It’s officially summer. School is out, vacations are booked, the car is packed, and you’re heading south along with millions of other vacationers. Maybe this is your first trip to Florida, or maybe you’re a regular visitor – either way, welcome! We love tourists! You keep the lights on at our favorite parks while we stay inside enjoying our air conditioning. Don’t get me wrong, we do occasionally venture outside to partake in the summer festivities, but a lot of us tend to stay indoors and at home while the parks are packed with out-of-towners.
If you’ve ever stepped foot into Disney, Universal, or really any amusement park from June through September, you already know this secret – it’s hot. Like stepping-into-an-oven hot. And just when you think it can’t get worse, the skies open up and you’re suddenly soaked. Like clockwork, Florida turns into a steamy rainforest every afternoon.
But don’t worry – This single rider has you covered with some 100 SPF-rated summer tips.
🌞 My Stay-Cool Essentials
There are several non-negotiables that go into my summer park bag:
🌀 Personal Fan
Trust me: once you try a rechargeable neck fan, there’s no going back. It feels like a personal air conditioner wrapped around your shoulders, and it’s perfect for standing in those long, sweaty ride queues. There is no storage of these cool gadgets on Amazon, but this one has become my new favorite because it clips onto my bag strap, the collar of my shirt, and even my waistband if I want a nice under-shirt breeze.
🧣 Cooling Towels
Wet it, wring it, snap it, and drape it around your neck – it’s that easy to stay cool. It feels like a mini ice pack, and it works fast. I usually keep one in a Ziploc until I need it. Just get it wet, shake it out, and you’re golden. Universal recently added cooling towels in their gift shops in all four Hogwarts house colors, and, of course, this Slytherin had to get one to represent her house. Instead of wearing your house robes and risking heat stroke, these cooling towels are a great way to beat the heat and show your Hogwarts pride.
💧 Electrolytes
You might think drinking tons of water is enough, but the Florida heat drains your energy, too. I always bring a couple of packets of electrolytes and powdered vitamins and pop them into my collapsible water bottle throughout the day. It makes a huge difference – no mid-afternoon headaches, no dizzy spells. Just good vibes. My grab-and-go favorite is Key Nutrients Powder Packets – no sugar, no fake sugar, just pure power and hydration in awesome fruit flavors!
🚰 Refillable Water Bottle
Unless you don’t mind paying the $9 theme park premium price for a bottle of water, you can save a few dollars and beat the heat by bringing your own. I always bring an empty, insulated bottle so my water stays cold, and I refill it at concession stands and water fountains. Collapsible bottles and cups are also good if you are looking to save space in your carry-on bag. Water in a cup is always free at Universal and Disney. Just ask at any concession stand or first-aid station, and never pass up a chance to refill your cup or bottle at a water fountain.
🕐 How to Avoid the Heat
The worst heat hits between 12 and 5 p.m. That’s when everything feels like it’s radiating from the sidewalk up, and your risk of heat stroke and sunburn is highest.
Here’s what I do to beat the heat:
- Rope drop: Hit the big outdoor rides early in the day when the park opens, then take cover in the indoor ride queues in the afternoon.
- Midday break: Schedule a lunch or indoor show during the hottest part of the day. Honestly, even ducking into an air-conditioned gift shop helps when you need a pick-me-up. If you’re staying close by, consider heading back to your hotel room for an afternoon power nap or a dip in the pool. You’ll find this author at the Cabana Bay lazy river!
- Indoor rides saving the day: Spaceship Earth, The Mummy, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway—if it’s air-conditioned and dark, I’m there. Even if it is a 2-hour wait, that’s 2 hours you’re not battling the sun. Download an audiobook or a heads-up trivia app to your phone to keep your family entertained in line.
- Skip the lines: This is when it really pays to splurge on Lightning Lane or Express Pass and skip the lines. Less time standing in blazing sun = more energy for nighttime festivities and fireworks.
☔ Yes, it will rain – be prepared!
After living in Florida all my life, I speak from considerable experience here: it will rain, and it’ll probably be around 2 p.m. And we’re not talking a drizzle—we’re talking downpour, thunder, lightning, the works. Florida’s summer storms are wild, but usually short-lived.
Here’s how to weather the storms:
✔ Pack a Poncho – I always have a folded poncho in my park fanny pack. Umbrellas are bulky, and you’re probably going to get wet from the knees down anyway. Dollar-store ponchos fit easily in a fanny pack or back pocket, and when you’re done, toss them in the closest recycling bin. Sure, you can buy the $20 poncho at the gift shop, and it will probably last you a week before it starts to smell like shower curtain mildew. Gross! Which is why I always have a stack of dollar ponchos in my glove box and junk drawer.
✔ Quick-dry shoes – On rainy days, I’ll wear waterproof sandals or sneakers with an extra pair of socks in my bag. There is nothing worse than wet socks. Water socks are perfect if you just want to hit back-to-back water rides all afternoon, but if you need something with a little more support, I love my Sketchers sandals. I was surprised at how supportive and durable they are; I have logged several summers’ worth of theme park miles on these puppies.
✔ Take cover – A Florida thunderstorm can be terrifying and beautiful at the same time. If I happen to be passing by my favorite pub or restaurant, it’s a perfect time to grab a chair and a beer and just watch the storm roll through while secretly planning my post-storm Lightning Lanes.
Bear in mind that most outdoor rides – coasters especially – shut down if there is lightning in the area. When the storm clears, they have to go through multiple safety checks and empty runs before they are back to full operation, so please have patience with employees while they work to get things back up and running.
🌀 A Quick Word on Hurricane Season
If you’re heading to the parks between June 1st and November 30th, welcome to hurricane season! The good news? Most days are just hot and humid with an afternoon storm. The bad news? Occasionally, there’s a bigger storm that can and will mess with your travel plans. Floridians know that the day before and the day after a storm are usually the best days to go to the theme parks because a lot of people will cancel their plans at the last minute. However, the lure of low wait times is risky when you are planning a trip during hurricane season.
How to plan for hurricanes:
I always keep an eye on the forecast in the days before a trip. My favorite weather apps are Weather.com and Ventusky. Book travel and hotel stays with flexible cancellation options and insurance just in case. Both Disney and Universal are really good about offering refunds or reschedules if a named storm disrupts your plans. If your hotel or rental is on the beach or in a flood zone, absolutely heed the weather warnings and move to higher ground when evacuation orders are issued. Seek shelter at a local community center or school and never drive through flooded streets. Check out FloridaDisaster.org to help you create a plan in case things go sideways.
Anticipate park closures if you are in the direct path of the storm. Park management may decide to close if a storm takes a last-minute turn, which they have been known to do. If that is the day you have booked, you can try to reschedule through customer service channels, or spend the day tucked safely in your hotel. Disney and Universal usually have “plan B” activities for guests who are stuck at resorts, activities like movie nights, impromptu dance parties, and indoor games in the hotel lobby. You might also get a visit from your favorite characters who are also taking shelter from the storm.
Just know that the hotel staff – many of whom also take shelter at the hotels with their own families – want you to be safe and comfortable and will try their best to help during this time. Try not to stress too much. Plan ahead as much as possible, but be flexible in case a major storm does change direction.
Final Thoughts
Honestly? Summer park days are epic, especially if you know how to prep for the heat and handle a little rain. Some of my best park memories have happened during those warm, humid nights after a storm, when the air cools just a bit and the crowds thin out. So pack smart, take breaks, drink water, and don’t let the weather steal your magic!
See you in the Single Rider Lane 😉