How to survive the Florida heat at Disney World

If you’ve been struggling with the recent heatwave in the UK, Orlando can sometimes take things up a notch.

July and August are among the hottest months of the year, with temperatures occasionally reaching 40°C or more. Add in Florida’s humidity, long days in the parks and potentially lengthy queues and the heat can feel pretty draining.

But having holidayed in Orlando ourselves while there was a UK heatwave back at home, we also found there were actually some definite advantages to being in Florida.

The biggest? Air conditioning! Orlando is well prepared for hot weather, and you’ll find air conditioning almost everywhere – from shops and restaurants to the parks’ attractions and transport.

There’s another reason you might want to consider a summer visit, too. July and August can sometimes be cheaper than other school-holiday periods (for more on the, see our piece on whether now is the best time to book your Disney World holiday) while August in particular can see crowds ease slightly as some US schools return for the new academic year.

We’ve heard many Disney fans say the summer months are not the time to visit Orlando, as the heat is so sapping – and we do understand that. But we found with a little planning, you can still have a fantastic theme-park holiday – even in very hot weather.

Here are our tips for surviving – and enjoying – Disney World in the Florida heat.

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1. Get to the parks early – rope drop is your friend

If you’re an early riser (and many Brits discover that the US/ UK time difference means they do wake early for the first few days of their trip) make the most of it. A 6am wake-up in Florida is only 11am back in the UK, thanks to the time difference, so you may find yourself wide awake long before you would be at home.

Rope drop is what Disney fans call arriving at the parks before opening and being ready to head in as soon as you’re allowed. It’s a great strategy at any time of year, but it really comes into its own during the Florida summer.

The earlier you can get on some of the most popular rides, the less time you’ll spend standing in the heat later in the day. And the morning is generally a much more pleasant time to explore the parks before the combination of temperature, humidity and crowds really starts to take its toll. For more on this, see our guide to Disney rope drop tips.

2. Dress for the Florida heat – and protect yourself from the sun

Don’t underestimate how different a hot day in Florida can feel from a hot day in the UK. Lightweight, breathable clothing is so important, as are comfortable shoes, a hat or cap and sunglasses.

And don’t forget sunscreen. Apply it before you leave your hotel and keep topping it up throughout the day – particularly if you’re swimming or going on attractions where you get wet, such as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure or Kali River Rapids.

It’s also worth being aware that heat can cause noticeable swelling, particularly in the feet and ankles. We’ve experienced this in our own family, with my mum’s ankles becoming very swollen during a particularly hot Orlando holiday. Comfortable shoes with a little room to spare can therefore be a sensible choice.

If you or anyone in your family develops severe, sudden or unusual swelling, however, don’t simply assume it’s the heat – seek medical advice.

3. Drink plenty of water

This sounds obvious, but it’s remarkably easy to forget to drink enough when you’re rushing from one attraction to another.

Take a refillable water bottle into the parks and keep topping it up throughout the day. Disney has free water refill stations and you can also ask for free water at many quick-service locations, so you don’t need to carry enough for the whole day. We’d recommend taking a plastic, rather than a metal bottle, as we’ve found metal ones may need additional security checks at the park entrances (if you do bring a metal one, holding it out in front of you as you walk through the metal detectors can help with this).

Don’t wait until you’re thirsty before drinking. If you’re spending hours walking around in the Florida heat, regular hydration should be part of your park routine.

4. Have a plan for the hottest part of the day

You’ve heard the saying about mad dogs and Englishmen, so you’ve heard it from us: don’t feel that you have to spend every minute of the day in the parks.

If you’ve rope-dropped, have a cut-off point when you leave for lunch and head back to your resort or villa. Take a swim, relax with a book or retreat to your air-conditioned room for a midday nap.

This can be easier to manage if you’re staying at a Disney resort, but we’d recommend that all families build some time away from the parks into their summer holiday. If you’re staying further away, you could even book lunch at one of the Disney resorts, giving you an opportunity to enjoy somewhere new while escaping the heat for a while.

Disney isn’t going anywhere. You don’t need to prove your stamina by staying in the park from opening until closing.

5. Use Lightning Lane strategically

We’re not suggesting you need Lightning Lane for every day of your holiday, but it can come into its own in the Florida heat.

If you’re going to spend money on Lightning Lane, consider using it for attractions where the queues involve significant amounts of outdoor waiting. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is a good example: much of the queue is outdoors before you eventually move into more sheltered areas. We’ve posted about our Lightning Lane strategy, if you want to read more about how best to use this Disney service.

Other attractions where you’ll encounter substantial outdoor queuing include Slinky Dog Dash at Hollywood Studios and Tomorrowland Speedway at Magic Kingdom.

And think about what’s nearby. Tomorrowland Speedway has a covered spectator area that can provide a useful opportunity for a drink and a breather, while the Toy Story Land area also gives you opportunities to move into shade or air conditioning.

6. Make the most of Disney’s air conditioning

One of the great things about visiting Florida during a hot summer is that Florida knows how to deal with heat.

Air conditioning is everywhere – in shops, restaurants, attractions, transport and hotel lobbies – so make the most of it.

There are also plenty of attractions where you can spend a decent amount of time indoors. At Epcot, The Seas with Nemo & Friends and The Land are particularly useful, as are the Project Tomorrow games you find after exiting Spaceship Earth, while the Mexico pavilion is another good place to escape the heat.

