Going on holiday to Walt Disney World is meant to be fun and exciting, but when a heatwave hits it can be hard to know how to navigate your park days and handle the heat when you’re in a foreign country, even if they speak English. We’ve got you covered with this great survival guide.
Guide at a glance
Here’s what’s included:
- When and what to expect from a heatwave at Disney. A heatwave is marked by heat advisory alerts in the US. You may hear the term heat advisory on local news outlets and it may even appear on your phone screen. This is telling you that there are unexpected temperatures and it is a heatwave.
- How to keep cool in the heat – from aiming to stay in air conditioned spaces to avoiding the heat between 11am and 3pm.
- What to wear – from loose fitting clothes to clothes that absorb moisture and if you should wear a dress.
- How to escape the heat in the parks – the best attractions to head for, the best times to visit, and the parks with the most shelter.
- What to take to the park with you to stay cool and where you can go to get things if you need to.
- Tips to avoid miscalculating your time in the sun by forgetting to add on journey times and transport to the parks.
- Some great park alternatives that still offer that bit of Disney magic.
How often does Disney experience heatwaves?
You might be thinking that heatwaves are not something that happen often in Florida as we rarely here about them here in the UK. However they are becoming increasingly common, with record breaking heat affecting the Disney parks in 2023 in a year which shattered temperature records month after month. July 2023 saw the hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth with a man-made device. Florida was reported as being one of the states that was shattering previously record-breaking temperatures.
This year, that trend has begun again and in May 2024, the state of Florida has broken yet another temperature world-record with Orlando reaching 36.1C (97F) in air time temperature during Memorial Day weekend. With temperatures over the summer only predicted to continue, the likelihood of experiencing a heatwave during your Spring / Summer holiday is high.
Heatwaves likely from May to October
With Florida recording higher temperatures each year, the expected averages which most people would use to choose when the temperatures would suit them best to visit and help them gauge what needed to be included in the case are far from the real feel and experienced temperatures of many guests. Heatwaves are now likely during the Spring and Summer seasons, from May to October. In May 2023 and 2024 heatwaves occurred steadily throughout the month, impacting holidaymakers who were not prepared for the unprecedented temperatures.
How will I know there is a heatwave while I am on holiday?
Knowing that the state is experiencing a heatwave will usually be announced on the local news channels or even be an advisory or warning appearing on your phone. If you see the words Heat Advisory on your phone, you most likely aren’t being hacked, it’s a State wide alert issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) to let you know that your body may be affected by the temperatures adversely.
What does Heat Advisory mean in Florida?
A heat advisory is issued in the state of Florida by the National Weather Service (NWS) within 12 hours of extremely dangerous heat conditions happening. This generally means that the heat index temperature will be above 37.7C or 100F and that the night time air temperatures will not be below 23.4C or 75F.
This is a different kind of warning than we would expect to get in the UK, as the warning for day time temperature is based on the heat index. The heat index is the measurement of how hot it feels to your body outside and it is calculated in shaded conditions with light wind. That means if you are in direct sunlight that body feel or heat index will be higher.
You are advised to take precautions to avoid heat illness if this warning is issued. A higher level of warning can also be issued, an excessive heat warning.
What does Excessive Heat Warning mean?
An excessive heat warning is issued within 12 hours of extremely dangerous heat conditions. . This generally means that the heat index temperature will be above 37.7C or 100F and that the night time air temperatures will not be below 23.4C or 75F. This warning means that you need to take precautions against the heat immediately or risk serious illness or death.
There are also two other types of heat alert which you may hear while on holiday, both of which given warning of a potential heat wave but do not require action to be taken. They basically let you know you might need to amend your plans:
1: An excessive heat watch which means that a heatwave is likely in the 1 to 3 days, but not certain.
2: Excessive heat outlook means that in the next 3 to 7 days there may be a heatwave.
You can find out more about the different types of Florida weather warning you may encounter when on holiday at Disney here.
What to expect if there is a heatwave during my holiday
Disney don’t make a lot of the heat advisories or excessive heat warnings at the parks and they don’t actively encourage people to take shelter or drink more. The rides will all be open. The only thing you may notice is that the monorail seems to run slower the hotter it gets and attendance does usually drop off.
The heat will most likely feel oppressive and making amendments to your plans will be advisable. You will be responsible for making changes to your plans yourself and ticket refunds or changes are not usually available from Disney because of NWS heat warnings. The shops and local area do not usually run out of water/ice, so you will be able to purchase things to help you manage the sweltering temperatures.
Can I get ill?
You will be at risk of a heat related illness if you do not take steps to adjust your busy itineraries, the heat advisory warning and excessive heat warning both warn that if you do not take precautions you may become seriously ill or die. Slowing down and adjusting timings will be most helpful to you, as well as taking a moment to realise that some adjusted or even lost plans may be better than a ride in a Mickey ambulance.
Who is most at risk?
The CDC, who are the US Centre for Disease and Control Prevention, provide advice and guidance to beat the heat and state that the most at risk groups include those with under lying health conditions, the elderly, the young and construction workers, ie those who are outside for long periods of the day and exposed to the sun exerting themselves.
How do I keep cool?
Keeping your body cool is the key in high temperatures. Olaf was lucky enough to have a snow flurry to help him survive the summer. Unless Elsa can magic one up for you at a meet and greet in Sommerhaus at EPCOT, odds on you are going to need to do some or all of the following to stay cool:
- Hydrate – drink plenty of fluids throughout the day as this will help keep your body cool
- Take it slow – running around and getting hot will just make you hotter
- Stay indoors in air conditioned environments where possible and don’t stay out in the sun too long
- Wear sun cream to prevent getting sunburnt, as sunburnt skin can struggle to cool
- Consider a sports drink to rehydrate yourself
- Avoid the heat at peak times of the day between 11am and 3pm
A packing tip: pack for heat
Be prepared for the heat before you come. If you haven’t been to Florida in the Spring or Summer before, even if you experience the average monthly temperatures, they will not feel the same as that temperature in the UK. The sun feels stronger and the rays have a higher UV Index as you are closer to the equator, which means in Florida the sun is closer to you than it is in the UK. That means bring an insulated water botte which you can refill to keep you hydrated, pack light weight comfortable clothing which is loose and breathable, consider getting a fan for each member of your party or cooling towel to bring, bring hats and UV protecting sunglasses.
What to wear to Disney in a heatwave
Deciding what to wear to Disney can be stressful enough, without having to pivot your outfit choices to accommodate a heatwave while on holiday. Light coloured clothing is a great choice, as black and darker shades will attract the heat and make you feel hotter. Cotton, linen and silk garments are light and breathe well, so may be a great option too for keeping cool. Here are a couple of outfit suggestions:
For men: cotton shirt and linen shorts. Columbia sell a brilliant shirt with a vent in the back which is ideal for letting the air in and helping to keep you cool, paired with some light coloured linen shorts, you would be park ready.
For ladies:
Should I wear a dress to Disney?
In short, yes. Comfortable, floaty and picture perfect we recommend a nice dress for the parks and explore this topic further in our Disney dress article.
How to escape the heat in the parks
Heat friendly attractions
Planning your day
Best Park to visit
EPCOT
Essential park items for a heatwave
Top tips to beat the heat
Theme park alternatives