If you are like most people, you want to take a trip to Walt Disney World when the kids aren’t in school. This means going during a holiday or over the summer. It’s just as hot there as any other place in the south in the summer and even going into the fall! I swear it was hotter in October than it was in July. However, there are ways you can stay cool. Here is a list of places and ways to cool off at Walt Disney World.
Plan Your Park Day Around The Heat
One of the easiest ways to beat the heat at Walt Disney World is to plan your day around it. This means not going out in the hottest part of the day, usually Noon – 3-4 pm. Our family starts early when the parks open, then we take a break around noon, head back to our resort for lunch and a rest in our room. We head back to the park around 4-5 pm and stay until closing. This keeps us out of the heat during the worst part of the day.
If you can’t return to your hotel midday, take this time to watch some indoor shows, ride indoor attractions, and do a little shopping.
Be Prepared
One way to beat the heat is to be prepared with sunscreen, hats, fans, water bottles, etc.
We fill our water bottles with ice-cold water in our hotel room before we start our day and then refill them throughout the day at water filling stations and quick-service restaurants. You can get FREE water throughout the day at all Quick Service locations; all you have to do is ask at the counter.
Disney sells its own cooling misters fans, to which you can add water. My kids love them and use them all day long.
| Product Image | Product Name / Price / Primary Button |
|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Go Inside
There are many places in Walt Disney World where you can spend time inside, from restaurants to shopping to indoor attractions and shows. This is one of the best ways to stay cool throughout the day.
Disney World Shops
Most shops around the Disney Parks and at Disney Springs are inside. We purposely walk through shops on our way through the parks to take advantage of the air conditioning for a few minutes. It’s the perfect way to cool off for a few moments.
Walt Disney World Restaurants
One way to cool off is to have a bite to eat at many of the Walt Disney World Restaurants. Since most are inside, they make the perfect place to sit, chill, and relax away from the heat of the day. You may want to keep the food on the light side and save your heavy eating for dinner. Heavy food and heat don’t usually mix well.
Indoor Shows and Rides at Walt Disney World
This is the best way to beat the heat. Plan your day so that you are enjoying the rides and shows that are inside during the hottest part of the day. Some of these shows and rides can last up to 20-30 minutes, allowing you to cool off while enjoying the parks. This may be one time you don’t want to skip the line. Some of our favorite places to cool off in the parks are:
Magic Kingdom
- Dumbo: while the ride is outside, inside the queue area is an indoor playground for the kids.
- Meet Mickey in Town Square: the line and the meet and greets are inside, enough said
- Journey Under the Sea with the Little Mermaid: The line is partly outside but always seems coolish, and the ride is inside.
- It’s A Small World: the line is outside, but not usually long, and the ride is 15-20 minutes of air conditioning. However, you may sing the song all day long.
- Carousel of Progress: The kids may think it’s lame, but it’s worth it because you get 20 minutes of cool air.
- Mickey’s Philharmagic: The queue is inside, and the show, while it needs a few updates, is adorable.
Epcot
- Mexico Pavilion in the World Showcase: not only in the pavilion itself, all indoors, but the little boat ride is adorable and perfect for cooling off.
- Test Track: After riding Test Track, there is an area inside where kids can play and explore. This is also a great place to wait with smaller kids who can’t ride.
- Mission Space: There is an indoor area with fun and things to explore where the ride exits.
- Spaceship Earth: The line is usually not long, and it’s 20 minutes in the AC. Do you need any other reason?
- The Land: home to Soarin’ Around the World and Living with the Land, all inside.
- The Seas with Nemo and Friends: Not only will you find the Nemo Ride, but there is also Turtle Talk with Crush and an aquarium here. My kids could spend hours here, which is fine because it’s air-conditioned.
- Journey Into Imagination with Figment: There is never a wait for this ride. The queue is inside, and when you exit, there is the Imagination Lab, perfect for exploring.
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure: Take a ride with Remy through Gusteau’s famous Paris restaurant.
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind: Take an intergalactic chase through space and time with the Guardians of the Galaxy.
- Epcot has many indoor shows, including the Pixar Short Film Festival, O Canada, Impressions of France, Beauty and the Beast Sing Along, The American Adventure, and Reflections of China. Some are better than others, but like I tell my kids, it’s 20 minutes in the AC!
Animal Kingdom
- Finding Nemo the Musical: A cute show, and it’s in the AC! What more could you ask for?
