How hot will Animal Kingdom be in summer?

[Reedi]

IMO, it is the hottest and most humid park.. We also go the last week of June and only spend about 1/2 day at AK.

My DD10 and I will be in the World that week as well!! I am a bit nervous about the heat as well, because we have never visited during the summer before. I try not to dwell on it because we are from New Orleans, and you can't get much more hot and humid than that!

We have visited during Thanksgiving week though, and I had prepared myself to be miserable because we had only ever toured at off-peak times before. The crowds forced us to change the way we toured, and it turned out to be the best trip ever! We were definitely not park commandos that trip. We made sure that we hit each park for rope drop, left around lunch to hit the pool, nap, resort hop, or DTD, then returned to the park for dinner. I do not think that AK is a 1/2 day park, we always dedicate 2 full days because there are so many details to enjoy if you allow yourself to slow down enough. However, we are designing our touring plans for this trip as all half day plans. We plan to hit the water parks ALOT! When/If we return to the parks in the evenings, anything else we get to do will be lagniappe.

I can't say that I really subscribe to the theory that AK is hotter than any other park. I think that I have heard it said so often that I prepare for it, but it don't exactly notice any difference. They will all be hot, so we plan on taking advantage of Kali more than once since we usually skip it because it's too cold.

Good Luck and See Ya There!

 

[mshanson3121]

I've been toying with the idea of splitting this into two mornings, instead of one full day.

 

[Planogirl]

I think that AK is wonderful in the morning and awful in the afternoon and we live in an even hotter place. AK has shade but few places to sit and get in the A/C plus it seems to get little breeze. It's supposedly built down into a bowl of sorts and those trees of course only help to block any wind.

 

[Ava]

Dinoland feels like it was built on the surface of the sun. All concrete and no shade. I question the sanity of the person who designed it, truly.

 

[Lorelai]

We have done AK the last week of June as well, and yes, it will be hot. But you're in DisneyWorld...there will be plenty of opportunities for cool drinks, incredible shade offered by the lush jungle foliage, even the Africa & Asia "treks" are pleasant with the way they are designed. You have Kali for a good soaking and wonderful indoor opportunities to cool down (festival of the lion king, bugs life, etc). Don't stress, go early, alternate inside/outside attractions and go for those cold drinks/frozen or icy treats It's not that bad. Have fun!!

 

[Lorelai]

It's funny. I hear people say it feels hotter than the other parks, but I always thought just the opposite! With so many trees and vegetation, it just feels more shaded. Like you're not standing in the middle of the blazing sun all the time! I find Epcot to feel much, much hotter than AK. We go in August and, yes, it's hot everywhere. But we've thoroughly enjoyed our days at AK. We usually just do one full day there, rope drop to closing since they usually close at 5 or 6 when we're there. And Kali is the perfect answer when you feel overheated!

I agree with every single thing you said...feel exactly the same about AK.

 

[maryj11]

It does feel hotter than the other parks but not so bad that we wouldn't go. Use spray misting bottles, frogg toggs and make a reservation to eat inside to get cooled off and refreshed.

 

[GrumpyDad1974]

Africa Hot

 

[Lorelai]

Africa Hot

So mad I didn't think of that reply!

 

[Quellman]

So in summary:
1. Be there for rope drop.
2. Do exterior attractions or events. This includes the animal trails, and safari ride.
3. Have a nice lunch somewhere with air conditioning.
4. Have FP+ scheduled for inside attractions and Kali River Rapids for the afternoon.

 

[goofyintoronto]

It's no hotter than any other park. Some people think it FEELS warmer. Probably because of the density of the vegetation. It's a jungle, and it blocks any breezes in some places. Wear the proper clothing, including a hat. Stay hydrated. And use a hand held fan or mister. Do the indoor attractions in the afternoon when it's hottest and hit KRR to cool off.

I beg to differ. It is hotter than any other park due to the vegetation and the lack of shade and breeze as you said. We go at the end of August. Brutal! And i even bring along misting fans etc. Nothing helps!

