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!
We’ve used your packing lists for 4 years now before each trip to look for any updates or just reminders of some different things to pick up. Based on these lists and our annual August trips, just a few things to add either based on your recommendations or that we’ve found work:
As for the shirts, I know it’s not the smartest, but I go the regular Disney t-shirt route for the most part. If people are looking for quick-dry shirts, in addition to the ones you’ve recommended, another good way to look for those kinds of shirts would be golf polos – these are usually quick drying (good ones are at least) and can actually look a little nicer, if that’s the look you’re going for, than some of the quick-dry t-shirts – especially if you’re doing a decent dinner somewhere before/after the park.
I second Tom’s suggestion on the Frog Toggs cooing towels, although my wife actually prefers the Mission snap-to-activate cooing towels, preferring the feel of them, or more recently, the Alfamo ones that are on Amazon.
On the shoes and feet front, I started using it for trips to WDW, but now use somewhat regularly, particularly with my boat shoes, but I highly recommend a foot powder. I’ve been buying one brand called Foot Sense on Amazon, but there are obviously others. I actually wear boat shoes, without socks, from Sperry Top Siders on our trips, and I’ve found a couple pairs that really work well for me. I found from a music festival I used to go to near us (“Firefly”) that they actually provided the best support for my feet in standing and walking all day, so I started trying them in the park and they’ve worked well for me. Unfortunately the style I’ve worn for 6-7 trips now is discontinued (Boat Lites), but I still wear them and think I’ve found a new style that works pretty well – Sea Kite Sport Moc. Both of these had softer fabric tops around the heels that work well, but have good support for my feet and are lightweight – obviously they may not be for everyone.
Suggestions for water bottles that we started doing last year: if you’re filling up with ice and water beforehand, consider getting an insulated bottle so you don’t have the bottles just pouring condensation off of them. We did the Camelbaks last year, but I just picked up Pogo 26 oz. ones for our upcoming trip since they have flip top lids that cover the actual drinking part of the bottle so you’re not putting your mouth somewhere that’s been exposed to everything in the park (started thinking about this due to Covid, but probably a good idea in other times as well).
I’ve been drinking Emergen-C pretty much my entire life, so I swear by these for electrolyte replacement.
If you want to wear a hat that isn’t the bucket style and keeps with Disney – Disney’s Nike golf hats are actually pretty good for that. They usually sell a white one, so that helps with the sun, and while they may not be as cooling as the one linked here, compared to regular baseball hat style, the Nike golf ones are better (I think) because the part that is against your forehead is actually an absorbent material that helps absorb the sweat better so it’s a slightly better style for being out in the heat and sun (which is why they’re golf hats). I’ve bought a few of these at in-park shops. Unfortunately they don’t sell them on ShopDisney.
I am sooooooo with you on the quinoa. 🙂
Tom, are your suay masks, large or small? I enjoy your articles. Thank you.
is that a Suay mask with the blue trim? I bought one with tan trim and really like it, but would like the blue color better!
I also prefer the blue trim and got the tan–as you say it’s fine–I didn’t see any color choices when I ordered?
We used these tips to survive a trip last week! It ended up being way more manageable than I had feared.
Got Suay masks upon your recommendation and I like them. My other favorite masks are Athleta & Keen (and I have tried a LOT), but I acknowledge they might not be as protective of the wearer as the Suay.
Just as an FYI, I ordered the Suay masks and I’m finding it really uncomfortable. I think maybe my face is too small. The material is nice, but it goes up to right underneath my eyes, and because of the nose piece, I can’t pull it down. It won’t stay. My sons haven’t tried theirs yet. I’m hoping it fits them better. I’m really disappointed because I do like the material but I can’t wear it for more than a few minutes without it literally poking at my eyes. Just thought people should be aware that they may not fit everyone.
Thanks for sharing your feedback. That’s disappointing to hear. Which size did you order?
Oh, no! didn’t see this comment. We ordered a set in Large W/ear loops! I’ll let you guys know. About how long did they take if I might ask?
Thanks.
I’ve been wearing the Suay masks to work the last few days (Thanks for the recommendation Tom and Sarah!). I would try adjusting the nose piece. It needs to be formed in the right spot to get it to stay without moving up. And the loops have to be somewhat tight, or it will move up.
I found mine to be a great fit, better than the dozen or so of other masks I tried. Also, they make a small size, perhaps that would fit better? Hopefully your sons’ masks will fit right. Good luck.
Tom. Based on your assessment of masks, I’m going to order the Suays. Thanks for the other tips as well.
Good article. My cousin gave me great advice before my first trip: wear clothes like you’re going to the gym. I wear breathable under armour and other brands that have similar products for both shirts and shorts. I wear runnning shoes because of all the walking. We pack a thermos full of ice and water. No A/C breaks would be tough now. I’d be spending alot of time in the pool.
Great article. I ordered the Suay mask based on your advice and will take it on a test run soon!
Where did Sarah get that Marie Aristocats dress?!? Love it!
Here: https://blackmilkclothing.com/shop/licensed/disney
They no longer sell that dress, but it looks like there are some similar overalls, if you’re not that.
Thanks Tom for the Black Milk Clothing link!
