Summer Survival & Packing Tips for Disney World
Summer humidity and heat can ruin a trip to Walt Disney World if you’re not prepared. In this post, we cover tips for packing, ways to deal with hot weather, and having a comfortable experience even when the “feels like” temperature is over 100 degrees. (Updated August 7, 2023.)
It’s the unofficial start of Halloween at Walt Disney World, but still very much the heart of summer in Central Florida! With plenty of humidity on top of temperatures in the mid-90s, the “feels like” reading will hit 110-115° throughout this week in Central Florida. Consequently, there are already excessive heat advisories and a heat advisory for area counties.
In fact, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) is warning residents and visitors of dangerously hot and humid conditions, as feels like temperatures are expected to hit 110-115° throughout this week. FDEM is encouraging everyone to stay hydrated and cool to avoid heat-related illnesses. That’s wise advice not just for the extreme weather over the holiday weekend, but throughout the summer season…
Honestly, the August 2023 extended forecast is not that surprising or newsworthy. Even if slightly above-average, it’s about par for the course for late summer in Central Florida. It’s entirely normal for temperatures in the 90s and above from May through September.
Add to that humidity above 75% plus UV indexes of 10/10, and it’s a perfect storm of uncomfortable weather. Speaking of which, did we mention that storm season at Walt Disney World has also arrived and is now forecast to be above-average?!
I don’t know about you, but for me, the perfect way to usher in the start of Halloween season is…checks notes…a 95° high and 108° “feels like” temperature with afternoon thunderstorms likely. That’s the forecast for August 11, which is the first 2023 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.
Summer weather in Florida can make you long for a lovely getaway to the Yukon. On past summer vacations to Walt Disney World, we’ve jumped from air-conditioned environment to air-conditioned environment, avoiding sunlight as if it’s food and we are Gremlins after midnight.
Realizing that “avoiding” the Florida heat and humidity was a fool’s errand, we’ve more recently tried to embrace the summer heat, taking measures to make ourselves more comfortable. This has worked out considerably better than needing to constantly retreat to air-conditioned environments. Accordingly, here are our tips for what you should do and pack to beat the summer heat and humidity at Walt Disney World…
Heat exhaustion and dehydration often go hand in hand, so our top tip is to drink water–lots of it. Not soda or alcohol, but water. While buying bottled water is one option, that’ll get expensive fast given how much you need to drink to stay hydrated.
Instead, we recommend going into counter service restaurants or other walk-up windows and asking for free cups of water. They’re small, so you might want to request as many as you can carry. Another obvious option is drinking fountains, but we’ve gotta warn you: tap water at Walt Disney World is sourced directly from the swamp, and is actually 3% alligator urine. (Not really, but it sure tastes like it!)
To that end, we highly recommend the Life Straw Go Filter Water Bottle (pictured above), which is what we use in the parks now. This bottle is the best option, hands down, for filtering out the awful taste of Florida water. It’s durable, BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and uses a 2-stage activated carbon filter reduces odor, chlorine and leaves zero aftertaste! (If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, Brita Filter Water Bottles are great, too.)
We usually just fill these up at drinking fountains, but there are a few dedicated bottle filling stations popping up around the parks. Our go-to location is inside Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe at Magic Kingdom (they’ll give you cups of ice if you want cold water), and there are other spots at the entrance to World Showcase in EPCOT and scattered around the parks. Still not nearly as many as a theme park in Florida should have, but it’s a start.
Our other absolutely necessary accessory this time of year is the Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad. We’ve been praising these things for years, so it should come as no surprise that they are mentioned here. They really do work for cooling you down, and countless readers who have used them at our suggestion have reported great results. Suffice to say, we are big fans and advocates of the chilly pad. They’re shockingly effective.
Alternatively, another accessory we recommend is this Bladeless Personal Neck Fan. It’s small, lightweight, and will keep you refreshed. This is one of the main recommendations in our Unique Packing List for Walt Disney World, which is where you can find our top picks for things to take to Walt Disney World any time of year, not just summer.
