Traveling to Walt Disney in the summer months may be the only option for some families. Many teachers like to enjoy Walt Disney World, and summer is the only time. Or perhaps you have children who are dedicated to school, and you don’t want them to miss school to travel in the “off season”. So summer it is! But summer in Florida also brings heat and humidity, and those ever famous afternoon rains. We just returned from our trip to Walt Disney World and I’d love to share some travel tips for Walt Disney World in the summer months with you!
What is the best way to visit the parks during the summer months? I cannot tell you how invaluable it is to arrive at the parks before they open. Even if it’s only 15-2o minutes before. This allows you to get quite a bit of attractions in before the crowds come later in the day, and it is much cooler in the morning. Plus, the rains typically come in the afternoon, so if you have to leave because it is raining, you won’t feel like you are missing out on much if you got there first thing in the morning.
How should I plan my FastPass Plus? Starting your FastPass Plus around 11AM is a great idea if you can get to the park at opening. Even if you can’t, it’s still a good idea to start them mid to late morning. This gives you less wait times in the afternoon, when the parks are more crowded. Yet they are early enough that you can possibly use all three back to back and then start getting more. Or, leave for a break and then go back later with one you have scheduled before you left the park.
Where are some quiet places I can rest and be out of the heat in the parks? At Magic Kingdom, there are a couple of places that come to mind. The Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover gives you a breezy 10 minute ride around Tomorrowland while you enjoy a different view of the Magic Kingdom. Another good one, right next to the Peoplemover is the Carousel of Progress. This gives you a great break in the air conditioning, and provides a bit of educational entertainment. At Epcot, The Seas with Nemo and Friends and Living with the Land are great for a quiet break. Parts of this get a tad loud, but overall it is cool and dark the whole ride!
What apps do you recommend I have on my phone for the parks? The My Disney Experience App is, in my opinion, the best one to use. This gives you up to the minute wait times, as well as where to find characters and has your FastPass and dining reservations in one place. It works very well in the parks, and I used it all the time. Also, be sure to free up storage space on your phone by deleting unwanted photos, apps, etc. Another good app is Touring Plans {if you have a subscription}, and you should have a reliable weather app on your phone as well.
What are the “must have” items in my park bag for the summer months? When we travel into the parks, there are a few “must have” items that we take with us everyday. First is our Anker external cell phone charger. We use our phones to check MDE, take photos, occasionally on social media, etc. So having them charged is a must. Second is wet wipes for sticky hands and faces. Third is a few frozen bottles of water. We don’t take a ton of water since we can get free ice water from the Quick Service dining locations. And always take extra sunscreen and band aids.
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