Which park has the most shade? The least?

[DumboDash2006]

We're going next week and while I'm not a fan of heat, the time couldn't be helped. But I can deal with heat. However the sun is another matter. Blech, I hate it on super hot days.

What park will be the worst and which the best? I have tank tops and very short sleeved shirts. I want to make sure the wear the ones with a bit more coverage on the days when I'll be in the sun the most (I'm very pale and burn somewhat even with lots of SPF 50+ sunscreen)

 

[utilidor]

Animal Kingdom is the hottest, by far.

I think Epcot is the coolest - lots of indoor attractions.

 

[CaptHook34]

Yes, Animal Kingdom is he hotest...

MGM also has alot of cool inside..long rides/shows

 

[erinch]

in terms of burn factor, you want to be very careful in Epcot, even though there's lots of shade, because there's also lots of reflective white concrete.

My DD and I both burn very easily. When the parks are open late, we often reverse the schedule, swim in the morning before the sun is too bright, then go to the parks later, when we don't have to worry so much about sunscreen.

 

[PatriciaH]

Be very careful of the sun this year. It is much stronger than last year!

 

[Golliwobbler]

I think MGM is the hottest, as it seems to have the most exposed black top with no break and no shade.

Agree AK is hot, but it seems to have the most shade of all the parks (except Dinoland - which I think is the hottest place on Earth!)

EP has hardly any shade, but most of the attractions and such are indoors.

MK has a lot of blacktop, a lot of outdoor attractions, but also some nice shady hideaways and shaded or indoor wait lines (think Jungle Cruise, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain)

 

[Eeyore2003]

Animal Kingdom is the hottest, but the shadiest, go figure, it's the humidity at that park I think and the fact that there are few rides in buildings.(Disney tends to leave many of the doors to the air conditioned ride buildings open and I think that really helps in keeping the parks at least a bit cooler. I think this affects MK the most since it's the smallest park, with many rides in buildings.)

I think the other ones are about equal. You are in the sun quite a bit, but there is always shady places to sit down and take breaks. I find the best cure is to get out of the mid day heat by taking a break in the pool or even poolside under an umbrella and going to the parks in the AM and PM when it cools down somewhat and the sun is lower.

If you are a family that dislikes the heat, cooling down in the pool or air conditioning can really refresh and revive and make days go much smoother and happier.

 

[Spine_DR]

I do agree that AK is the hottest but there is plenty of shade to be found there so you can stay out of the sun. The times when you will have the most prob with sun exposure is if you are going to watch any of the parades many times you have to stand out in the open in the sun, but many ride lines and almost all the shows have shade to stay away from the sun.

All the parks are pretty much evan when it comes to sun exposure walking from attraction to attraction. If you plan to walk around the World Showcase in Epcot during the afternoon you might want to be covered up the best that day since you can go into shoppes and restaurants to cool off but have alot of walking in the sun from one country to the other.

 

[sunny_]

Unofficially and just based on my own observation (I've only been on 4 WDW trips) EPCOT always seems to feel the hottest and where I burn if I burn... I'm not sure why. Maybe just all the walking around the worlds makes it feel hotter but for me, it feels the hottest.

I usually feel the coolest is MK or MGM. Again I'm not sure why. There is some shade and we do go on a lot of attractions and air-conditioned breaks make me feel cooler!

 

[disneymama73]

I would say WS at Epcot has the least shade. AK seems to feel the most humid.

 

[puffkin]

AK is the hottest park because all the trees hold in the hot, humid air. As for direct sunlight, Epcot is probably the worst (especially World Showcase) but since all the attractions are in buildings it isn't too bad. I tend to get the most uncomfortable at AK and MK.

 

[eblack0409]

I would have to say that AK is the most humid due to the trees, but there is alot of shade for that same reason.

EPCOT, especially World Showcase always feels the hottest....not alot of shade.

MGM has always seemed hot to me!

MK has Carousel of Progress~no lines go inside to cool down and rest your feet!

 

[Joanna71985]

I think Epcot is the hottest with the least amount of shade. However, AK is the most humid, but has a lot of shade (go figure ).

 

[dizzneebabe]

For me, AK ALWAYS feels hot as *&#Y*#&!!!! It is very humid and there seems to be NO breeze.

For sun exposure, I think you are most at risk at Epcot, especially WS.

If you are fair skinned--you can still burn at 5pm, so my advice is to wear the sunscreen regardless of where you are that day.

There would have to be nothing worse than being sunburned AND hot at WDW.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[DumboDash2006]

Thanks everyone.

I think based on what you say, I'll wear my short sleeved shirts to Epcot and the tanks to the other parks, including AK.

Oh and I will definitely wear lots of sunscreen. Including on my ears. On my last trip (10 years, sniff), I had my hair in a pony tail and my ears burnt. Ouch that hurt! Never occurred to me to put sunblock on my ears though lol! Thank goodness dd inherited dh's much darker skin. We still use sun block but she has not had a sun burn yet.

 

[IHeartTink04]

LOL I just read the headline of this post before I was thinking AK is SOO HOTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!! and it seems everyone else agrees. I'm glad I am not the only one.

 

[Karnak]

It always seems to me like the Animal Kingdom is easily the hottest. But perhaps that's because of all the plants and the humidity.

Enjoy.

 

[disneymama73]

Thanks everyone.

I think based on what you say, I'll wear my short sleeved shirts to Epcot and the tanks to the other parks, including AK.

Oh and I will definitely wear lots of sunscreen. Including on my ears. On my last trip (10 years, sniff), I had my hair in a pony tail and my ears burnt. Ouch that hurt! Never occurred to me to put sunblock on my ears though lol! Thank goodness dd inherited dh's much darker skin. We still use sun block but she has not had a sun burn yet.

I think a lot of people forget about their ears. I've gotten blisters on my ears as well as my hairline at WDW.

Stay cool!

 

[Laurajean1014]

I would say WS at Epcot has the least shade. AK seems to feel the most humid.

Right on. However, I think MK is the hottest. That black tar is killer. AK most humid, MGM least hot and EPCOT most attractions!

 

[HopperFan]

EPCOT has the least amount of shade and the longest distance to walk between attractions so it can be unbearable and has a high sunburn alert for us . BUT, it's attractions are mostly indoor with lots of A/C, so if you are fast you can do it.

AK has shade, but it seems to be unbelieveably HOT and HUMID . I think because it's attractions are mostly outdoors.

The animals tend to look fresher than the guests.

MK & MGM are both easy to do in any weather to us.