How To Beat The Heat at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom

In a perfect world, we would all get to do Disney in 70 degree, partially sunny weather ( which, by the way, is usually February). But, the weather at Disney World is oftentimes unpredictable and you may find yourself there in the high heat of summer.

But with balancing school and work schedules, I get that you can probably only visit during summer months when you get to see melt your face off temps on your weather app. Been there, done that….with toddlers.

I am fast-pass spoiled and pretty much refuse to wait in any outdoor lines if the thermometer reads above 80 degrees.

Call me prissy…I won’t be offended. Deodorant only goes so far.

If you can relate, rest assured that there are ways to beat the heat ALL OVER DISNEY! 

I am focusing this post on the Magic Kingdom, but it is possible to enjoy a complete Disney Vacation even when the Florida weather is sweltering. (Or raining…for more info on that, check out my post here)

If you find yourself at the Happiest Place on Earth during what feels like the hottest day on Earth… grab yourself a misting fan and let me guide you through some tips to stay cool at the Magic Kingdom (and save yourself some sunstroke.) 

First, head down Main Street via the Emporium.

I know, I know. You want to take the obligatory picture down Main Street in front of the Castle. Go ahead…take the picture.

Then, seriously, hop into the Emporium. You can get quite a ways down Main Street via the air-conditioned shops and come out near Casey’s Corner at the end (Time it right and you can catch the amazing piano player!). 

Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down ?? #caseyscorner . . . . . #igersflorida #discoverflorida #visitflorida #disney #disneyfan #disneylife #disneygram #wdw #disneyworld #disneyworld #disneymagic #instadisney #pianoman #disneylove #waltdisneyworld #waltdisneyworldpassholder #instagood #orlandoflorida #floridafun #floridalocal #upsideofflorida

A post shared by Keri|Florida Blogger (@flipflopweekend) on Aug 5, 2017 at 9:20am PDT

Head to Adventureland.

Maybe take a quick stop at The Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse, take a spin on Aladdin’s Magic Carpets and you will soon come to your first reprieve:

The Enchanted Tiki Room

Get in touch with your tropical side during this 10 minutes of bright, feathered musical fun, located in Adventureland. Brownie points if you enjoy in your Dole Whip during the show. Be forewarned, though, you WILL leave singing “The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room” for SEVERAL hours after the experience.

From the Tiki Room, it is a quick jaunt to:

Pirates of the Caribbean

I have only had to wait for this ride at peak times during the day. If you have to wait for longer than 20 minutes, I would suggest walking by until later in the day. However, if the wait time is at a reasonable length, rest assured that this line is inside…and mostly dark in keeping with the pirate theme.

The ride is dark and you even move through a cool mist, which will be very refreshing if you are covered in sweat. ‘

Parents, the ride is appropriate for all ages. However, I would take caution if you have skittish children.

There are loud noises inside, so sensitive children may struggle. My 3 year old hid at the beginning of the ride, but never cried and said she loved it at the end.  We wouldn’t even take our 5-year-old, because we knew he would hate the loud noises of the pirate battle. Use your judgment. 

Also, when you leave through the gift shop, ask for pirate stickers. They will give them to kids free, making it a cool, free souvenir. 

After Pirates, take a quick jaunt up to Frontierland.

If you score a mid-day fast-pass for Splash Mountain…awesome! If not, pass by. You will wait a hundred years for it on hot, steamy days. Just go ahead and mosey on up to your first, Frontierland stop:

The Country Bear Jamboree

This  Disney show featuring the classic animatronic bears is a great place to escape the heat. The wait inside is comfortable…get there early enough and you may even score a bench inside. The show is fun and campy. Our kids love it…and we love the air conditioning!

After enjoying the musical bears, go ahead and take a jaunt up Liberty Square into Fantasyland.

Sure, you will pass the Haunted Mansion…but that line will be brutal if you don’t have a FastPass.

Once in FantasyLand, take a stop at:

It’s a Small World

A rite of passage for all Disney guests is this classic boat ride.

Personally, I wouldn’t wait super long for it…but the wait is relatively inside, though not air-conditioned. The ride itself is slow and indoors. Plus, the tune is catchy enough to get “The Tiki Tiki Room” song out of your head….though “It’s a Small World” won’t be much better. 

Once you leave It’s a Small World, take a moment to reflect on global citizenship and then find your next haven from the heat at:

Mickey’s PhilharMagic

Enter the PhilharMagic waiting area and experience immediate A/C. Heaven on a hot day! The auditorium houses a HUGE screen that shows a fun animation featuring Mickey as the conductor of an orchestra, and the mishaps that ensue.  Plus, the show is in 3-D. Fun for the kids, and fun for grown-ups who enjoy listening to the classic Disney tunes.

After leaving the theater, you should be able to take a quick twirl on Prince Charming’s Carousel, before grabbing your stroller and taking a quick jaunt up to Storybook Circus to ride:

Dumbo

So, yes, some of the line is outside. But, the Dumbo ride is genius if you have to wait with young kids. Inside the queue, you will be given a pager, much like at restaurants. There is an amazing indoor play area for kids, seating for adults, where you can blissfully relax while “waiting.”

This was the first time I ever rode Dumbo! I was 25 and still 3 years away of being a permanent O-Town resident!

Storybook Circus also has a fantastic splash-pad type spot for kids and covered seating area with charging ports. This spot is tucked away and usually un-crowded, making it a great spot to snack or eat lunch if you were thrifty and brought your own ( which I highly recommend. Splurge on dinner).

Storybook Circus is right next door to Tomorrowland, where you will find:

The PeopleMover

The PeopleMover is a great spot to sit down, while still being on a ride. This slow moving ride spends its entire time touring through Tomorrowland under an overhang, or inside dark areas through Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin and the Carousel of Progress, all while listening to a narrative with some cool Disney back story.

Even if the line is long to enter the attraction, it moves fast as the PeopleMover, well, is always moving.

The Carousel of Progress

MK has been the home to the Carousel of Progress since 1975, making it one of the oldest and most classic attractions in Disney World.  

You will find it near the Buzz Lightyear Meet and Greet in Tomorrowland. Inside an air-conditioned auditorium, you will tour through several decades using animatronics, fun music and cool narrative to remind us of how far we have come in the past century.  

After the 21-minute ride concludes, it will definitely have you wondering what we have to look forward to in the next 50 years?

Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor

Also located in Tomorrowland, this is a great spot for a laugh. The jokes may be corny, but the show is fun and the show loves audience interaction. While waiting in the queue (inside) you can text your jokes that may get you a shoutout in the show. Our joke-loving Josiah loves to do this.

At this point, I would head out of Tomorrowland back towards Main Street. You may be asking, ” But, Keri…what about Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin and Space Mountain!?” 

Buzz and Space Mountain are AWESOME attractions, but odds are you will want a FastPass. If you can get one and squeeze it in, by all means, do it. Space Mountain may be easier to snag later in the evening. 

As you move back down Main Street, stop at Edy’s and get some ice cream for some final refreshment. If you are cool with sharing, the Kitchen Sink is a fun choice…and would make a great munchie for the fireworks.

 There ya have it! My ultimate walk-through guide to beat the heat at the Magic Kingdom.

Don’t let hot weather steer you from a visit! If you haven’t bought Disney tickets yet, check out Undercover Tourist for some great discounts. 

What is your favorite way to get through hot days at Disney? Let me know in the comments! 

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