5 Tips for Beating the Heat at the Amusement Park

My family just returned from a full on summer, week-long trip to Disney World and LEGOLAND Florida. During the time that we were there, the temperature and humidity combined to make it feel just like a blast furnace when you stepped outside.  We knew that going to Florida in late summer would mean putting up with uncomfortable temperatures, so we did some planning ahead that helped us keep from boiling over.  What follows are some tips to beat the heat when visiting theme parks.

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1.Dress the part. The cost of moisture wicking clothes with built in sun protection has come down considerably.  On our trip, we all agreed that the moisture wicking clothes seemed so much more breathable than  the standard cotton t-shirt and shorts.  Late August and September are great times to look for deals on these types of clothes as stores clear out summer apparel to make room for fall merchandise.

Make sure that you wear a hat with a brim.  Baseball caps just do not cut it when you are out in the sun all day.  Also, consider a hat with a drawstring so that you can tighten around you chin. The Columbia Bora Bora Booney II Sun Hats, Sage, One Size is a great option.

2.Bring a combination water bottle/mister  We found a snazzy new gadget at our local drugstore that is a combination water bottle and mist sprayer.  Did not see such a combination in the parks for purchase, and much cheaper than getting it at the amusement park anyway.

3.Start your visit as soon as the park opens  Even if you are not generally an early riser, when the day’s high is threatening to scrap the 100 plus mark, being at the park when it opens is imperative.  That way you can get all those great outdoor headliner rides out of the way when there is still a little shade and hint of morning cool.  When the broiling heat of afternoon hits, you can head indoors to see some of the air conditioned shows since you have already been on many of the most popular rides.

4.Find a spot in the air conditioning to eat lunch or a snack.  Whenever I am in the park, I keep my eyes out for dining spots that have air conditioning.  Sitting in the cool for a few minutes during the middle of the day really provides the energy to keep going into the afternoon.

5.Take a break for several hours in the late afternoon.   I know it is not always possible if you are doing a one day visit to a theme park, but when logistics allow it is great idea to take a break from the park during the hottest afternoon hours of the day and return in the early evening.

For all you theme park veterans, if you have beating the heat tips to add to this list, please feel free to comment.

For more amusement park tips:

9 Ways to Save on LEGOLAND and Other Amusement Park Tickets