Its my least fave park, due to the heat. For some reason, I can handle the heat just fine at any other park, just not AK. It totally wipes me out that after about 2-3 hours, im ready to leave.

 

[Lorelai]

I bet it has the most oxygen! So think of it as the best place to breathe. *daily dose of bright side*

 

[kandb]

AK definitely feels hotter. Not as many places to cool off. Felt like I was going to pass out the last time I was there in August. Not enjoyable and we usually love
AK.

 

[SeilerBird]

Hot in Orlando in summer? It will never happen. Medium at the most. You want hot go to Vegas and the Mojave Desert where it will be at least 20 degrees hotter, and no breeze.

 

[Disneylovers2000]

I honestly think you could do a whole day there if you plan it well. Last year my DH and I went in August (HOT!) and made it two separate mornings, but looking back, we totally could have done it in one day. There are some shows (Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo the Musical) that are indoors and are about a half hour long. There are also some rides that are indoors (Dinosaur, It's Tough to Be a Bug) and some that will cool you off (Kali River Rapids). Plus, you've got to eat at some point, and you could easily choose an air-conditioned restaurant there. I would make your Fastpass reservations for ones in which you'd have to wait outside for long periods of time in the heat and sun. HYDRATE!

Example plan...

• Get there BEFORE Rope Drop to be one of the first in the park
• Go straight to the safari ride (you'll walk right on) (outdoor)
• Go to first Festival of the Lion King (indoor)
• Flights of Wonder show (outdoor)
• Expedition Everest (outdoor)
• Lunch (indoor)
• Etc...

This is just an example to help you see what I mean. Just keep alternating between indoor and outdoor attractions. If you get too hot, take a break, go back to your hotel, and come back later! I cannot emphasize enough to be there and ready to enter the park the moment it opens. Also, in the evenings there are smaller lines. Just figure out your priorities, do them, and if you feel good, do the others.

One piece of advice - doing the Maharajah Jungle Trek was tough in the heat, and there wasn't much animal activity to see. Decide if you really want to wander the trails in the heat or not... It will definitely not be a priority for us on our next trip.

Good luck!

Great advice! Thanks!!

 

[mesaboy2]

Hot in Orlando in summer? It will never happen. Medium at the most. You want hot go to Vegas and the Mojave Desert where it will be at least 20 degrees hotter, and no breeze.

A highly unusual perspective for sure. I'll just strongly disagree.

 

[tinkerhon]

Took this lil bit from another website:

:: It should also be warned that Animal Kingdom is, for some unknown reason, the hottest place on the face of the earth. The park is suspiciously devoid of shade, and while I'm all for authenticity in theming - it really doesn't need to be "Africa hot." If you can, avoid this park during the summer season - it's just an unpleasant experience ::

I think I had also read the same in the "AK Imagineer's Guidebook"--- thought I read that the park was designed purposely to be hotter than the others---

 

[DisneyFive]

Kinda like this:

-Dan

 

[burt1ok]

We're going the last week of June. Just how hot will Animal Kingdom feel? Is it quite unbearable? It is the park my son is looking forward to the most, and I know that we will need a FULL day to see all we want to. Would we be better off to try and split it into two mornings, say 9-12 or 1 both mornings? Or 9-1 one morning and maybe 4-7 another day?

 

[mshanson3121]

Took this lil bit from another website:

:: It should also be warned that Animal Kingdom is, for some unknown reason, the hottest place on the face of the earth. The park is suspiciously devoid of shade, and while I'm all for authenticity in theming - it really doesn't need to be "Africa hot." If you can, avoid this park during the summer season - it's just an unpleasant experience ::

I think I had also read the same in the "AK Imagineer's Guidebook"--- thought I read that the park was designed purposely to be hotter than the others---

Does Busch Gardens not feel as hot? I worry about MiL. She had a sun stroke a few years ago and really can't tolerate heat like she used to. If there's lots of places for her to sit and rest in shade or air conditioning that's one thing. But we only have one day for AK, so plan on the whole day and only plan on one indoor show (Lion King)...