11 Ways To Beat the Heat on Your Next Disney Vacation

Vacationing at Disneyland or Walt Disney World has been a staple for decades. No matter the season, people visit from all over the world, hoping to experience a bit of Disney magic.

But Anaheim, California, and Orlando, Florida, can have temperate to hot weather year-round. Although California is generally cooler and experiences a dry heat compared to Florida’s often unrelenting humidity, both are guaranteed to be warm in the summer months.

Consequently, a question for many first-time and returning guests arises: how to have a good time despite the heat? After all, no one enjoys being miserably hot, even in the Happiest and Most Magical Places on Earth.

Most answers are simple enough, but some may surprise guests. The trick is to make a plan, be prepared, and bring warm weather essentials. Abiding by the following list won’t make the temperatures any cooler, but it will help make your next Disney vacation as magical as possible.

When it comes to beating the heat at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, the key is to stay inside as much as possible. Indeed, air conditioning becomes your best friend, especially during the heart of the day when temperatures are at their peak.

However, with many outdoor rides and queues, that becomes difficult. Enter long indoor rides. Guests should prioritize these and consider splurging for Lightning Lane Multi-Pass to minimize time spent in outdoor queues. Thankfully, each park has numerous indoor rides that are fun and lengthy.

At Disneyland, prioritize the long boat rides Pirates of the Caribbean (15 minutes) and It’s A Small World (15 minutes), and lengthy attractions such as the Haunted Mansion (10 minutes), Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (18 minutes), Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage (14 minutes), and The Disneyland Railroad (approximately 20 minutes). Also consider Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (7 minutes) and Indiana Jones Adventure. The rides are not too long, but their lengthy queues are mostly inside.

Walt Disney World has several indoor rides throughout the four parks. Magic Kingdom also has Pirates of the Caribbean (8 minutes), It’s a Small World (10 minutes), and Haunted Mansion (10 minutes), as well as the Carousel of Progress (20 minutes). At EPCOT, you’ll find Spaceship Earth (15 minutes), Frozen Ever After (5 minutes), Living With the Land (15 minutes), Journey into Imagination with Figment (6 minutes), and Gran Fiesta Tour with The Three Caballeros (8 minutes).

Hollywood Studios is like Disneyland with Rise of the Resistance and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, while Animal Kingdom has one suitable boat ride, the Na’vi River Journey (5 minutes).

Indoor shows and attractions are another way to avoid the heat and cool off. They may be even more appealing to those who wish to truly relax for a while, free from the overstimulation and mayhem of the parks.

Once again, both resorts feature their fair share of options that will give guests some relief from the heat. Shows at Disneyland include Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room and the rotating Main Street Opera House offerings, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln and Walt Disney- A Magical Life. There are also places like Sleeping Beauty Castle, the Main Street Cinema, and the Tomorrowland (formerly Captain E-O) Theater. DCA has Mickey’s PhilharMagic and Turtle Talk with Crush for shows, as well as The Animation Building, which includes a large lobby, the Animation Academy, and the Sorcerer’s Workshop.

Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom also features The Enchanted Tiki Room and Mickey’s PhilharMagic in addition to Country Bear Musical Jamboree, Enchanted Tales With Belle, the Hall of Presidents, and Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor.

EPCOT brims with excellent indoor shows and attractions that provide cool relief and thoroughly entertain and engage guests. These include The American Adventure, Advanced Training Lab, Beauty and the Beast Sing-A-Long, Canada Far and Wide in Circle Vision 360, Impressions de France, Reflections of China, and Turtle Talk with Crush.

Hollywood Studios also has quite a few indoor options, including Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage, a Frozen Sing-A-Long, Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live, and the Wonderful World of Animation. Lastly, at Animal Kingdom, guests can watch Festival of the Lion King, Finding Nemo: The Big Blue and Beyond, and Bluey’s Wild World at Conservation Station.

In addition to attractions and shows, where you choose to sit, relax, and dine plays a major role in your day- particularly on hot days. Disneyland has quite a few shaded areas as well as restaurants with outdoor shaded seating. The brand new Edelweiss Lodge across from the Matterhorn Bobsleds offers full coverage and several tables and chairs. Nearby is the It’s a Small World Promenade, which also offers fully covered tables and pretty views of the former motor boat lagoon.

