If you are planning a visit to Walt Disney World this summer, we always recommend planning in advance how you will deal with the Florida heat. While the weather is perfect for lounging by the pool or heading to one of the Disney water parks, if you are touring the theme parks, it can certainly be more of a challenge. Today we’re going to share with you our list of the top attractions and rides to help you escape the heat during your Walt Disney World vacation this year.
Magic Kingdom
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Located in Fantasyland, Mickey’s PhilharMagic is the perfect family-friendly escape from the Florida heat. This 12-minute long 3D adventure allows you to sit down in the cool theater for a while away from the sun. The line for this attraction is all undercover and indoors, so you’ll also enjoy more time in the air conditioning while waiting for the show to begin. It’s a fun attraction the whole family will love, featuring characters from classic movies such as The Lion King, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast.
Haunted Mansion
The dark environment of the Haunted Mansion makes this a great attraction to cool off at any time of the day. This classic dark ride can’t be missed on any visit to the Magic Kingdom, and you’ll spend a good amount of time indoors once you enter the mansion. We love the incredible visual effects used throughout this ride, and each time you go on the Haunted Mansion, you always notice something new.
Splash Mountain
No summer trip to the Magic Kingdom would be complete without a ride on Splash Mountain. The ride itself is pretty long at 12 minutes, so it’s well worth the wait in the summer. You’ll get pretty wet on the drops during this ride, so it’s the ideal way to cool off during a visit in July or August.
Carousel of Progress
Topping all of the attractions at 21 minutes is the Carousel of Progress. Since 1975, this attraction is a rotating theater filled with musical animatronics. Presenting the audience with 4 different time periods of the average American household of the era. It holds the record of being the oldest attraction having been touched and a personal favorite of Walt Disney. So grab a cool drink, and enjoy this offering in Tomorrowland.
Epcot
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros
Located in the Mexico pavilion in World Showcase, this is one of our favorite ways to escape the heat during the summer in Epcot. The line for this attraction is inside the main pavilion, and you’ll rarely wait more than ten to fifteen minutes to ride, even on a busy day in the park. Kids will love following Donald Duck on his adventures through Mexico, and adults will enjoy exploring more of this beautiful country during the attraction.
The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Board your clamobile and head underwater with your friends from Finding Nemo. The attraction itself has an indoor queue, but you’ll often find you can walk straight onto the ride. The great thing about this attraction is that it finishes in The Seas pavilion, which features many different aquariums and exhibits to explore. If you are looking for somewhere to spend an hour or so out of the sun, this is a great area for the whole family to visit.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Muppet*Vision 3D
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is filled will so many popular attractions that you may find you are spending a lot of your day waiting in lines. However, Muppet*Vision 3D rarely has a wait, even on the busiest days during the holidays. Even if you have to wait for the next show, you’ll be pleased to know the pre-show area is located indoors in a large air-conditioned space. It’s a classic attraction at the park, and the show has lots of silliness and jokes that everyone in your family will enjoy.
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
If you have any fans of Frozen in your travel party, head to this show in Echo Lake. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a sit-down after walking around the park all day long. While resting your tired legs, you’ll be entertained during this musical show featuring all of the classic Frozen characters. The show is performed regularly throughout the day, so you shouldn’t have to wait too long for the next performance when you arrive.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Kali River Rapids
Disney’s Animal Kingdom park is notoriously hot to visit in the summer months, so make sure you plan to add a ride on Kali River Rapids into your day. You’ll join a group of explorers as you board a large raft that will take you through the fast-moving rapids. Expect to come off this ride absolutely drenched, which is what you are probably hoping for in the middle of summer. While some guests do opt to wear a poncho to ride this attraction, in the summer months, your clothes will dry off really quickly after riding.
It’s Tough to be a Bug!
Located inside the Tree of Life, It’s Tough to be a Bug! is a 3D attraction based on the Pixar movie, A Bug’s Life. You’ll become an honorary bug as you put on your glasses while sitting inside the cool theater inside the tree. There are plenty of fun surprises during this show, and it’s one you’ll love taking first-time visitors to experience. The show’s line is reasonably undercover, so it’s a great attraction to queue up for during a busy day in the park. While you are waiting to watch the show, take the time to admire the incredible carvings on the Tree of Life. You’ll be amazed by the attention to detail that went into creating this centerpiece for the park.
All of these attractions will offer you the chance to escape the heat for a good length of time and cool off during a summer visit to Walt Disney World. Of course, we always recommend factoring in a pool break or a trip to the water parks during a summer visit. If you can, head to the parks first thing in the morning and then leave after lunch each day to cool off during the hottest time of the day. After that, you can return to the parks for the evening to enjoy everything they have to offer once the sun goes down.