Our main tip is to embrace the midday break, returning to your hotel for pool time or a nap. The middle of the day is when wait times are at their worst. On most days, you can get more done in the first and last few hours than the early afternoon when crowds and weather are at their worst.
Trying to stay all day is a recipe for becoming exhausted and leaving early. Avoid that pitfall by you arriving early for rope drop, getting as much done in the first few hours as possible, then leaving and doing lunch plus pool or nap time at your resort. Return to the parks for the afternoon and evening hours. However, we typically only recommend this if you’re staying within walking, Skyliner, boat, or monorail distance of a park.
If you’re relying upon Disney buses or staying off-site, we do not recommend it. Instead, consider using one of the aforementioned methods of transportation to visit a resort for a midday escape. When visiting Magic Kingdom, a park notorious for a weak dining lineup, we’d highly recommend doing lunch outside the park—take a bucolic boat ride and enjoy a fantastic feast, which is also a great value for families.
Another option for those who don’t want to leave the park is to enjoy indoor shows. All of these “feature” air-conditioning, and many of them are (undeservedly) unpopular. That means their wait times are virtually non-existent, making them good options for the middle of the day. Consult our Walt Disney World 1-Day Itineraries for specifics on which shows we recommend during the midday hours.
In terms of more niche packing recommendations, we also recommend accessorizing with a large hat, because all of the attire enabling you to stay cool and dry doesn’t mean anything if you can’t bear the sun. Sarah has bought this SPF Sun Hat many times in a variety of colors. It’s stylish and practical.
For men, the options are a bit more dorky. This SPF bucket hat is perfect for keeping the heat off your face, and also offering sun protection. Not exactly the epitome of style, but it’s better than being hot and sunburnt. If you need more convincing, here’s 22 celebrities wearing bucket hats. Want to dress just like Leonardo DiCaprio?! Wear this! 😉
Most of the time now, Sarah actually goes a step further and carries an umbrella. Not a flimsy sun umbrella, but one that’s strong enough for both sun and rain. Her go-to is the Repel Travel Umbrella, which is light, durable and windproof. (Florida summer storms can have strong gusts of wind–we’ve lost several umbrellas to this!)
For shorts, you could get quick dry athletic shorts that are made by countless brands, but you could also go for something classier that resembles a normal pair of shorts. For hiking, I have these Quick-Dry Columbia Shorts. Not only are they quick-dry, but they have sun protection.
Likewise, quick-dry shirts are the best way to go. Even if you don’t actively plan on getting wet by going on water rides, these quick-dry materials are nice because they also don’t get soaked with sweat. They’re more breathable, light, and airy, keeping you cool.
Fair warning: none of this stuff is going to look fashionable, but when it’s 95-degrees with high humidity, it’s better to be comfortable than to “look fancy.” If you’re already at Walt Disney World and are realizing you want to get cooler clothes and embrace function over form, a lot of very similar products are sold at the Disney Springs UNIQLO or Columbia stores.
Next, footwear. This absolutely cannot be overlooked, because no matter how comfortable your shirt and shorts when wet, I can think of no circumstances in which wet socks and shoes are a good time. Enjoying your socks being wet is like enjoying the taste of quinoa. No sane person likes either, but unlike quinoa, I can think of no health benefits of wet socks.
As far as footwear goes, the obvious recommendation is Crocs. I used to be vehemently opposed until actually trying a pair, and now I absolutely love them. Yes, they’re hideous, but a theme park is about the best setting for Crocs, so don’t feel bad if you go that route.
If you want a more traditional shoe, we’ve been researching hybrid water/athletic shoes for wearing at the beach and on when we go hiking on wet trails, and the best options we’ve found are these shoes for men and the RYKA Hydro (for women). These are slightly more expensive than normal water shoes like the cheap ones you’d find at Wal-Mart, but they are so much more versatile.
Other accessories you might want for summer are dry bags to put backpacks inside and a waterproof case bag for phones. I consider the phone bag a must (particularly with how much it rains during the summer at Walt Disney World). The larger bag might not be quite so necessary unless you plan on going on water rides regularly. The larger dry bag actually includes a free phone case, so you can kill two birds with one stone that way.
