Disney World Cool Down Spots — Best Places to Beat Heat

When you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World, you should know about the best spots to get out of the Florida heat and scorching sun!

GUEST RELATIONS

Guest Relations at Disney Springs (Image: Dustin Fuhs)

Each theme park has a unique Guest Relations indoor area, but the best one BY FAR is the Welcome Center at Disney Springs! From the free ice water to a FuelRod exchange location, this is a must-visit if you’re looking to soak in cool breezes in really comfy couches and chairs!

QUICK SERVICE LOCATIONS

Connections Cafe Starbucks Location at EPCOT (Image: Dustin Fuhs / StepstoMagic)

There are a number of Quick Service restaurants that provide a spot for you to find a table, break out the wifi and check out what’s next for you in the most magical place on Earth!

Best Quick Service Restaurants for this are: 

  • Pizzafari @ Disney’s Animal Kingdom
  • Connections Cafe @ EPCOT Future World
  • Sunshine Seasons @EPCOT’s Land Pavilion
  • The Pinocchio Village Haus @ Magic Kingdom in Fantasyland
  • PizzeRizzo or Backlot Express @ Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Article Continues Below

ATTRACTIONS

Living with the Land at EPCOT (Image: Dustin Fuhs / StepstoMagic)

I was going to list each and every single attraction separately, but the idea is to find an experience that you can either “walk up” to without a Lightning Lane reservation and grab a seat for an indoor show for an extended period of time.

Magic Kingdom

  • Carousel of Progress
  • Mickey’s Philharmagic
  • Country Bear Jamboree

EPCOT

  • American Adventure
  • O Canada (No seats, just leaning rails)

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

  • MuppetVision 3D
  • Beauty & The Beast on stage (Covered area, not indoors)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

  • It’s Tough to be a Bug
  • Festival of the Lion King

Article Continues Below

RETAIL STORES

Some of my favorite spots to soak up some A/C are the shops that I can spend around 5-10 minutes in without struggling too much. I know that you’ll think about the big retail areas, but there are some hidden spots that I just love to visit!

Magic Kingdom

  • Momento Mori at Haunted Mansion
  • Storybook Circus

EPCOT

  • Creations Shop in World Celebration
  • Northwest Mercantile in Canada Pavilion
  • Anywhere in the United Kingdom Pavilion
  • Ok, by this point…you’re seeing a pattern. Basically, any pavilion in the World Showcase will offer an air conditioned retail shop to get out of the heat:)

Animal Kingdom

  • Windtraders in Pandora: The World of Avatar
  • Disney Outfitters (Great Pin Trading too!)

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

  • Tower Gifts

Hope this helps with your Disney Vacation planning! If you’re ever looking for great air conditioning spots…look for the nearest Cast Member and ask:) They’ll point you to a spot that you may not have even thought about!

47 Shares

Latest

The Most Controversial Disney Opinions That Happen to Be True

From fireworks to character dining to Universal, these are the controversial Disney World opinions most fans won't say out loud. But they should.

Kali River Rapids and the Secrets Built Into It

Kali River Rapids has a Sanskrit name meaning death, was originally designed around live tigers, and once had real fire effects that Disney quietly retired. Here is what most guests never find out.

Should You Visit Animal Kingdom in the Morning or Afternoon

Trying to decide when to visit Animal Kingdom? Here is the honest answer on whether morning or afternoon wins, and how to build your day around the right choice.

The EPCOT Lightning Lane Attractions Actually Worth Your Money

Not every EPCOT Lightning Lane is worth your money. Here is the honest breakdown of which rides to buy, which to skip, and how to build a strategy that actually works for your family.

Most Popular

The Best Disney World Advanced Dining Reservations to Get ASAP

Our updated list of the best Disney World Advanced Dining Reservations, built from real experience. Including new additions, honest picks we haven't tried yet, and the ones worth keeping on your radar.

The Best Jungle Cruise Puns Guaranteed to Make You Groan Out Loud

The Jungle Cruise skippers have been delivering groan-worthy puns for decades. Here are the best ones that make you laugh in spite of yourself every single time.

Top 10 Things We’d Never Do Again at Walt Disney World

From DVC timeshare presentations to evening flights home, these are the Walt Disney World experiences we learned the hard way and will never repeat again.

The Best Free Birthday Perks in Orlando You Need to Claim

The most complete guide to free birthday perks in Orlando, including Disney Springs restaurants, Universal CityWalk, Orlando Premium Outlets, and local restaurants that actually deliver on their birthday offers.
Dustin Fuhshttp://www.stepstomagic.com
I’m Dustin Fuhs, a theme park fanatic that has created this platform to showcase my passion, tools and opinions to create a fun and interactive experience for everyone who visits. My goal is to help you and your family have the most magical experience at Walt Disney World. In reading my articles and ideas, I hope that you can find some fantastic ways to bring your dreams into reality!

The Worst Disney World Advice

From outdated park tips to advice that only worked for someone else's trip, here is the Disney World guidance worth ignoring entirely.

The Best Disney World Shopping Destinations Worth Seeking Out

Disney World stores worth seeking out, from Memento Mori to Savi's Workshop to the World Showcase pavilions most guests walk right past.

Where to get Free Drink Refills at Disney World

At certain quick service locations at the theme parks, there are drink stations that are in the middle of the dining area. When you purchase a fountain drink, the cast member gives you a cup and then you make your way to the station to pick your drink (and refills)

The Most Controversial Disney Opinions That Happen to Be True

From fireworks to character dining to Universal, these are the controversial Disney World opinions most fans won't say out loud. But they should.

How to Successfully Get Hired at Walt Disney World This Year

Disney hiring is more than submitting an application. Here's the C.A.S.T. criteria, the referral secret, and exactly how to ace the interview and land the job.

10 Disney Souvenirs We Regret Buying at Disney World

Save your Disney budget for what matters. Here are 10 souvenirs we bought at Walt Disney World that we genuinely wish we hadn't.