- Festival of the Lion King: the best show in all of Walt Disney World, plus it’s 30 minutes in the AC! Perfect!
- Kali River Rapids: not inside, but you are almost guaranteed to get wet, which will cool you off
Hollywood Studios
- Frozen Sing–Along: You may want to “let it go,” but this 30-minute show inside will have you singing along with everyone around you.
- Walt Disney Presents: Explore the history of the Disney company and Walt Disney himself with this museum right in the middle of the action. You’ll also get a sneak peek of one of the upcoming Disney movies.
- Toy Story Mania: While most of Toy Story Land is outside and not shaded, this attraction is indoors and has an indoor queue area full of fun.
- Star Tours: little wait times and a fun indoor attraction
- The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure: Ariel is back at Hollywood Studios with a brand new show in the air conditioning!
- Rise of the Resistance: Although I am not a Star Wars fan, this is one of my favorite rides. The theming and the ride are amazing. The best part is that most of the queue and the ride are inside!
- Mickey and Minnie’s Run Away Railroad: One of my favorite rides at Walt Disney World, a big plus is that the queue and ride are inside! WARNING: The song will live rent-free in your brain forever!
- Disney Jr Play and Dance: A great place for little ones to cool off and have a dance party with their favorite Disney Jr. friends!
- Disney Villains Unfairly Ever After: Another brand new show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios featuring your favorite villains competing for who has the most UNFAIR story!
Don’t forget to get LL+ so you can do more attractions during your day.
Water Fun Around Walt Disney World Resort
One great way to cool off at Walt Disney World is with water. Disney has plenty of ways to do JUST that.
Splash Areas around Walt Disney World Parks
Did you know there are a few splash areas inside some of the Walt Disney World Parks? These are perfect for little ones to cool off throughout the day. In Magic Kingdom you can find Casey’s Circus Train splash around right across from Dumbo. In Epcot, there are a few small splash pads around the park. There are also a few splash areas in Disney Springs, one right outside the Christmas Shop. Also, most resorts have splash areas for guests under 48 inches. There are also misters throughout the parks to help you cool down.
Please note: Kids should have shoes and proper clothing in either area. Walt Disney World doesn’t allow babies to run around with only diapers on. Toddlers and other kids should wear shirts, shorts, or swimsuits. These rules are strictly for the safety of everyone. I also suggest bringing a change of clothing, as no one wants to run around soaking wet the rest of the day.
Pools at Walt Disney World Resorts
All of the resorts at Walt Disney World have pools for guests staying at those resorts. Some have multiple pools, and some have pools with waterslides and fun activities provided by the Disney activity staff. Walt Disney provides life jackets for guests who aren’t good swimmers and towels poolside. Walt Disney World pools are for resort guests only, and no pool hopping is allowed outside of certain conditions. The pool at your Walt Disney World Resort is the perfect way to stay cool throughout your stay!
Walt Disney World Water Parks
Walt Disney World is home to two water parks: Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. Both parks have lazy rivers, water slides, and fun water attractions for kids of all ages.
In 2025, all guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort will get free water park admission on check-in day! If you want to go at other times, you can add the water parks to your ticket with the Park Hopper Plus option.
Walt Disney World Transportation
Another way to cool off is to hop on board one of the many Walt Disney Transportation services. You can take the monorail from the transportation and ticket center to the Magic Kingdom or Epcot—my kids consider this a ride by itself—or hop on one of the many buses that will transport you around the Walt Disney property.
Cool Off With Frozen Treats
Walt Disney World Resort has many delicious frozen treats perfect on a hot day. From ice cream to the famous Dole Whip, there is always something cool and refreshing to find.
A few of our favorites include:
- You can get frozen strawberries and Mickey bars at the carts throughout Walt Disney World.
- The macaroon ice cream sandwich is in France at Epcot. Adults should try the Grey Goose Lemon Slushy here; it’s perfectly refreshing.
- Shaved Ice in Japan at Epcot
- the ever-famous Dole Whip
Do some Resort Hopping
Another great way to cool off is to hop on some Disney transportation and check out other resorts. Each Disney resort has something extraordinary to offer and is worth checking out for its lobbies alone. So, resort hop all over the world and cool off at the same time!
What are your tips for cooling off at Walt Disney World?
If you’re thinking about planning a Disney trip and want someone who gets it and loves the magic as much as you do, I’m here to help. I’ll handle the details so you can focus on the fun. Reach out anytime at cara@magicaldestinationstravel.com or visit this page to get started.
Be the first to comment