Summer in Disney World: Survival Guide

Summer is the perfect time to take a magical trip to Disney World with your family! But trust me, summer in Florida is NO JOKE. Navigating the parks, standing in long lines for rides and food, and finding accommodations that work for everyone–it can all be quite overwhelming.

Fear not! We’ve compiled a comprehensive guide of tips and tricks that are sure to make your summer spent at Disney World as fun and stress-free as possible. Whether you’re traveling solo or with a large group of people, this survival guide will have something for everyone—so join us on an adventure into the world of Happily Ever Afters!

Summer in Disney: Survival Tip #1

Genie+! So, I was totally against Genie+ when Disney started it a few years ago, but it looks like it’s here to stay. But, now knowing that I have a plan of action for the day actually makes it easier to survive the summer in Florida, by utilizing it the right way.

One hack is to schedule your early morning park plans with Genie+, then in the afternoon, when you are on a break, you can stack up the Genie+ options for your evening! There are a ton of different ways to handle the app! In the downtime…rest and relax in the air conditioner!

What is Genie+?

Genie+ is Disney’s reservation program for rides at each park. You essentially buy a ticket to be able to get into the lighting lanes at a theme park. Lighting lanes are the (often) shorter lines, so that you don’t have to spend hours waiting.

You have to buy Genie+ each day, separately, and you can buy it for each day after midnight. The price is $14-$29 per person/per day, depending on how busy the park is. But keep in mind that you may not get every single ride you want at the exact time you want each day. It also doesn’t apply to what some Disney enthusiasts consider “fancy rides” which are the most sought-after rides at Disney (which come at a higher premium).

You can begin “booking” at 7 am. Then you head out to your destination. Once you “check-in” to your ride’s “lighting lane” you are able to go ahead and schedule the next one, or you can schedule the next one 2 hours after your first.

On days when multiple rides have 100+ minute waits, Genie+ is going to save you from being stuck in the heat!

Selecting A Resort on Disney Property

Staying on Disney property is certainly our recommendation. At the end of the day Disney is about telling a story, painting a picture, and creating a complete experience, right? Well, the resorts on property certainly aren’t an exception.

Each has been carefully crafted and immerses you in a story – and we LOVE that. Plus, staying on property comes with perks that hotels off-site just don’t have. Added value! Additionally, having a place close to the parks is ideal for summertime siestas.

What Are the Perks to Staying on Property?

First, transportaion. You can navigate through the parks easily using Disney’s premier transporation hub. Guests with cars also get free parking at each park. Additionally, guests receive “early hours” at every park every day and extended hours once a week at Magic Kingdom Park and Epcot (for deluxe guests). Finally, guests on property are able to book Individual Lighting Lanes earlier as well as book Advanced Dining Reservations within 60 days of arrival!

However, there are SO many resorts (more than 25!). So, how do you select the one that is best for your family? Well, we’re here to break it down for you, and as we go, remember the story! A hint or indicator of it is usually in the name.

Disney separates its resorts into four categories – value, moderate, deluxe and villas (usually part of the Disney Vacation Club but can be booked for cash). Pricing usually follows this model as it sounds – value is a better price per night as compared to deluxe. Same goes for features onsite and availability of certain amenities. Let’s do a quick breakdown so you can make the best choice this summer!

Summer in Disney: Survival Tip #2

Utilize Disney’s best-kept secret! Baby care rooms! Each of the major parks has a Baby Care Center which is especially key for families with small children! These rooms are going to be essential when you need to escape the heat and give baby (and parents) a break!

Baby Care Center rooms have everything you need to recharge, most importantly, air conditioning! They also are equipped with supplies you may need to purchase or restock. Each have a fully-equipped kitchen with a refrigerator, bottle warmers, microwaves, and more. They also have a nursing room, so moms can nurse comfortably and privately.

Value Resorts: The Best Bang For Your Buck in Summer

The bulk of rooms in this category are standard and approximately 260 square feet. There is a basic bath setup (sink often in the open and toilet and shower/tub in a separate room) and bedding could be two doubles or a king. Some rooms in this category are family suites coming in at approximately 520 square feet. They have a similar setup as a standard but double the baths and add in some convertible sleeping options.

From here things at both are about the same. Views can differ from parking areas and wooded areas to swimming pools – and naturally the better the view the higher the price. Speaking of swimming pools, the pools here are typically themed and could be interactive, but here’s your warning – no slides!

These are the ideal locations for your summer vacation because their pools are super refreshing!

