Disney World is the most magical place on earth. Except in the summer when it’s 100º, the humidity is through the roof, and there’s no breeze. Disney in the summer could be considered a form of torture, i’m sure of it! As Florida residents, we pretty much avoid Disney from May-October. Unless our daughter asks to have her August birthday party there, in which case, we make it happen.
While it’s not my favorite to visit Disney in the summer, there are things you can do to make it tolerable. The most important is how you pack and next is how you plan your day. Preparation is key!
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Tips To Survive Disney in the Summer
No matter when you’re planning your Disney trip, these tips are great to consider. They are especially helpful if you’re visiting Disney in the Summer. If you’ve never been to Florida in the summertime, don’t take these tips lightly. They quite literally could save your life. You can thank me later.
Related Post: 11 TIPS TO SAVE MONEY AT DISNEY WORLD
1. Pack light-weight and light colored clothing
Avoid heavy materials, layers, and dark colors. Jeans of any kind are definitely a no-go! Basically, wear as little as possible while still being appropriate.
100% cotton is the most breathable material and is great for summer. Linen is also a great, breathable material. I prefer cotton or linen tanks or dresses and polyester/spandex or nylon shorts. My husband prefers to wear dry-fit shirts and golf shorts because they don’t show sweat and dry quickly.
I’ve been obsessed with tennis skirts lately and they were fantastic for Disney. I bought a bunch from Amazon and wore them everyday.
You can shop other items in my closet on my AMAZON STOREFRONT.
2. Use cooling towels and fans to keep cool
They might not look cool, but towels and fans will surely keep you cool. Personally, I like air movement and really like having a fan when the air is hot and stale. I got a neck fan for our last Disney trip and LOVED having it!
If you’re not into the fan idea, I highly recommend a cooling towel. They are light-weight, take up very little space, and you can wet them anywhere. The best part is when you go inside for a ride or shopping, they get really cold and feel great when you walk outside again.
3. Bring your own reusable water bottles
Hydration is key in summertime heat. You have no idea how quickly dehydration can set in until you spend a few hours at Disney in the summer. You can get free cups of ice water almost anywhere in the parks (except the World Showcase in Epcot). I like to get the free water and dump it in an insulated cup, so I have cold water all day long.
Added bonus, you can fill up your own bottles at any of the resorts before heading to the park for the day.
Not up for carrying around a heavy water bottle all day? No problem. Get some plastic water possible and freeze them. As they thaw, you will have cold water to drink. Don’t worry. They will thaw out pretty quickly in that summertime heat.
4. Pack Liquid iv or other hydrating drink
Liquid IV is a summertime staple for me. I never drink enough water and when I’m at Disney in the summer I ALWAYS bring liquid IV. I like to pack one in my bag and drink it in the afternoon for a little pick-me-up. These are also great if you’re spending the day at the resort pool.
Y’all, that Florida heat can really get ya if you’re not prepared!
5. bring ponchos or rain jackets
Fun Fact: Summer is rainy season in Florida. Thunderstorms happen almost everyday. And they come in real quick and sometimes without warning. Be prepared!
Ponchos and rain jackets are the best thing to keep you dry during a Florida thunderstorm. They are small and easy to store in a backpack or to slip into your pocket. And they keep you covered when the rain is coming at you from all angles.
Sure, umbrellas are great too. But they make it harder to move through the crowds and are just inconvenient when you’re trying to get indoors.
You can buy ponchos at all the parks, in pretty much any shop. However, they are $15+ at the parks. Save your money and buy the disposable ones on Amazon. You can buy multiple disposable ones for the same price and toss them out when the rain is over.
6. wear comfortable shoes. BOnus points if they are waterproof
You will do SO MUCH WALKING! And the heat will make your feet sweat something fierce. Make sure whatever shoes you’re wearing are comfortable and won’t rub when they get wet.
Personally, I hate wearing close-toed shoes in the summertime. All summer I’ve been wearing hiking sandals and I’m in love. They have great support, dry quickly, and are comfortable to wear all day.
If you a sneaker person, I’m a big fan of Crocs Sneakers. They are made of the same material as the normal crocs you love. Super comfortable and are basically waterproof.
7. Plan indoor activities in the heat of the day
The best way to survive Disney in the summer is to plan indoor activities during the hottest part of the day. If you’re in the parks, consider booking a show or have lunch at a sit-down restaurant. Don’t forget to make reservations for these ahead of time. Or, find an indoor attraction at your park. Remember! These will be busiest during this time of day.
You can also hop on the skyliner or monorail and do a little sightseeing. Both of these are air conditioned and can take you on a loop around multiple parks and resorts. Either stay on and ride back to your destination or resort hop!
Resort hopping is also a great way to beat the heat. Use Disney transportation to get around to the luxury resorts and see what they have to offer. Check out the restaurants and shops at the different resorts. Go and see if you can find the hidden mickey’s around the resorts.
8. take a rest day
If you’re staying multiple days, consider a rest day. Take a break from the parks and spend the day at your resort enjoy the pool and resort activities. If you’re staying at a value resort, consider resort hopping. You can shop and eat at the best places around Walt Disney World.
Use your rest day to stay out of the sun and get hydrated. Bonus points if you get some extra sleep.
9. Take a stroller for your little kids
Do yourself and your kids a favor and take a stroller. If you don’t have one, rent one. Thank me later. Between the heat and the stimulation, your kids will be exhausted. The last thing you want is to be carrying them around. Invest in a stroller fan and you might even get a nap out of them.
Added bonus, you can use your stroller to store all your stuff and not have to carry it all day long. You know how much I love those added bonuses.
10. Utilize the minnie van service
Disney partnered with Lyft and has a full fleet of Minnie cars that service Disney guests. You can request a car directly from the Lyft app and get picked up at any park or Disney Resort. I highly recommend utilizing lift during peak times, like during thunderstorms or at closing time.
During those peak times, there are an influx of people waiting to get on the bus and it can take you longer than normal to get back to your resort. This is true all year long, but in the summer it can be brutal. You’re hot and tired and the last thing you want to do is wait for a bus. Get the car!
This is especially helpful if you’re staying at a resort that connects to Epcot or Hollywood Studies via Skyliner. Those resorts do not offer buses unless there is lightning when the Skyliner is shut down. Because this is not a typically scheduled route, there are fewer. buses servicing these resorts and they take longer. If you have reservations or lightning passes you’re trying to make, use the Minnie Van Service.
These tips aren’t just for summer, they are useful all year round. If you’re planning a Disney trip now or in the future, I highly recommend you keep these in your back pocket. You never know when you might need them.
Need motivation to plan your visit, check out TOP 6 THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT DISNEY.
Happy Travels!
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