The Ultimate Disney World Summer Guide

School is off for summer, and you want to spend quality time with your family. What would be the perfect destination for a vacation other than Walt Disney World?

But this period at Disney can be tough. Since it’s summer break, there will likely be more people, longer wait times, and higher temperatures.

But no worries, because we are going to provide you with a complete summer guide that not only gives an overview of Disney summer but also provides some useful tips.

Summer Weather and Crowds at Disney World

Summertime is important for vacations too. It is one of the busiest times to be there in addition to Christmas and Thanksgiving. There is no way to avoid the summer masses, and the Fourth of July holiday week sees the largest crowds. So, a trip to Disney World during this time of the year needs a bit more preparation and anticipation.

But we have good news for you! Park times are usually extended in the summer to cope with the crowds. So it would be better to arrive early and enjoy till noon. Or if you are not an early riser, you can visit the park in the evening and enjoy it till night.

This at Disney World is very hot too. Humidity is high with typical high temperatures in the 90s.

But fret not! You can still have a fun-filled trip with the help of the tips we are just going to discuss.

Tips for Summer Trip to Disney World

1. Dress Appropriately

When choosing your outfit for a summer trip to Disney World, comfort is the key. Choose to have breathable and light-colored fabrics. Shorts and T-shirts can be a good choice. Moreover, afternoon thunderstorms are also a thing there, so bring a lightweight jacket or a sweater if you tend to get cold easily.

You should also make sure that your footwear is comfortable. Avoid wearing a new pair while you are visiting the park. Instead, wear something that you know is comfortable for you. Sneakers can make walking easy for you all day, but they can be a mess after you take the water rides. Meanwhile, flip flops and sandals are breezy and light, but they can be uncomfortable to wear all day.

Crocs and natives from shopDisney and other such footwear are popular which people wear around the parks. They are lightweight, breathable, and waterproof, which is useful when it rains in Disney World, which it inevitably does! And when it rains, it pours well. Maybe not always, but it is always good to be prepared in advance. Isn’t it?

2. Pack the Essentials

Before your trip, ensure you have all the essentials of tropical weather in your park bag while visiting Disney World in the summer. These can be purchased in the park, but they might be expensive there.

For a wonderful trip, we would suggest you pack these things beforehand:

1. Sunscreen
2. A hat.
3. Sunglasses
4. Any other thing you might need while being in the sun.

You will have a great time if you carry these things with you while strolling through the parks.

3. Stay Hydrated

Outdoor attractions and parks can get unbearably hot during the summer. Because of excessive heat and how much you are moving, you can quickly get dehydrated, which may lead to other issues. And nobody would want to ruin their vacations like this.

So make sure that you keep yourself well hydrated. Almost all the quick-service eateries offer free small water cups. there are numerous locations where you can buy bottled water in the park. However, the most cost-effective option for thrifty travelers is to bring a refillable water bottle. Most quick-service eating places will fill up your water bottle for free.

4. Find Ways To Stay Cool

As heat is the most challenging part of visiting Disney World in summer. Therefore you must keep yourself cool throughout the day to prevent fainting, heat stroke, and other heat-related illnesses.

Although there are numerous ways to stay cool all day, here are a few suggestions from our side

1. Buy a Fan

Don’t forget to bring a fan or a spray bottle with a fan to your trip. If you forget it, you can find it at Disney too. Visit any convenience store and purchase a spray bottle with a fan. Turn it on, add water and spray to keep yourself cool.

2. Bring a Washcloth

Many people who have been on a Disney vacation vouch for this cooling technique. Take a washcloth, soak it with water, and put it in the freezer the night before your trip. Then, place it in a plastic bag and bring it with you. Putting it on your forehead or the back of your neck would help keep you cool in the scoring heat in the parks.

3. Try To Stay or Enjoy Indoor Attractions

There are tons of rides at Disney that are located indoors. So, if the heat has become unbearable for you, go inside.

5. Start Early

You will have a better chance of getting milder temperatures and fewer crowds at the theme parks if you arrive early (at least 30 mins before the park opens.) It will surely be a win-win situation.

6. Keep an Eye on Extra Magic Hours

Disney World theme parks may open an hour earlier or remain open for two or more hours for visitors staying at one of the official Disney World Resort hotels. This is what they call Extra Magic Hour(s).

So if you are staying at any of the above-mentioned resorts, keep an eye on the magic hours as this can be a perfect opportunity to minimize the crowd and explore the place peacefully.

7. Watch Out for Whatever You Eat

Disney World is full of restaurants that offer a wide variety of food. But choose your meals wisely, especially when visiting in summer. Whatever you would eat, will directly effects how you feel throughout the day full of heat at Disney World.

Eat a nutritious breakfast in the morning that includes fruits, vegetables, and protein. This way, you will get the energy you need to take on a full day of attractions, characters, and whatnot. Fancy food and well-decorated platters like Molten Lava might be tempting, but they will not provide the nourishment you need for sustained energy.

