There is no sugar coating it, Florida is hot during the summer months! Despite the heat, it can also be the perfect time to visit Walt Disney World. I visited the parks three times last summer, and I want to share what I learned, how I structured my days, mistakes I made, and the benefits I found from visiting during these months.
The biggest recommendation that I have for touring the parks all the time, but especially during the summer months, is setting that alarm clock and arriving at the park for early entry or rope drop. Temperatures in the morning hours will likely be the lowest they will be at all day, making the first few hours the parks are open the most comfortable for walking around and standing in outdoor ride queues. Use this time to ride multiple attractions, specifically the ones that are located outdoors! Inversely, one of the benefits to visiting Walt Disney World during the summer months is that parks tend to stay open later at night, and touring after the sun sets will certainly provide some comfort and relief from the peak day temperatures.
Taking a midday break is something that I am always a fan of, but especially during the summer time. Whether you opt to use this time to return to your resort to spend some time enjoying the pool, or simply taking a rest in the A.C. in the comfort of your hotel room, taking time out of the parks when they are busiest and hottest will help sustain your family when you are tackling multiple park days. Staying on Disney property will make this immensely easier!
Staying hydrated is such an important piece of the equation as well! Purchasing bottled water can add up, but you have other options! Most Quick Service locations will hand out complimentary ice water, so be sure to stop and stop frequently to fill up! I typically add an insulated reusable water bottle to my park bag during the summer months and just make sure to keep refilling. I also like to take along electrolyte packets to add to the water. Know you are going to sweat…a lot! So keep pushing those fluids!
Wear light colors, and material that is moisture wicking! I made the mistake of wearing a dark colored, cotton t-shirt one day, and I regretted it very soon into my park day! It is also a great idea to add hats, visors and sunglasses to protect you from the sun during your park days. And of course, apply and reapply a good sunscreen! Trust me when I say, nursing a sunburn on the first night of your Disney vacation is not something you want to do.
Doing a bit of preplanning is always beneficial for efficient park touring, but especially during those summer months! While I don’t recommend attempting to plan your days step by step and minute by minute ( there are way too many variables that will have you thrown off course in an instant), having a general idea of what attractions you and your family want to prioritize, and knowing what indoor attractions are available for a break is a huge benefit. It will also benefit you to have a general understanding of the layout of the park, so you can try to avoid crisscrossing the park multiple times. Trust me, your feet will thank you!
Another way to beat the heat in the parks is to incorporate water based attractions into your day! Some of our favorites are Journey of Water Inspired by Moana, Kali River Rapids, and the water play area in Storybook Circus for littles! I recommend packing a spare change of clothing if your kiddos are going to want to cool off in one of these places.
While the heat can certainly be a deterrent, I think it’s also important to discuss some of the benefits to visiting the mouse during the summer months! At one point in time the summer months were prime time to visit the parks, leading to crowded resorts and parks but this trend has changed in more recent years. Disney is never “dead” by any means, but many families have shifted away from visiting during the summer which not only has led to navigating the parks with more manageable crowds, but also has had a positive impact on summer pricing. There are great deals to be found on resort stays over the summer. With several different resort and ticket promotions, this can be the difference of staying on vs off property, adding a few extra days, or even moving up to a higher resort tier level. This is especially true if you are willing to visit in August and September. Bonus points- in mid August Halloween festivities begin! With festive decor, special seasonal treats and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween parties being held on select nights, this may be especially great for fans of the spooky season!
Maybe this has convinced you to give summer in Disney a chance, maybe not. Over the course of the last few years I have visited the parks just about every month of the year, and have stays planned for each of the summer months. You can catch me at the parks early, and then sitting by the pool midday at some of my favorite Walt Disney World resorts.
Magic of the Mouse 