Summer is here and if you are at any of the Walt Disney World theme parks you know what HOT is. While a Disney vacation is a special one, visiting central Florida in the hottest part of summer will require some planning if you want this to be a magical vacation… and not a miserable one. We have 10 tips to help you to beat the heat.

I love Disney World at any time of the year, but being at the parks when the heat index is close to 100 is a bit too hot for me.

So then, in order to keep our cool, here are some of our family’s favorite heat-coping strategies:

1. Do not stay at the parks from open to close. Really. It is just too much. Nothing makes me sadder than seeing little ones with beet red faces and sweat pouring off of them, sitting in their strollers crying, as their family waits in yet another line in the Magic Kingdom. Don’t do it. Plan for a break back at your room every day. Whether it’s to go to the pool or take a nap (and we’ve done both) everyone will really be much happier if you do this, when you return to the parks in the evening.
2. Consider which are the outside attractions and which are indoors and air-conditioned, and plan accordingly. As in, do the outside ones first thing when it is coolest… or later in the evening after sunset. Plan to be in as much air conditioning as possible after 11 a.m. Keep in mind that those air-conditioned places are good for naps too….
3. Think about the rides/attractions that are wet and will cool you off, and plan for those as well. By that I mean that when it is hottest and you really want to go on Splash Mountain to cool off… so will everyone else. Plan your Fastpasses accordingly.
4. Have access to lots of water to drink. Bring water bottles with you and refill if needed. We have often frozen them overnight, and then put them in the backpack frozen the next morning. It’s also a great way to cool off the back of the person carrying the backpack.
5. Mister fans are great. Save some money by getting some at home to bring with you. And remember to bring extra batteries.
6. Really think about touring the parks with the weather in mind. For example, World Showcase is just not the place to be in the heat of the day. As much as I love that area, it is just miserable walking in the sun around the lagoon, because there is not much shade. World Showcase is an evening place for us in the summer. Animal Kingdom is another park where I would very carefully think about how long I wanted to be there during the heat of the day. Seriously, even the animals know to take it easy in the afternoon there…. so you will truly see more of them if you go early or go late.
7. Go to the parks when they open. You will get a lot more done when crowds are lower first thing (because most people do not want to do this), and will be in perfect shape to have lunch and then leave for your break (see #1) just as everyone is arriving for the day.
8. Prepare to use lots of sunscreen. Bring it from home because it is much cheaper than buying it at the parks.
9. Know where the First Aid Stations are in each park in case someone gets overheated and needs assistance, and keep an eye out for where you can go inside to cool off quickly if needed: gift shops, food court, Hall of Presidents etc.
10. Remember that Florida has pools everywhere for a reason.

Simply Segway is a one-hour program that gives guests a product overview, training and indoor riding time at Innoventions ($25/person; daily at 11:30 a.m.). For both programs, class size is limited to 10 guests. (407) WDW-TOUR

Harmony Barber Shop a cut above the rest — Sit back in the barber’s chair and experience a good old-fashioned haircut at Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom. Located near the Emporium and with a signature candy-striped pole outside, the shop transports guests to a simpler time when barbershop quartets entertained and getting a haircut was a real treat. “First Haircuts,” the establishment’s specialty, treats young’uns to pixie dust, bubbles, Mickey Mouse stickers and an extra-special “My 1st Haircut” set of Mouse Ears. Haircuts for children are $14; adults are $17; first-come, first-serve.

‘Tomato Tree’ sets record with 32,000 tomatoes — The Tomato Tree at The Land pavilion at Epcot has blossomed into a record-setting plant. The tree recently was recognized as an official Guinness World Record Holder, with a one-year harvest of more than 32,000 tomatoes and a total weight of 1,151.84 pounds. Guests can spot the tree during the pavilion’s Living with the Land boat ride.

