Will you be at Disney World between May and October? This is the hottest time in Central Florida with the temperatures reaching the high 90’s in July and August. But don’t worry as this can still be a great time to visit as long as you are prepared. As Orlando locals, we often visit the theme parks during the summer, and even though we are accustomed to the summer heat, we still follow most of these tips. If you’re not used to heat or Florida summers then it is especially important to plan to ensure that you will still experience all of the magic.

This may seem like one of the most basic tips, but it is one that most people just don’t follow! The key to being hydrated is to start drinking water or electrolytes way before you need them. I definitely suggest adding in some sort of electrolytes throughout the day. We like powder packets that are easy to carry such as Liquid IV or my favorite LMNT. We always have a refillable water bottle with us since there are water refill stations all over the parks. One trick is to bring frozen plastic water bottles if you are carrying a backpack. These will thaw throughout the day and still be nice and cold.

You’ll also find Powerade sold throughout the parks or you can even get free cups of water at some of the quick service restaurants. The bottom-line is, hydrate throughout the day and you’ll notice a major difference in how you feel.

Cooling towels will be one of the best purchases that you can make and you see guests wearing them around their neck during the summer. These are very lightweight towels that you wet with water to keep you cool. Believe it or not, they work incredibly well by keeping your body temperature cool. You can buy them inside the parks and resorts at Disney but you can also save some money and buy them in advance. Here is our favorite brand.

The hottest part of the day here in Orlando is between 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. If you are staying at a Disney Resort or at a nearby hotel, this is the perfect time to take a break from the parks and head back to take a nap or hit the pool. During the hot summer months, the mornings and evenings are the coolest times so planning on arriving early and staying later in the evening will help you to beat the heat.

If you do stay in the park all afternoon you will be able to take advantage of lower wait times on rides but the key is to plan accordingly. This is the perfect time to book a late lunch at a sit down restaurant in the park. You will be amazed at how much better you will feel after a rest, some food and A/C.

Don’t waste the valuable cooler times of the day for the inside attractions. If you do stay in the park during the middle of the day, this is the perfect time to knock out those indoor shows and attractions. Here are few that we suggest:

Magic Kingdom - Carousel of Progress, Mickey’s Philharmonic, Hall of Presidents, Little Mermaid, Pirates of the Caribbean, Tiana’s Bayou, Country Bears Jamboree, Space Mountain

Animal Kingdom - Finding Nemo, The Lion King, Flight of Passage, Navi River Journey, the Rapids

Epcot - Soarin, Gran Fiesta Tour, Living with the Land, The Seas with Nemo, Coral Reefs, Guardians of the Galaxy, The American Adventure, Beauty and the Beast Singalong

Hollywood Studios - Millennium Falcon, Rise of the Resistance, Rock n Roller Coaster and Tower of Tower, Frozen Sing-Along, Disney Junior Play and Dance

You will see these little fans all over the park and there are multiple variations of them. They are lightweight and perfect for the continuous stream of cool air. We like this particular one that goes around your neck so it’s great for hand’s free. You will also see some that mist but one of my favorites is this cool clip-on fan.

You’ll find that lightweight moisture wicking clothes will be the most comfortable throughout the day. Yes, those cotton matching Disney t-shirts are cute but aren’t the most practical in 95 degree temperatures.

In addition, be prepared throughout the day by having these items with you in your bag or backpack: Sunscreen

Yes, Florida is HOT during the middle of summer and certain areas of the theme parks seem even hotter but with some preparation, you will still have a magical time!