Water rides are just one of the many ways to keep cool while at Disney

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Disney's Pop Century Resort

Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

It’s about a billion degrees in Orlando during the summer, so how can you stay cool while you visit Walt Disney World? As the poem goes … “Let me count the ways…”

The obvious way to stay cool at Walt Disney World is to jump into one of the great pools. Pools like the Hippy Dippy Pool at Disney’s Pop Century, or Nanea (the Volcano Pool) at the Polynesian Resort are — like all of the hotel pools around Disney World — great places to escape the heat.

Another way to get away from the Central Florida summertime furnace is by visiting one of the awesome water parks. Both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach (the world’s coolest water park) are great for getting out of the broiling sun and into a nice, cool lazy river.

Finding places to cool off when you are in the theme parks is essential. Each of the parks have some attractions where you can sit down in the air conditioning and cool off.

Magic Kingdom –

Carousel of Progress – A great place to cool off. The air conditioning is always set on 68 or so, and there is never a wait.The Enchanted Tiki Room – A cool place to take a nap, oops, I mean cool off. The benches aren’t very comfortable, though.

Epcot –

Impressions de France – A 20 minute movie with wonderfully comfortable chairs.Sunshine Seasons Food Court – It’s in the Land Pavilion, and you can sit here all day and no one will bother you.

Disney Hollywood Studios –

Sounds Dangerous – They even turn out the lights for you in this one. This attraction is kinda short, but usually doesn’t draw a big crowd.ABC Commissary – It’s a restaurant, but there is almost never a crowd (for a good reason, but that’s a different story), and the temperature is usually just above freezing.

Animal Kingdom –

It’s Tough to Be a Bug – The waiting area is under the Tree of Life. Although it’s not technically indoors, it’s usually fairly cool. Once you get in the theater, you will chill out.

There are a couple of places where kids can go and play in spouting. They are located in Epcot on either side of the big fountain. In this area water dances up out of the ground and splashes the wee ones. Kids don’t just get wet, they get soaked.

Of course if you just want to get a bit wet, you can ride some of Disney World’s water rides. The rides that will get you the wettest are Splash Mountain, Kali River Rapids, and The Backstage Tour in Disney Hollywood Studios (make sure to sit on the left side of the tram if you want to get wet).

Enjoy Disney World, and stay cool!

– Carl Trent of Dad’s Guide to Walt Disney World and Dad’s Guide to WDW the blog