DisneyTravelPlanning - WDW Magical Castles Travel

Walt Disney World in summer is magical… and also really hot. If you’re visiting during the warmer months (which, let’s be honest, is most of the year in Florida), you’ll need more than just sunscreen to stay comfortable. As someone who has spent more sweaty park days than I can count, I’ve learned a few tried-and-true ways to survive the heat without losing the magic.

Here are five practical, personal, and surprisingly effective ways to beat the heat at Walt Disney World:

1. Start Early and Break Midday The parks are cooler and quieter in the morning. I always recommend getting to the park for rope drop, knocking out your must-do rides before the crowds (and sun) peak, and then heading back to your resort for a midday break. Whether you nap, swim, or just sit in the air conditioning, giving yourself a few hours away from the heat makes a huge difference in how you feel by dinner.

Saratoga Springs pool slide, five key tips for a magical Disney vacation — Saratoga Springs Pool Slide Photo: Maria Harkness

2. Prioritize Indoor Attractions On hot days, I lean heavily into attractions with indoor queues or extended indoor experiences. Some favorites: Spaceship Earth, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, The Land pavilion (Living with the Land and Soarin’), and the PeopleMover for a breezy sit-down loop with great views. Bonus: air-conditioned shows like Carousel of Progress or Festival of the Lion King are perfect for cooling off without missing out.

2025 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival — Photo: Disney Parks

3. Hydrate Like It’s Your Job I know, I know. You’ve heard this before. But seriously: drink water constantly. You can ask for free ice water at any quick service restaurant, and I always bring a refillable water bottle with an insulated sleeve to keep it cold. Add electrolyte packets to help replenish what you’re sweating out all day.

4. Cooling Towels & Personal Fans Are Your Friends Cooling towels aren’t just a gimmick—they actually help. Drape one around your neck, soak it at any sink or drinking fountain, and let that blessed chill do its thing. Small battery-operated fans or rechargeable handheld fans clipped to a park bag can also make a big difference when you’re waiting in a sunny line.

5. Be Strategic With Dining Plan at least one sit-down meal per day during peak heat hours (1:00–4:00 PM). It gives you a guaranteed break indoors, cold drinks, and a chance to regroup. If table service isn’t in your budget, aim for indoor quick service locations like Columbia Harbour House (with upstairs seating!), Connections Eatery at EPCOT, or Satu’li Canteen at Animal Kingdom.

Keys to the Kingdom Tour, Columbia Harbour House, Lobster Roll — Columbia Harbour House, Lobster Roll Photo: Disney Parks

The Bottom Line: Walt Disney World is still pure magic, even when the sun is blazing. With a little planning, the right gear, and some smart breaks, you can stay cool, comfortable, and joyfully sweaty (not miserably so). Stay safe, hydrate often, and may your Dole Whip never melt before you get the perfect photo.

5 ways to beat the heat at Walt Disney World

EPCOT, Les Chefs de Paris, Cocktails in France — I’d love to help you plan your next travel adventure. Email brooke@disneycastledreaming.com today!

Disney has just shared a major update on future expansion plans at Disneyland Resort, and there’s a lot to be excited about. Disney’s recent announcement includes news about parking upgrades to brand-new lands, attractions, and some surprising closures.

Let’s break it all down and talk about what’s coming, what’s going, and what it means for your future trips to the Disneyland Resort.

A New Way to Arrive at Disneyland

First up, a major infrastructure upgrade is coming. Disneyland will be building a brand-new parking structure and transportation hub on the east side of the resort (currently part of the Manchester cast member lot). This new area will include:

Around 6,000 parking spaces
Space for rideshare pickups, shuttles, and security screening
A dedicated entrance off Disney Way, meant to ease traffic flow
And perhaps most excitingly – there will be a new pedestrian bridge over Harbor Boulevard leading into an all-new arrival esplanade

If you’ve ever arrived at Disneyland through the Harbor Boulevard entrance, you know how crowded and hectic that area can feel. This upgrade could be a huge improvement for guests staying off-property or arriving via rideshare.

Disney tells us construction will start in Fall 2026. So, we can’t expect this new experience to debut anytime soon. BUT, it’s the first step toward even bigger changes on the horizon.

Big Expansion Plans for Disney California Adventure

Now let’s talk about the fun stuff: new attractions.

Disney confirmed that two major additions are coming to DCA:

An attraction themed to “Coco”

Expansion Plans for Disney California Adventure — Concept Art: Disney Parks

Disney announced at last year’s D23 event that a Coco-themed attraction was coming to DCA. At that event, Disney promised that this first-ever ride in a Disney park to feature Coco will be filled with the music and characters from the movie. We will join Coco on a trip to the land of the dead. I love this movie, and can’t wait to see what Imagineering does with this terrific material!

A new Avatar-inspired destination

Disney Imagineering worked AMAZING magic when they designed and created Pandora, the Avatar themed land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World. The land is absolutely beautiful and both attractions are still extremely popular, even after several years.

This new Avatar themed destination at Disney California Adventure will draw its inspiration from the second Avatar film, Avatar: The Way of Water. We don’t much beyond that YET, but I am really looking forward to finding out what Imagineering will have in store for us.

Concept Art: Disney Parks

Both of these new lands will expand the park significantly. The “Coco” attraction will be built in backstage areas near Paradise Gardens Park and Pixar Pier, and the Avatar land will be developed in the Hollywood Backlot area.

Here’s what we know so far about Disney’s expansion plans:

“Coco” Attraction: Construction will begin this fall (2025) backstage. Disney had not given us an opening date yet. However, this is a clear sign that Paradise Gardens is being set up as a mini-Pixar hub.
Avatar Destination: Still in early planning stages, but it will replace the current Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! ride. This ride will close in early 2026 to make way for the new Avatar land.

So, if Monsters Inc. is a must-do for your crew, make sure to plan a visit before early next year.

The Bottom Line

This is the biggest expansion announcement we’ve had at Disneyland Resort in quite a while. Between the upgraded arrival experience, major new attractions, and expanding Pixar and Avatar storytelling, Disney is clearly investing heavily in the California parks.

Concept Art: Disney Parks

Of course, construction takes time. Park-goers can expect detours, closures, and crowds during these transitions. But if you’re planning trips in late 2026 and beyond, these upgrades could totally reshape your Disneyland experience.

I’ll keep updating as we learn more about Disney’s expansion plans for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. Stay tuned for construction timelines, concept art, and opening dates!