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Survival Tips: Make The Most Of A Super Hot Day At Walt Disney World

6. Drink lots of water

This might sound really obvious, but you’d be surprised at how many guests become dehydrated at Walt Disney World because they don’t realize they’re not drinking enough water. More than likely, you’re visiting Orlando coming from somewhere where the climate is not as hot and humid as it will be during your vacation. Your hometown’s version of “hot” might just be a lot different from Orlando’s version. You also have to factor in that you’ll be physically exerting yourself during a Disney vacation, so your body would need to be taking in some more water anyway. As for actually getting drinking water in the parks, I have a couple of suggestions. If you want to have water on you at all times, invest in a filtered water bottle and stop at fountains. If you don’t feel like you need to carry the water on your person, just stop by a quick service restaurant in the parks and ask for a cup of water. This water is free, and filtered as it comes out of the soda machines.

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5. Use proper protection

While vacationing in the sunshine state, make sure to use enough protection from the sun, including hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen. This point might also seem like common sense, but you really don’t want to underestimate what the sun will be like at Walt Disney World, and spend most of your vacation dealing with a sunburn.

4. Seek out air conditioning

Have forty-five minutes between now and your next dinner reservation? You could stand outside and people watch, or you could browse some of the beautifully air conditioned gift shops. I find this to be especially important in Epcot, and Animal Kingdom—the two hottest parks. Even if you’re not planning on shopping, strolling in and out of the shops will help you stay cool on a hot day.

3. Take breaks at the parks

If you’re looking to take a quick break from the sun at the parks, you have a couple of options. I typically like to have table service lunches for this reason, because it gives you a good amount of time to relax indoors with air conditioning, and you’re also eating lunch. To me, this is the most efficient way to get in a break at the parks. Another option here is to head towards one of the longer attractions in the middle of the day when the parks will be the hottest—Splash Mountain in the Magic Kingdom, Spaceship Earth in Epcot, Toy Story Mania or Walt Disney Presents in Hollywood Studios, and Na’vi River Journey in Animal Kingdom.

2. Or at your resort

Another option for taking a midday break would be to head back to your resort. Going to your resort in the middle of the day means that you’ll be missing one of the most crowded and hottest times of day in the parks. You can always go back to your resort and cool off by the pool, or simply just relax in your hotel room or resort lobby. And remember, while pool hopping is not allowed, you are free to walk around other resorts. Sometimes if I want to take a quick break from the Magic Kingdom, I’ll hop on the resort monorail and walk around the shops at those resorts just to get out of the sun for a little while.

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1. Hit the water parks

Something that is surprisingly overlooked by a lot of guests is the fact that Disney does have two water parks. While Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon might be more crowded in the hot summer months than in the off season, it’s a great way too cool off. If you have annual passes (or don’t mind spending the extra money on park tickets) it might be nice to spend a day at one of the water parks and the evening at one of the theme parks. This way you’ll spend the hottest part of the day at the water parks and you can hit your favorite attractions once the sun goes down. Another option here would be to go to Disney Springs at night, or stay around your resort for Movies Under the Stars instead.

About Brittany DiCologero

Brittany is a New England-based writer focused on the history of the Walt Disney World Resort. She is the author of "Red, White, and Disney: The Myths and Reality of American History at the Walt Disney World Resort," and "Brittany Earns Her Ears."