Walt Disney World is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, attracting millions of visitors each year. One of the biggest concerns for guests visiting the theme parks is the weather. With the hot and humid climate in Florida, it’s important to stay cool and comfortable throughout the day. That’s where air conditioning comes in.
Air conditioning/aircon, is a crucial component of the guest experience at Walt Disney World. The parks are designed to be immersive and engaging, with visitors spending hours on end exploring the various attractions, shows, and exhibits. Without proper air conditioning, the heat and humidity could make the experience unbearable.
Thankfully, Walt Disney World has some of the best air conditioning systems in the world. Every attraction, restaurant, and indoor space is equipped with top-of-the-line air conditioning units that keep the temperature cool and comfortable. Even the outdoor areas are designed with shade structures and misting fans to help guests stay cool.
In this post we will cover the best air con spots in each of the parks, from the rides to the best shops to escape the Florida heat.
Magic Kingdom:
Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is a magical place filled with thrilling rides, amazing shows, and incredible attractions. But let’s face it, with the hot and humid climate of Florida, the air conditioning in Magic Kingdom is just as important as the attractions themselves.
Rides:
| Rides | Rides |
|---|---|
| Carousel of Progress (21 min ride) | Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (4 min ride) |
| Enchanted Tales with Belle (15 min story time) | Hall of Presidents (22 min ride) |
| Haunted Mansion (7 min ride) | It’s a Small World (11 min ride) |
| Mickey’s Philharmagic 3D (12 min show) | Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor (12 min show) |
| Space Mountain (3 min ride) | The Country Bear Jamboree (12 min show ) |
| The Enchanted Tiki Room (11 mins show) | The Pirates of the Caribbean (9 min ride) |
| Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid (7 min ride) |
Restaurants:
| Restaurants |
|---|
| Be Our Guest |
| Columbia Harbour House |
| Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café |
| Pecos Bill Café |
| The Pinocchio Village Haus |
| Tortuga Tavern (Season Restaurant) |
Shops:
| Shops |
|---|
| Big Top Souvenirs |
| Momento Mori at The Haunted Mansion |
| Tomorrow Power & Power Co at Space Mountain |
| Ye Old Christmas Shoppe |
Places:
| places |
|---|
| President’s Hall |
EPCOT:
EPCOT, one of the four theme parks at Walt Disney World, is known for its educational and futuristic attractions, as well as its delicious international cuisine. But with the hot and humid climate of Florida, staying cool and comfortable is just as important as enjoying the park’s offerings. Below you will find some of the best air conditioning systems in EPCOT, so you can stay cool and comfortable during your visit.
Rides:
| Rides | Rides |
|---|---|
| Impressions de France (18 min film) | Frozen Ever After (5 min ride) |
| Grand Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros (8 min ride) | Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (3 min ride) |
| Journey into Imagination with Figment (11 min ride) | Living with the Land (20 min ride) |
| O Canada Circle-Vision movie in the Canadian Pavilion (14 min film) | Reflections of China Circle-Vision movie in the China Pavilion (14 min film) |
| Seas with Nemo and Friends (4 min ride) | Soarin’ Around the World (10 min ride) |
| Spaceship Earth (16 min ride) | The American Adventure (28 min ride) |
| Toy Story Mania! (6 min ride) | Turtle Talk with Crush (15 min show) |
Restaurants:
| Restaurants |
|---|
| Connections Cafe |
| La Cantina |
| Katsuri Grill |
| Sunshine Seasons |
Shops:
| Shops |
|---|
| Club Cool |
| Creations Shop – Future World |
| Northwest Mercantile – Canada Pavilion |
| Any of the shops in the World Showcase to be honest |
Places:
| places |
|---|
| American Pavilion |
| Between Future World and the World Showcase |
| Morocco Museum |
| The Odyssey Building |
Hollywood Studios:
Hollywood Studios, one of the four theme parks at Walt Disney World, is a celebration of Hollywood’s golden age and the magic of the movies. But with the hot and humid climate of Florida, staying cool and comfortable is just as important as enjoying the park’s offerings.
