Traveling to Florida Theme Park this summer? The Florida heat and sunshine can be quite unexpected for a lot of travelers, so take the advice of a Florida native on the best way to visit the fun amusement parks in Orlando and the rest of the state!
What’s the Florida Weather Like?
It can reach 100°F in Florida (that’s nearly 38°C) during the hottest parts of a Florida summer! Please be prepared for this level of not only heat, but a humidity that can make it feel harder to breathe since the air is so thick with moisture.
The summer months are also more crowded since this is when everyone takes a vacation in the U.S. and abroad. If you can arrange a vacation in the early spring that is hands-down the best time of year to visit any of the Florida Theme parks!
Also, hurricane season runs from June to November (but hurricanes are most active in August, September, and October!) so keep in mind that tropical storms, wind, and weather can be quite problematic during these months! Check out the National Hurricane Center right before you leave to see if any major storms are brewing!
What to Bring into the Theme Park?
- Snacks! You can and should bring a backpack filled with snacks and quick foods you know your children (and you) love. You will be waiting in a lot of lines for rides and child meltdowns, though common, can be avoided with proper snacks.
- Water Bottles: Disney is expensive, and if you’re on a budget, or just care about the planet, bring a water bottle–you can fill up at the free water-fountains and even ask for ice from the drink vendors! It’s very important you stay hydrated to avoid heatstroke and to ensure happy kids.
- Sunscreen: Apply a layer of sunscreen before you even leave the hotel for the day (it takes at least 15 minutes to soak into your skin). Then apply every 2-3 hours throughout the day. The Florida sun is strong and beat-red tourists roam the streets of Florida’s theme parks, all wishing they had brought their sunscreen!
- Extra shirt/outfit for the very little ones. It can sometimes come in handy to have a spare shirt for any dripping ice-cream stains, water, and the various other things children do to their clothing. During the cooler months this can also be a lifesaver if the weather suddenly turns colder.
What Should I Wear at the Theme Park?
Summer: All of your sunny-weather gear, and contingencies for rain
- Hats for everyone in the family (or you can buy fun but pricey hats inside the parks)
- Light clothing that can easily breathe. You will sweat, a lot. Consider capri pants and shorts as options on everyone in the family, or a cool sundresses for the females.
- Sports sandals, a lot of the most popular theme park rides involve water, and soggy socks and shoes are no fun.
- Light ponchos: If rain is in the forecast you can definitely wait out most Florida summer storms, but it helps to don a poncho when you’re caught between attractions.
Winter: Layers, the strong Florida sunshine warms up the winter days, but expect colder nights and some overcast days.
- T-Shirt: Even on the coldest days of winter the temperatures can swing dramatically between sunlight and shade, so start with a t-shirt underlayer for everyone in the family.
- Sweaters and jackets: These are easy to take on and off and therefore ideal.
- Scarf/hat: Make sure to bundle up a night, fireworks over the lake can get very chilly even on a warm winter night.
- Hats, it may not be summer, but the Florida sunshine is strong, so make sure you protect your face from getting a strong sunburn.
What Should I Research Before We Leave?
- Height restrictions for the most popular rides. Little children will not be able to ride some of the larger roller coasters in the parks, so make sure you don’t promise them they can before you leave! (Take advantage of “child swap” once at many of the parks if you’re traveling with a wide range of ages).
- Ride refurbishments and closures for the rides your child is most looking forward to so you ensure no one leaves disappointed!
- Holiday specials: Depending on the holiday and season the parks offer different hours and special events. The holiday season at all of the Florida theme parks is particularly well done and magical.