Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you choose to make a purchase. I only recommend products I’ve personally used and loved during my own park adventures.
Florida sunshine is magical—but it’s also intense. If you’re planning a summer trip to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, or the brand-new Epic Universe, staying cool is key to keeping everyone happy. Here are my tried-and-true tips to help you beat the heat, along with some fab products that really work.
1. Don’t Melt – Cool Gadgets That Save the Day
When you’re baking in 35°C sunshine, these cooling essentials are game-changers:
- Cooling Towels – Wet, wring, snap and drape around your neck. It instantly drops your body temp. You’ll either love them or hate them. I wasn’t a huge fan of them but others in my family found them to work well
- Neck Fans – Hands-free and rechargeable. Wear one around your neck to keep cool while queuing.
- Portable Handheld Fans – Small but mighty. Perfect for strollers or your park bag. This is probably the item I use the most. I take it everywhere with me!
- Cooling Mist Sprays – A refreshing mist to spritz on your face, arms and neck. Top Tip: Spray this on yourself, then use a fan for an icy blast!
- Sunscreen Spray – Reapply every two hours, especially after water rides. Go for reef-safe and sweat-resistant formulas. And yes! Use a high factor!
- Sun Hats & Visors – Packable and breathable styles are best. Don’t forget the kids! Bonus points if they’re Disney themed!
Remember! Don’t forget your power bank to recharge those fans when they run out!
2. Stay Hydrated Like a Theme Park Champion
- Bring a insulated refillable water bottle and top up throughout the day.
- Free iced water is available at any quick-service food location in both Disney and Universal.
- At Universal, consider investing in a Coca-Cola Freestyle Refillable Cup. You pay once and get unlimited refills all day from machines across the park. These include not just water, but fizzy drinks, Powerade, and vitamin water options—super refreshing and great value for families! If you are there for a few days, there is a small charge to reactivate your cup. It’s definitely worth it!
- Add electrolyte powders or tablets (such as Liquid IV) to your water to keep energy levels up.
- Avoid too much caffeine or alcohol during the day.
3. Take a Pool Break
If you’re staying on-site, plan to head back to your resort mid-afternoon for a swim or rest in your air-conditioned room. A quick cool-off can totally reset your energy!
Or, take it a step further and spend a full day at a water park! These are a fantastic way to cool off while still enjoying that Disney or Universal magic:
- 💦 Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach
- 🌋 Universal’s Volcano Bay – water rides, wave pools and beach vibes, all in one place.
4. Time Your Rides & Shows Smartly (Disney Parks)
Between 12–4pm, when the heat peaks, head for these indoor, air-conditioned attractions:
Magic Kingdom
- Enchanted Tales with Belle
- Country Bear Musical Jamboree (freshly updated!)
- Mickey’s PhilharMagic
- Carousel of Progress
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
EPCOT
- Spaceship Earth
- The Seas with Nemo & Friends
- Living with the Land
Hollywood Studios
- NEW: Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After
- NEW: The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure
- Toy Story Mania
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Animal Kingdom
- Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!
- Festival of the Lion King
- It’s Tough to Be a Bug
5. Universal Orlando Tips (Studios, IOA & Epic Universe)
Universal Studios Florida
- The Bourne Stuntacular – epic action and icy A/C.
- Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Show – interactive, funny, and indoors.
- Villain-Con Minion Blast – interactive fun in cool air.
Islands of Adventure
- Indoor relief is limited here, but you can cool off inside:
- Harry Potter & the Forbidden Journey (inside Hogwarts Castle)
- Jurassic Park Discovery Center
Epic Universe (Now Open!)
- Le Cirque Arcanus (Harry Potter) – magical stage show in the Ministry of Magic.
- The Untrainable Dragon – Hiccup, Toothless & friends bring the Isle of Berk to life indoors.
- Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment – epic dark ride in Darkmoor.
- Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience – chill out and get monster-fied! (This is an additional cost, prices start from $45. Guests must be 5 or over)
- Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry – thrilling indoor ride through magical mayhem.
Top Tip: Use park apps to check live showtimes and find shaded queues and misting zones.
Bonus Heat-Beating Hacks
- Visit shops for A/C – wander slowly, browse merch, and cool off.
- Plan table service lunches – indoor dining offers a calm, cool break.
- Water rides – time them for the peak heat hours!
- Grab a cool snack! Here are some of my absolute favourites:
- Dole Whip (Magic Kingdom) – A refreshing pineapple soft serve that’s light, fruity and iconic.
- Night Blossom (Animal Kingdom) – Layers of apple and desert pear slush topped with passion fruit boba balls—sweet, tart and super Insta-worthy!
- Blue Milk (Hollywood Studios) – A frozen plant-based treat with tropical citrus flavours from Galaxy’s Edge.
- Sand Pail Sundae (Typhoon Lagoon) – Layers of ice cream, cookie pieces, sprinkles and more served in a bucket with a shovel—perfect for sharing!
- Shrek Popsicle (Universal) – A cute, Shrek-shaped green ice lolly that’s both fun and frosty.
- Ice Cream from Florean Fortescue’s (Universal Studios) – Unique flavours like Butterbeer, Earl Grey & Lavender served in Diagon Alley’s most magical parlour.
- Frozen Butter Beer – In Hogsmeade (Islands of Adventure), it’s available at the Three Broomsticks, Hog’s Head Pub, and at Butterbeer street carts. In Diagon Alley (Universal Studios), you can get it at Leaky Cauldron, The Fountain of Fair Fortune, The Hopping Pot, and also at Butterbeer street carts.
Stay Cool, Stay Happy!
A Florida holiday is unforgettable, but with these cooling tips and products, it doesn’t have to be unbearable. Let me help you plan the dreamiest (and chilliest) theme park trip ever!
Need help booking your Disney or Universal adventure? I’d love to be your theme park BFF – reach out here
Dreamears Travel Adventures 
Leave a comment