Now that you’re outfitted to sweat and/or get wet, it’s time to do exactly that. Like I stated above, riding attractions like Kali River Rapids repeatedly are the obvious things to do. Obviously, spending time in your resort pool is another option, but that’s not really in the spirit of this article.
I would also encourage splashing yourself with water from fountains and other sources as you tour the park. I’m not saying you should jump in a fountain otherwise intended for ornamental purposes, but those fountains that allow easy and non-awkward access to water are certainly fine for dipping your hand into and splashing yourself.
Same goes with those misting fans and finding other ways to get wet. There’s plenty of water in each of the Disney Parks. Getting yourself wet when your outfitted to dry quickly makes the experience much more enjoyable than when wearing cotton or other slow-drying materials. Normally, if you get wet not only will you be hot all day, but you’ll also be soggy. When properly attired, getting wet is a respite from the heat, but not an all-day, uncomfortable experience.
In general, Animal Kingdom is not a great option for avoiding crowds and heat during a summer visit. That is, unless you want to spend ~3 hours in the air-conditioned queue for Avatar Flight of Passage. We don’t think that’s exactly the best way to spend your day, but it’s certainly one way to avoid the heat!
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guid
Your Thoughts
Do you try to embrace the heat and humidity when at Walt Disney World, or do you “hide” from it? Think a more water-friendly strategy like this might help improve your summer experience in the parks? Do you agree or disagree with our advice? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Thank you again for a wonderful article.
I hope amazon is giving you some kind of kick back because I just bought battery packs, a fan and am debating on women’s water shoes based on your recommendations!
13 years ago we went in June, and it is when the Butler family motto of “no touchies daddy” was created. My then 3 year old son told my husband that when he was brushing up against him at a bus stop and it was hot enough to fry your brains, never mind touching the skin of another human.
We swore we would never go in June again and until this year have gone in the wonderfully cool month of November. But, high school obligations are getting in the way of my fun, and we will be going the second week of June.
Wish us luck, not sure we will all come out of our planned 14 hour day in animal kingdom alive!
As teachers, we have limited options for when to go on vacation. Last year we took advantage of the fact that our school year doesn’t begin until after Labour Day, so we embraced the heat and went at the end of August when most kids were back to school. Of course it was hot. It was punch-you-in-the-face hot, but you know what? We were at Disney, and it was spectacular. Of course if I had the chance to go when the crowds AND weather were more manageable, we’d take it. Since that’s not going to happen as long as I’m a teacher, the heat it is! Dress ready to sweat, take breaks, stay hydrated and enjoy 😀
Here is an idea – just don’t go in the summer. I know the perfect time to go, but there is no way I am going to say when that is!!!
Also, way to trash healthy food. I cant even imagine the crap you eat on a daily basis! Go vegetarian!!!
Dude. You need some chill.
It was a hot August day in Animal Kingdom. My wife and I decided to try out the Kali River Rapids raft ride. Well, we not only got wet we got absolutely SOAKED!! Our shoes, socks, under wear, everything got soaked. We figured in this hot weather we’d be dry in an hour. No way! We were miserablely wet most the day and air conditioned buildings were a challenge too. However, we survived and will do the Kali RiverRapids again. But we will probably wear no underwear. (Just kidding!)
I consider myself a veteran of Walt Disney World in August. We have been visiting “The World” every August for the past 10 years. Over the years, I have perfected my park attire. For me, it’s swim fabric sundresses from Athleta which as their name implies are made out of the same fabric as swimsuits(quick drying) and Nike Comfort flip-flops. My long hair is either braided or pulled back in a stylish ponytail. I never shy away from any water rides and welcome the afternoon rain showers as I know I’m not going to be stuck in soggy clothes or sneakers. We are usually in the parks for 10-12 hours a day and I have yet to have any issues with walking that many hours in my Nike flip-flops.
