Dealing With the Heat at Walt Disney World

It’s no secret summers in Florida are downright hot. Because of the school summer vacations, July and August are two of the busiest months at the parks every year, which means the parks are hot and packed. Even for a party without a special needs person, it can get miserable pretty quickly if you don’t know how to handle the heat, when to take breaks, or how to escape the Florida summer temperatures. When you add in any special needs issues, Walt Disney World can be almost unbearable during the hot summer months, that is if you don’t know some of the “tricks” to beating the heat in the parks.

I know you paid good money to be in the parks, so I am going to state this upfront: this is not an article telling you to leave the parks to cool off. Yes, Walt Disney World has some great things to do outside of the four main parks: resort pools, two water parks, and indoor air-conditioned shopping, but I am going to focus on cooling down while still inside the parks.

Ten Simple Tips to Keep Cool in the Parks

If you qualify for a DAS {Disability Assistance Service} Pass, be sure to use it in conjunction with the FastPass+ system. If you have someone in your party or you are wheelchair bound or have mobility issues and don’t qualify for the DAS, know which rides offer return cards for their accessibility lines. Using these tools will allow you to wait in air-conditioned shops, dining facilities, or a show while waiting for your return time for the attraction or ride you are waiting on.

1. Know where the baby care center locations are in every park. The Disney Baby Care Centers are air-conditioned locations offering free self serve water from water coolers, changing tables, restrooms, sitting areas where Disney movies are playing, tables and chairs for eating a meal or snacks, and few books and toys. Each of the Baby Care Centers also offers a few items for purchase, things like: juice, baby food, diapers, wipes, various OTC medications, snacks, sippy cups, bottles, etc. They are great for taking persons with stimulation issues out of all the excitement and heat.
   1. MK – beside the Crystal Palace, HS – inside Guest Relations, First Aid building beside Guest Relations, AK – before the bridge to Africa, Epcot – beside the Odyssey Center, next to the Mexico pavilion
2. Know where the First Aid locations are in every park {beside the Baby Care Centers}. Each of the First Aid centers are staffed by licensed nurses who can offer OTC medications free of charge. They also have private “exam” rooms with medical office beds.
   1. MK – beside the Crystal Palace, HS – BCC inside Guest Relations, First Aid building beside Guest Relations, AK – before the bridge to Africa, Epcot – beside the Odyssey Center, next to the Mexico pavilion
3. Stay Hydrated. Sounds like basic advice, but many guests bring a bottle of water into the parks with them and once that is gone, they stop drinking as much as they should. When you also account for a bottle of water costing approximately $2.50 in the parks, it can be hard to justify that price, but you don’t have to. At all the quick service locations in the parks, you can get free cups of ice water. Even better, get a free cup of ice and use it to keep hands cold to rub on necks or use with our tip #5.
4. Wash Cloths and Hand Towels. This sounds like a strange tip, but it amazes me how this one simple item can make a huge difference in our day. When the heat of the day is at its peak, the simple act of wiping down the back of your neck with a cold wet wash cloth can have an immediate cooling effect. They are also great for ringing water out over a child’s head to help them cool down, as well.
5. In Epcot make use of the Innoventions Pavilions. Both of these pavilions offer attractions and experiences for the whole family and these buildings are air conditioned, giving the entire party the chance to escape the heat and cool down.
6. World Showcase in Epcot. All of the Country pavilions offer movies, shops, or attractions allowing you to be in an air-conditioned environment between pavilions. Making use of these will help to keep all party members cooled down.
7. Animal Kingdom is the hardest park to keep cool in. Be sure to visit early in the day or later in the afternoon in order to escape the hottest part of the day.
8. Ask for assistance. If you or anyone in your party gets over heated, ask the nearest Cast Member for assistance.
9. Do the attractions with the outdoor queues early in the day or late in the day after the sun has gone down.

Most of all, use common sense when visiting the parks during the hot season. The seasonal afternoon rain showers cool the temperatures down somewhat, but it is still easy to become over heated. Every park has air-conditioned indoor areas to enjoy, make use of them. Drink water (lots of it) and enjoy the frozen treats Disney has to offer.

You can read this article and many more about dealing with the heat in Walt Disney World in the latest issue of WDW Magazine