Summer vacation is time best spent at Disney World. Although more people are free to go to the parks you can get pretty light crowds if you visit in June or late August. One of my favorite Disney World summer tips is to go in early or mid-June to beat the summer crowds. Of course, summer in central Florida comes with its own set of challenges; but that doesn’t mean you can have the best summer vacation at Disney World. Here are some of my favorite ways to visit Disney World in the Summertime and have a blast!
Prepare
Pack Your Suitcase and Your Phone
Even though it’s Summer you can get occasional to frequent rain at Disney World, particularly in June, with storms starting up again near the end of August. This can be a bummer while you are on vacation, but it doesn’t have to stop you from having fun. Don’t picture being holed up in your hotel room playing Parcheesi. The important thing is to be prepared for it. The two tips I have for you here is to pack a variety of clothing. It will be hot and humid and you may get wet. One thing to consider is that rain is not cold rain. It’s warm. Another way to stay ahead of the weather is to download and use a reliable weather app that can tell you what’s coming and for how long.
Disney World Summer Tips for Rain in the Parks
Short Bursts of Rain
Often the rain storms come in short bursts and are not likely to spoil your entire day. If random showers start occurring, just find a sheltered area (they’re everywhere) and wait it out. Or if you don’t mind the rain, use this time to get around more easily while others duck for cover.

Disney during a Thunderstorm – Poncho time!
Spend Time Indoors
Since most attractions are indoors; find a nearby ride to go on to pass the time. You can also use the time to get a meal or a snack in a quick service location with lots of table seating, such as below:
Magic Kingdom
Epcot
Sunshine Seasons, American Pavilion
Animal Kingdom
Disney World Summer Tips to Beat the Heat
Stay Cool
First of all, don’t go anywhere without sunscreen. As Disney World summer tips go, this is most essential. Not getting sunburned at Disney World? Huge win. You don’t want to be on the losing end of that.
Cooling off is really important and there are some really simple ways to beat the heat. Shows are a really good start because they are often indoors with air conditioning. Most Disney World shows are 20-30 minus long and run continuously, so you get a nice break and short wait times. Plus, cooling towels work wonders, as well. These towels can be wet and worn around the neck to help cool you down on those hot, summer Disney days.
Drink Water
Stay hydrated, by bringing your own water into the park. The price of bottled water in Disney World is a deterrent because it can be downright expensive. You will drink more if you bring it with you. Disney does offer free ice water at food locations if you ask, so always remember that that is an option before you get too thirsty.
My favorite Disney World summer tip?
Ice cream!
There you have it with many ways above to help all have the best summer vacation at Walt Disney World.
Dara says
Last year in June it was so hot! I carried around towels that I borrowed from hotel to wipe off my face with!
Janine says
I know that feeling well. We bring cooling towels. You can wet them, wring them out and wear around your neck. You can find them on Amazon and even linked it above in the article here, as well. They really do help bring the temperature down in your body as they hit the pressure points for this perfectly.
Meredith Spidel says
Super tips, as we are planning our visit to Disney for next summer! Thanks, Janine 🙂
Janine says
Aw, thanks again, Meredith and so excited for your upcoming trip next summer now!! 🙂
William D Holland says
Good morning Janine! I’ll refrain from commenting about Disney since it is far removed from my reality. I’ll simply wish you a wonderful July Tuesday.
Janine says
Aw, wishing you a wonderful July Tuesday, as well now!! 🙂
Jen says
Oh my gosh that ice cream cone! Yum! I am so excited for you guys. Rain sounds glorious right about now. So bring it I say 🙂 !
Janine says
Aw, Jen so hot here, too. So, a bit of rain wouldn’t hurt now either! 😉
Mother of 3 says
We’ve been to Disney in Sept. a few times when it is super hot but thankfully the crowds are much lower and we definitely rely on the A/C and indoors for those times the heat just becomes unbearable.
Janine says
I hear you and thank god for the AC when need be during these times!! 🙂
Marilyn says
My plans are to stay in my air-conditioning. I can not cope with the heat.Thank You for the tips.
Marilyn
Janine says
Happy to share the tips. I am someone who loves the warm weather, but I totally understand those who don’t. So, air conditioning is a godsend still 🙂
Gloria Spagnoli says
I know you are getting hyped for your July trip to Disney! By now, you are troopers and know how to manage to survive the heat and rain there. You’ll have a great time I’m sure! xxoo
Janine says
Aw, thanks, Aunt Gloria and only a few short days from now indeed!! xoxo 🙂
Gloria Spagnoli says
Love to all … and happy 4th!
Janine says
Love to you, too and Happy 4th, as well!! xoxo 🙂
Tamara says
Ice cream is a great tip. I can’t imagine that we’d ever get there in summer, just because the timing/cost/comfort is personally best for us in January, but I do have family in Florida and I hate to imagine never seeing them in summer.
So these tips work in general!
Janine says
Aw, if you ever do get there in the summer, you need to go when we are there so we can do Disney together 🙂
Cynthia says
First, I hope you had a great 4th of July! 😉
Second, you are the Disney expert. Haha. And all these tips are great for anyone spending any amount of time outside over the summer: sunblock, water, take cover – yes, yes.
I also wanted to say that I love your pictures. The one of the castle where it’s raining made me wonder if there are offices in the towers. THAT would be a cool place to work. Haha. I hope you have a wonderful week!
Janine says
Aw, thanks so much, Cyndi and yes the 4th was a fun celebration. The extended long holiday weekend was also a blast with our anniversary rounding it out yesterday. Now, only a 4 day work week before we are Disney bound. You know I am so excited about that and just cannot wait. Wishing you only the best week ahead now, too!! <3
Cynthia says
PS – tweeted and pinned this. I tweeted, but my scheduling app is all crazy and won’t show images. So I thought I’d pin this post, too. Have a lovely day!
Janine says
Aw, you are seriously the best and thank you again, my friend!!! xoxo <3
Christine Carter says
Smart tips, Janine! I bet it gets SUPER hot during those summer months! And at least when it rains, you know it won’t last all day. It’s all worth it to avoid those over packed parks during other months!
Janine says
Couldn’t agree more, Chris and happy to share our Disney summer vacation knowledge with you here, too 🙂
Katherines Corner says
no plans to go to Disney World my friend. But great tips to forward to my daughter who’s taking her family in August. xox
Janine says
Aw, thanks, Katie and if your daughter has any questions at all with her upcoming trip, please feel free to ask me as I am always happy to help with anything I might know xoxo 🙂