Like you, my shirt will soak “through with sweat at lightning speed”. So I’m astonished when you say “that pretty much any shirt is going to dry quickly in the Florida or California sun, so long as you aren’t continually sweating in it.” Huh? If I’m the Florida or California sun, I WILL be sweating in it. And even indoors, it will take forever for a cotton shirt to dry.
After years of wearing only natural fibers, I switched to only wearing microfiber polos (aka “quick-dry”, usually polyester). No more dark splotches of sweat on my back! And because they dry quickly and hardly wrinkle, you can wash them in your sink and have them dry within a couple of hours. Or a food spill at lunch can be cleaned in the restroom and invisible within 20 minutes.
On a tip from a friend, I’ve bought many on ebay, where high-end polos brands usually found in pro shops and Nordstroms are often $10-15 shipped (albeit used).
I’m not a fan of sandals, but good walking/hiking sandals with contoured sole support are even better than any water shoes, as the water drains off faster and lets feet dry quicker. The Teva Terradactlys I’ve had for 20 years are still like new and comfortable for miles of walking. They’re discontinued, but the Hurricane XLT seems to be the successor model.
As for Crocs, my daughters refer to them as “the most sure-fire method of birth control”.
We are leaving in 3 days for a full week in Disney World, the 1st week of August! I confess it wasn’t my pick for time of year to go but that’s just how it worked out. I’m a bit terrified of the heat and humidity but we’ve taken many of your tips: frogg toggs for everyone, comfy/water friendly sandals/shoes, collapsible water bottles to stay hydrated, and I even bought the Jockey “Skimmies” one person on your blog recommended for under skirts and dresses. I think we are as prepared as can be. We will just embrace being wet if it rains (and it will) and try to party on! 🙂 Attitude is everything!
I was in Tokyo Disney Sea on the first day of Summer Festival this July. People were already picking the best spots by the water right after the gate opens at 8, and it’s for a 11.40 Festival. They all came prepared with waterproofed plastic bags to cover all their belongings…..I think Disney Sea is The Best Disney park..
Crocs are the best. Not those clog things though, those are inexcusable. These however: http://www.crocs.com/p/crocs-mens-beach-line-boat-slip-on/15386.html?cgid=beach-line-boat-collection&cid=46K#start=1 ARE THE BEST. The smoke/pearl color are covering my feet as I type.
I swear by the woman’s Croc Capri flip flops. I’ve worm them all day in the parks for years and have never had a problem. Also, they weigh nothing, so I can pack 3 pairs. I’ve recently bought a pair of Sketchers GoWalk3 and they’re ridiculously comfortable. Curious how they’ll hold up all day at the parks.
My next trip is this December – would love to see you do a post for winter as well. It’s so hard to pack for that time of year. I was there this past November and there was a day it was 43 degrees – we were freezing. Couldn’t figure out why 43 degrees in Florida felt so much colder that 43 degrees in Maryland. I’m currently looking for a rain coat that doesn’t look like a rain coat and has a removable liner – to multi purpose rainy days and cold days.
I second this, but for California. Next trip is Dec, last trip was as well. I had a really cute park dress, but had to layer for warmth…resulting in hiking pants under my dress. Please don’t block me from your site for this! I did not resort to socks under my Chacos, I promise. Sarah, I would love a California winter fashion article.
I will let her know. 🙂
I carry Evian Water aerosol spray cans (they’re small) in my handbag at all times. When I’m hot, I spritz my face, the back of my neck and my feet (if I’m wearing sandals). Instantly cool!
I’m with you on Crocs. I just can’t bring myself to even try them on. My wife would probably take away my self dressing privileges if I ever bought a pair. I fall into the minority of wearing flip flops all day, everyday. Work, mowing the yard, 30 degree weather, and of course the parks. It sounds crazy, but not as crazy as the women walking around in high heels all day at Magic Kingdom. Fortunately my feet are condition to wearing them all the time and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for some sort of hovering technology by the time I’m 70.
Our family is going again in September and I’m determined to try a chilly pad. Thanks for all the suggestions!
Sarah has worn Crocs for about 7 or so years now, so there has been serious turmoil in our household about them for some time already.
I think we can all agree that if there isn’t hovering technology within the next 5 years, science has really let us all down.
