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Beating the Heat at Walt Disney World

How hot is it? 

While it depends on what time of the year you go one thing is probably true: when you’re at Disney it will very often be hot! Now, it can get cold for short periods of time during the winter months. If you’re going to WDW during the winter you will want to bring a pair of long pants and a long sleeve shirt, just in case. But it’s really a 50/50 shot for the weather at that time of year. I would never go to Disney without bringing clothing for hot weather!

In Summer🎶

It’s hot. How hot? This week, in August, the forecast is for temperatures up to 114 degrees! Most of summer is in the 90s, so while that is hot, you can still have a great time provided you take care to hydrate and cool.

Hydration: Get ahead of the heat!

How? By drinking a glass of water or two before you head to the park. The intense heat of Florida can dehydrate you very quickly. If you’re not ahead of the game, it’s nearly impossible to catch up. Sports drinks are a good supplement, but your body needs that good old fashioned h2o! 


Where can I get water without going broke?

Most Quick Service dining locations as well as Gift Shops will sell you a bottle of cold water! However, this can get expensive quickly! Pixie Dust Tip: if you are an Annual Passholder, buy your bottled water at a Gift Shop and you’ll get the AP discount!

So, how can you do this cheaper? One option would be to bring your own bottled water! Buy your water at the store, put it in the cooler that Disney has provided in your Disney Resort room and there you have it! Cold water to go at a fraction of the price you’ll pay at Disney! Will they let you bring it in the parks? Absolutely! This isn’t Universal! Disney will allow plastic bottles of water to be brought in. In some locations, there are also water bottle fillers! Just don’t bring a glass bottle of anything, as glass is not allowed. And leave your cooler at home. When my kids were young, I bought everyone a backpack and they carried their own bottled water among other things.

3 Words: Free Disney Water! 

How? Where? At most Quick Service locations Disney will give you a cup of water. Sometimes that includes ice and sometimes it doesn’t. It depends on the ability of the location to provide ice. A kiosk that isn’t attached to a larger location is less likely to be able to provide either, but sometimes can give you water. Good rule of thumb: if they’re selling bottled drinks, they probably can’t give you water. If they’re selling drinks from a drink tower, they will at least have water for you. They will give it to you in a small cup, but you can get more than one!

Other ideas 

One helpful idea is to eat or drink something frozen. How does that help? By cooling you from the inside out! Disney has Frappuccinos, ice cream, dole whips, smoothies, and more! Not only will they cool you off, they’ll be an awesome treat most of us don’t have access to at home!

Cooling towels and clothing can help. The towels are designed so you can wet them and put them around the back of your neck to cool your body temperature. Some folks like those body fans too. Those are great, just don’t think they’ll take the place of hydration.

Sometimes, you might just want to head back to the resort for a dip in the pool or even a nap! Then, later in the day you can head back out when the sun isn’t as hot!

What if it starts to feel like water isn’t helping?

I am not a doctor. So please don’t take this as medical advice. I am only speaking from my experience as a Florida native. If anyone in your party starts to feel sick, notify the nearest Cast Member and they will help you! You do not want heat stroke!

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