Take the ultimate dive in a 5.7-million-gallon indoor aquarium with more than 65 species of marine life, including sharks, turtles, eagle rays and diverse tropical fish. DiveQuest at Epcot offers guaranteed calm seas, no current, unlimited visibility, incredible marine life and bright coral structures. Additionally, you become part of the show. Your family members and friends (with Epcot admission) can view your dive through any of the 56 giant acrylic windows at The Seas with Nemo & Friends. Guest must be at least 10 years of age and must provide proof of SCUBA certification to participate. Price of $140/person includes a limited edition T-shirt, refreshments, dive certificate and a dive log stamp. Call (407) WDW-TOUR for information.

Build your own roller coaster at DisneyQuest’s CyberSpace Mountain attraction — Bill Nye the Coaster Guy walks guests through the design process where they choose from three different speeds, three world settings (fire, ice or outer space) and an infinite number of track combinations. The roller coaster of your dreams (or nightmares!) can do flips, corkscrews and even wild maneuvers such as a loop that flies off the tracks. A digital card tracks guests’ personal coasters and the simulator re-creates it both visually and physically. Guests must be 51″ to ride, (407) 938-6253 for more information.

A few attractions choose audience volunteers to be part of the show, but the selection process is far from random. Typically, you need to be a certain gender, size, and age for each of the different roles. You might even need to be wearing a specific item of clothing. Also helpful for getting picked: cuteness and enthusiasm. Curious kids who ask nicely and look excited often get extra attention, along with thrilling perks like riding up front and introducing shows.

Stroller relocation program

Disney’s a family place, but the people who work there come to loathe strollers. It’s part of a cast member’s job to keep strollers in nice, orderly lines and to make sure they’re only left in designated areas. But park visitors keep their strollers in an appalling condition, loaded up with dirty diapers, rotting bottles of milk, and half-eaten PB∓J sandwiches. Others see no problem with parking their strollers right in front of an attraction’s exit or entrance. Sometimes thoughtless individuals like this incur the wrath of the stroller police, and their precious Bugaboos and Maclarens are intentionally relocated to a place “far, far away” — at the very back of the area cordoned off for strollers. If you are using your own stroller, mark it somehow to easily identify it in a crowd of strollers. Many styles are similar, and this will make yours easily visible, and also keep someone else from mistaking it as their own.

Use a backpack instead of a diaper bag

There are diaper bags in backpack form, the weight is distributed with the straps. It frees your hands and the stroller compartment while providing a lot of room for diapers and food for your little one.

Protect your kids

Make something you can attach to your toddler with your child’s name, parents names, and a cell phone number. This is a safety feature if you and your child become separated at the parks. If your child disappears, immediately alert Disney security to assist in the search for your child’s safe return.

This week’s Tip: How to spend 5 days at Walt Disney World without going inside the park.

Day 1: Head to upstate NY and visit a town that was built on horse racing. Saratoga Springs Resort offers, Golf, Swimming, Quick access to Downtown Disney and a great Spa.

Day 2: After heading to upstate NY take a ride down to the NJ shore and walk the boardwalk. Disney’s Boardwalk Resort offers one of the largest pools of all Disney Resorts and fun water slides for that extra excitement. On any given night, strolling along the Boardwalk from 6:30-10:30 p.m. you may see a sword swallower, jugglers, a tarot card reader, a New Orleans style jazz trio… you just never know. Walk over to Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort and enjoy a campfire and movie under the stars. You can even see some of the IllumiNations Show at Epcot along the Disney’s Boardwalk.

Day 3: Fly to Hawaii using a boat, monorail or bus. Disney’s Polynesian resort will make you think you’re in Hawaii without the jetlag. Stroll around this beautifully decorated resort and enjoy the flowers. Take a dip in the volcano pool, stroll along the white sand beach, watch a luau and finish your day with some fireworks from the hillside.

Day 4: Go on a safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. You don’t need to go inside Animal Kingdom Park to see all the animals. Disney’s Animal Kingdom lodge has plenty to see. After you enter the main lobby and stop looking up, head to one of the many viewing platforms to see, Giraffes, Zebras, Ostridge, and potentially over 130 species of other animals walking right past you. Try out some new flavors of food at one of the many restaurants. And finish your day swimming in one of the pools of Jambo House of Kidani village with a fruity nightcap.

