Is Animal Kingdom worth it in the heat??

[usablefiber]

We have one day in florida to do a theme park and the family wants to do Animal Kingdom this week, the Temps look to be so high that I’m worried that a park with not a lot of shade and not that many indoor rides isn’t there bet, and also I’ve heard that in the middle of hot days, the animals aren’t really out much.

I suggested maybe universal or MK instead with a lot of indoor rides and perhaps more bang for a single day, but AK seems to be the consensus.

What’s the best strategy for a hot AK day? Or is it better to just do a different park in the heat.

What does everyone think?

 

[usablefiber]

My mistake. I mistakenly thought resorts = parks for some reason when posting this thread. I didn’t see the separate parks threads

 

[Jacq7414]

Animal kingdom has the most shade IMO

 

[MamaMermaid]

They're all gonna be hot and awful. Pick the park you most want to visit.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Actually, we've never been sure where the rumor came from saying AK is the park with the least shade - we've never found that to be sure. That park, in our opinion, is definitely EPCOT!! But that aside, you absolutely can find a way to enjoy it in the heat. Some things to consider - take in a Lion King show at some point to get into a cool place. Maybe the rapids ride - which will probably be very popular, and will require you to coordinate a potential change of clothes! I expect the Safari ride will be much better earlier in the day than the middle of the afternoon. And as MamaMermaid mentioned, all the parks will be hot and a 'strategy' of some kind will be needed when it's so ridiculously hot. So you may as well go to the park your group wants to see! It's the park we'd be doing if we were there.....!

 

[DanceDisney23]

Animal kingdom has the most shade IMO

I found that to be the case this summer, too. In my experience, HS was the hottest park. But that’s a bit biased by the fact that we had rain at MK and EP which cooled things down.

 

[Anthony1971]

MK is the hottest park as it has a lot of outdoor rides and lines. AK is Humid but a lot of cover also has a number of outdoor lines and some outdoor rides. HS is compact for us still has outdoor lines/rides Epcot has mostly indoor everything. No matter it is the summer it will be hot however you could have a decent day. We were there mid-late July we had 3 days of lower 90's one day was 95 and brutal and 3 days of high 80's one of those days it was breezy and very nice. All of the higher 80 days were fine for going to the parks the 95 day was HOT mid day with the humidity.

 

[rangerxenos]

To me EPCOT always seems like the hottest park because there isn't enough shade. I think AK has the most shady areas to escape from!

 

[Eastern]

I think AK is the hottest. If that's what they picked, what can you do.

A lot of people are saying Epcot but I think Epcot is fine because the rides are in big pavilions that have AC and a lot of the rides take a bit of time, allowing cool downs while you wait. WS has some shady areas, restaurants, and also stores in every pavilion.

I also think MK is fine because you can always find a place to get some AC. It might not be the most thrilling ride but you will get cool! If I am boiling we are going into Hall of Presidents, end of.

HS always feels packed to me.

I also bring a ziplock bag of ice with me when I go into a park in the summer. My biggest tip is don't go June-September.

 

[Jacq7414]

I found that to be the case this summer, too. In my experience, HS was the hottest park. But that’s a bit biased by the fact that we had rain at MK and EP which cooled things down.

I agree. I found HS to be the worst in terms of heat. Especially Toy Story land

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

We skipped AK on our trip a few weeks back, not so much concern of heat just didn't feel up to AK. In terms of parks, I'd venture to guess AK probably has the least indoor options compared to the other parks. And yes, by noon the animals are all shaded and not active. Can't blame them. Honestly, it's August in FL, every park is hot but the question is where will you get some refuge? If you do go, I would try to book a midday ADR if you don't plan to take a break, that might help and also do some shopping breaks if your group will acquiesce. We just returned from several days and I'll say it's not so much the park as it is the day's weather. It's hot and humid everyday and how hot it "feels" will depend on the day and if you get any rain. Every day we were there, there was a heat advisory and over 105 feels like temps. Just plan to take breaks, start early if you can and be patient. The downside for AK sadly is that is closes so early so you don't even get a chance to visit after dark which in the summer is a help.

 

[HopperFan]

Bottom line they are all hot this time of year. You will melt no matter where you go.

AK likely has the MOST shade but the least number of indoor attractions.

Make your decisions regarding Genie+ and ILL for FOP. Less attractions so more doable without.

Arrive early before opening ready to go in when you are allowed.

If you don't have ILL for FOP go straight there. If you do have ILL I'd do an early morning Safari.

Animals are used to the heat and I've had some great ones in the afternoon, but I prefer early in morning and later in day as it "cools".

If you are going to do TS book it around 2-3 pm during heat of day. I prefer Yak & Yeki or Rainforest. Another good option is do to Nomad Lounge around 3 with light fare and drinks, having had a QS lunch around 11.

I don't do heat well so I usually eat inside at Satuli Canteen or Restaurantasaurus. Both have drink refill stations and we take our time to cool off.

Afternoon shows gets you inside to cool off and sometimes avoid afternoon showers.

