Stay Hydrated

The single most important thing to do in the heat is hydrate. Just got off your favorite ride? Drink some water. Just finished your favorite snack? Drink some water. Just emptied your water bottle? Open your My Disney Experience App and type “Water bottle refill stations” in the search bar and it will show you on the nearest water bottle refill station. Then after you’ve filled it, take another drink. Even if you think you are hydrated, keep drinking. Counter service dining locations will give you free cups of water if you need it.

You can bring your own water bottle into the parks at Walt Disney World. There are numerous water filling stations around the parks. We’ve found a nice insulated water bottle with a lid that you can clip a carabiner to works very well. Then you can clip your water bottle to your backpack, belt or stroller and it’s within arms length at all times.

One note about Florida tap water, the water can best be described as alligator bath tub water. It tastes bad. Most of the drinking water available in the parks has been updated to be filtered and tastes just fine. Just know if you refill your water bottle in a bathroom sink in your room or in the parks it will likely not be filtered. The water is completely safe, other than for your taste buds.

Choose the Right Clothing

Wear lightweight moisture wicking clothes. Cotton is not your friend in this weather. Keep this in mind for your clothes as well as your socks. Hats and sunglasses are a must to protect your head and eyes from the intense summer sun in Florida.

Other items you may want to consider brining to the parks with you:

-Cooling mist fan – A spray bottle with a battery operated fan to provide a breeze when the wind doesn’t cooperate. These are also available in the parks, but much cheaper to bring from home.

-Umbrella designed for UV protection- These special umbrellas are designed to reflect the sun better than a standard umbrella. However, regular umbrellas will provide shade as well.

-Cooling towels – These are towels you get wet and put around your neck to help keep you cool. Frog Toggs cooling wraps are one name brand possibility. It’s amazing what a difference these simple towels can make.

Take a Break in Air Conditioning

There are multiples places in the parks to get out of the heat into air conditioning including attractions, restaurants, and shops.

Many of the attractions are inside and have some or all of the queue inside. While waiting in line may not always be the most fun, during the middle of a hot afternoon it can bring a much needed break from the heat. Take your backpack with snacks and your water bottle along with you to refuel while you wait in line. Below are a few recommendations at each of the parks.

Magic Kingdom

-Mickey’s Philharmagic – This is a fun 3D short film. The queue for this show is also inside.

-Carousel of Progress – This is a theater from the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair. You sit in a theater where the seats rotate through different scenes that depict advances in technology through the 20th century. Bonus points as this one has a very catchy song that will get stuck in your head.

– Main Street USA stores – there are many shops to explore to take a break from the heat.

EPCOT

-The Seas with Nemo and Friends – The queue for this attraction is typically inside. The ride is a fun excursion through the Finding Nemo movie. At the end of the ride you are in a large aquarium. Take your time exploring the different tanks while you cool off.

-The Land Pavilion – This building is a great option to get away from the heat for part of the afternoon. Sunshine Seasons is a food court style quick service restaurant. There is also a sit-down character dining experience available at the Garden Grill Restaurant (reservations required). In addition to food, the Soarin’ and Living with the Land attractions are also available in this building.

Hollywood Studios

-Frozen Sing Along – This is an indoor sing along style show with the music from Frozen.

-Dining options – ABC Commissary is a quick service location with significant indoor seating. There are also several interesting sit down dining experiences including Roundup Rodeo BBQ, Sci-Fi Dine-In, Oga’s Cantina, and 50’s Prime Time Cafe.

Animal Kingdom

-Broadway shows – There are two amazing Broadway style shows that are both inside – Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo: The Big Blue and Beyond! They are both amazing.

-Kali River Rapids – This is a river rafting style attraction where you will almost certainly get wet and you might get SOAKED.

Take a Break at your resort

Sometimes that best way to beat the heat is to just head back to your resort for a break. Complementary Disney transportation runs between the parks and the resorts all day long. While at the resort you can head to the pool to cool off, take a nap, or just enjoy an extended rest in the air conditioning. Once you’re cooled off and recharged, head back to the parks to enjoy the evening entertainment in parks.