Tips on Beating the Summer Heat

Anna TrosperJune 2, 2016So, you are thinking of planning a trip to the Walt Disney World, but the only time you can travel is in the summer …. and Florida is very hot and humid in the summer months. (Daily temperatures are in the mid- to high-90’s and very humid.)While summer may not be the ideal time for a Walt Disney World visit, I have been a few times in the hot summer months and have found ways for my family to beat the heat.The best thing you can do is make sure to stay at a Disney Resort! Nothing beats the perk of air conditioned transportation after a long day in the parks. Whether you travel by bus, monorail or water transport, you'll have it made in the shade. (And for us, it beats coming back to a car that has been sitting in the Florida sun all day!)Another "perk" for staying at a Disney Resort is getting to take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours (EMHs). Only guests of Disney Resorts get the Extra Magic Hour. By taking advantage of morning or evening EMHs, you can visit the parks at times before the day heats up and after the sun has set for the night.Here are some other tips for beating the heat on your summer vacation to Walt Disney World:

1. Start early and stay late – I always get to the parks at least 30 mins before they open. Not only is it not as hot yet, but it's also not as crowded. This will enable you to visit your must-do attractions without having to wait in long lines in the heat.
2. Take a break – Around 12:30 we head back to the resort and head to the pool. This is a great way to stay cool and also sneak in an afternoon nap! If you opt for a package that includes the Water Park & More option, then you can take advantage of one of Disney's great water parks - Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park or Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park. We head back to the parks later in the day around 5. It is great to be out of the heat in the hottest part of the day.
3. Be Prepared – You know it is going to be hot so pick up a few things that will help you out.· Sunscreen – You do not want to get sunburned on your trip. That will make your trip not so fun!· A mister fan – These can be purchased prior to your trip for around $6 to $7. If you fill them with ice cold water it really helps.· Hand-held fans – They are compact and great! Just make sure you bring extra batteries. If you have small children you can hook it onto the stroller and to keep the littles cool.· Get a hat – I hate hats, but I wear one at Walt Disney World. I can’t began to tell you the difference. Keeping the sun off your head is a big help. (Mouse ears work great, too!)· Small pop up umbrella – It will keep you shaded while standing around. Just remember to watch out of the other guess.· Bottled water – We bring our own bottled water with us. They have holders with straps that make them easy to carry. Everyone in the group has their own. We freeze the bottle of water overnight and then it melts as the day goes on, staying nice and cold. When we need a refill, we just walk up to any counter service/ snack stand and they will give you ice water and we refill them.
4. Stop for Ice Cream – As if we need a reason for this! It will cool your body down and you can’t go wrong with a Mickey Ice Cream.
5. Schedule indoor rides and shows in the hottest part of the day – The indoor shows and rides are a great place to get out of the heat and into nice COLD air.
6. Schedule water rides at the heat of day – Schedule FastPasses for attractions like Kali River Rapids and Splash Mountain for when it is hot, and skip the long line of people who are also waiting to cool off.
7. Wear light colors – This will help reflect heat.
8. Forget your face – Ladies, skip the make-up. It is going to sweat off any way.
9. If you don’t mind getting wet – Splash fountains are not just for kids!
10. If you have little ones – Stop by and use the child care stations – each park has one. They are air conditioned and there is a place for you to take care of all your baby’s needs or just sit back and cool off and let the little ones watch some TV.

Magical moments don't always happen just at the park. Plan your summer trip to include time for rest and relaxation at your resort. Take time to cool off in the pools and water parks.Your concierge agent can provide tips and suggestions for a cool summer vacation. I would be more than happy to be your agent and help you to plan a magical Walt Disney World (or another Disney destination!) vacation. Along with booking your vacation and FastPasses, I will provide tips and suggestions for making the most of your time in Orlando. My services are free! Please visit my Facebook page for more information and to be kept up on all the latest new from Disney.If you have any further questions about a Walt Disney World vacation please contact me at annat@wishesfamilytravel.com.