Here’s something you may not know: Central Florida can get hot. And because of its geographic location, it can also become sweltering, humid, sticky, and other not-so-good weather terms. And the majority of any Disney vacation happens outdoors in said weather. If you do not adapt yourself accordingly, over-exhaustion and being overheated is a terrible way to spend your vacation. Fortunately, there are plenty of tips to offer you when you take your next trip in the central Florida heat.
Welcome to Believe Vacations’ Weekly Post where today, a very timely portion of the year, we will offer you our top tips to Beat the Heat. For this list, we are going to compile our best suggestions for where to go or what to do when you need a break from the sun. Thankfully, there are enough options to sort them into a handful of categories so let’s get started with the moment you arrive at your resort.
Resort Pools and Water Parks
Water will be your best friend on a hot day. A quick dip or a nice swim is refreshing and helps combat the weather. As a fan of the resorts, we love any opportunity to experience the many themed pools on the properties. May we suggest our favorite pools that we voted on this past spring:
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort – Fuentes del Morro Pool, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – The Beach Pool, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter – Doubloon Lagoon, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside – Dubbed Ol’ Man Island, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort – The Lava Pool, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort –The Big Blue Pool
Of course, there’s always the oft-forgotten Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon waterparks. It’s not fair to classify them as “oft-forgotten” but the parks are the main draw, the resorts are important because it’ll be home for the length of the vacation, and the restaurants provide nourishment for the week. The water parks are simply extra. But they are well worth the money and extra vacation day, especially in Summer. Wave pools, winding slides, plunges, splash pads and more will keep you cool, both temperature and personality-wise. Pick your favorite, grab your best swimwear and beat the heat!
Transportation
Inside an air conditioned vehicle is not the worst way to get out of the elements. And since you need to get back and forth to the parks, Disney Springs, etc., you may as well jump into these cool chariots for a spell. Luckily, Disney has a tremendous fleet of transportation options that you can take advantage of. From the resort buses to the “Minnie” Vans, to the boats that have a nice breeze going across the lake. From the inner cabins of the monorail to the Magical Express. So many traveling options to keep you cool and that’s not including the ones inside the parks.
Attractions
More than likely, you are at Disney to enjoy the wonderful attractions and shows that provide entertainment and memories for children of all ages. But again, the central Florida heat makes standing in lines unbearable. We are fortunate to live in a world that provides air conditioning and so we have a list of the perfect attractions to visit to beat the heat:
Magic Kingdom: Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Country Bear Jamboree, Enchanted Tiki Room, The Hall of Presidents, Haunted Mansion, It’s a Small World, Mickey’s Philharmagic, Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor, Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, Under the Sea- Journey of the Little Mermaid, Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
Epcot: The American Adventure, Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Cabelleros, Journey into Imagination with Figment, Living with the Land, Mission: Space, The Seas with Nemo & Friends, Soarin’, Turtle Talk with Crush
Hollywood Studios: For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, Muppet*Vision 3D, Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, Toy Story Mania!, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Animal Kingdom: Dinosaur, Finding Nemo: The Musical, It’s Tough to be a Bug, Na’vi River Journey, Festival of the Lion King
Restaurants
Best way to beat the heat is getting a bite to eat! – B Pavlick. Okay, so don’t quote me on that but it’s true. Simply taking a break to fill your belly in a restaurant will cool you off. Of course, some restaurants will require reservations and those may not be the best option. But there are plenty that provide the shade, and in some cases, a cool treat like Ice Cream or a Dole Whip! Here is a list of our favorite snack or quick-service dining locations inside the parks that will be perfect to cool down at:
Magic Kingdom: Aloha Isle (Dole Whip), Be Our Guest (Breakfast and Lunch only), Casey’s Corner, The Lunching Pad, Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe, Pinocchio Village Haus
Epcot: Club Cool (Coke products), Electric Umbrella, Fife & Drum Tavern, Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie, Sunshine Seasons
Hollywood Studios: ABC Commissary, Backlot Express, Fairfax Fare, PizzeRizzo
Animal Kingdom: Flame Tree Barbecue, Pizzafari, Restaurantosaurus, Satu”li Canteen, Yak and Yeti
Accessories
Sometimes, you just need to be creative to stay cool. Other times, spend a few bucks on a non-expensive items. (At Disney? Yeah Right!) But there are a few items you can bring into the park on those slightly warm days and a sample of our unofficial list goes something like this:
Sunscreen, Misting fans, Cooling towels, Dri-fit clothes, Frozen bottled water, Hats, Sunglasses, Aloe
Other Tips
Just a few more tips before you get back into the heat:
- Go early; stay late – Obviously, first in the morning and late at night is when the sun is not it’s strongest so take advantage of those times.
- Go back to the room in the afternoon – Take a break by taking a nap or a dip in the pool.
- Never purchase water – Always ask snack counters for a cup of ice water. Save money and your energy in the same moment!
- Know your limit – Disney is enjoyable inside the parks and at the resorts. And while there are great medical services nearby, don’t be the family member that tells everyone back home your about your magical stay in the emergency room.
Did we miss anything? What do you do to “beat the heat” at Disney? Leave your comments in the section below and remember there’s a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!
