Staying Cool at Walt Disney World in the Summer

Let’s talk about the ways to stay cool at Walt Disney World in the summer! It is no secret that summer in Florida is hot. But summer is one of the best times to visit Walt Disney World for low crowds and low prices! 

1. Stroller Fan

If you are traveling with little ones, a rechargeable fan is the single best thing you can bring. I like this one as twists onto the stroller bars giving it a secure hold so you don’t have to remove them when it comes time to fold up the stroller to get on the bus to get to the park/your resort! This fan also lets you know when it is getting low to start charging it back up again.

​Tip: Charge it overnight at the resort and toss the cable in your bag so you can top it off at a quick-service charging spot.

2. Hands-Free Neck Fan
​
​A wearable neck fan sits like a pair of headphones and pushes cool air up toward your face and on your neck while your hands stay free - great for those that are planning Lightning Lanes on their phones, handing out snacks and/or holding little hands. The blade-less design makes it safe around kids and long hair - making them a family favorite!

• Hands-free cooling so you can hold a phone, a snack, or a toddler
• Multiple speeds and a rechargeable battery for all-day use
• Bladeless and kid-safe, with no spinning blades to worry about

​Disney tip: Crank it to the highest speed while you wait in an outdoor queue, then dial it back once you are inside the air conditioning.

3. Cooling Towels

Cooling towels are cheap, take up minimal packing space, and very effective. Use the free water at quick-service locations or a bathroom sink to get it wet to activate them for instant relief. Multipacks means everyone in the group gets one - and knows which one is theirs for the rest of the trip.

• Reusable, just add water to activate
• Multipacks cover the whole family for a low price
• Folds flat and tucks into any park bag

​Tip: Re-wet it at a restroom sink or refillable water station throughout the day to keep the chill going.

​4. UPF 50+ Sun Umbrella.

Your own shade is the most underrated way to stay cool in the parks. A lightweight UPF 50+ travel umbrella blocks the sun while you walk around or wait for rope drop, a parade, in an outdoor queue for an attraction. Shade can drop the temperature you feel by several degrees. It also doubles as rain cover when a Florida storm rolls through. 
To ensure smooth entry through security, take your folded umbrella out of your bag and hold it out in front of you so scanners can clearly see it.

• UPF 50+ canopy blocks the vast majority of UV rays
• Lightweight and compact, about a pound, so it lives in your bag
• Works for both sun and surprise summer rain

​Disney tip: If you are pushing a stroller or using a wheelchair, a clamp-on shade umbrella like a Versa-Brella style model attaches directly to the frame and frees up your hands.

5.  Rain Ponchos
​
Afternoon storms are a daily summer ritual in Orlando, and the park gift shops know it. Pack your own reusable ponchos and you will save so much money and stay dry without scrambling for cover. Look for a family pack with adult and kid sizes so no one gets left out. Have a Stroller? Bring one to throw over the stroller to keep it dry!

• Reusable and far cheaper than buying ponchos in the parks
• Family packs include both adult and child sizes
• Fold down small enough to forget they are in your bag

Tip: Keep them rolled in a gallon zip bag. When the rain passes, the wet ponchos go right back in the bag without soaking everything else.

6. Handheld Misting Fan

Combine a personal fan with a fine water spray = a great way to stay cool on a hot day. My misting fan is such a lifesaver in long outdoor lines and a hit with the kids who think it is “outside air conditioning”.

• Fan plus mist for double the cooling power
• Rechargeable, with a small refillable water tank
• Many models stand up as a mini desk fan for sitting on tables

Tip: Fill the tank with free ice water at quick service locations at your resort each morning before you head to the bus stop so the fan is ready to go the moment you step outside!

7. Insulated Water Bottle

Staying hydrated is the most important thing to remember when visiting in the summer. And nothing beats an sip of icy cold water on a hot day and a good insulated bottle will keep your water icy cold for hours. Get cups of free ice water at quick-service locations to refill your bottle.

• Double-wall vacuum insulation keeps drinks cold up to 24 hours
• Straw and spout lids make one-handed sipping easy on the go
• A handle or strap clips to a bag or stroller

Tip: Ask for free cup of ice at any quick-service window and pour it into your bottle to keep refills cold all day.

8 Sunscreen Stick or Powder for Face and Body

Sunscreen is non-negotiable for a Florida park day, and I’ve found that using a stick formula is easy to reapply on little faces during the day. Another option is a powder formula with a soft brush. There is no squeezing, no greasy hands, and no mess in your bag, so you can swipe it on faces, ears, and shoulders in line without complaints.
Toss one in everyone's park bag and you have no excuse to skip a reapplication.

• Mess-free stick glides on with no greasy hands, perfect for quick touch-ups on the go
• Compact size slips into a pocket, fanny pack, or stroller cup holder
• Works for both face and body, so one product covers the whole family

​
Tip: Apply at the resort before you leave, then reapply every two hours, more often if you are hopping on water rides or sweating through a midday heat wave.

9. Electrolyte Hydration Packets.

Water is great, but on a 95° day your body loses electrolytes faster than water can replace them. Single-serve hydration packets stir into your water and help you feel less wiped out by mid-afternoon, which can be the difference between a happy family and a meltdown. I like these sugar free ones that are made with real fruit and no artificial ingredients for my family.

• Single-serve packets are travel-friendly and easy to pack
• Replace the electrolytes you sweat out in the heat
• Variety packs let everyone pick a favorite flavor

​Tip: Toss a few packets in each person’s bag in the morning. One in your first refill and one after lunch keeps energy steady for the back half of the day.

10 Use a Stroller with Sunshade.

The park has strollers to rent but they offer very little shade for the kids. I have used this stroller for my own kiddo for a few years. It folds up small enough to fit in the overhead bin of an airplane. The one handed fold plus being very lightweight makes it so easy to carry onto the park buses. It also has a huge canopy to block out the sun and it lays almost flat - 150 degrees - for naps on the go. I love this stroller for the parks.

• Folds easy with one just one hand
• Lightweight for carrying onto park buses
• Huge canopy for shady retreat for kids

Bonus Tips to Stay Cool at the Parks:

• Plan indoor, air-conditioned breaks during the hottest part of the day, usually around 1:00 – 4:00 PM - or use this time to head back to your resort for naps and/or pool time.
• Use rides with air conditioning and shows as built-in cooldowns between outdoor attractions
• Dress everyone in light, moisture-wicking clothing and breathable shoes
• Apply sunscreen at the resort before you leave and reapply every two hours

Simply Perfect Vacations doesn't just book their resort and tickets for our clients. We help with dining reservations, getting you to and from the airport, sending you tips and tricks to master Lightning Lanes and so much more! Book with us to get our expert Disney planning skills at no extra cost to you for a Disney vacation that is magical and stress free! Click the button below to get started! 

Disney World Vacation Quote Request