HarleyGirlFLA
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Member since 5/05 9674 total posts
Name:
Mel
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Those traveling to Disney over the summer
This was sent to me from Disney at work thought you would find it helpful:
There are all kinds of ways to
cool off at Walt Disney World.
Summer's the perfect time for a family vacation - school's out, the skies are clear, and the open road calls. And every summer, families answer that call at Walt Disney World Resort -- possibly the ultimate destination for a family vacation.
However, summer does have a downside, especially in sunny Florida: it can be unrelentingly hot. And for a largely outdoor vacation like the Disney parks, the heat can seem daunting.
Fortunately, the Disney Insider has found plenty of ways to keep your cool even as the mercury climbs. From heat-beating strategies to the locations of coolest indoor attractions, we've got you covered.
General Summer Visit Strategies
To combat the sun, you'll want to prepare ahead of time. Bring hats (canvas ones that can be soaked in cool water are especially handy), sunscreen, and plenty of drinking water. Cold packs full of gel that can be soaked in cold water and then draped over the back of the neck are also very handy and stay cool for a long time. Stands selling ice-cold water, ice cream, and other chilly treats are scattered throughout the Parks.
Timing is key - the heat's usually most intense between noon and 3 p.m., so plan to arrive at the Parks early, start with attractions that expose you to full sun, then do a few cooler attractions and have an indoor lunch. If possible, head back to your hotel for a dip in the pool or a few hours of air-conditioned downtime, then return in the
Riders are practically guaranteed
to get wet on Disney's Animal
Kingdom's Kali River Rapids.
evening as the day cools and stay until Park closing and let the fireworks light your way back to bed. If you're making a day visit and don't have a hotel to retreat to, consider catching a movie at Downtown Disney during the hottest part of the day, or just focus on the comfortably cooling or water-based attractions we recommend below.
Use Fastpasses to hop on your favorite attractions during the scorching afternoon hours - without waiting in the standby queue!
Use in-park transportation whenever possible to minimize walking in the sun - grab a monorail, horsedrawn streetcar, or train to hop from one spot to another, and ...
Think Wet, Think Fun
When temperatures soar in Orlando, don't forget the coolest option of all - the two Disney water Parks: Disney's Blizzard Beach and Disney's Typhoon Lagoon. These are water parks like no others - at Blizzard Beach, you're splashing in "snowy" surroundings, while Typhoon Lagoon puts you in a tropical wonderland. You can plunge down America's tallest waterslide at Blizzard Beach, or experience the thrill of watersliding uphill as well as down on the brand-new Crush'n'Gusher "water coaster" at Typhoon Lagoon. Both Parks feature a mix of chilling thrills and gentler splashing, making them suitable for everyone in your party, from toddlers to teens to grandparents. And gently flowing "creeks" circle through each Park, inviting you to hop into an inner tube and float dreamily - and coolly - through the afternoon.
The Coolest Spots at the Parks
All of the Theme Parks of Walt Disney World Resort are full of places where you can beat the heat, from indoor attractions to outdoor misters and sprayers. Here are some of the standout cool-down sites.
Disney's Animal Kingdom: Kali River Rapids is practically guaranteed to give you a refreshing soaking. The Festival of the Lion King queue has misters, and the show itself is situated in a newly built, air-conditioned theater.
The Magic Kingdom: The queue for the Jungle Cruise is well-shaded, and usually short. The open, canopied boat ensures you get a pleasant breeze to enjoy as you motor along. Of course any indoor attraction, from Pirates of the Caribbean to Space Mountain and the Haunted Mansion, will give you an opportunity to escape the sun (grab a Fastpass wherever possible to minimize outdoor wait time!). Ariel's Grotto features an interactive waterplay area where kids can splash to their hearts' content, before or after meeting the Little Mermaid in person.
Disney MGM Studios: Look for air-conditioned indoor stage shows here, like Voyage of the Little Mermaid or Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage!
Epcot: Feel the cool breeze in your face as you glide over scenic California on Soarin' Over California. Grab a Fastpass for this popular attraction, and you'll have it made in the shade - even the queue is indoors. Epcot is also the home to plenty of indoor stage shows, from Honey I Shrunk the Audience! to Turtle Talk with Crush.
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