Top Tips to Stay Cool at Walt Disney World Resort

There is no place like Walt Disney World Resort for an incredible summer vacation. The awesome attractions, the tasty snacks, the fantastic entertainment, the incredible resorts, and the warm Florida sun. While we can’t make it cooler in the summer, the planDisney panelists can give you some of their best tips to beat the heat, all while creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Kristi R says, “Don’t forget to pack a refillable water bottle that you can use in the parks! Staying hydrated is super important on hot days! Look for bottle filling stations or grab a free cup of ice water at Quick-Service locations to fill throughout the day.”

“Cooling towels save me,” Sue F exclaims! “I also carry re-sealable bags that I can fill with ice (from any Quick-Service location) for an instant ice pack on key points like wrists, neck and temples.”

For Elaine P. and her family, it is all about the beverages that can keep you cool. “Frosty drinks like the Frozen Mint Julep Lemonade at Casey’s Corner are a quick and tasty way to cool down. My family likes to grab an icy cold beverage before claiming a spot to watch a parade.”

“Some of the best places to cool down at the theme parks are indoors attractions that feature some incredible Audio-Animatronics, suggest Prince S. “It’s nice to relax out of the elements and be entertained whether you’re sitting down for a display of technology at Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, learning how to race like a champion over at Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, settling into the stirring stories of The American Adventure at EPCOT or keeping an eye out for Hopper at It’s Tough to be a Bug!”

Want to stay really cool? Betsy S. recommends a day at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park! “Relax in the shade, enjoy a frosty treat (like an ice cream sundae served in a sand pail!), and chill out on an inner tube along Castaway Creek.”

In the hottest part of the afternoon, take a break from the theme parks and head back to your Disney Resort hotel, recommends Ashley P. “We love to take a pause and enjoy our hotel’s uniquely themed feature pool! Once everyone has had a chance to cool off and rest, we head back to the theme parks for an evening of magic.”

A late indoor lunch is Jana T.’s top tip. “Table service or character dining at 2 pm is a perfect break in the heat of the day. Enjoy great food, air conditioning, and refills on soda and iced tea. You’ll give your feet a rest and be recharged and fueled to go!”

“Nothing calls to me during warm days at EPCOT quite like Journey of Water, inspired by Moana,” says Lizzie B. “I just love that guests of all ages are able to explore this trail and interact with various parts of the water cycle along the way, and because it’s self-guided, you can decide just how wet you’d like to get. As an adult, the shaded areas, mist in the air, and slight splashes from the motion-response water stations provide just the right amount of reprieve from the heat while little ones tend to gravitate toward the interactive water features and fountains toward the end of the trail that allow them to really make a splash of their own.”

Be prepared is Frances H.’s best tip! Pack a misting fan, extra batteries, cooling towel, hat, and sunscreen to keep yourself cooled while walking around the parks. Stay hydrated! There are refillable water stations located throughout the parks, so pack a water bottle too!

Don’t miss Mickey’s PhilharMagic at Magic Kingdom. Yes, this tip actually received several nods of agreement from our panelists, and we think Jonathan G. summed it up best!

“As a principal who is married to a teacher, the best time for us to visit the Most Magical Place on Earth is summer! We are a family that appreciates the sun and heat, but sometimes even sun-lovers need a break! Our favorite thing to do when the temps rise is enjoy some of the indoor entertainment. Our favorite “cool off” spot is Mickey’s PhilharMagic at Magic Kingdom Park! The air-conditioned theater with comfortable seating is a great place to chill out and relax! The show lasts about 15 minutes which is the perfect amount of time to get off your feet and enjoy the air conditioning and great music! The large theater can accommodate many guests at one time so the line for this entertainment is usually very short! It’s not unusual for us to enjoy this show at least twice a day when the temperatures soar!”

Looking for more great Disney vacation planning tips? Look no further than planDisney.com where you can ask your question and receive a personalized answer. You can also follow us on Instagram at @planDisneyPanel. 

Panelists receive compensation for their participation on planDisney.