The summer means two things for visitors coming to Walt Disney World: 1) big crowds because school is out for the summer and 2) heat and humidity that suck the soul out of most people especially the little ones.  How can you prepare for those crowds and that heat?  Dad For Disney is going to give you some tips on how to survive the summer.

Head back to the resort for a swim

This is the easiest way to beat the heat.  Heading back to the resort is usually part of my family’s plans and it is usually the first tip that I give when planning vacations as a travel agent.  Heading back to the resort does a lot of things.  It helps break up the day.  Spending all day in the parks can be exhausting.  Lots of crowds.  Lots of standing in line.  Out in the sun.  It usually leads to one things.  Lots of family arguments because people are hot and tired.  Going back to the resort and swimming allows you to cool off and put your feet up.  Plus, if and when that afternoon thunderstorm arrives, you are close to your room (shelter).  You can kick back and watch some TV or take a nap while the storm rumbles overhead.  After the storm passes, you can head back into the parks with renewed energy from your afternoon of rest.

The resort pools have lots of activities to keep kids of all ages occupied.  Games for the kids.  A pool bar for both kids and adults to refuel and rehydrate.  And of course, the refreshing pool to cool everyone off.

Go see a show or shows instead of the rides

Seeing a show or two in the afternoon is not a bad plan if you do not want to head back to the resort.  All of the theme parks have shows which can get you out of the sun and into air conditioning.  Unlike rides, the shows are usually long (at least 20 minutes or more).  This gives you a chance to cool off and recharge.  Plus, most of these shows take place in air conditioning which only helps in the cooling off process.  Lots of time inside + entertainment + recharging = a person not dropping from heat exhaustion

What are some shows you can visit:

Magic Kingdom: Country Bear Jamboree, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Enchanted Tiki Room, Hall of Presidents, Mickey’s Philharmagic, Monsters Laugh Floor, Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

EPCOT: Impressions de France, Living with the Land, O Canada!, Reflections of China, American Heritage Gallery,

Hollywood Studios: Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage, Disney Junior – Live, For the First Time in Forever – A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, Muppet Vision 3D, Voyage of the Little Mermaid

Animal Kingdom: Festival of the Lion King (not air-conditioned), Finding Nemo – The Musical

A Sit Down Meal

If your plans don’t have you leaving the parks, schedule a mid-day or late afternoon sit down dining reservation.  Park time, even under ideal weather, can be exhausting.  Heat and humidity only makes that worse.  A sit down meal can break up the day.  It gets you and your family inside for an extended period of time.  If you make your dining reservations far in advance, you can even enjoy a meal with character while in the park.  You could even extend your “inside time” by doing some of the shows before and after your meal.  Especially after the meal, no one wants to ride a roller coaster on a full stomach. 😉

In-Park Character Dining

Cinderella’s Royal Table – Magic Kingdom (B, L, D)

Crystal Palace – Magic Kingdom (B, L, D)

Donald’s Dining Safari – Animal Kingdom (B, L, D)

Playhouse Disney at Hollywood and Vine – Hollywood Studios (B, L)

Princess Storybook Dining – Norway Pavilion at EPCOT (B, L, D)

Garden Grill – Land Pavilion at EPCOT (L, D)

Stop at a quick service location for free water

This may be the best tip I can give.  Every quick service location inside a park at Walt Disney World will provide free water if you ask for it at the counter.  We are not talking a small 4 to 6 ounce cup of water but a full 12 to 20 ounce cup of water (depending on the location) with ice.  And the cast members will refill the cup for free as well.  This tip is beneficial for two reasons: 1) it allows you to rehydrate and 2) most quick service locations are inside allowing you to escape from the heat.

My family has taken great advantage of this tip.  We have spent between 30 and 60 minutes sitting in a quick service location just drinking water in order to rehydrate ourselves.  It is one of the most important ways to prevent heat stroke and/or heat exhaustion.

This tip is also a great way to avoid using a snack credit on a bottle of water.  Why spend a snack credit or $3-4 on just one bottle of water when you can unlimited water from a quick service location for free?  Great way to save money/snack credits in the parks.

Thanks for reading!