| The summer time can bring extreme heat and | | | | dress light and wear sandals. Most theme-park |
| severe thunderstorms to the Orlando area that can | | | | guidebooks advise proper shoes and socks, but with |
| ruin your day at Disney World. The brief showers are | | | | the heat and humidity, wrapping your feet in socks |
| usually a great time to go inside and take a break. | | | | isn't actually going to help. |
| Some of the best weather at Disney World comes in | | | | Pack a few water-mister fans. These little gizmo's |
| the evening with mild temperatures so make sure to | | | | are life-savers. It's fun to buy the Mickey version in |
| rest up during the day so you're ready to go out at | | | | the park, but why pay $15 a pop if you can get |
| night. | | | | them at Wal-Mart for $4.95 each? Kids will be fighting |
| Orlando is a hot part of the earth and come summer | | | | over them, so getting a few of them cheaply and |
| the humidity and temperature can reach triple digits. | | | | packing additional batteries to go is a smart choice. |
| Worse still, weeks of heat occur exactly when school | | | | If you have a Park-Hopper Pass, cool down by |
| is out and families head to Walt Disney World. No | | | | visiting the water parks. Both Blizzard Beach and |
| one in her right frame of mind considers heat, | | | | Typhoon Lagoon offer lots of fun for the whole |
| humidity and crowd a great combo, but with some | | | | family in the form of slides or raft rides. The water |
| planning, your family's summer vacation to Disney | | | | parks get crowded in a hot day pretty fast, so if |
| World can still be fun. | | | | you arrive at 11 am or after, expect plenty of |
| Staying at an on-property Disney hotel is a good | | | | queuing in the hot sun. |
| start. You can commute to the parks in | | | | This is the best tip, which is why I'm saving it for the |
| air-conditioned comfort using Disney bus, monorail or | | | | last. If you have tots, let them set the pace. Kids get |
| water transportation. This is definitely a better choice | | | | cranky easily in the heat. This is more so considering |
| than driving a car that has been baking in the sun for | | | | that while you are looking at castles, they are in a |
| hours. | | | | hot stroller with nothing interesting at eye level. So if |
| Another incentive for staying on a Disney property is | | | | the kids are tired, head to somewhere with |
| that you can take advantage of the Extra Magic | | | | air-conditioning, have a break in a restaurant, or do |
| Hour. On designated days, a Walt Disney World | | | | anything that allows everyone to cool down. |
| theme park will open an hour early for Disney Resort | | | | Other tips to keep in mind when planning a trip to |
| guests only. With that extra hour, you have time to | | | | Disney World: |
| take a break during the afternoon for a swim or a | | | | - If you are ok with taking your kids out of school |
| nap. Some resorts even have water activities, such | | | | for a trip, do it! Any time other kids are at school is a |
| as water skiing and surfing lessons, which are perfect | | | | great time to go to Disney World because you can |
| for a hot day. | | | | expect smaller crowds and shorter lines |
| Remember to drink plenty of water. If someone in | | | | - Keep a close eye on park opening and closing times |
| your group does get dehydrated, get to the First Aid | | | | so you can take advantage of late nights and early |
| Station. Each Disney theme park has one. | | | | starts. |
| This is obvious, but crucial to mention nonetheless: | | | | |