Living with the Land is especially useful on a hot afternoon: it’s a relaxing 14-minute indoor boat ride through Epcot’s greenhouses, giving you the chance to cook down while still experiencing an attraction. Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana – while it takes place outside – is a walk-through attraction with water features, which can also feel very cooling and relaxed on a hot day.

7. Have a strategy for Animal Kingdom and Epcot

These two parks need slightly more planning in the summer, as both have earlier closing times.

Animal Kingdom has relatively limited opening hours compared with some of the other parks, and a lot of your time is spent outside. We’d therefore recommend rope drop or using Lightning Lane for attractions such as Kilimanjaro Safaris, then taking a proper break during the hottest part of the day.

We sometimes escape Animal Kingdom altogether for a long lunch at the Rainforest Cafe near the park entrance, or take a bus to nearby Animal Kingdom Lodge for a meal and a look around this beautiful resort.

At Epcot, use rope drop or Lightning Lane for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure or Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, then use the park’s many indoor pavilions for opportunities to escape the sun. If you’re staying the park during the hottest parts of the day, we’d suggest staying closer to the entrance, where there are more indoor attractions – the World Showcase area is wonderful but can feel like quite a slog in the heat.

8. Make the most of Disney after dark

Just as early mornings are your friend, late evenings can be wonderful in the Florida summer.

There’s something lovely about wandering around the parks at night without needing to worry quite so much about the heat. And some attractions really come into their own after dark (for more, see 6 things to know about exploring Disney by night).

Magic Kingdom can be particularly magical in the evening. Once the fireworks have finished, queues for some attractions can drop, giving you the chance to experience rides such as Tron Lightcycle / Run and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (the spectacular drop on the latter gives you wonderful view of the fireworks if you can time it right!), while attractions such as Haunted Mansion take on a different atmosphere after sunset.

Hollywood Studios is another good choice. If you’re watching one showing of Fantasmic!, use the other performance as an opportunity to explore attractions while some of the crowds are elsewhere. Slinky Dog Dash looks particularly good at night, while the Star Wars attractions are also worth experiencing after dark.

And one special treat, if you’re staying at a Disney resort, is heading to a hotel bar after the parks – it’s a lovely way to enjoy those warm evenings.

9. Cool off with some water

If you’re staying at a Disney resort, make the most of the pool.

A couple of hours swimming can be much more enjoyable than forcing tired children around another theme park, particularly during the hottest part of the afternoon.

And if your holiday package includes water park access, consider spending a whole day at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach rather than treating the water parks as an afterthought. A day built around swimming and water attractions can be a welcome change of pace during a two-week holiday.

10. Be prepared for Florida thunderstorms

One thing that often surprises British visitors is that hot Florida weather can come with spectacular thunderstorms.

The downpours can be sudden and intense, although they often pass surprisingly quickly. Take waterproofs with you and try not to get caught in an exposed area when the heavens open.

We’ve had a very wet experience ourselves while eating at Backlot Express at Hollywood Studios, much of which is outdoors, when a storm arrived – there was so little cover to take shelter with our burgers and fries!

The upside is that once the rain passes, you can dry out remarkably quickly in the Florida heat – and crowds may thin dramatically as people take shelter.

Just remember that shorter queues aren’t a reason to ignore lightning warnings. Some attractions, including Kilimanjaro Safaris, may also close temporarily during severe weather.

11. Find shade when you need it

Don’t underestimate the importance of simply sitting down somewhere shady with a cold drink.

This is particularly important if you have young children, and it applies to parades as well. At Magic Kingdom, people sometimes line Main Street for a long time in direct sun to secure a good position for the afternoon parade.

You don’t necessarily need to do that.

Look for a sheltered spot where you can sit, have a drink and let the parade come to you. Sleepy Hollow in Liberty Square can be a good option, while there are also shaded areas around Frontierland and near the Crystal Palace and Tony’s Town Square.

Essential reading for UK Disney World planners

12. Let Disney’s transport do the work

When it’s extremely hot, a 20-minute walk can feel like a very long way.

Disney has an extensive network of buses, boats, monorails and the Skyliner, so use it rather than assuming you have to walk everywhere.

We made exactly that mistake one year when we got off a bus at the BoardWalk and walked to the Swan and Dolphin to play Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf. It was only around 20 minutes, but in the intense heat we were absolutely sweltering by the time we arrived.

The following year we asked a Cast Member about the easiest route and were directed towards the boats instead. Much better.

If you’re not sure how to get somewhere on Disney property, ask a Cast Member. They can often point you towards an option you hadn’t considered.

13. Use the My Disney Experience app to plan around the heat

Your Disney app isn’t just for rides.

Use it to keep an eye on wait times, dining reservations, entertainment and character-meet locations, allowing you to plan your day so you’re not unnecessarily standing outside in the heat.

If you know you want to meet a particular character or eat at a particular restaurant, booking it into the middle of the day can also give you a useful period in air conditioning.

14. Know when to call it quits

Finally, know when to admit you’ve had enough.

Disney has a way of making you think you should squeeze just one more ride, one more character meet or one more attraction out of the day. But if everyone is exhausted, the kids are becoming miserable and you’re no longer enjoying yourself, it’s time to go.

A Florida holiday in the heat is absolutely manageable – and can be fantastic – provided you work with the weather rather than against it.

Get up early, take a proper break during the hottest part of the day, make the most of the evenings and, most importantly, don’t be afraid to change your plans when the temperature or your energy levels tell you to.