Other forms of recreation can be limited – think poolside games, a playground, and an occasional movie outside at night. Dining options are slim too with your only options being a food court or pool bar. Finally, transportation provided by Disney (a perk of staying onsite!) will usually be via bus.

The only exceptions to this are the Art of Animation Resort and Pop Century, which recently were added to the new-ish Skyliner route.

Includes: All-Star Movies, All-Star Music, All-Star Sports, Art of Animation, Pop Century, and Campsites at Fort Wilderness.

Summer in Disney Survival Tip #3

Surviving the intense heat of a Florida summer with kids can be a challenge, but with a little creativity, there are ways to make sure everyone stays comfortable and has fun. Try visiting in the early mornings when it’s not so hot outside. Then schedule a break in the middle of the day when the heat is the most intense!

Our recommendation is to go back to your resort for lunch and then hang out at the pool during the hottest part of the day. For other activities, get creative! If you’re going to stay at the parks, grab some water balloons from the store and let your kids have some fun cooling off by poking tiny holes in them! Most importantly, take breaks indoors and schedule plenty of time for relaxation.

Moderate Resorts: Our Preference When Staying in the Summer at Disney

Standard rooms in this category are in the 300 square foot range with a similar bath set up as a value resort, but maybe an additional sink. Two queen beds or one king is the standard, but there might be a spot for a potential fifth person (otherwise four is max).

Views are similar as well but throw in the possibility of a room facing/near a natural body of water. Pools, other recreation and dining options are a little more robust with the addition of “quiet pools,” water recreation, bikes, a health club (Coronado Springs), at least one table service restaurant and a lounge. Transport here is typically bus as well, but there might be a boat service from some resorts to Disney Springs. Boat to Disney Springs (Disney’s shopping/restaurant hub) port in Port Orleans and Riverside Resorts. The Skyliner also goes to the Caribbean Beach Resort.

Another point to consider with these resorts is that there are no balconies. Additionally, several do not have elevators, in case you need to factor in family/friends with limited mobility or lugging around strollers and baby gear.

Includes: Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Port Orleans French Quarter, Port Orleans Riverside, and Cabins at Fort Wilderness

Summer in Disney Survival Tip #4

Stay cool with long-sleeve sun/rash guards. I know it may seem counterproductive, but you don’t want to risk harm from the sun. I recommend these sun-rash guards because they not only protect from sunburn but also from rashes caused by moisture/sweating.

Deluxe Resorts: Go Big or Go Home This Summer

There are a variety of rooms and sizes here. We’re talking anywhere from 344 to 440 square feet. The bath situation can vary too and includes what you’ll find in a moderate, but probably in a different configuration for more privacy. If the room is larger, there might be several baths. Bedding configuration is like a moderate property with nothing smaller than a queen.

However, it’s the views, recreation, dining, and transportation that sets a deluxe apart. Pools will have slides, hot tubs, or other water features. Spa services might even be available. There are more table service restaurants, room service and maybe even character dining onsite. Lastly, these resorts are typically in close proximity to a park (very attractive to some), so transportation options open up. Buses, skyliner and boats could still be available, but add walking and monorails to the list.

Includes: Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club, BoardWalk Inn, Contemporary, Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Polynesian Village, Wilderness Lodge, and Yacht Club.

Summer in Disney Survival Tip #5

Portable fans and cooling towels. They benefit everyone and will help calm cranky kids. We recommend these:

Villas

We’ll keep things simple here. Villas are a part of the Disney Vacation Club program but can be booked for cash. Villas can be found at some deluxe properties, but there are also three that are dedicated to Disney Vacation Club. Rooms are villa-style with more amenities and can range from a studio all the way to a three-bedroom. Bath and bed configuration can vary by room size, but everything else is similar to a deluxe property.

Includes: Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary, Boulder Ridge Villas at Wilderness Lodge, Copper Creek Villas and Cabins at Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Villas at Jambo House and Kidani Village, Beach Club Villas, BoardWalk Villas, Old Key West, Polynesian Villas and Bungalows, Riviera Resort, Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, Villas at Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.

Evaluate each category as described and make your selection based on the needs of your family. From there, think about the story of the resort and what resonates with you most – maybe it’s animation, the Caribbean, or the South Pacific, and so on. With the breakdown above and these two tips, you’re on your way to selecting the resort that is perfect for you!

Is It Time to Book Your Disney Vacation?

Summer in Disney can be a blast and an unforgettable experience. With some pro tips on how to beat the heat, this could be your most enjoyable summer yet. So why wait? Let’s schedule your summer vacation today! Take a chance and explore what Florida has to offer; it’s time to enjoy a summer of sun and fun with friends and family!