The restaurants vary in terms of indoor vs outdoor seating, and some leave guests exposed. But many do have shade thanks to umbrellas, awnings, or the building structure. These include Carnation Cafe, Plaza Inn, Refreshment Corner, Jolly Holiday (partially),Tropical Hideaway(partially), Red Rose Tavern, Tiana’s Palace, River Belle Terrace (partially), Galactic Grill, Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree, Bengal Barbecue, Docking Bay 7, and Ronto Roasters. Cafe Orleans has indoor air conditioning and shaded outdoor tables, while the Golden Horseshoe remains one of the most underappreciated places to cool off, with many tables and the choice to eat or simply relax.

While Disney California Adventure does not have as many shaded options as Disneyland, some are sprinkled throughout the park. Paradise Gardens has numerous tables shaded by umbrellas and awnings, where you can enjoy a meal and occasionally listen to live Mariachi music. Likewise, San Fransokyo Square and Smokejumpers Grill have chairs and tables with large umbrellas.

Lamplight Lounge Boardwalk Dining is one of the favorite shaded spots in the entire park, with views and breezes from the lagoon, though dining here often requires reservations. The outdoor seating around the back of Flo’s V8 Cafe is mostly shaded thanks to clever design and provides a welcome respite. Lastly, Avengers Campus has a new, most welcome area with shaded seating and trees across from Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission: BREAKOUT.

Compared to Disneyland, Walt Disney World’s dining options are almost all indoors and air-conditioned due to the high humidity throughout the year. They also have numerous shaded or other indoor spaces with air conditioning and/or fans to provide relief to overheated guests. With so many options, it’s best to highlight the cream of the crop of these spaces.

At Magic Kingdom, Center Street on Main Street is a quiet, out-of-the-way area with covered seating next to the Silhouette Studio. The Tangled Restroom Area also provides guests with shade and comfort from the hustle-and-bustle of the park. And in Fantasyland, though it’s often busy with lots of children playing, visitors will relish the cool temperatures in Dumbo’s Storybook Circus Tent.

Some indoor dining options that many consider more hidden-away gems include the Tomorrowland Terrace (especially early in the day), and, according to the Disney Food Blog, the second-floor seating at Columbia Harbor House and Pinocchio’s Village Haus.

Although EPCOT is mostly open-air spaces with no shade, it does still have a few places for guests to decompress. The best is definitely the Land Pavilion with ample seating and air conditioning. Visitors can also find some covered seating at the United Kingdom Labyrinth Garden, the Katsura Grill Outdoor Seating, and the France Pavilion.

Hollywood Studios is similar to EPCOT with a great deal of open-air areas. However, a few have some shade, particularly the designated rest area connecting Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land, sporadic corners on Sunset Blvd, and the Echo Lake Benches near Gertie the Dinosaur.

Finally, though one might expect Animal Kingdom to be the most unforgiving as far as heat relief, it actually offers a great many shaded areas and cooler dining options. The Oasis and Discovery Island Trails have trees and dense canopies that keep sunlight from penetrating through. These areas remain surprisingly temperate to cool depending on the day.

As far as restaurants go, your best bets will be Harambe Market, which has plenty of shaded outdoor seating with overhead fans, the Nomad Lounge, with cushy chairs, couches, and air conditioning, and Flame Tree Barbecue, which features excellent coverage, fans, and lovely water views.

To stay cool on your Disney Vacation, guests need to do more than plan what attractions they want to focus on and restaurants they want to dine at. Bringing the necessary essentials will also help tremendously.

Staying hydrated remains one of the most important things when visiting theme parks, especially on hot days when you’ll be sweating more. So, don’t forget to bring your own water bottle. Portable fans and misters are also lifesavers, particularly when waiting in lines.

Likewise, cooling towels and patches help a great deal in keeping your core body temperature down. You can wet the towels in the restroom and then use them on your neck, face, or legs (if sitting down). Adhesive cooling patches adhere to your body and offer relief. I recommend putting them on your back, stomach, or back of your neck.

Lastly, umbrellas, especially ones made to block the sun and heat, are a game changer during the hottest hours of the day.

In addition to bringing in your own cooling essentials, make sure to take advantage of the freebies the parks offer. You can get free water at any restaurant; you merely have to ask. On hot days, many quick service restaurants put cold cups of water on the counter for guests to take. Also, don’t forget the numerous water refill stations. Ice is also available upon request.

Families should also take advantage of the Baby Care Center. They offer quiet space, air conditioning, water, and ice packs. Note: Although anyone can utilize them, regardless of whether you have children, you should not overwhelm or overcrowd these centers out of respect.

