Beat the Heat

Updated: May 13

Orlando is hot and humid, often year round. Let's talk about the ways to be prepared for the heat and have a fabulous time despite it.

Florida is a hot, miserable place in the summer. It’s not a dry heat. It's a damp, humid, miserable heat, with a heat index at least ten degrees higher than the temperature. Even if you are from a hot, humid city like we are, Florida is a LOT in the summer.

Don’t let us scare you off though. There are ways to manage your Walt Disney World resort trip in the summer and still have a magical time. Let’s look at our best recommendations for how to beat the Florida heat.

Sun Screen. This may seem like a no-brainer, but people sometimes forget or do not think about it. But in the Florida sun, it is very, very important. Apply before you leave your hotel room. Reapply at least every couple of hours. Nothing will ruin your dream vacation faster than a bad sunburn.

On that same vein, where a hat and sunglasses. I love Minnie ears. I love coordinating outfits with them and finding new fun ears. But Minnie ears won’t protect your face and neck from the sun. Save them for nightime, and start the day in a hat.

Wear light-weight breathable clothing. Cute matching cotton t-shirts can be super fun, but a wick-away, breathable material can really make a big difference in how much heat it is not holding in.

A wet towel around your neck is your friend. It doesn't have to be a fancy cooling towel - though those are great. (We like the Frogg Toggs Chilling pad that you can find on Amazon or any Sporting Goods store) Any kind of towel you can drape around your neck and then rewet as it dries can be a life saver.

Personal cooling fans. They make battery operated ones that can drape around your neck, or smaller hand-held ones that charge overnight. Our favorites are the ones you can spray and mist yourself with.

Take breaks in the air conditioning. Ride indoor rides. Go watch shows or movies at the parks that have A/C. Eat lunch and dinner indoors - better yet plan a sit-down restaurant so you are indoors longer. Go shopping at indoor stores in the parks.

Go to the parks early in the day. It’s less crowded at opening anyway, most people like to sleep in on vacations. Then take a break back at your hotel during the heat of the day. Take a nap - you got up early and you are tired from the heat, or go swimming. Then go back to the parks in the evening as it cools down.

HYDRATE! Drink so much water. Bring a reusable bottle and fill it up as you go. Every quick service restaurant has ice water for free.

Eat ice cream and other cool snacks. Mickey bars are always a great iconic snack, but any cold or cool snack will help cool you down in the heat of the Florida sun.

Stick to the shade as much as possible. Note that this seems to be impossible at Animal Kingdom, so be really careful about indoor breaks there.

Attractions to cool down at the theme parks.

**** denote shows with seats with backs and air conditioning that are a great place to cool down and even take a power nap!

Disney's Animal Kingdom