Please help me feel better about next week =(

[bayareadisneyland]

Planned a trip to the parks M-W of next week (haven't been to DL in 5 years) and I have a knot in my stomach that the heat will make it intolerable. Why does there have to be a heat wave the exact 3 days we are there?

I've read all your great tips and have purchased the towels, misters, etc. Plus, we will go back to DLH for naps/ swim in the afteroon. I guess I have guilt that I'm going w/ a few people who don't really LOVE DL and now I feel like everyone will be sweaty and miserable!

Do you think the heat will be unbearable from 10am-1pm and 5pm- close?

I looked into postponing, but the cost is just too high. I am lowering my expectations/ scaling down the # of rides in a day.

Any encouraging words would be helpful....does your family still have fun at DL in the heat?

 

[rentayenta]

The minute you realize that the folks you're going with are responsible for the kind of time they have, the better off you'll be.


We have a blast no matter the time of year. I don't know how hot it's supposed to be but generally it feels the hottest between 1-5 pm so thats when I'd plan on swimming.

 

[superlarz]

It will be bearable on the morning and at night. Go and enjoy yourself. Don't worry so much about others. I would def plan shows, eating and pool/break time from about noon to 4 each day though

 

[WTFetus]

I might be in the minority here, but I love the heat. Makes the place feel a lot more magical with all the sunlight.
The heat will definitely be bearable. Walking around with shorts and a t-shirt with sunglasses, doesn't get any better than that.

 

[momma2]

I feel your disappoint. We have plans for Fri-Sun, and I also looked into alternate options but as I've already purchased our park tickets we're basically stuck (or forfeit those funds!).

We will make use of indoor eating/shows and pool time breaks mid-day. Now I'm wishing I'd paid more for a DLH room for pool access vs the Fairfield

 

[Briarrose1306]

I would definitely recommend long breaks between 1 or 2 to 6 or 7. I was there last week when it was 98 and I was miserable. It's probably the most I've ever spent at the hotel but it made things a lot easier. Go at your own pace, slow down and take lots of breaks in the shade (with water) and you'll be fine.

 

[HydroGuy]

Planned a trip to the parks M-W of next week (haven't been to DL in 5 years) and I have a knot in my stomach that the heat will make it intolerable. Why does there have to be a heat wave the exact 3 days we are there?

I've read all your great tips and have purchased the towels, misters, etc. Plus, we will go back to DLH for naps/ swim in the afteroon. I guess I have guilt that I'm going w/ a few people who don't really LOVE DL and now I feel like everyone will be sweaty and miserable!

Do you think the heat will be unbearable from 10am-1pm and 5pm- close?

I looked into postponing, but the cost is just too high. I am lowering my expectations/ scaling down the # of rides in a day.

Any encouraging words would be helpful....does your family still have fun at DL in the heat?

I agree heat can detract. I have been once when it was 100 degrees at DL and had a blast. So heat does not mean you will automatically have a bad time.

But do take the afternoon breaks. Swim and nap in a cool air conditioned room. Don't stay out all day when it is the worst. You will have a much better trip.

 

[Apps]

Planned a trip to the parks M-W of next week (haven't been to DL in 5 years) and I have a knot in my stomach that the heat will make it intolerable. Why does there have to be a heat wave the exact 3 days we are there?

I've read all your great tips and have purchased the towels, misters, etc. Plus, we will go back to DLH for naps/ swim in the afteroon. I guess I have guilt that I'm going w/ a few people who don't really LOVE DL and now I feel like everyone will be sweaty and miserable!

Do you think the heat will be unbearable from 10am-1pm and 5pm- close?

I looked into postponing, but the cost is just too high. I am lowering my expectations/ scaling down the # of rides in a day.

Any encouraging words would be helpful....does your family still have fun at DL in the heat?

I was there last weekend and it was ~90-95 on Friday and around 90 on Saturday. We did the 8am to 1pm and then headed back around 5:30 after nice swim/nap at the Grand. Heat didn't really set it until around noon so it was actually awesome for us. At 5:30, the heat starts going down and gets nicer and nicer as the sun goes down.

 

[MichaelaF]

In my experience, you get used to the heat quickly.

We did WDW (with all the humidity it brings) in mid-October last year, and ended up with 90+ degrees nearly every day, which we weren't really expecting. We also took a 5-month-old who napped on me in a baby carrier. So it was like doing Disney in 90 degree heat with a 18lb heater strapped to your chest!

But honestly? I loved every second of it, and I don't think back and think much about THE HEAT. After the first day or two, you just get used to it and go on enjoying yourselves. Spray fans and AC rides help, but I definitely don't think it is a VACATION RUINER...unless you let it be. Even my husband (who HATES the heat even more than I do) had a wonderful time, despite the heat.

 

[Disney Dudette]

I think you will still have a great time! I was there two years ago during a heat wave and it was 100 degrees, but like Hydroguy said, it did not keep us from having a great time. We still had a lot of fun. During the heat of the day, we did indoor air conditioned things, like Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, shopping on Main St, the tiki room, It's a Small World, etc. and went back to our room to relax for a bit. We drank a ton of cold water and put our feet up and relaxed a little bit more that trip. I was 7 months pregnant, too which caused for a lot of breaks and relaxing and I still enjoyed the trip Hope you have a great time!

