How We Handle Summer Heat at Walt Disney World

I’ve visited Walt Disney World in every season, including last summer and early fall, when record-breaking heat indexes reached 110 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Coming from the Gulf Coast of Texas, I’m no stranger to heat and humidity, but Disney heat hits differently. The combination of sun, crowds, hot pavement, and long walking days can be dangerous.

No one is stronger than Florida heat, and the goal for handling summer Disney heat is to reduce exposure, cool down often, and avoid pushing past warning signs. Here’s what we do to make heat manageable at Disney World.

We Know When the Heat Is Too Much

When you’re on a highly anticipated Disney World vacation, it’s tempting to push yourself to do as much as possible, even pushing past discomfort to get to the next attraction. That can make for a grueling trip in any season, but it can be especially dangerous in the heat.

Heat exhaustion can happen quickly, especially when you’re walking miles in the sun, and some symptoms include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Irritability
• Thirst 
• Heavy sweating
• Elevated body temperature
• Decreased urine output

Those are clear signs you’re pushing it too far and need to cool down and hydrate. Heat exhaustion can progress to a more serious and potentially fatal heat stroke (Source: CDC).

Don’t wait until someone in your party is really struggling. Stop walking, go inside for air conditioning, hydrate, and cool off. Ask a cast member for help if needed. Disney World has first-aid centers at all 4 parks and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon.

Heat Prep Starts Before Leaving Home

About a week before a trip, we start paying more careful attention to hydration, drinking water consistently before travel, especially the day before a park day. Flying, road tripping, salty travel food, and alcohol can all make day 1 in the parks much harder.

If you start a park day dehydrated, you may not be able to drink enough to meet your hydration needs (Source: CDC). Keep in mind that in Disney World, you’re dealing with heat plus high step counts. A hot day with 15,000 or more steps can feel very different from a normal day at home, so it helps to build walking stamina.

We practice with long neighborhood walks, so it’s not a huge adjustment when we suddenly start approaching half-marathon distances every day in the parks. That also helps us test shoes, sun protection, and hydration.

We also prep for the heat the night before a park day, charging personal fans, laying out quick-dry clothes and shoes, and making a loose plan for some time indoors. By checking the weather forecast, we can determine how hot it will be and if we should plan for rain.

We Use Sun Protection

Peek inside my Disney bag, and you might think I’ve prepared for war with the sun. My packing list includes:

• Sunscreen stick
• Sunglasses
• Hat, preferably with a wide brim
• Lightweight, breathable clothing
• Water-friendly shoes
• Personal fan
• Refillable water bottle
• Electrolytes

Many Disney World guests use cooling towels, but they haven’t helped me when I’m already sweating. At some point, they just feel like a warm, wet blanket that I have to carry around. But I do keep a bandana in my bag to wipe sweat away when needed.

Personal fans can help in lines, in the shade, and on transportation, but it’s just pushing hot air in full sun. It’s still worth packing, but don’t rely on it as a substitute for indoor breaks, shade, and hydration.

Afternoon storms are common at Disney World, especially during the summer and early fall, so some of our sun gear doubles as rain gear. For example, we might pack a compact umbrella that provides both rain protection and UV protection. 

Shoes and clothes that can quickly dry after sweat, rain, and water rides are key, too. A heavy T-shirt or thick leggings can feel swampy before you’ve even entered the park. We wear water-resistant sneakers or hiking sandals, and often wear quick-dry athletic gear.

We also avoid denim, heavy shirts, and anything that chafes. Athletic fabrics are better than cotton, and light colors can be cooler. Packing extra socks can help if there’s a chance of rain. Heat, sweat, and wet clothes plus 20,000 steps can cause chafing, but breathable clothes and antichafing balm can save a park day.

We Hydrate Throughout the Day

Everyone in my family carries their own water bottle and refills it all day. I remind our kids to catch up if I notice they’re not keeping up with our drinking pace. And if they start getting cranky, they might need a drink, snack, or air conditioning before they hit a wall.

But only drinking water isn’t enough to replace the minerals lost through sweating. Electrolyte packets work, though I prefer small bottles of electrolyte concentrate that I can squeeze into my water bottle after a refill. Water refill stations are all over the parks, usually near restrooms, but Disney World’s tap water isn’t always the best. Adding electrolytes can improve the taste, but I prefer to stop by a quick-service restaurant for ice water.

You can go up to the mobile order station at a quick-service restaurant to ask for water, and some restaurants have self-serve soda fountains with ice and water. I usually ask for 2 cups: one to drink on the spot and another to fill my water bottle with ice, keeping it cool as I refill.

Disney World also allows outside food and nonalcoholic beverages, including refillable water bottles. However, glass containers, coolers larger than 24 inches x 15 inches x 18 inches, and loose ice are prohibited. You can bring reusable ice packs, frozen water bottles, or ice in a sealed bag (Source: Disney World), so I recommend bringing a water bottle and refilling it with free water.

One of my favorite Disney World snacks is a refrigerated pickle — another source of electrolytes.

