Disney World in the summer is incredibly hot, humid and rainy. Plus, kids are out of school (not ideal for adult trips) and there are no festivals at EPCOT. But if you’re set on visiting in June, July or August (the Fourth of July fireworks are worth seeing!), you’ll need to plan carefully to avoid the heat and storms.
To get started, here are tips on how to stay cool and what to consider when choosing flights, accommodations and your itinerary.
1. Book morning or evening flights
Afternoon thunderstorms are common in Florida during the summer. If you’re flying in and out of Orlando, book flights that arrive before 1 p.m. or after 6 p.m. Same applies to departure flights.
2. Choose a hotel that will protect you from the weather
Due to the heat and rain, you’ll want to minimize time spent outdoors. This includes staying at a hotel or resort with rooms that are in the same building as the lobby. Options include Yacht Club, Beach Club, Swan, Dolphin, Riviera, Coronado (Gran Destino Tower), Animal Kingdom, Wilderness Lodge and the Contemporary Resort’s main building.
Resorts on the monorail will also get you to Magic Kingdom with air conditioning, but the Skyliner is not air conditioned and it will shut down if there is lightning in the area. Staying at a Skyliner resort isn’t the best option in the summer for these reasons.
3. Consider rideshare
Rideshare is a great option for getting to and from the Disney theme parks in the summer. If you rely on the buses, you may have to wait longer in the heat for your ride, so staying off-property isn’t a bad option (and might save you some money). The exception is travel to Magic Kingdom because Disney resort buses drop off/pick up closer to the park entrance than rideshare.
4. Ride outdoor rides first
If there is lightning near Disney World, all of the outdoor rides will temporarily shut down. This includes most of the roller coasters, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Dumbo, Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Astro Orbiter, Jungle Cruise, Test Track and Kali River Rapids. Prioritize these rides in the morning and spend the afternoon at your hotel or enjoying the many indoor rides and attractions to get out of the heat and rain.
5. Visit theme parks early in the morning
Because of the afternoon thunderstorms, you’ll want to make the most of the morning hours. It’s best to stay at a Disney resort or good neighbor hotel that qualifies you for early entry to the theme parks. Arrive at least 30 minutes before early entry so you can quickly get on rides.
We recommend leaving the parks or visiting air-conditioned attractions or restaurants by 1 p.m. You can go back out later after it rains or when the temperatures drop (which is usually around 5 p.m.).
6. Visit theme parks at night
Beat the heat by visiting the theme parks during extended evening hours (available to deluxe Disney hotel guests or those staying at the Dolphin, Swan, Swan Reserve and Shades of Green). We also love the Disney World After Hours events for free snacks, cooler temperatures and shorter wait times for rides.
7. Park hop carefully
You can visit multiple parks on the same day with a park hopper ticket, but you can’t “hop” to the second park until 2 p.m., which is a super hot (and maybe stormy) time of day. If you plan to visit a different park in the afternoon, pick one that has the most appealing indoor rides, shows and attractions.
If you go back to your hotel in the afternoon and park hop later in the day, hop to a park that is open late (check park hours on the Disney World website). Animal Kingdom usually closes much earlier than the other parks, so this is a good one to visit in the morning.
8. Eat indoors
To escape the heat, plan to eat indoors if you visit Disney World in the summer. All the restaurants that take dining reservations have indoor dining along with many of the resort lounges. There are also quick service restaurants with indoor seating in all theme parks and at Disney Springs.
9. Drink water
Drink lots of water if you’re visiting Disney World in the summer. Drink even more water if you’re drinking coffee (Joffrey’s usually has a frozen option) or alcohol. You can request free cups of water at most counter-service restaurants and kiosks that have access to tap water. We also highly recommend bringing a reusable water bottle to the theme parks. There are bottle refill stations near many of the bathrooms.
10. Stay cool and dry with the right gear
In addition to wearing UV shirts and moisture-wicking fabrics, the following items are helpful to have when visiting Disney World in the summer:
- Cooling towel
- Portable fan
- Poncho or lightweight rain jacket
- UV umbrella (or regular umbrella)
Also, avoid wearing shoes with socks if there is a chance of rain. Instead, wear Crocs or walking/hiking sandals that can get wet.
Disney World for Adults 