 

[msmama]

I was there last week during the heat wave. It was 98 degrees and both my son and I were sick and pretty miserable feeling.

We still had fun!

Yes, we did things differently than I thought we would, but it worked out ok. I have different memories than I thought I would!

I also think the heat helped to keep some of the crowds at bay, too, so that's a plus!!

A bad day at Disney is still better than a good day somewhere else.

Have a great time!

 

[Astylla]

With the heat the best thing to do is stay hydrated and take breaks as needed and do not forget sunscreen!! People overlook this so often and I see people absolutely beet red burned when it can typically be avoided.

Wear a hat ! You would be amazed the diffidence this can make to help shield !

I hate the heat and feel the worst times are 1-4pm personally. If staying close maybe take a pool break or hotel break or get an early dinner or late lunch.

Take in Aladdin at DCA which can be a great break. Walk around Innoventions which is air conditioned.

It really is what YOU make of it. I hope you enjoy your time.

 

[Stitch35]

We always go in August. It is hot, but like the pp said, take in shows, animation academy, innovations, redwood creek challenge, grizzly river run via FP or single rider, splash mountain, or take a stroll through the bugsland splash park. Many longer rides are air conditioned and feel great in the heat. The ones that come to mind are haunted mansion, small world, TOT, TSMM, IJ, and RR WITHOUT FP, the line theming is great and it's nice and cool. The jungle cruise is fun in the heat because you get sprayed in various places along the ride. Hiding in a hotel room or in a pool is nice too, but not sure I would with short park hours.

 

[bayareadisneyland]

Wow, thanks everyone! The forecast came down to 98 on Tuesday so I'm feeling better already!

 

[Georgieut]

I just looked....holy cow suppose to be 102 next wednesday. We will be there June 2-4 at disneyland but staying in the area from June 1-8. Dang that seems to be hot real early in the year. I come from Utah so we get hot but not that hot in May but perhaps July or Aug. I hope you still can have a great time and just do what you can and go in with a great attitude. That helps. I am having to do the same thing. Think positive and it will all be ok.

Have a great time ok!!!!

 

[jetskigrl]

If you are in DCA during the middle of day, take a few minutes to stop by the viewing area of Grizzly River Run. One of my favorite summer memories there was standing in the shaded area watching my kids get soaking wet as each boat came down the falls (only the very end of the viewing area gets wet). There was also a woman with a baby there (barely walking) and I could not stop laughing watching that baby play in the water and scream with joy each time another wave of water would come over the top of her

That area has shaded areas and the mist of water coming of the ride is very refreshing on a hot day

 

[sweethannah]

If you are in DCA during the middle of day, take a few minutes to stop by the viewing area of Grizzly River Run. One of my favorite summer memories there was standing in the shaded area watching my kids get soaking wet as each boat came down the falls (only the very end of the viewing area gets wet). There was also a woman with a baby there (barely walking) and I could not stop laughing watching that baby play in the water and scream with joy each time another wave of water would come over the top of her

That area has shaded areas and the mist of water coming of the ride is very refreshing on a hot day

Unfortunately GRR is closed at the moment!


To the OP, don't fret. You can't change the weather but you can change how you deal with it. Hit the long outside line ups early(or late) when the heat isn't so bad. If time permits head back to your hotel mid day. Concentrate on A/C entertainment during peak hours. I'm going to try to hit Aladdin ( but I hear the line up is a scorcher as there is no shade, time to grab a cool drink while you wait but you can't take it inside ) and the Animation Academy in DCA. Late lunches inside to take advantage of A/C or shopping during peak heat might work as well.

I was in Disneyland the September/October before last and the temperatures were a balmy 104 on a couple of days but you make do. Get one of those misters at the start of your trip to get your money's worth.

It might be too late for you(and me!) now but I've heard about this cooling towels that get colder when you get them damp. I googled and Walmart might even carry them - http://www.walmart.com/ip/Perfect-Fitness-Perfect-Cooling-Towel/21666151

 

[jetskigrl]

Unfortunately GRR is closed at the moment!

Well darn....sorry OP, my advice doesn't help then (file that away for summer visits). But definitely stop by Bugs Land and play in the water fountains a bit.

 

[Coffee50]

There's also an AMC movie theater in downtown Disney. You can spend a couple hours there watching a new release.

 

[Luv2Diz]

We have a friend heading to DLR on Tuesday -- she is also dreading the heat. It has been cold and rainy here this week, so they won't have a chance to prepare for the heat at all.

We take empty plastic Snapple bottles into the parks and fill them often at the water fountains. We also stopped in at Plaza Inn where they have self-serve beverage stations. We filled cups of ice water and enjoyed their A/C when it was hot during our recent visit. (Yes, we also ate there at other times to make up for coming in just for a water break mid day!)