Surviving the Heat: Essential Items for a Florida Summer at Disney World

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Planning a trip to Disney World in the summer? Florida's summer heat can be intense, but with the right preparations, you can stay cool and enjoy every magical moment. We just spent 4 days in the parks in the middle of July during a Florida heat wave (I didn't know there was such a thing!). This is what we packed to stay cool!

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1. A small, portable fan can make waiting in lines more bearable. Look for fans that are rechargeable!! We had [ad] two of this brand this trip and it made a HUGE difference! My daughter even just used one again this week for the Windy City Smokeout in Chicago!

2. You’ll be doing a lot of walking, so comfortable, breathable shoes are essential. Look for shoes with good arch support and ventilation. My teen daughter wore [ad] these Merrell's all day (just a different color). My son wore his OnCloud running shoes. And my husband and I wore our Teva sandals [ad] (men / women) that we have worn every trip! And just fyi...we walked 50+ miles this last week over 6 days!

3. Protect your skin from the intense Florida sun with a high-SPF, water-resistant sunscreen. Remember to reapply every two hours.

4. Cooling towels can provide instant relief. Wet them, wring them out, and place them around your neck for a refreshing cool-down.  [ad] This pack of 4 is great for a family - everyone gets their own color!

5. Keep energy levels up with light, non-perishable snacks. Granola bars, dried fruit, and nuts are good options.

6. It's important to have a way to keep your phone charged all day long. Disney offers multiple kiosks where you can get FuelRods – You can buy a set of FuelRods [ad] (get them here) Once you have used them and they require a recharge, you can exchange them for fully charged replacements at any Fuel Rod kiosk within the Disney Parks.

7. Carry all your essentials in a lightweight, comfortable bag. Make sure it has enough space for your items but is easy to carry around. I prefer using a small sling bag like these [ad] Waterfly bags. Belt bags and small crossbody purses. This is the first trip where i finally made my husband carry a bag too and it was so helpful! He used [ad] this one from G4Free. We have to carry our son's epipens all the time, so those in addition to phones, mini fans, sunscreen, bandaids, Ziploc bags for water rides, [ad] ponchos [ad] (just in case), it gets to be a LOT!

8. Staying hydrated is essential, but replenishing electrolytes lost through sweat is also crucial. Electrolyte supplements or hydration tablets can help maintain energy levels and prevent dehydration. Plus it helps the water taste better! We split one packet of these [ad] Liquid IV packets into 4 drinks each time to make it last longer and just add a little bit of flavor.

9. Wearing the right clothes can make a huge difference in how comfortable you feel. Opt for lightweight, moisture-wicking fabrics that allow your skin to breathe. We all wore workout shorts and workout shirts the whole trip!

10. Staying hydrated is crucial. Bring a refillable water bottle to take advantage of the water fountains and refill stations throughout the park.

    
    

    *This item is listed last because DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE the ability the get free ice water in all the parks! My daughter really hated the water at Magic Kingdom, but the rest of us were fine. And she was fine in all of the other parks. Everywhere that has fountain soda machines will be able to give you water. It was so much easier than carrying them around all day!! I definitely heard a few moms while I was there last week saying "ok, I'm ready to ditch these water bottles!"