Summer is one of the most popular times to take a family vacation, and nothing screams family vacation quite like Disney World. Walt Disney World Resort in Florida is the most visited amusement park in the world, boasting over 50,000 visitors daily to Magic Kingdom alone. Not to be confused with Disneyland, which is much smaller and based in California, Disney World is home to four massive theme parks, dozens of resort hotels, two water parks, a huge outdoor shopping center, and over 200 restaurants.
Disney World is a popular destination for a reason, and if you have kids in school, it’s tempting to want to book that trip in the summertime. However, as someone who lives in Orlando and works at the parks, I can tell you firsthand that right now is probably one of the worst times to visit.
Overcrowding Is A Big Issue
Disney World stays fairly busy year-round, but since Disney’s target demographic is in school for most of the year, summertime at the parks tends to be more crowded than most. Not only are tourist numbers on the rise, but many locals and annual passholders will also hit the parks with their families during this time of year. Even if the parks don’t reach capacity, the number of people pushing into shops and restaurants in a desperate attempt to escape the heat makes them feel way more congested than they should be. Which brings me to my next point.
Disney World Is Unbearably Hot
If you think you know heat, you don’t. Trust me. Right now, Orlando is under heat advisory almost daily, which means temperatures exceed 90 degress and feel even higher due to the humidity. While Disney World does its best to provide shade and AC, theme parks in general are primarily outdoor spaces, which means you could be standing in the sun for over an hour to ride Big Thunder Mountain.
Even if you’re from a warmer climate, chances are you aren’t outside walking 10 to 15 miles a day, which is average for a day at Disney. The number of guests who pass out or fall ill due to heat exhaustion is staggering, but even if you think you can stomach the heat, there’s one more thing about the weather you should be aware of.
When It Rains, It Pours
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The only time it’s not sweltering during the summer at Disney World is when it’s raining. And since June is officially the start of hurricane season in Florida, you’ll probably be hit with more than just a light shower during your visit.
The only thing worse than waiting in the hot sun to go on a ride is waiting in the hot sun and then making it halfway through the line before it starts to downpour. While there are a good chunk of rides at Disney World that are indoors, a lot of the big-ticket attractions are fully outside and will shut down during storms. This also goes for any outdoor shows, character meet and greets, parades, and fireworks shows. Also, it is miserable trying to navigate the parks in wet shoes. You will have blisters for days.
Still Want To Visit Disney World During The Summer?
If you’re dead set on coming even after learning about all the pitfalls you might encounter, I have a few Cast Memeber-approved tips to help you navigate them while you’re here.
Not much can be done about the crowds since it’s difficult to predict when attendance will rise, but try to avoid weekends and major holidays if possible. As far as the heat goes, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water. Bottled water, like everything else on Disney property, is expensive (we’re talking $3.75 a pop!), but you can get free cups of ice water at any location that sells fountain drinks. Lastly, try to get all the outdoor rides done at the beginning of your day. That way, you won’t miss one of your favorites due to the stormy weather.
Have you ever visited Disney World during the summer? If you have any tips or tricks on how to stay cool or avoid the crowds, let everyone know in the comments. Have a magical day, friends!
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