If you have access to fridge/freeze we FREEZE water bottles and take them in. That gives you cool water to sip for a few hours. This is the park to partake in the cold snacks, ice cream, shaved ice, lots of different frozen drinks and if too hot to eat a meal there are lots of small bites throughout the park. Def one you should study menus because there is so much more good eats/drinks here than folks think.

Take the time to explore, it is a beautiful park, almost work of art and there are so many animals to see on all the paths. This is our relaxing park! the smaller footprint means we can really slow the normal theme park pace.

 

[Quilty]

AK definitely has the most shade, but it might have the least amount of places with AC.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

Not sure the source but I clearly remember a fact where AK had the highest average temps of all the parks.

For me personally if I'm going to be hot and uncomfortable at any park I'd rather it be AK just because I can play it off as being part of the "immersive" experience of being in the streets of Africa or the jungles of Asia. Then walk into the Harambe theater for the Lion King show and feel SOOOO cold.

 

[Eastern]

Not sure the source but I clearly remember a fact where AK had the highest average temps of all the parks.

For me personally if I'm going to be hot and uncomfortable at any park I'd rather it be AK just because I can play it off as being part of the "immersive" experience of being in the streets of Africa or the jungles of Asia. Then walk into the Harambe theater for the Lion King show and feel SOOOO cold.

https://www.****************/disney-keeps-animal-kingdom-10-degrees-hotter-than-its-other-parks-lf1/#:~:text=Disney KNOWS it's hotter at,around for this exact reason!

and

From AllEars: The temperature in the Animal Kingdom easily averages 10 degrees hotter than any other place on Disney property. This is due to the dense vegetation which has created a "rain forest" effect.

 

[erinch]

We love AK, even in the heat. If I only had one day, I would definitely spring for FoP ILL and G+.
What we do on hot days is rope drop safari, then walk the Gorilla Falls trail. Then we go to Asia for Everest and Tiger Trail. I only do Kali in a poncho myself. If time, the bird show. We then loop back for lunch at Tusker House, then it is full heat of the day. FoTK. It’s Tough to Be a Bug, look at the Tree of Life, then Nemo, then Dinosaur, then Nomad Lounge, then NRJ and FoP.

We walk slowly, admire the details, and use a sun umbrella and neck fans and cooling towels.
It’s a fun and manageable day. G+ will save at least 3 hours wait time, in my experience.

 

[parasail_of_congress]

https://www.****************/disney-keeps-animal-kingdom-10-degrees-hotter-than-its-other-parks-lf1/#:~:text=Disney KNOWS it's hotter at,around for this exact reason!

and

From AllEars: The temperature in the Animal Kingdom easily averages 10 degrees hotter than any other place on Disney property. This is due to the dense vegetation which has created a "rain forest" effect.

That article says that it "makes the temperature feel much hotter. About ten degrees hotter!" The headline is inaccurate (that's heat index, not temperature), but regardless, there is no data to support this in the article (or anywhere online that I've seen, for that matter).

I'm sure people have a lot of different opinions on what park is the hottest based on their own experiences. Everyone is correct (or incorrect?) because there's no consensus or no actual measurement of this.

As for Animal Kingdom, I would recommend The Animation Experience if the heat proves unbearable.

 

[lovethattink]

When Animal Kingdom first opened there was a lot less shade. But the trees have grown, umbrellas have been placed, and there’s much more shade.

We were at AK July 31. The animals were out. We melted. It rained at one point chasing people out of the park. But the rain felt great. My shoes somehow stayed dry, but ds and dh’s shoes got wet.

If I’m not mistaken, the rocks at Pride Rock on the Safari ride are temperature controlled to keep the lions comfortable.

Outdoor meet and greets of characters might take a little longer, as higher temps mean less time out for them.

There’s enough air conditioned shows, restaurants, Dinosaur, and shops to duck into as needed.

Stay hydrated!!

 

[gottalovepluto]

It is going to miserable everywhere. If you push everyone to another park because there is more shade they’re going to be grousing about you in their heads when they’re inevitably baking in the sun. Do what the crowd wants.

Some of my fav AK heat tips
-be there for rope drop
-do Table Service lunch for a long late lunch break (Yak & Yeti is my fav!)
-check the show schedule ahead of time to plan when you want to hit Lion King & Nemo as both are indoors so great time for them is afternoon. Bird show is outside but shaded.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I have always felt AK to feel hotter than the other parks and this is before I was on the DIS so I hadn't heard these "rumors." I think the hilly walkways just make it feel so much more hot, especially if you have a stroller. I find AK much more bearable without a stroller. I mean they are all a pain with a stroller but AK, to me, felt more difficult and brutal.

AK is one of my favorite parks so I would say go for it.

Arrive at RD.
Do a lunch ADR
Do shows midday
Stay hydrated
Stop for breaks
Do Kali River Rapids. You may get soaked but you will dry off in no time

The park really clears out around 4 pm. You can pretty walk on anything except for FOP and NRJ.