5 ways to beat the heat at Walt Disney World

Wet in the wild: Nothing says grouping bonding like getting soaked by the Kali River Rapids.

By Jill E. Cooper

As summer heats up and the mercury begins to soar, families around the world find themselves planning and dreaming about fun in the sun at Walt Disney World Resort. With high temperatures in the 90s, Florida weather may present eager guests with formidable touring conditions. Fear not, Florida lovers! Throughout Walt Disney World property you’ll find dozens of ways to deal with blazing temperatures. What’s my best advice for beating the summer heat at Disney World? Seek water anywhere you can, and fast.

Sure, there are plenty of obvious aquatic destinations on property where you can cool off quickly. Walt Disney World’s two amazing water parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, immediately come to mind. You’ll also find that all of Walt Disney World’s resort hotels offer whimsically themed and wonderfully refreshing pools. The newest resort hotel, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, boasts one of the biggest pools in Orlando. But here are some places that are less likely to spring to mind as you seek refuge from the Florida sun.

Epcot has a number of simply spectacular places to enjoy a splash of cool water. Situated prominently in the center of Future World, the Fountain of Nations provides stunning entertainment and a refreshing mist to passersby. In fact, I’ve found the perfect respite from a hot day at Epcot is the outside seating area of Fountainview Café. Not only are there shaded seats available to enjoy your hand-dipped waffle cones and root beer floats, but as the breezes shift you can look forward to the occasional spray from the fountain nearby. Epcot is also famous for its mischievous leaping fountains outside the Imagination! Pavilion. There, you’ll see the eyes of children (of all ages) light up as they watch droplets hop effortlessly from pad to pad between the garden beds. More than once my son has delighted in being soaked as he stepped deliberately into the water’s path. There’s no quicker way to find relief from the summer heat at Epcot.

At Magic Kingdom you’re going to need to summon some courage to pursue the fastest path to cool water refreshment. Head to Splash Mountain in Frontierland and ask the friendly Cast Member guiding guests into their log flumes to be seated in the front. Plan to wear your waterproof sandals because you’re going to get wet. A similar watery thrill awaits you at Kali River Rapids in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Board the circular, 12 passenger river rafts and prepare to get blasted by jungle mists, gushing geysers and unforgiving waterfalls. And at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, your best bet for a quick cool-down can be found in the flash flood scene in Catastrophe Canyon during the Studio Backlot Tour. Even Downtown Disney offers guests the chance to “cool their heels” by walking, bouncing, or skipping through the dancing sidewalk fountains between their stores.

See, you don’t have to let the heat deter you from enjoying the Disney theme parks this summer. Pack a bottle of water in your backpack at the beginning of each day and keep filling it at the water fountains throughout the parks. Cast Members working at quick service restaurants are happy to give you a complimentary glass of ice water whenever you ask. Stay hydrated, wear sunscreen and have a splashing good time on your next Walt Disney World vacation!

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Jill Cooper is a member of the 2012 Walt Disney World Moms Panel.

Panelists have received/will receive a Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney, Disneyland Resort or Disney Vacation Club vacation for panelist and up to three family members and/or park tickets for their participation on the Walt Disney World® Moms Panel. The views expressed in the Panel are those of the panelists, who are independent contractors. These views are not intended to reflect the opinions of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online, its affiliates, its management, its agents or its employees and have not been reviewed or approved by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online prior to posting.

Tagged: Disney, Family time