Eat modestly while you are in the park. Avoid eating fried meals and sweets, or else you will move slower and be unable to cover more places. So, choose healthier foods instead. You can indulge yourself in fancier food options once the trip is over.

8. Avoid Restaurants at Prime Time

The restaurants’ waiting lines in the summer might be just as crowded as attraction queues. So, if you have not made appointments in advance, avoid going to the restaurants at the prime time, especially lunchtime. Just be sure to adapt the timings of your breakfast and snacks to prevent hunger.

9. Use Genie+

You can simply skip the lines and board the most popular rides right away with Genie+! You may avoid waiting for what feels like an eternity in the sweltering sun by using this service. Since you can Disney Genie a certain number of times per day, so it is better to use it when the crowd is at its peak.

Select your Genie+ attractions and times in advance, to avoid disappointment.

10. Take Breaks

Taking a break may seem like a major waste of time because most likely you would want to make the most of every minute you have in the parks. But, having breaks is important too. Slow down and take a breather. Find yourself a place where you can rest in air conditioning, to gather the much-needed energy you would need to conquer the rest of the experiences.

For your ease, we are going to mention some places where you can beat the heat and relax.

1. Magic Kingdom

• Hall of Presidents – Provides entertainment and a glorious respite of 20 minutes from sun and heat.
• Enchanted Tales with Belle – A storytime of 15 minutes where young children can volunteer too.
• The Enchanted Tiki Room – 11 minutes session for you to sing along with the birds.
• Haunted Mansion – Frightening 7 minutes of darkness and ghosts.
• Monster Inc Laugh Floor – Step inside and laugh and stay cool for 12 minutes.

2. Epcot

• Impressions De France – An 18-minute long movie that is offered in the same location throughout the day
• Turtle Talk with Crush – A 12-minute funny session that you won’t be able to leave without laughing.
• Spaceship Earth – Explore technological advances and skip the heat for 16 minutes.
• The American Adventure – 45 minutes long, patriotic getaway from the sun.
• Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival – 18 minutes of 3D Disney Cartoons.

4. Hollywood Studios

• Star Wars Launch Bay Theater – Watch this 10-minute documentary to hear from the authors, filmmakers, and others who contributed to the production of famous Star Wars films.
• For the First Time in Forever – A 30-minute-long Frozen celebration for you to sing “Let It Go” out loud!
• Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage – 25 minutes of Beauty and the Beast live on stage.
• Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy – A 10-minute show that your little ones will love.
• Disney Junior Live on Stage – 22 minutes of perfect performances.

3. Animal Kingdom

• It’s Tough to be a Bug – Air-conditioned space and an 8 minutes long show full of entertainment.
• Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! – Listen to the sweet story of Nemo for 25 minutes.
• Festival of the Lion King – A 30-minutes Lion King musical.

11. Head to the Hotel

If you will arrive at the parks earlier, there would be a lot of things you would have done till noon. So if the sun gets too much, return to your hotel for a while. There you can rest in your room, take a nap or watch TV. After that, you can return to the park in the evening after resting well because the parks are open till late at night.

Moreover, most people will be wrapping up their day by the time you return. So you can take advantage of shorter wait lines, more excitement, and cooler temperature.

12. Visit the Water Parks

Other than the four primary theme parks, Walt Disney World has much more to offer. Visit one of Disney’s water parks like Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach for a thrilling but cool experience.

13. Plan for Unexpected

The weather can be very unpredictable but if you are prepared, you can still enjoy Disney World in summer. Download a Weather App and pay close attention to the forecast.

While it can get extremely hot at Disney World in the summer, it occasionally pours rain. And when it rains, the queues will start to thin out, and people will hurry to leave the park. So what is left for you to do is, put on a raincoat, withstand the weather and enjoy your day.

14. Review Safety Plans

Going through the crowds with those little ones can be tough. And sometimes, it can result in undesired situations. So, go over your safety plan with your kids before the time such as, “What should we do if get separated?”

Moreover, traveling with kids in the summertime requires more attention. Before your trip, ensure you have all the things your kid might want on a hot sunny day.

15. Be Flexible

Being on a summer vacation in Disney World, it is inevitable to start feeling overwhelmed due to the enormous crowd and extreme heat. Take a deep breath and give yourself a 10-minute reset. Grab some water, take a break and, if necessary, revise your plans.

Don’t worry if you have to leave early or visit a different park than what you had planned in the first place. As we believe, it’s quality that matters, not quantity! Right?

Takeaway

Winding it up, we say no one can deny that summers at Disney World are tough. And it is one of the busiest times of the year to visit this place. But, with realistic expectations and flexible planning, you can still have a wonderful. We hope our guide helps you have more fun and make your vacation pleasant and memorable.