Rides:
| Rides | Rides |
|---|---|
| Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage (25 min show) | Disney Junior Live on Stage (22 min show) |
| For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration (60 min show) | Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy (10 min show) |
| Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (5 min ride) | Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (5 min ride) |
| Muppet*Vision 3D (17 min show) | Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith (currently unavailable) (2 min ride) |
| Star Tours – The Adventures Continue (5 min ride) | Star Wars Launch Bay Theatre – The Starts Behind Star Wars: (10 min documentary) |
| Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (5 min ride) | Voyage of the Little Mermaid (currently unavailable) (15 min show) |
Restaurants:
| Restaurants |
|---|
| ABC Commisary |
| Backlot Express |
| Hollywood Brown Derby |
| PizzaRizzo |
Shops:
| Shops |
|---|
| Rock n Rollercoaster Store |
| Tower Merchandise |
Places:
| places |
|---|
| Disney Presents museum |
| Exit of Smugglers Run |
| Restroom area near the bus stops |
| Restroom area at Galaxy |
| Slinky Dog Dash Standby queue |
Animal Kingdom:
Animal Kingdom, one of the four theme parks at Walt Disney World, is a celebration of nature and wildlife. But with the hot and humid climate of Florida, staying cool and comfortable is just as important as enjoying the park’s offerings. Animal Kingdom is very much an outdoor park so trying to find air-conditioning can be a challenge.
Rides:
| Rides | Rides |
|---|---|
| Avatar Flight of Passage (5 min ride) | Dinosaur (4 min ride) |
| Festival of the Lion King (30 min show) | Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond! (25 min show) |
It’s Tough to be a Bug (8 min show) | Kali River Rapids (4 mins ride) |
| Na’vi River Journey (5 min ride) |
Restaurants:
| Restaurants |
|---|
| Pizzasafari |
| Restaurantasaurus |
| Satuli Canteen |
| Tusker House |
| Yak & Yeti Restaurant |
Shops:
| Shops |
|---|
| Disney Outfitters (Great place for Pin Trading) |
| Windtraders in Pandora: The World of Avatar |
Places:
| places |
|---|
| Expedition Everest standby queue |
| Flight of Passage standby queue |
| Na’vi River Journey standby queue |
Useful tips & tricks to stay cool in Disney World:
- Dressing appropriately: making sure you wear light-coloured and breathable clothing such as cotton or linen. And don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes as you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
- Hydrate: There are water filling stations in most of the parks and free ice water at all restaurants and quick services. Keep in mind that every hydration station may not be operational at all times. If you find that your refill water is not cool enough, stop by any quick service location and ask a Cast Member for a free small cup of ice to add to your bottle.
- Take breaks: It is important to take breaks and rest in the shade or air conditioned areas throughout the parks.
- Use cooling products: There are many cooling products available that can help you stay cool. Some include misting fans, cooling towels, and personal fans.
- Schedule your day: Plan to arrive at the park in the morning when the temperatures are cooler. Take advantage of cooler mornings by visiting outdoor attractions before the heat sets in. Take a mid-day break when it’s at it’s hottest and return in the evenings when the temperatures have cooled down again.
- Wear Sunscreen: Protecting your skin from the sun is important, especially in the Florida where the sun in particularly strong. Use Sunscreen with a high SPF and then reapply frequently.
GUEST RELATIONS:
Each theme park has a unique Guest Relations indoor area, but the best one BY FAR is the Welcome Centre at Disney Springs! From the free ice water to a FuelRod exchange location, this is a must-visit if you’re looking to soak in cool breezes in really comfy couches and chairs!
In conclusion, air conditioning is a crucial component of the guest experience at Walt Disney World. Without it, the parks would be much less enjoyable and potentially dangerous in the Florida heat. Thanks to the dedication and attention to detail of the Walt Disney World team, every guest can enjoy their visit in comfort and style.
Staying cool in Disney World is important for your comfort and enjoyment. By following these tips, you can make the most out of your visit without succumbing to the heat. Remember to drink plenty of water, take breaks, and utilize the resources available to you.
Stay Magical!