you are a fan of these fans, oftentimes you can purchase them for far less at home prior to your vacation.  A small, battery operated, clip-on fan can be a great accessory for a stroller, especially if you have a little one in tow.

Finally, don’t underestimate the importance of shade.  Take frequent breaks inside the parks on a shady bench.  I like to keep wet washcloths in a ziploc bag in my resort room fridge and then pop them into an insulated bag with a cooler pack in the morning.  These cool, damp cloths are very refreshing for a quick face and neck wipe down during the day.  Grab a frozen treat and a spot under a tree and people watch for a while when you start to feel wilted.  And if you opt to skip a mid-day resort break, scheduling a nice, long lunch in one of the park’s restaurants (either table service or quick service) is another great way to get out of the sun.

5. Drink LOTS of Water

Last and possibly most important is to stay hydrated! Rather than schlep water bottles into the park each day, make frequent visits to Disney’s quick service restaurants.  All of these (and some of the larger snack kiosks as well) will give you large cups of ice water with a lid and straw free of charge.  Drink a lot and drink often.  Drink before you get thirsty and don’t push yourself.  Try not to get caught up in the pull to do it all.  Take your time, take frequent breaks, and relax.  This IS a vacation, after all, and you will probably come back again–though perhaps the next time in January!

Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is Heidi’s Head –  5 Ways to Stay COOL on HOT Disney Days.  Enjoy your summer!

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:

1st Stop ~ In the Mouse House – Hot Fun in the Summertime: Tips to Stay Cool in the Disney Parks (you are here!)
2nd Stop ~ Heidi’s Head -5 Ways to Stay COOL on HOT Disney Days
3rd Stop ~ My Dreams of Disney – Enjoying the Disney Shows
4th Stop ~ Rolling with the Magic- What to Pack to Stay Cool at Disney
Final Stop ~ Adventures in the Great Wide Somewhere – Cruising: Frozen Style