It’s under $3, available in all the parks, and is served cold. I’ve found it much more refreshing than ice cream, because sweet snacks can get a bit sickening when it’s hot outside.

We Plan Park Days Around Air Conditioning

We prioritize outdoor-heavy attractions in the morning or after dark. For example, Slinky Dog Dash, which has a typically long outdoor queue, is never a midday activity for my family. We visit rides with indoor queues, shows, and dining during the hottest parts of the day.

Remember to leave buffer time in your plans for dining and Lightning Lanes to allow for indoor activities. Some of our favorite indoor attractions in each park include:

• Magic Kingdom: Carousel of Progress, Mickey’s PhilharMagic, Tiki Room, Country Bear Musical Jamboree, Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor, Enchanted Tales With Belle, Pirates of the Caribbean, “it’s a small world”
• EPCOT: The Seas (and The Seas with Nemo & Friends), The Land (including Soarin’, Living With the Land, and Awesome Planet), Test Track, Figment’s Journey Into Imagination, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (if the line hasn’t reached outside), Reflections of China, Canada Far and Wide, CommuniCore Hall (which is GoofyCore for Cool Kids’ Summer)
• Hollywood Studios: Star Tours, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Toy Story Mania, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (if the line hasn’t reached outside), For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Singalong Celebration, Disney Villains: Unfairly After
• Animal Kingdom: Avatar Flight of Passage (if the line hasn’t reached outside), Festival of the Lion King, Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!, Zootopia: Better Zoogether!

These are also good places to dodge summer rainstorms. Gift shops count as cooling breaks, too.

We Plan Meals Around Peak Heat

Lunch is the best time for a summer table-service break. If you’re only doing 1 sit-down meal per day during the summer, make it lunch, since breakfast is before the hottest part of the day, and dinner can be after the worst heat. Lunch gives you air conditioning, drink refills, and time off your feet for a reset without leaving the parks.

For May the Fourth this year, I planned a 2 p.m. lunch reservation at Hollywood & Vine, a character buffet at Hollywood Studios. I knew we’d be ready to get off our feet, out of the Galaxy’s Edge crowds, and into a chilly restaurant. It was the perfect time to settle into the air conditioning, refuel at the buffet, and get unlimited drink refills. Then we got back to the attractions feeling refreshed.

It’s worth planning a longer lunch rather than trying to squeeze in as many attractions as possible from noon to 3 p.m. Even quick-service dining can be a good break if you choose indoor seating. Some of our favorite quick-service restaurants include:

• Magic Kingdom: Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe (or get Golden Oak Outpost food and sit inside Pecos Bill’s dining room), Columbia Harbour House, Pinocchio Village Haus, Cosmic Ray’s
• EPCOT: Connections Eatery, Sunshine Seasons, Regal Eagle Smokehouse
• Hollywood Studios: Docking Bay 7, ABC Commissary, Backlot Express
• Animal Kingdom: Satu’li Canteen, Pizzafari

Cardholders of the Disney^® Inspire Visa^® Card, Disney^® Premier Visa^® Card, and Disney^® Visa^® Card can get 10% off at most Disney World table-service restaurants. There’s a 20% discount for cardholders at Disney World Joffrey’s locations.

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Disney^® Inspire Visa^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

If you regularly visit Disney Parks, the Disney Inspire card is a must-have with all of the savings it provides cardmembers.

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Disney^® Inspire Visa^® Card

If you regularly visit Disney Parks, the Disney Inspire card is a must-have with all of the savings it provides cardmembers.

Welcome Offer

Get a $300 Disney Gift Card eGift to use today upon approval + earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

$300 Disney Gift Card + $200

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$500

Annual Fee

$149

APR

0% promo APR for 6 months on select Disney vacation packages from the date of purchase, after that a variable APR of 18.24% – 27.74%

Why We Like This Card

For dedicated Disney fans, there is no better credit card to add to their wallet than the Disney Inspire card. Not only does the card provide the best rewards rate for Disney-related purchases, but it also comes loaded with perks that help save you money on a wide variety of Disney purchases, including park tickets, food, merchandise, Disney Bundle subscription services, and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10% back on Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ subscriptions
• 3% back at most other U.S. Disney locations and gas stations
• 2% back at grocery stores and restaurants

Cons

• Charges a $149 annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Get a $300 Disney Gift Card eGift to use today upon approval + earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Redeem Rewards Dollars for a statement credit toward airline purchases.
• 0% promo APR for 6 months on select Disney vacation packages from the date of purchase, after that a variable APR of 18.24% – 27.74%
• 10% off select merchandise purchases at select locations and 10% off select dining locations most days at the Disneyland^® Resort and Walt Disney World^® Resort.
• Save 10% on select purchases at DisneyStore.com
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% promo APR for 6 months on select Disney vacation packages from the date of purchase, after that a variable APR of 18.24% – 27.74%
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the amount of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Rewards Center

Disney Rewards

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Disney^® Premier Visa^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

2% back Disney Rewards Dollars at Disney, gas stations, grocery stories, and restaurants means more rewards dollars for Disney fans.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Disney^® Premier Visa^® Card

2% back Disney Rewards Dollars at Disney, gas stations, grocery stories, and restaurants means more rewards dollars for Disney fans.