Day 5: Finish your Resort Hopping week with some relaxation at the Beautiful Grand Floridian. Just sink into one of the couches in the main lobby and listen to the band or pianist play. Go to the salon and have a makeover before your flight back to reality. Get a massage in the relaxing Grand Floridian Spa. Finally grab a cabana and take in some sun on the beach and wait for the fireworks to start over the Magic Kingdom.

Disney World Hotels and Packages

There you have it 5 days at Walt Disney World without going inside the park. If you have any other tips feel free to post them below.

Booking
If you’re looking for the best price possible, book your cruise early. Using Orbitz is a good idea, because they provide lots of information regarding your cruise and always offer specials. The Orbitz website will also offer advice on the best staterooms to fit your budget. The top staterooms go fast, which is another reason to book early.

Packing
Make a list of things that you want to bring with you. Make sure you include your passport, sunscreen, a bathing suit and clothes for both warm and cooler temperatures. A light jacket is a good idea. Dinner dress is cruise casual, meaning no tank tops, bathing suits or shorts. If you are taking a European cruise, there will be one formal dinner, so pack accordingly. Don’t forget your camera. Bring an autograph book for when the kids see the Disney characters.

Activities
One of the nicest things about a Disney cruise is that they offer activities for all ages. Pools are designed to keep everyone happy, including one that’s adults-only, for those who need a bit of time away from the children. Youth activities are abundant. Disney Cruise Line offers youth clubs, broken up into age groups, so no one will get bored. There’s even a lounge exclusively for teenagers. There are several areas that are only for the adults, including a restaurant. Other activities include aerobics, spas, shows, drawing classes, deck parties and even Velcro golf.

Castaway Cay
Shore excursions are a must for any cruise, and Disney offers one of the most unique. Castaway Cay is Disney’s privately owned island in the Bahamas. With sandy white beaches and crystal clear water, it’s unlike any place you’ve ever seen. While you’re there you can snorkel, enjoy a message, go parasailing, ride a bike and even feed stingrays. There are three beaches: one for families, one for teens and one for adults. Child care is available, and the kids will have even more chances to meet characters. Your excursion to Castaway Cay will be one that you’ll never forget.

MouseWait (Free)
MouseWait is like having Disneyland® in your pocket – wherever you are! Find out what rides to go on by looking at wait times, interact with your friends via Facebook, interact with other Disney fans via Twitter & FriendFeed, get real-time news, find out where to eat, park times & events, see what is closed, and more. Not only that, but MouseWait is your instant gateway to Disneyland® because you can check out live web cams from home, see what people are talking about in the park, look at the real-time news, talk to people who are at the park, and more! (more information)

Cons: Disneyland Theme parks only, IPhone only

Wait Watchers (Free)
If you’ve ever been to a theme park, you’ve probably had the experience of walking all the way across the park to ride something, only to find out that the wait time for the ride is ridiculously long. If only there was a way to have known that beforehand. Well, now there is.

It’s not about weight loss. It’s about waiting less.
With the Wait Watchers™ series of app’s for the IPhone, you’ll see the wait times for various attractions (as posted by other Wait Watchers™ app users) right at start up, without any further navigation. Each app is designed to be both easy to “consume” so you can find the wait time to any ride in the park quickly and easy to “contribute” so you can post a wait time update for others to see. (more information)

Cons: Wait times provided by other users, Website might be shutting down May 11th and is currently not available on Apples app store, IPhone only

Disneyland CA Planner ($1.99)
Lots and Lots of features.. GotPlanS Disneyland Park Planner – the ORIGINAL and BEST SELLING Disneyland Park app of ALL TIME!

