Disney World in the Summer
Your Guide to Surviving the Heat and Crowds of Disney in Florida
Jul 21, 2009
Between the months of June and September, Florida temperatures rise. So does the humidity. Unfortunately for thousands of vacationing families, Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando is plagued with pounding heat, endless lines, and crushing crowds. To make the most of your vacation, consider these tips from a native Floridian and lifelong Disney enthusiast.
What to Do Before you Get to the Disney Parks
Here are some purchases you may want to consider making before you arrive at the parks.
- Tickets. If you can, purchase them through AAA or another ticket seller before you get to Orlando. This can save you sweat, time, and aggravation. When you buy your tickets, purchase the Park Hopper option. For an extra charge, this feature allows you to "hop" freely from one park to another. Some parks are cooler and less crowded than others, and some are open later into the night, so it can be very useful to move between them throughout the day to maximize your experience.
- Sun block. The summer sun can be scorching. You should protect yourself and your family from sunburn by using a sun block with a minimum SPF of 15. Purchase it from a drug store or supermarket off Disney property, as prices are inflated in the parks. You may have to reapply sun block halfway through the day, as it can wear off over time and drip away with sweat.
- Water. You are going to want to drink a lot of it while visiting Disney in the summer. Stock up before you hit the parks. A 20 oz. bottle can go for more than two dollars on Disney property, and the water from fountains in the parks tends to have a funny metallic taste that may not agree with you.
Take Advantage of the Free Fast Pass
Disney offers a free feature at most of its attractions called the Fast Pass. By inserting your park ticket into the Fast Past kiosk near your favorite attraction, you will receive a stub of paper that has two times printed on it. Return to the attraction between those times, and skip the long line!
Only a certain number of Fast Passes are distributed each day, so grab them for the popular rides first. After receiving a Fast Pass, you must wait one hour before receiving another. While waiting to redeem your next Fast Pass, go shopping, eat at a cool restaurant, watch a show, or stand in line for an attraction with a shorter wait.
Making the Most of the Magic Kingdom
The Magic Kingdom is constructed of concrete, and its buildings crowd together in a heat-trapping maze. Also, because of its small size and popularity, the Magic Kingdom draws many guests and becomes crowded easily. Because of these factors, savvy Florida residents avoid the Kingdom in the summer. However, for most visitors, a trip to Disney would not be the same without seeing the Kingdom.
If you do visit the Kingdom, do not plan to stay for the entire day. Plan your time to avoid the worst of the heat and the crowds.
- Get to the Magic Kingdom early in the morning. Grab Fast Passes for your number one can't-miss ride, and hurry to one or two of your favorite attractions. Have breakfast on the run, and save your shopping for later.
- As the heat and the lines swell, take a break from the park. See a movie, take a nap, or go for a splash in the pool.
- Then, when the sun goes down, return to enjoy the park after dark. The stores and gift shops on Main Street are the last to close and generally stay open an hour after park hours are over, so walk out slowly and browse at these shops only on your way out
This plan also works well for the three other Disney theme parks: get there early, take a break in the afternoon, and stay late.
Enjoy Epcot
Epcot is one of the coolest Disney theme parks in the summer. The majority of the park is built around a large lagoon. The open design invites more breezes and traps less heat than other parks. Many of the attractions offer over half an hour of entertainment in uninterrupted air conditioning. Even for popular rides like Test Track, you will spend the majority of your wait in an air-conditioned queue. If your party consists of adults and older children, you may want to spend less time in the Magic Kingdom and more time enjoying the atmosphere and cuisine of Epcot.
Visit Walt Disney World by Night
Because of the amount of visitors that flock to Orlando in the summer, Disney parks keep extended evening hours on many nights. Take advantage of this by escaping the afternoon heat and returning to the parks in the cooler evening.
Stay on Property in a Disney Resort
If this is your big summer vacation, splurge and stay on property. Disney Resort guests enjoy many perks, including free parking at the parks. Resort guests are also entitled to Disney's Extra Magic Hours. Extra Magic Hours are offered at select parks during the week, and allow resort guests to stay and play for one to three extra hours before or after the park is open to everyone else. It is a great way to beat some of the crowds and heat. Plus, if you stay on property, your room is always close enough for a quick afternoon nap or a cooling splash in the pool.
If you are watching your budget, stay in a Disney Value Resort. These hotels offer decent prices with all the benefits of being a resort guest.
Have Fun and Stay Cool
Above all, enjoy yourself and stay cool. No matter where you go, there is always something fun to do at Disney. If you are tired and drained from the parks, spend some time watching a show, visiting the hotels, shopping, and dining. Keep out of long, hot lines and drink lots of fluids. Do what's fun!
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