It was already in the 80s by the time we approached Disneyland that warm summer morning. Our summers here in Southern California can be very warm during July and August, so I arrived prepared, our bag packed with sunscreen, hats, frozen juice boxes and water bottles. With the Disneyland app loaded onto my iPhone and a map and entertainment schedule in-hand, we went on a Scavenger Hunt with Reserve Los Angeles to scope out the best ways to stay cool at the park while still enjoying those iconic rides and shows that we love.
10 Ways to Stay Cool at Disneyland
Start early. This is my best advice for visiting the park any time of the year, but particularly during the summer. The earlier you start, the more hours you’ll have to enjoy temperatures that are still manageable.
Make a plan. The warm temperatures don’t necessarily equate fewer people. In fact, the summer is one of the busiest seasons at the Disneyland Resort, so a plan is essential. I like to use the official Disneyland app to keep up-to-date with wait times, make Disney Dining Reservations, find my kids’ favorite characters, view show schedules and more.
I also print my tickets ahead of time from Reserve Los Angeles so I can skip the ticket line at the park and make the most out of the time we have. After purchasing my tickets online, I printed them off and scanned them at the ticket turn-style. The cast member exchanged the printed vouchers for tickets and snapped a photo to ensure that our tickets could be replaced in the event that they were lost or misplaced. If you purchase a 2 Day – One Park Per Day Ticket, you can thoroughly enjoy each park at your leisure without having to feel rushed on 2 separate days within a 2 week time period.
Don’t forget that you can also secure a FASTPASS every 2 hours, so I like to set a timer to remind myself that we can secure a time for an additional ride.
Bring enough water. A reusable water bottle is a great way to stay hydrated throughout your day at Disneyland. Every location offers free tap water with ice and I’ve used that to keep our water bottles filled throughout the day. Additionally, I like to bring several frozen water bottles that can then thaw and provide hydration and relief throughout the day.
Combat the heat with these essentials. In addition to sufficient water and frozen juice boxes, I also bring a bottle of sunscreen, hats/Mickey Ears, a spray fan, and a light shawl (or an umbrella) to keep us cool while avoiding a sunburn.
Take a plunge on Splash Mountain. As one of the few water rides at Disneyland, you’ll definitely want to secure a FASTPASS so you won’t have to wait in line. Strive to get an early FASTPASS and you’ll likely be able to ride twice during your visit. Also take note of the single rider option which will shorten your wait time if you’re willing to split up from your group and your entire family is old enough to ride alone.
Opt for the dark rides during the sun’s peak. Between noon and 3 pm, you’ll want to stick with indoor rides or rides with lines that are shaded. This is the time of day when the sun is the hottest, and during summers in California when temperatures can exceed 100 °F, you’ll want to stay as cool as possible to avoid heat exhaustion/dehydration. Here is a list of my favorite rides to frequent when the sun is at its peak:
- Indiana Jones Adventure – During the summer, the queue for this ride can be long so I do recommend securing a FASTPASS. The line is mostly shaded with some indoor components.
- Pirates of the Caribbean – The line moves quickly and most of the time you’re waiting, you’ll be shaded. The ride itself is long at just over 15 minutes, plenty of time to cool off!
- Haunted Mansion – The line moves quickly, however FASTPASS is available. Some areas of the queue are shaded, however, the coolest part of the queue is indoors after you’ve entered the first room. Ride time is 10 minutes.
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh – Located adjacent to Splash Mountain, this dark ride typically has a short queue. Ride it before or after Splash Mountain since it is located at one of the far ends of the park.
- Star Tours – The Adventure Continues. Depending on the day, the queue can extend outdoors with some shaded areas. Secure a FASTPASS for this dark ride.
- Hyperspace Mountain – During peak times, the line can extend beyond the 2 hour mark, so be sure to secure a FASTPASS. One silver lining is that the queue is almost entire covered, shielding you from the sun’s intense rays.
- Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters – Even if you don’t secure a FASTPASS, the wait time is never excessive. Part of queue is outdoors, however, the line moves quickly.
- “it’s a small world” – The line for this ride also moves quickly and offers some shading throughout the queue. Ride time is 8 minutes.
- Finding Nemo Submarine Adventure – At just under 14 minutes, this ride is engaging and unique, offering plenty of time to escape the sun. Unfortunately the line can be very long since FASTPASS is not available. Ride early in the day or later in the evening when the queue is shorter.
- Dark Rides in Fantasyland – Alice in Wonderland, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Peter Pan’s Flight, Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, and Snow White’s Scary Adventures are all dark rides with queues at least partially shaded. The lines typically run short making it easy to spend a few hours seeking reprieve from the sun.
See a show. The Enchanted Tiki Room, Star Wars – Path of the Jedi, the stage shows at Fantasy Faire, and Mickey and the Magical Map all offer cool, shaded areas to sit down and take a break from the summer heat. Be sure to pick up an entertainment schedule when you enter the park or view times on the Disneyland app. Also take note of the fact that some shows may fill up during peak months.
Grab a frozen treat. Ice cream at Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlour, a frappuccino at Market House on Main Street, a Mint Julep in New Orleans Square, and a Boysen Apple Freeze from Maurice’s Treats are my favorite frozen treats at Disneyland. But the iconic Dole Whip is the signature frozen treat you’ll want to enjoy before you leave the park. The line can be very long, so my recommendation is to enter through The Enchanted Tiki Room where there is a second queue.
Make a Disney Dining Reservation. There are a number of fast casual and sit-down restaurants throughout Disneyland Park. If you’re planning to enjoy one of the more unique dining experiences such as Blue Bayou, located inside the building where Pirates of the Caribbean is housed, you’ll want to make a reservation. While lunchtime is ideal for sitting down and escaping the sun, this is a very popular time for dining throughout the park. Be sure to make a Disney Dining Reservation online up to 60 days in advance of your visit.
Take a ride on one of Disneyland’s varied sources of transportation. When my son was old enough to speak, I recall him telling me how much he enjoyed his ride on the Monorail. At 2, he didn’t know the difference between the Monorail v. “it’s a small world.” If you still can’t escape the heat, try riding one of the Main Street Vehicles, the Disneyland Monorail, the Mark Twain Riverboat (closed intermittently at present for refurbishment) and the Disneyland Railroad (closed at present for refurbishment).
Even when the Southern California heat intensifies during the last few months of summer, there are still a number of ways to make magical memories at Disneyland. Remember that you can also frequent the shops, galleries, and indoor experiences on Main Street or visit Mickey and Minnie at their homes in Mickey’s Toontown.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of Walt Disney’s magical park, Disneyland, a destination he dreamed families would have fun together. Through September 5th, 2016, guests can still experience “Paint the Night” parade, “Disneyland Forever” fireworks, “World of Color – Celebrate!” and more during the Disneyland Diamond Celebration. Be sure to visit Reserve Los Angeles to find out how you can save on your next visit to the Disneyland Resort. If you’re not familiar with Reserve Los Angeles, the site offers destination planning and tickets for 16 destinations across the US. The prices are competitive, the site is easy and intuitive to use, and I appreciated the suggested accommodations, regional attractions and tips to make my visit more enjoyable once I purchased my Disneyland tickets online.
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