Features:

• 3-D style zoom able map with GPS
• Park hours and events schedule for Disneyland, CA Adventure and Downtown Disney
• Wait times for Disneyland and CA Adventure
• Attraction, dining, snack cart and shopping information for nearly 200 points of interest
• Large color photos and detail pages for every point of interest
• Parking location recorder
• Locker information recorder
• Passholder information
• Lots more exclusive features…

(more information)

Cons: Disneyland Theme parks only, IPhone only

The Walkee™ Disneyland iGuide ($4.99)
The Walkee™ iGuide to Disneyland® Park is GPS-enabled and fully customizable, offering an interactive and fun alternative to one-dimensional paper maps. Pre select all of your Favorites before your arrive, or just browse Attractions, Restaurants and Shops, as well as other important park locales. Once you’ve completed something, just check it off and instantly see where you’ve been and what you’ve done. Add customized pictures and notes to any Detail page. Then email them to family and friends as colorful Walkee™ E-Cards. You can easily record where you parked. Discover cool background information on attractions. Get wait time information on the most popular rides from other Walkee™ users. Walkee™ Nation is a fast growing mobile community working together to share their wait time experiences.

Features:

• Get wait time information from other Walkee™ owners.
• Pre-select all your Favorites before you arrive.
• Check off “Done That” to keep you on track.
• Share the magic. Email colorful Walkee™ E-Cards to family and friends while you’re standing in line, after a thrilling ride, while dining together, wearing your new mouse ears… anywhere, anytime!
• And many, many more…

(more information)

Cons: Disneyland Theme parks only, IPhone only

Disney Parks Mobile Magic ($9.99 for six months)
The Official Mobile app of the Walt Disney Company. As you might expect from Disney this app is jammed packed with features. Everything is displayed in real time. Mobile Magic transforms Verizon devices into tour guides for Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. This is the first Disney-developed mobile application that provides consumers with navigation of both parks. Consumers can also view the locations of their favorite attractions, characters and restaurants with GPS-enabled maps. The application also features a restaurant listing, tips on what’s happening in the parks and trivia games to play against other park guests. (more information)

Cons: Not for IPhone, $9.99 for six months, only on Verizon

If you have any other app’s you would like to suggest feel free to comment below.

The Planning Stage

1. Disney Tickets – Understand your ticket options. In a previous post we provide a complete guide to understanding Disney Tickets.

2. Ride Refurbishments and Closures – Before departure check out ride refurbishments and closures to keep everyone happy. If your child has a favorite attraction, make sure it isn’t closed for maintenance.

3. Pick Your Time of Year. – You need to balance four main factors: crowds, heat, park hours, and special events. During busy times, parks stay open late and you may find extra parades and fireworks. View Walt Disney World 2010 Events and Calendar Guide

Inside The Park

1. Baby Swap (adult swap) – First, parents and kid(s) all line-up together; Parent A rides first with any older kids, while Parent B stays to one side with baby or under-height kids; once the ride is over, the parents change places, and again one parent rides while the other one waits.

2. Stay at a Disney Resort – When you stay onsite at a Disney Resort its easy to go to the park of your choice very early. When the day starts to get hot take a break and return to your resort; than return to the parks in the evening.

3. Advanced Disney Restaurants – Make advanced dining reservations for restaurant meals. It’s easy, it’s free, and usually entails no commitment — yet you get seated quickly instead of waiting in line.

Quick Hint

1. Stay Cool – Walt Disney World Resort, On a crowded hot day in the Magic Kingdom we always use this quick hint to stay cool. When you enter the park stay to your left, instead of walking down Main Street fighting the crowd enter the first store and continue walking through all of the stores on the left hand side until you exit directly in front of Cinderella Castle. This tip might not seem like much now, when you have strollers and its hot the air conditioned stores and lack of crowd will put a smile on your face.

Ticket Options (prices subject to change any time)

Base Ticket: 1 to 10 day admission, one park per day. Can be upgraded with any of
the options below.

Park Hopper: Allows unlimited entry to multiple parks each day for a one time fee of $45
per ticket

No Expiration: For an incremental daily fee, your ticket (and options) will never expire.
Fee ranges from about $15 to about $30 per day, depending on the length of your ticket.

Water Park Fun & More: Admission to the water parks, Disney Quest, Pleasure Island, and Wide World of Sports Complex. $50 one time fee per ticket.

More Tips To Remember Regarding Disney Tickets

1. Will Call: Purchase your tickets in advance and choose to pick them up once you arrive at WDW. This is known as the “Will Call” option.

2. Extend Your Trip: Base ticket prices increase about $3 each day from Day 5 through day 10. So the difference in price between a 5-day and 10-day pass is only $15.

