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If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that Disney World is HOT. Not only does Orlando see soaring temperatures in the summertime, but you can even see pretty darn warm days in the winter as well.
While it’s hard enough to manage the Florida heat under normal circumstances, many guests also have to factor in their anxiety, which is often triggered by uncomfortably high temperatures. As a fellow anxious person myself, I’ve put together my top 5 tips for staying cool and managing anxiety in the Disney heat. You ready? Let’s jump in.
5 – Have a Schedule
One of the most basic strategies for evading the heat is to put time and effort into your park day schedule. If you can book your trip during the cooler months, you’ll avoid a significant amount of sweat and sunburns just by picking the right time of year. If summer is your best option, however (like it was for me this year) you can absolutely have a blast all while avoiding the heat where you can.
For Example
Personally, my favorite ways to schedule around the heat are:
- Book the longer, slower indoor rides or shows for the heat of the day (think the Hall of Presidents, Carousel of Progress, or Mickey’s PhilharMagic)
- Consider a “siesta” during mid-day where you can go back to the resort and rest for a few hours
- Set aside an hour or so for afternoon shopping – a great way to get some time in the AC while picking out some cute new Minnie ears
4 – Know Your Outdoor Queues
While almost all of Disney’s queues have at least some indoor components, there are a few that keep you entirely outside. These queues could range from moderately uncomfortable in the cooler hours to downright unbearable by mid-day – so just be aware of which rides offer what kinds of queues.
For this reason, I’ve included all the details I could in my ride guides to make sure you have all the information you need for every attraction. Go check them out for more specifics!
For Example
Let’s take a look at a couple of entirely outdoor queues to give you an idea of what to look for.
Slinky Dog Dash has one of the most notorious outdoor queues with very little cover from the sun. While there are a few fans and roofed structures, you are pretty much baking in the heat for the entirety of your queue time – which could get up to several hours long. Fortunately, you can see most of the queue from the outside and make a game-time decision if need be before hopping in line. However, some lines are not so transparent at first glance.
Two other popular rides that have entirely outdoor queues are Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain. While you may see the massive structures housing the line and think it’ll offer you a break from the heat, looks can definitely be deceiving. Neither of these attractions have air-conditioned queues, and the open-air buildings offer little more than direct cover from the sun – especially with the masses of people sharing the space with you.
All three of these rides are ones I would avoid during the heat of the day or at least come prepared with cooling towels or fans. For more information on these attractions, go check out my ride guides linked below, as well as these POV videos by 4K WDW for a great visual of the ride and queue:
- Slinky Dog Dash ride review / video walkthrough by 4K WDW
- Splash Mountain ride review / video walkthrough by 4K WDW
- Thunder Mountain ride review / video walkthrough by 4K WDW
3 – Prioritize Mornings & Evenings
Just like it’s important to make your schedule around the heat of the day, it’s also crucial to prioritize your must-do attractions during the mornings and evenings. While still definitely hot, it’s often much easier to tolerate a sweltering outdoor queue or a long line in general while the heat isn’t at its peak. If at all possible, try to book your lightning lanes early in the day, and knock out as many popular rides as you can before the oppressive heat and crowds take over.
For Example
On a realistic park day, this might look like rope dropping Slinky Dog Dash first thing in the morning so that you’re not stuck waiting for it in the direct sunlight later on. It might look like knocking out Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain early in the day so that you can spend the afternoon enjoying some heavenly AC on the Carousel of Progress and other, less popular, stage shows. It might even look like taking a “siesta” for a couple of hours back at the resort.
Whatever it may be, do what you can to really take advantage of those morning and evening park hours so that you can have a fabulous, full day without subjecting yourself to Orlando’s insane temperatures.
2 – Pack What You Need
While this might seem like a given, having the right gear in your park bag could make all the difference in beating the heat. Disney does make an effort to provide overhead fans, roofed structures, and even AC where they can – but with the sheer amount of guests visiting the parks every day, there’s just no way to keep everyone cool and comfortable at all times. By bringing what you need for you and your family, you can really make the most of your vacation in every way possible.
For Example
A few cooling items I like to bring in my park bag are:
- Large, refillable water bottles. Here’s a link to my favorite for both in the parks and out.
- Cooling and moisture-wicking towels (like “Frogg Toggs“)
- Personal fans and/or misters. We bought this one for our last trip.
- Lightweight hats
- Sunscreen
- A change of clothes, a poncho, and layers if the weather is being unpredictable
1 – Stay Hydrated
Finally, my #1 tip for staying cool and managing your anxiety in the Disney heat is to stay hydrated.
I cannot stress this enough – not only is drinking plenty of water important for staying cool, but it’s also a safety measure in such high Florida temperatures. If you’re visiting the parks during a hot time of year, it’s absolutely critical to stay hydrated and replenish your body’s water supply. Everyone is sweating profusely, baking in direct sunlight, and walking miles upon miles in the heat – so don’t forget to take care of yourself, especially with anxiety in the mix.
For Example
On top of keeping you healthy and hydrated, sipping on water is also a great way to stimulate your senses and “ground” yourself during an anxious episode or panic attack. You can even bring your whole bag (as long as it fits in the holding area) and water bottle onto every Disney ride – so go ahead and fill it up and take a sip whenever and wherever you can!
What do you think? Do you agree with my Top 5 Tips for Managing Anxiety in the Disney Heat? Don’t forget to leave a comment and let me know!