Chacos are the ultimate Disney footwear choice for our family. Originally made for River rafting guides, a water-proof shoe with fantastic support. When we had our resident seasonal passes and went regularly, it was the ONLY shoe that we could wear all day and not leave us with tired, aching feet.
Thankyou Caryn, I’ll be getting us all a pair for our next trip and thankfully they are available in Australia!
I have Chacos and they hurt my feet. Part of it is probably that I should get the straps in different places, but my feet are also sore after 5-6 hours in the parks, which doesn’t happen with my Tevas. I’ve worn the Chacos many times hoping that would change, but it hasn’t, so I’ve gone back to my Tevas.
We love Crocs in Disney–I have a super comfy pair of Croc sandals that are my go-tos–great cushioned support and I can go all day in them!
When thinking about shorts to wear, board shorts (not just for surfers) are a pretty good choice. Quick drying and comfortable when wet. I think wearing swimmers under clothes maybe a good idea and possibly a rashie (swim shirt) on top. As for water rides, would it be worth carrying thongs (I mean flip flops) in your day pack and changing out of shoes into them for the wet rides? This last is more of a question as I’m not sure if there is a Disney policy against them on rides.
There’s no real rules against flip flops, but you’d be wearing them at your own risk. Many of the rides will encourage you to secure them in compartments to avoid losing them. I agree with you on the board shorts or any bathing suit under loose fitting clothing, sun dresses or cotton cover ups because you might want/need to strip down when temps heat up. Especially on water rides because you need something that dries easily. Also keep a spare sun dress or beach style cover rolled up in your back pack if you’re carrying one. Don’t iggy cotton. Cotton, lace or linen in it’s lightest weight will be a life saver for you. I always wore a bohemian style (gypsy or hippy) dress or top w/skirt in light colors (white, yellow, cream) with tons of lace for solid ventilation and fast drying over the top of my bathing suit. This way if it got miserably hot I could strip down and if I got wet, I dried fast. Even my husband wore board shorts and a white gauzy style cotton shirt. Cool and comfortable, not just fashionable. Don’t worry, you’ll look good.
I also carried several damp towels in a small cooler to wrap around my neck to keep cool. Alternating them when needed.
Hats are great, but hot and tend to fly off when on some of the faster rides. Personally, I’d use an spf 36, water proof sun screen (bullfrog’s the best, or Australian gold if you can’t find it) and pull my hair up in a pony tail. If your skin’s not accustom to hot beach sun or stronger do NOT attempt to do anything outside in Florida without coating up with sunscreen. NOTHING ruins a vacation more than 3rd degree burns from the sun. Even if you think your burn will turn to a tan, you’re wrong and setting yourself up for skin cancer later on. If you’re using the water proof sun screen it will hold up to drenching encounters and sweat, but if you towel off, you’ll remove your sunscreen so remember to pat, not wipe and reapply if needed. Especially with kids. Oh… and for balding heads… use sun screen there too.
Good luck, have fun!
Hi Tom, what size of the Suay masks would you recommend? I feel like I would fall between the two measurenents so I am torn.
Sarah is likewise (seemingly) in between the two, and just bought the smaller size. As soon as those arrive (which should be today or tomorrow), we’ll do a full mask post with sizing info, etc.
Hi Tom!
Will be heading to Disney for the first time next week (end of September) and I see that it will be hot and rainy (possibly due to the hurricane). Anyway, due to the rainy days that are forecast, do you recommend the 2-piece Frog Togg lightweight rain gear…or will it just be too hot for that this time of year? Thanks so much!
Great article! Thanks for all the links, I will be purchasing!!
Although all good suggestions, here is a better one: hit the parks after 4pm.
Great blog Tom! We are heading to Tokyo Disney next week and the tips and one day itinerary have been most helpful. Hoping for a great Disney adventure!
thank you. i am heading to dw at the end of july. first time going this time of the year. your helpful hints will be used. thanks
Hi Katherine, how was your trip in July?
I am planning to go to DW end of July this year.
Any good tips??
Thank you!
Hi! Thanks for all the great tips! Where did Sarah get the blue baseball cap with the yellow Mickey? It’s so cute!
Thanks!
OP might be referring to a micro USB jack fan? (https://www.amazon.com/P46-Digital-Mini-Fan-Android/dp/B01K1XF6BS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1524873177&sr=8-3&keywords=usb+fan+phone). We received a similar one as a giveaway.
Slightly off topic, but where did Sarah find her hat in the chilly frogs towel pic? I love it!
We found these salt pills to be a life saver! Take one or two in the morning and you are good to go for the day. They prevent the afternoon drag. These and the frogg togg and you are good to go!
https://www.amazon.com/SaltStick-Electrolyte-Replacement-Capsules-bottle/dp/B002IY96B0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1515943625&sr=8-2&keywords=salt+stick
My employer gave us some usb personal fans as an incentive. They had to recall them as many made the phone “hot to touch”, drained the battery fast and/or ruined the phone! I guess just be picky if you choose to try one!
What phone do you own that has a standard USB-out jack? I think you are confusing the USB fan she mentioned with some other product as I there is no phone you could plug this into.
Great article, thanks!
I wish Suay LA had nose wires for us who wear glasses. 🙁