The Best Rides and Attractions at Disney World when it’s HOT

The Best Rides and Attractions at Disney World when it’s HOT

Visiting Walt Disney World means facing Florida weather head-on. Choosing the Best Rides at Walt Disney World when it’s HOT can be daunting. Nothing compares to the Florida heat that will cover more months of the year than you could imagine. So how do you enjoy a Disney vacation through the steamy, sweaty, sauna of Florida during the hot months? By choosing the best rides at Walt Disney World to escape the heat of course! 

Orange Bird sunshine Tree Terrace

Summer at Disney World, Orlando Florida

Facing a heat index of 105 degrees in September can make you seriously consider staying in your air-conditioned resort for the remainder of your Disney vacation. We’ve tackled 95-degree weather in February and October and varied weather in all the months between. The one thing we know to be true, however, is that while you may not be able to figure out Florida weather, having a strategy for hot days is absolutely necessary. Especially since family is probably already spending way more time together than normal, and the heat will only aggravate things. Add in loads of things to get stressed or annoyed about. And some super hot weather and your vacation may feel less magical than planned. Check out our must-have Disney Summer products for hot days in Florida and all the Disney Summer Tips to help you beat the heat at Walt Disney World.

And dare we add, that we’d rather visit Walt Disney World ANY OTHER time of year than summer? We’ve written about how we don’t go to Disney in the Summer unless we’re pretty much dragged there. But, if you’re one of the poor unfortunate souls who decided to take a summer vacation to Walt Disney World, here are your best chances at rides and shows that will help you get through the heat. 

visiting walt disney world in the summer? All the things we feel obligated to let you know before you visit #disneyinthesummer #disneysummer #disneyfamilyvacation

Best Disney Rides for Summer

While many rides are inside, if you have to wait outside in a long line queue ( we’re talking to you Test Track) , plan to be drenched by the time you finally reach the air conditioning. The rides we’ve chosen here get you…

  • INDOORS, for a certain period of time
  • The chance of getting splashed with water
  • Some substantial breezes and shade
  • Hopefully a shaded wait queue.

Each Disney park has a slew of rides that you can count on for indoor air conditioning or interesting queues that will make you grateful you get to take a break from the sun. Here are our best picks so far!

Pandora World of Avatar Review, Things to Do

Indoor Rides and Attractions at Animal Kingdom

  • Flight of Passage
  • Festival of the Lion King Show
  • It’s Tough to be a Bug
  • N’avi River Journey
  • Kali River Rapids

Peter Pan at Disney World Magic Kingdom

Enchanted Tiki Room Disney World Ride

Indoor Rides and Attractions at Magic Kingdom

  • Flight of Peter Pan
  • It’s a Small World
  • Haunted Mansion
  • Mickey’s PhilharMagic Concert
  • Splash Mountain
  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
  • PeopleMover
  • Carousel of Progress
  • Under the Sea Journey of the Little Mermaid
  • Country Bear Jamboree
  • Enchanted Tiki Room

Country Bear Jamboree Magic Kingdom Disney

EPCOT Spaceship Earth Ride

Indoor Rides and Attractions at Epcot

  • Frozen Ever After
  • Gran Fiesta Tour Boat Ride with the Three Caballeros
  • The Land Boat Ride
  • Spaceship Earth
  • Soarin’
  • The Seas with Nemo and Friends
  • Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
  • Awesome Planet Show- The Land
  • China 360- World Showcase
  • Canada Far and Wide- World Showcase
  • Beauty and the Beast Sing a Long-World Showcase

mickey and minnie's runaway railway

Indoor Rides and Attractions at Hollywood Studios

hollywood studios 30th anniversary

Where to Take a Break from the Heat at Walt Disney World 

There are a lot of Places to Take a Break at Disney World. Grabbing a break from the heat can also happen at our other favorite places across the parks. Checking out the gift shops is one of our favorite ways to get out of the sun. Need something cooler? In addition to the few water rides we shared above, you can visit the Splash Stations around the parks too. If you’re looking for more long-term respite to get you through the hot afternoon then head to any Disney Resort for some indoor exploring. While any Disney Resort will do, we love Wilderness Lodge, the Monorail Resorts, and Animal Kingdom Lodge for loads of lounging, gift shop browsing, and great places to eat. What are your favorite rides and shows to help beat the heat?

All our favorite Rides and Shows at Walt Disney World to help you escape the heat! #polkadotpixies #disneywhenitshot #waltdisneyworld #disneytips

Co-Founder and Director at Polka Dot Pixie Co LLC | Website | + posts

Rochelle Mariah is a writer, designer and photographer with an MLIS in Information Science and a B.S. in Arch and Design. Determined to make Planning a DIY Disney Vacation easier she makes lots of lists and drinks lots of coffee. When not designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's watching old movies and planning the holidays. She has been traveling to Disney destinations since 2010.


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