3. Ticket Expiration: Tickets will expire 14 days from date of first use unless you choose the “no expiration” option

4. Magic Your Way: The Magic Your Way Packages are typically less expensive when compared to purchasing everything separately. With a Magic Your Way ticket, the per day price drops, the longer you stay.

5. Buy Discounted Tickets: Save up to $37.00 on Disney Tickets – Free Shipping, Discounted from Undercover Tourist.

Decorate with Disney Fairies: Imagine the delight when she sees her favorite Disney Fairies come to life. These Disney Fairies (Tinker Bell, Silvermist, Fawn, Iridessa and Rosetta) are each about three feet tall. Fathead Wall Graphics include over a dozen free extras, including birds, flowers and the fairies names, for a total of twenty-one Fathead stickers you can use to decorate one or more rooms. Because these are officially licensed Disney products made by Fathead you can be assured of superior quality and reliability. Like all Fathead wall graphics, the Disney Fairies provide an impressive decorating solution that is easier and cheaper than either paint or wallpaper. And you can move and reuse these Disney Fatheads anytime without damaging your walls. Think of the creative play your child will enjoy interacting with these beautiful creatures.

The Disney Fairies: For anyone looking for a Disney Fairies poster welcome to the Disney Fairies Fathead. There’s a world of difference. Posters, frankly, are boring. They just don’t hold up and they mess with your walls – tape, tacks, putty, rips – why bother! And when did a Disney Fairies poster pop out of the wall and look so authentic?! And look at all the FREE Fathead extras you get – you can do a whole room with this Disney Fairies Fathead! The same thing goes for Disney Fairies stickers and Fairy decals – they just don’t measure up. And you’ll really get it the first time you hear someone say, “WOW! So that’s a Fathead! It’s huge! I love it!” This is what a Disney poster was meant to be – an authentic, licensed Disney Fathead.

Other Disney Fatheads:

• Disney Princess
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Cars
• Donald Duck
• Mickey Mouse
• Minnie Mouse
• Hannah Montana
• Jonas Brothers

1. Resort Choices: There are so many different Walt Disney World Resort: Hotels to choose from. There are Value Resorts like the Pop Century Resort, Moderate Resorts that will make you feel like your in the French Quarter of New Orleans or choose a Deluxe Villa and be a kid again by staying in a beautiful 3 bedroom Treehouse Villa.

2. Extra Magic Hours: Extra Magic Hours, offer Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels the unique opportunity to enjoy additional time in the Theme Parks-above and beyond the standard operating schedule – at no extra charge.

Each day, one of the 4 Walt Disney World Theme Parks opens one hour early or remains open up to 3 hours after regular Park closing time. Additionally, Disney Water Parks offer Extra Magic Hours during select times of year.

3. Magical Express: Disney’s Magical Express is a private ground transportation and luggage service delivery for Walt Disney World Resort. You receive an information packet and luggage tags via postal mail prior to departing on your vacation. You put the tags on your bags bring them to the airport you are departing from. After landing, guest luggage are delivered directly to the guest room. No need to go pick up your bags.

4. Accessibility: Complimentary transportation throughout Walt Disney World Resort—including transportation to and from Disney Theme Parks and Disney Water Parks—is available to Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels.

Avoid the hassle of driving and parking, and save time and money with complimentary transportation throughout Walt Disney World Resort.

5. Disney Dining Plan: When you book a Magic Your Way Package or if you’re a Disney Vacation Club Member, you can add dining to your stay. Disney Cruise Line guests who book a Land/Sea Package can add the Disney Dining Plan to the land portion of their vacation package. Disney Resort guests can save up to 30% per adult on dining and up to 20% on wine by purchasing a Disney Dining Plan. The plan allows guests to choose from over 100 select restaurants throughout the Walt Disney World Resort!

6. Key to the World Card: This all-in-one card you receive upon check-in acts as your hotel room key and Disney Theme Park ticket. It lets you charge food, gifts and more directly to your room throughout Walt Disney World. You will need the Key to the World Card to access the parks Extra Magic Hours.