Welcome Offer

Get a $200 Disney Gift Card eGift to use today upon approval + earn a $100 statement credit after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

$200 Disney Gift Card + $100

Annual Fee

$49

APR

18.24% – 27.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

Mickey and his friends are like part of the family. Your kids can recite the words to everything from Aladdin to Toy Story. And there’s no question where you’re going on Spring Break (Space Mountain, anyone?).

As a premier Disney fan, you always have the Disney^® Premier Visa^® Card on hand. It earns you cash back and discounts at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Save 10% on select purchases at shopDisney.com when you use your card
• Earn 5% in Disney Rewards Dollars on purchases at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com
• Earn 2% in Disney Rewards Dollars on card purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and most Disney U.S. locations

Cons

• Does not earn transferrable rewards
• Has a foreign transaction fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Get a $200 Disney Gift Card eGift to use today upon approval + earn a $100 statement credit after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Earn 5% in Disney Rewards Dollars on card purchases made directly at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com or Stream.ESPN.com. Earn 2% in Disney Rewards Dollars on card purchases at gas stations and most Disney U.S. locations. Earn 2% on card purchases at grocery stores and restaurants. Earn 1% on all your other card purchases. There are no limits to the number of Rewards Dollars you can earn.
• Redeem Rewards Dollars for a statement credit toward airline purchases.
• 0% promo APR for 6 months on select Disney vacation packages from the date of purchase, after that a variable APR of 18.24% – 27.74%
• 10% off select merchandise purchases at select locations and 10% off select dining locations most days at the Disneyland^® Resort and Walt Disney World^® Resort.
• Save 10% on select purchases at DisneyStore.com
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 18.24% – 27.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the amount of each transaction in U.S. dollars.

Rewards Center

Disney Rewards

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Disney^® Visa^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A straight 1% in Disney Rewards Dollars that can be redeemed for Disney tickets, merchandise, and other offerings makes this a Mickey fan's go-to card.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Disney^® Visa^® Card

A straight 1% in Disney Rewards Dollars that can be redeemed for Disney tickets, merchandise, and other offerings makes this a Mickey fan's go-to card.

Welcome Offer

Get a $100 Disney Gift Card eGift to use today upon approval + earn a $50 statement credit after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

$100 Disney Gift Card

Annual Fee

$0

APR

18.24% - 27.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

For you and your family, vacation time is Disney time. In fact, Disney is #1 for you and your brood all year-round. You have the Mickey ears to prove it!

Lucky for you, the Disney^® Visa^® Card makes it simple to earn Disney Rewards Dollars that you can spend at Walt Disney World^®, Disneyland^®, shopDisney.com, and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Save 10% on select purchases at shopDisney.com when you use your Disney Visa Card
• Receive 10% off select merchandise purchases at select locations at the Disneyland^® and Walt Disney World^® Resorts when you use your Disney Visa Card
• Earn 1% in Disney Rewards Dollars on all your card purchases with no limits to the amount you can earn

Cons

• Does not earn transferrable points to other travel partners
• Has a foreign transaction fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Get a $100 Disney Gift Card eGift to use today upon approval + earn a $50 statement credit after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Earn 1% in Disney Rewards Dollars on all card purchases. There are no limits to the number of Rewards Dollars you can earn.
• 0% promo APR for 6 months on select Disney vacation packages from the date of purchase, after that a variable APR of 18.24% – 27.74%
• 10% off select merchandise purchases at select locations and 10% off select dining locations most days at the Disneyland^® Resort and Walt Disney World^® Resort.
• Save 10% on select purchases at DisneyStore.com
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 18.24% - 27.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the amount of each transaction in U.S. dollars.

Rewards Center

Disney Rewards

During summer visits, pool or water park time is nonnegotiable for me. Even if we’re not swimming every day, we don’t do back-to-back full park days without a little time in the water.

Some families take midday breaks for resort pool time, naps, and showers, returning refreshed in the evening. For example, you can walk from EPCOT to Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, then hop into the largest Disney resort pool complex, and change into fresh clothes for a full reset.

Leaving the parks to cool off can be helpful, but factor in realistic travel time into your break plan. Getting to your Disney resort requires a walk, a bus ride, a monorail, the Skyliner, or a boat. Transportation may have a wait, and it could be hot. For families with kids who nap midday, it can be worth it. For us, it’s easier to reset at a cool spot in the parks.

Final Thoughts

The heat can be brutal on summer Disney World trips, but it’s doable if you plan for it and build in cooling time into your park day plans. The heat makes indoor attractions, sit-down dining, and shows essential. If the heat is getting the best of you, slowing down to take care of yourself isn’t being dramatic — it’s how you keep your trip going.