How To Survive Disney: Summer Edition
Disney sees an average of 56,000 people PER DAY during
the
summer, which means if you and your family are planning a summertime
vacation
to visit Mickey and friends, you’re not alone. Temperatures in
Florida during the
summer can hit the triple digits, and the humidity can
make it feel even hotter
than it actually is. Big crowds + high temps can
make anyone feel a little
cranky, but we’ve got some tips that’ll make Disney
in the summer time a
magical and enjoyable experience.
There are two words that all visitors must know when
they
plan their summer trip to Disney: Water
Parks.
Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon are incredible places to spend
the
afternoon, whether its floating down the lazy river or racing down the
rapids,
families can enjoy the excitement of Disney in their bathing suits,
and stay
cool during the hottest time of the year.
Blizzard
Beach
is the biggest of the waterparks, offering guests 66 acres of slides,
flumes
and water fun. At Typhoon Lagoon, you can hang ten as the perfect wave
rolls
through the wave pool! New to surfing? Book a surf
lesson
before the park opens and a pro surfer will teach you the basics
in becoming a
knarly surfer.
If water parks aren’t your thing, you can still find ways
to
cool off throughout the other Disney parks. Splash Mountain, Kali River
Rapids,
and misting stations throughout the park offer guests plenty of ways
to cool
off throughout the day.
When planning your day, schedule your FastPasses
so that
you are alternating between rides that are outside (like Seven
Dwarf’s Mine
Train) and rides that are inside (like The Haunted Mansion and
Peter Pan.)
You’ll be spending a lot of time waiting in lines for your
favorite rides, but
thankfully most of the lines offer shade to keep you out
of the sun. On super hot
days, look for rides that let a lot of people in at
once, like Mickey’s
Philharmonic Orchestra, to avoid standing outside in the
heat for an extended
period of time.
The secret to beating the heat is not only about what
you
do, but when you do it. Get to the parks early before the hottest part of
the
day, and then head back to your vacation
rental for some rest or pool time
around lunchtime. Then, as temps start to
drop again, head back to the parks
in the early evening to enjoy smaller crowds
and cooler temperatures. When
you do this, you’ll be rested and ready to
experience the magical fireworks
display.
The first time you do Disney in the summer and see
that
someone else has a personal fan or mister that is keeping them cool,
you’ll
want to run to the nearest gift shop to get one on your own. You can
do this,
but it’ll cost you. Instead of buying them on property, you can find
fans and misters
at
retail stores all over the area for a fraction of the price that you’ll
find at
Disney. This portable cooling device will be a lifesaver on hot
scorching hot
days.
Nothing beats the heat at Disney like an ice-cold
sweet
treat. Gaston’s
Tavern
has a delicious slushy that is perfect for summer, and you can’t go
to Disney
without trying the refreshing goodness that is a Dole Whip.
It’s also important to dress the part when visiting
Disney
in the summer. Clothing that keeps sweat off of your body, is light
colored and
cool is the best bet for staying comfortable. Sunscreen is a must must must, and don’t forget a
hat
and your shades. Many locals like to invest in cooling towels that
are
activated when you dunk them in water. These towels provide a cooling
sensation
around your neck or shoulders that is a welcome reprieve from the
rising temps.
A summer vacation to Disney is something everyone
should
experience at least once in their life, and if done correctly, can
result in
lifelong memories and a really good tan.