Let’s just say…Florida in summer is not for the faint-hearted.
In fact, Florida from April – September is a struggle for the British.
We Brits barely cope with a 22°C heatwave in Surrey, so throwing ourselves into Florida between April and September?
Bold. Brave. Slightly mad.
Whether you’re off to Disney, Universal, or simply chasing sun-drenched memories, here’s how to survive (and maybe even thrive) in the Florida heat, without melting like an unattended banana split.
1. Pack & Reapply Sunscreen Regularly
You’ll step out of the airport and instantly be embraced by 100% humidity and sunshine so bright it’ll make you cower in the shade of a tree.
Pack a proper SPF – factor 50, minimum. My favourites are Ultrasun SPF50 Extreme and Caudalie’s Face Sunscreen.
No matter your skin colour, slather it on and reapply constantly. Don’t forget ears, hands, scalp, or the back of your neck. And make sure you reapply it frequently! Tiana’s Bayou Adventure? Sweat? That sunscreen’s long gone.
And yes, even if it’s cloudy. Just because it’s 4pm and overcast doesn’t mean you’re safe. Florida UV rays are unrelenting.
And make sure you keep a travel-sized suncream bottle in every bag!
2. Take a Hat, Even if You Don’t Wear it
I’m not much of a hat person and despite taking my cap with me, I stuck to my pink sequined ears during my Disney visit. But, I think it’s worth taking a cap anyway, just in case you want/need it.
And it’ll protect the parting line in your hair! (learn from me: mine constantly got burnt!)
Choose something functional. A cap suits everyone, but a bucket hat is a vibe if you’re cool enough to pull it off.
3. Drink Water, Constantly
It’s sooo important to stay hydrated when you’re in the heat. Heat stroke is real, and dangerous.
Staying hydrated also helps prevent the dreaded Disney rash!
Make sure you’re drinking water constantly when you’re in the parks.
At Disney World cups of water with ice is completely FREE from all quick service restaurants and cafes, you don’t even have to buy anything! Just go up to the counter and ask for a cup of water with ice and they’ll give it to you.
But, there are also plenty of delicious and cool drinks around Walt Disney World (like Frozen Lemonade!) to try if you’re bored of water.
4. Pack Liquid I.V Rehydration Sachets in Your Park Bag
I’m a PoTS girlie so I have to use rehydration sachets every day anyway to help keep my salt levels up, but I highly recommend packing Liquid I.V. rehydration sachets in your park bag.
They are awesome.
I usually have one each morning, but when I’m at Disney I throw another in my park bag and have one in the afternoon as well (you can only have a max of 2 per day).
Just buy a bottle of water (or take a Chilly’s reusable water bottle with you), pour a whole sachet into the bottle, place the cap back onto the bottle, shake the bottle, then drink.
I find they give me a little boost, rehydrate me, and help prevent me from getting heat stroke.
Also, I highly recommend buying a Kipling City Pack Mini bag for your park bag!
I’m not a Loungefly girlie at all (they’re just not for me, sorry!), but this beaut little Kipling is simple, stylish, the perfect size for a park day, and full of pockets!!
5. Dress for the Forecast (Not the Gram)
Yes, we all want that perfect Magic Kingdom shot swirling around in a little, cute princess-esque dress.
But synthetic fabrics and lots of layers will have you looking like you’ve just done hot yoga in a greenhouse.
Think floaty, breathable fabrics, or moisture-wicking shorts or yoga pants. Cotton, linen, white or pattenered fabrics to hide any sweat.
Avoid anything grey, light, or beige – it shows every drop of sweat, and you will be sweating.
I personally love to switch each day between light midi dresses and skirts (+ breathable cycling shorts underneath) with Birkenstocks, and moisture-wicking yoga pants with a Mickey t-shirt and trainers.
It might sound horrid having your skin covered in the heat, but trust me on this one. As someone who has lived in Australia twice, it’s actually super cooling and has the added bonus of protecting your skin from the sun.
Also it helps your feet to have alternating shoes each day, so plan to take 2-3 different pairs of broken-in shoes.
I’m thinking of doing a post on what to wear to Disney, because I feel like I’ve now perfected this tbh!
6. Make the Most of Air Con
When you’re at Disney you’ll quickly develop a sixth sense for spotting air-conditioned and ventilated spaces.
Shops, attractions, even the Skyliner. Embrace them all.
My top air-conditioned rides are: ‘It’s a Small World’, ‘Carousel of Progress’, ‘The Little Mermaid’, and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’. Also, the People Mover is a shaded dream on a hot day.
Bonus: anything indoors = better hair day.
But my favourite? Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (aka, Splash Mountain 2.0). A good amount of the ride is inside, and you’ll feel instantly refreshed on that big drop 😉
7. Enjoy All the Cold Treats
What do Frozen Lemonade, Dole Whip, and Mickey Bars have in common?
They’re survival foods.
Prioritise snacks that cool you down, and don’t be afraid to eat multiple a day. You’re not indulging if they’re helping to keep you cool and refreshed!
I once had three Dole Whip’s in one day and I have no regrets.
8. Know the Signs of Overheating
If you’re feeling woozy or nauseous, or your vision is slightly blurred, then it’s probably heat exhaustion. Florida really doesn’t mess about when it comes to heat.
Find shade. Find water. Sit down. Inside, if possible.
Cooling towels, neck fans, and even a quiet moment with an iced drink can make all the difference.
Or jump into Carousel of Progress or onto the People Mover. They tend to have short queues and you get 15-20mins sitting down in the cool shade.
9. Buy a Cooling Towel & Take Spritzing Mist
They have cooling towels for you to buy everywhere at Disney parks, but I recommend buying some cooling towels from Amazon in advance because they’re much cheaper than the ones at Disney!
I also love taking the mini aerosols of Thermale Cooling Mist.
10. Enjoy a Siesta
I left the parks each day between 2pm-4pm to head back to the hotel (Coronado Springs!) to lay on my bed in the air conditioning, or lay by the pool for a couple of hours.
I’d then get showered and changed and head back to the parks around 5pm when it had cooled down.
Trust me when I say that this is a wise choice to split your day.
From lunchtime until about 4pm the parks are pure hell. It’s not only the hottest time of the day, but the busiest too.
Arrive at the park for rope drop in the mornings, take a nice afternoon break at the hotel, then head back out in the evening when the sun’s calmed down and the fireworks are about to start.
It’ll completely change your experience and make it sooo much more enjoyable and relaxed!
Florida in Summer – Yay or Nay?
Orlando in summer is intense, but absolutely doable with a bit of prep and a lot of hydration.
Choose your clothes wisely, plan your shade stops, and don’t underestimate the power of frozen lemonade, Dole Whip, and air con.
Check out my 5-Day Itinerary for Walt Disney World, Orlando, and My Favourite Displays from the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival 2025!