Snacking on your Disney trip is a given. When trying to stay cool, it’s best to avoid or limit things like churros, pretzels, and popcorn. While I personally enjoy all of these options, on hot days they’re less than ideal.

Instead, go for things that will be cool and refreshing. Ice cream or soft serve is an obvious choice, though I recommend an ice cream cone or cup rather than a Mickey ice cream bar. The latter melts quickly in the heat and can be messy.

Likewise, Dole Whip is a timeless favorite among park goers. It’s delicious, refreshing, and satisfies any craving. Classic pineapple is my preferred flavor, but many people enjoy others like orange, raspberry, mango, or two-flavor swirls. Dole Whip floats are another favorite amongst fans. Although not as readily available as ice cream, Dole Whip is worth seeking out.

Where available, Slushies are a sweet and absolutely refreshing treat. Disney California Adventure has some of the best at Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats. For a healthier option, fresh fruit hits the spot, especially on hot days. Throughout the parks, many carts offer pineapple, apples, and oranges.

It may seem like a no-brainer, but oftentimes parkgoers do themselves a disservice by not wearing appropriate clothing when it’s hot. For shirts, moisture-wicking material is best. Aim for light cotton & polyester blends, bamboo rayon, modal, and anything else lightweight. Some of my favorites are from Raw Threads Athletics, especially the Rayon from Bamboo t-shirts, which are naturally moisture-wicking, super soft, and offer SPF protection. They have generic theme park graphic tees, and you can find past officially licensed Disney shirts on places like Poshmark, eBay, and Mercari.

Hats and Sunglasses can also provide protection and relief from the glaring sun. The latter remains an important accessory many people forget, but provides excellent protection for your eyes, as it’s quite easy to get severe eye strain and headaches during the hottest, sunniest days.

Water rides at Disney parks fall into two categories: relaxing boat rides and rides that will get you wet. The latter should be your other priority, along with indoor attractions. While it isn’t always fun getting drenched on these rides, especially when the temperatures are sweltering, most don’t seem to mind. The instant cooling when it occurs feels great, as does the subsequent drying-off period if a breeze comes your way.

The Disneyland Resort has two attractions that guarantee guests will get wet: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Grizzly River Run. And these are not little splashes. Most often it’s like getting caught in a torrential downpour.

Walt Disney World has a couple of water rides as well, though not as many as they should considering the resort’s massive size. Magic Kingdom also has its own version of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, while Animal Kingdom has Kali River Rapids.

What Walt Disney World lacks in water rides, it makes up for with its two water parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. Typhoon Lagoon, with theming that revolves around the remnants of a typhoon wreckage in a tropical paradise, has an abundance of attractions for all ages. Some of the most popular include the Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool, with waves that reach six feet, their lazy river Castaway Creek, the Sandy White Beach, Humunga Kowabunga, three enclosed five-story, high-speed water slides, and Gangplank Fall, a large inner tube ride for up to four people.

Blizzard Beach is the newest of the two water parks, and just as fun, especially with its theming and family-friendly atmosphere. Its “story” says that Blizzard Beach is a Ski Resort and the result of an unusual snowstorm, left to obscurity once weather returned to normal. The most popular attractions include the one-acre pool Melt Away Bay, the 3000 ft lazy river Cross Country Creek, Ski Patrol Training Camp geared for kids and teens, and Teamboat Springs, a white-water rafting-esque adventure for up to five riders.

Besides water parks, Disney Resorts are known for exceptional pools. Indeed, vacations should always include a pool day, no matter where one stays. Though at Disney, you definitely will get a more luxurious and well-themed experience.

Disneyland’s pools on property, especially the Disneyland Hotel, rival Walt Disney World in terms of fun slides and ambiance. But even off-site hotels will give you the desired effect: a relaxing day enjoying a beautiful pool.

With longer vacations comes the luxury of time. Consequently, those who have it can do themselves a favor during the hottest part of the day and take a break. Parkgoers have two choices. Find a shaded or indoor place you can relax for an extended period b, or head back to your hotel room to chill or take a nap.

These breaks act twofold. They help you recharge your batteries to end your day strong. They also let you spend a good amount of your park day in the evening when temperatures have dropped, sometimes considerably.

If your vacation is only one or two days, this may not be the best method. But for everyone else, it helps guests beat the heat and put your Disney vacation in the winner column.