This week is a very hot week to be at the Disneyland Resort. With triple digits predicted, the Happiest Place on Earth! also appears to be one of the hottest as well! There is currently an Excessive Heat Warning that is set to continue into the weekend. This means that there is a “significant threat to life or property.”
Visiting the Disneyland Resort when it is hot can still be very enjoyable. It also can add some different challenges to a day in the parks. Below are some tips for having fun and staying safe when the weather is hot (dangerously so)!
- Stay Hydrated: This is the most important thing you can do to stay safe in the heat. Drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid sugary drinks, as they can dehydrate you further.
- Take Breaks in the Shade: Find shady spots to rest under trees, in buildings, or by fountains. If you can’t find shade, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses can help protect you from the sun.
- Wear Loose-fitting, Light-colored Clothing: This will help your body cool down by evaporation. Avoid wearing dark or tight-fitting clothing, as this will trap heat.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat:
- Apply Sunscreen: Wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapply every two hours, or more often if you’re sweating or swimming.
- Take Cool Showers or Baths: This is a great way to cool down on a hot day. They can also make for good breaks from the heat.
- Avoid Strenuous Activity: If you must be active, take breaks in the shade or air conditioning.
- Visit the Parks in the Morning and Evening: The temperatures are usually cooler in the morning and evening, so it’s a good time to visit the parks if you can. The afternoons are a great time to return to a hotel, enjoy a pool, or take a break in a lobby until things begin to cool off again.
- Eat Cool Snacks: Avoid eating heavy meals, as this can make you feel sluggish. Instead, opt for light snacks like fruits, vegetables, and yogurt.
- Listen to Your Body: If you start to feel hot, dizzy, or nauseated, take a break immediately in the shade (or go inside) and drink some water. If your symptoms don’t improve, seek medical attention. Head straight to First Aid at whatever theme park you are in!
By following these safety tips, you can help ensure that you and your family have a safe and enjoyable time at the Disneyland Resort in extreme heat. Here are some additional tips for staying safe at Disneyland Resort during this extreme heat:
- Plan your Day: Take a look at the park map and see which attractions are indoors or have air conditioning. Plan to visit these attractions during the hottest part of the day.
- Take Advantage of the Water Ride(s): Water rides are a great way to cool down on a hot day. In this case, enjoy Grizzly River Run until Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens in November!
- Visit First Aid: If you have any health concerns, visit First Aid for help. They can provide you with water, sunscreen, and cool towels. This is a case where it is better to be safe than sorry.
- Stay Informed About the Weather: Check the weather forecast before going to the park and be aware of any heat advisories or warnings.
Some attractions can be a good reprieve from the heat at the Disneyland Resort. The following are some favorites that give a little extra time to get a break from the heat. The following attractions give a little longer reprieve from the heat for guests. The goal is not to get hotter while waiting in line so these attractions are more-or-less balanced between either a shorter wait time outside with a longer indoor experience or a longer indoor wait and attraction experience to help guests get out of the heat. There are other attractions that could be considered but because of the outdoor wait, they aren’t included on these lists.
Disneyland
- Pirates of the Caribbean: This is an 18-minute ride and the air conditioning (and being surrounded by water) is wonderful.
- Haunted Mansion: Currently utilizing a virtual queue, this is a wonderfully cool attraction to experience as well!
- it’s a small world: Often this doesn’t have a long line on hot days but once inside the attraction building, this is a refreshing and relaxing attraction to enjoy on a hot day.
- Mickey’s Runaway Railway: This attraction has a great indoor queue and then the attraction itself is wonderfully air-conditioned as well. This makes for a wonderfully cool experience while waiting and experiencing this attraction.
- Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room: Grab a Dole Whip and head on into the Tiki Room! This is a musical show that has lovely air conditioning. It is a classic attraction and there is room for the whole family to sit down and relax during the show.
Disney California Adventure
- Mickey’s Philharmagic: This attraction is wonderful as the wait is inside and the show is inside. It is a quick and easy way to get out of the heat in Disney California Adventure!
- The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure: This isn’t as long as some but it is a nice reprieve from the heat without a super long line.
- Animation Building: There are several things to do in the Animation Building. In fact, this might be the best place to go on a hot day at the Disneyland Resort. The main lobby has Disney music and scenes playing throughout the day. Guests can also enjoy Turtle Talk with Crush, Animation Academy, or the Sorcerer’s Workshop. This can be a place to enjoy a longer period of time out of the sun during the heat of the day.
- Grizzly River Run: This doesn’t take people out of the heat but the water feels good. The queue is in the shade as well. This isn’t the top of the list but it definitely can be fun on a hot day!
Do you have any other additional tips for staying safe and getting the most out of a trip to Disneyland Resort when there is extreme heat? What are your favorite attractions to experience when it is hot? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