For guys, get Smartwool or Wicker 50% wool boxers. Yes- wool. It breathes and wicks better than anything. I have also found a really light weight merino wool shirt- like Smartwool or Tiger woods brand or other, works really well.
My go to clothes for Disney or really any theme park in general is the same as my hiking clothes. Quick dry pants from REI that can turn into shorts, so that if the morning starts off chilly I can wear the pants legs and then when the temperature heats up, I unzip the legs and I have shorts. Shirts are a variety of Columbia or Mountain Hardware Dry-fit shirts. Footware is Chaco sandals or Teva Churns. Hat is a trucker hat and I also have a Buff from REI that fits around my neck or head and keeps me cool, also keeps the sun off my neck as I am allergic to sun screen. I also keep my phone and wallet in plastic bags in case they get wet.
Now that I think about it, my new ‘beat the summer heat’ outfit has a lot in common with what I wear hiking in the summer. My hiking clothes are a bit more rugged (much like what you describe), whereas I’d go for a sportier look in the parks, but otherwise, pretty much the same idea.
I used to love REI, but every time I’ve shopped there recently, everything has seemed overpriced. I think Sierra Trading Post has really spoiled me.
I personally love the summer heat in the parks, although I am admittedly not the norm when it comes to enjoying the heat. I personally just hate being cold and love being hot. There isn’t much better than being super hot and then crashing down at the bottom of splash mountain to a face full of cold water. I go with the saucony sneakers with hydramax (bought based on your recommendation) and they do a great job of keeping my feet dry for the most part. I also bought a few chilly pads last year and they are also great.
That being said, Disney does do a great job of keeping you out of the heat as much as possible (with indoor lines and lots of indoor quick service dining seating). At the Six Flags park here in Jersey you are pretty much tortured if you go on a super hot day, as pretty much its just a big parking lot with rides. All the lines there are just back and forth death marches standing on asphalt as the blazing sun relentlessly beats down on you.
Saucony shoes are awesome. That’s pretty much all I wore for a good 5 years. However, I just picked up a pair of Nike Roshe One, and am loving them. Surprisingly comfortable for a cheap (relative to Nike) pair of Nike. The quality is not nearly as good as Saucony, but they are really comfortable shoes.
I know what you mean by Six Flags–last time we went to Cedar Point in the summer, it was absolutely awful. Every line is outdoors, and the heat just rises up off that concrete. It doesn’t help that every ride is like 45 seconds long, either. After that trip, I realized coaster parks like that simply aren’t for me. At least not for me in the summer.
Saucony shoes are awesome. That’s pretty much all I wore for a good 5 years. However, I just picked up a pair of Nike Roshe One, and am loving them. Surprisingly comfortable for a cheap (relative to Nike) pair of Nike. The quality is not nearly as good as Saucony, but they are really comfortable shoes.
I know what you mean by Six Flags–last time we went to Cedar Point in the summer, it was absolutely awful. Every line is outdoors, and the heat just rises up off that concrete. It doesn’t help that every ride is like 45 seconds long, either. After that trip, I realized coaster parks like that simply aren’t for me. At least not for me in the summer.
Yeah I am the same way. My freinds like them and there are 3 within 2 hours of my house (Six Flags Great Adventure, Hershey Park and Dorney Park), so I do get dragged to them from time to time. Between the lack of themeing and little to no variety, they don’t really do much for me. Back when I was in high school I could do the days where its just big coaster after big coaster. Nowadays my stomach doesn’t hold up as well.
As a female who has sported long hair her entire life, I implore those who have long hair to keep it tied back in ponytails or braids when visiting the parks. Keeping your hair out of your face is one of the best ways to keep cool and it is always worth the extra time in the morning to keep your hair in check. I’m not a big hat person and find I get pretty sweaty on top when I wear one. I’ve yet to find the “perfect hat” to wear in the parks. How does Sarah do it?
Another spot to get wet (OK, just a bit) are those extremely rude camels who spit on tourists with cameras, and perhaps others. You can find them at The Magic Carpets of Aladdin in Adventureland in Walt Disney World. You need to stand in the right spot on the pavement, or if you are on the ride, you need to move your vehicle to within spitting distance of a different camel.
