After a brief trip to Walt Disney
World a few weeks ago, I can definitely confirm that the weather in Orlando is
hot! If you are brave enough to
visit the World during these warm months, then you need to have a plan to deal
with the heat. Now for us, the heat is an old friend because we live in New
Orleans, so it is just as hot here as it is in Orlando. However, if you are from a cooler
climate, the heat in Florida may be completely foreign to you. This sort of heat is not a dry heat;
when you walk outside, it feels like you cannot take a breath because the
humidity is so high. When it is over 100 degrees with 100% humidity, it is not
a good idea to remain out in the parks during the middle of the day. You will be hot and miserable, and you
will get cranky, and the unavoidable family feuding will commence. In order to avoid this mid-day misery,
we usually come up with a plan to leave the parks and return later in the day.
For
example, when the heat is too much to handle, you could return to your hotel
room if it is on property or if you have a car. You can relax at the pool or take a much-needed nap or even
explore your resort. After a
mid-day re-charge, you will be ready to go back to the parks at night so you
can enjoy fireworks, attractions, and even extra magic hours. The parks are less crowded, and the
temperatures will have dropped significantly. Also, you will probably miss the mid-afternoon rain showers
that are so common in Orlando.
If
going back to your hotel room is not convenient, you could experience
attractions that offer some much needed air conditioning. In the Magic Kingdom, you could ride
the Carousel of Progress, Mickey’s Philharmagic, the Country Bear Jamboree, the
Tiki Room, or the Hall of the Presidents.
All of these attractions offer seats and air conditioning. None of them are limited by height or
age, so anyone can ride. In
Hollywood Studios, there are several shows and attractions that will also help
you escape the heat. For example,
you could see the Little Mermaid, take the Great Movie Ride, visit the
Animation Academy, or view the Disney Junior show. You could also visit One Man’s Dream in order to learn about
Walt Disney’s life or hang out at the Writer’s Stop, which is a small coffee
shop. Many of the shows at the Studios are in outdoor amphitheaters, so you
should keep this in mind when planning your day. At Epcot, you can explore the pavilions in the World
Showcase and enjoy all of the Circlevision 360 movies that are present in some
of the countries. The Animal
Kingdom does not have too many indoor attractions; you will be outside most of
the day. In addition, the foliage
at this park always makes it feel hotter to me. There are some offerings including the Finding Nemo show and
the Lion King show, but other than that, everything is outdoors. Another great option to beat the heat
is to visit one of the waterparks on property. We have been to Typhoon Lagoon, and we had a great
time. Blizzard Beach is another
waterpark on property, and I am sure it is also a fun way to cool off.
Regardless of where you go during
the hottest part of the day, it is important to stay hydrated and be aware of
how you are feeling. Once you have
been in the heat all day and your head starts to hurt, it is too late to start
drinking water and expect to feel better immediately. You are already going to feel zapped and unwell at that
point. I know that a trip to
Disney is very expensive, and you want to get the most for your money, but take
it easy during the hottest parts of the day. In the long run, you will feel better, have fewer family
meltdowns, and you will still get to enjoy the parks during the extra magic
hours. Until next time, have a
magical day, and keep moving forward!
We are braving the heat at the
Magic Kingdom.
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