Easy ways to keep cool at Florida’s theme parks

They don’t call it the Sunshine State for nothing! If you live in the UK and have booked Florida theme park tickets, chances are you will find it pretty darn hot over there, even in the so-called cooler months.

It’s true that they do have the odd cold day in mid-winter, but with temperatures often hitting 30°C and more, it’s important to try to stay as cool as possible for these very good reasons:

Sunburn, or worse, actual sunstroke = instantly ruined holiday
The danger of dehydration – which at best will mean you won’t be lucid enough to enjoy the parks, and at worst, could end in a trip to hospital
To avoid family fall-outs and arguments – being in the constant heat in busy parks is enough to cause anyone a meltdown!

So here are the easiest ways to channel your inner Olaf at the theme parks:

Arrive early in the morning, or late afternoon/evening

The hottest part of the day is the time to avoid being in the parks if possible; being in a long ride queue in the blistering lunchtime sun is no-one’s idea of fun.

To stay out of the midday sun you could try any of these options:

Arrive early, take a break back at your hotel or pool during the midday heatwave, and then return later
Arrive early and leave before it gets too warm
Arrive later in the afternoon and stay throughout the evening as it cools down.
Cool off at the pool when you’ve left the parks!

Make use of the indoor air-con!

If you have limited time in the parks and want to make the most of your day, then plan to be inside as much as possible in the blissful A/C – especially early afternoon. There are plenty of indoor attractions to take advantage of in all the parks!

It's a Small World — *Even It’s a Small World is a blessing on a really hot day!*

Making sure you sit down in the cool to rest and eat is also a must. If you don’t want a heavy 3-course meal in the middle of the day, then visit one of the many counter service options. If you are like me, then you will need to keep an eye on your blood sugar levels when it is super-hot – eating little and often can help.

Drink, drink, DRINK (water that is!)

Water intake is an absolute no-brainer when it comes to keeping cool! Whether you bring it with you, buy it or fill up at the fountains (you can also request a free cup at any counter service location at Disney World), making sure you’re always hydrated is essential when you’re in Florida.

If possible it is best to avoid sugary, caffeinated or alcoholic drinks when it is uber-hot – H20 really is the best. If you’re staying in a villa, freeze bottles the night before and take them with you. Be sure to leave some in the car too, they will be bliss at the end of a long day!

Staying hydrated in the Florida theme parks — Even drinking water is fun in the Florida theme parks

There are loads of opportunities to get wet!

Speaking of water, it’s not just for drinking – there are numerous splash zones in the parks and they are super fun, especially if you’ve got young children! The Casey Jr Splash N Soak Station at Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Curious George goes to Town at Universal Studios are particularly good fun.

You could always brave the water-rides without a poncho too! Kali River Rapids at Animal Kingdom and Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls at Islands of Adventure are guaranteed to give you a good soaking.

And of course, if it really is a particularly sweltering day, avoid the theme parks altogether and head to one of the numerous water parks. Be sure to get there early though as they can reach their full capacity pretty quickly when it’s too hot for even the locals!