I have told nearby cast members about the bad manners of these camels but I have yet to see the camels change their attitude over the years.
The fountains surrounding King Triton’s Carousel at DCA are great for cooling off. They’re easy to reach, and if you’re brave (I’m not) you could even stick your head in one!!! That sounds refreshing, but a little embarrassing…We’ll see if I ever try it. 😉
On our recent WDW trip, we walked 9 miles on our shortest day and 15.5 miles on our longest day. I cannot imagine that in crocs! I stick with my hiking shoes to give the support my feet need. They are warmer, but they have a Gore-tex liner to keep the feet dry in case of rainwater ride. Paired with smartwool socks, they do the trick nicely.
And I can’t believe I’m typing this on a public blog, but on a friend’s recommendation I tried “performance underwear” instead of the regular cotton. (It’s a moisture wicking synthetic – similar to a dri-fit shirt.) I would say it is worth the increased cost.
On our recent trip, I walked 21+ miles one day…in Rainbows sandals. I did not expect to be walking so much that day, but my feet had become “tired” of my other shoes, and I needed a change of pace. Suffice to say, I had blisters and my feet were raw/bleeding between the toes where the sandal connects. I love Rainbows, but they aren’t made for that kind of distance. Had I been wearing my Crocs sandals, I wouldn’t have had the blisters, but still would’ve had the problem between the toes. For me, the soles are perfectly comfortable on Crocs, even for long distances. Gore-tex is nice, but if water gets inside those things, it’s awful. They trap heat and do not dry at all.
Performance underwear is the bomb. Whenever I find them on clearance at Marshall’s or TJ Maxx, I pick them up. It’s just too expensive for me to justify otherwise.
What exactly is “performance underwear”?
Ooops! I didn’t read the person’s comment you replied to. That explained what “performance underwear” is.
And it shows how I failed the reading test.
Good thing you caught it yourself, because the joke I was going to make probably isn’t appropriate for this blog. 😉
Crocs are awesome for getting wet. You can simply dry them off with a paper towel in the restroom if you suddenly want them to be dry. I’m shocked that you have not discovered the Tilley hat. These hats are virtually indestructible, ridiculously high quality, and they have a lifetime guarantee. They are very light and comfortable. How do I know? I bought a huge sun hat from one of the gift shops at Animal Kingdom, and the blisteringly hot and sunny day suddenly became rainy (as in POURING for the rest of the day), and my sun hat became a heavy, scratchy, bulky mess to wear. I did what any loving wife would do–I stole my husband’s Tilley hat. When we got home, he bought me my own. 🙂
You mean this hat? http://amzn.to/1gL0gQ5 I might have to check it out. It looks like it’s more practical than the one I have. I am more a fan of the style of the Quiksilver one than the performance–I’m sure the Tilley one is far, far more durable.
Yes! That’s the one! You will love it.
Lisa – On July 15, 2015, Tilley Endurables announced that it had been sold to a UK private equity firm back in April 2015. Tilley’s was founded in 1980 by Alex Tilley in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and continued to make almost all of its products in Canada except for a small portion in the USA. Alex Tilley, now 77, continued to own the company until the sale. Tilley’s claims it will continue to make its products in Canada after the sale.
I have never bought any Tilley products but they have had an excellent reputation around the world for a long time. I did meet Alex Tilley once quite a few years ago.
Here are some Toronto newspaper articles about the sale (I think Toronto is the only city that 4 major daily newspapers):
http://www.torontosun.com/2015/07/15/tilley-endurables-sold-to-uk-company
http://business.financialpost.com/news/retail-marketing/canadas-tilley-endurables-sold-to-u-k-company-known-for-investing-in-distressed-companies
http://www.thestar.com/business/2015/07/15/struggling-tilley-endurables-sold-to-hilco-capital.html
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/hat-maker-alex-tilley-says-it-would-be-foolish-to-make-his-hats-outside-canada/article22528484/