Surviving the Heat in Magic Kingdom

It is a hot Disney summer again this year. No surprise there and after several hours of walking, standing in line, and just being on your feet outside it is a great idea to take a load off and maybe get out of the sun for some time. I can understand you have your must-dos and you don’t want to waste time just sitting in a gift shop while you see your money thrown away without experiencing the great attractions, so here is a list of attractions you can do to cool down at Magic Kingdom. My favorite places that will become very evident are the shows. They can cool you down, they can provide entertainment all while sitting in a sometimes pretty comfortable chair. 

Country Bear Jamboree and the Enchanted Tiki Room

are old classics of Walt Disney World and a great display of animatronics and theming, and also, industrial air conditioning. They are also very close together, so it seems right to lump them together. Another added tip is to get a Dole Whip and bring it to the Enchanted Tiki Room. A great way to cool down. 

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Front Row

I have to put the distinction of the front row. This flume ride separated itself from the competition by being a flume ride where you won’t get super wet depending on the seat. Even during my ride through in the front row, I didn’t get soaked, just enough to cool me off. Even if you do sit in other rows there is a big portion of the ride indoors in the air conditioning, so it is still a great ride. A bonus is that there are parts of the queue in A/C with one section of the line quite possibly being the coldest area on property. This ride is 11 minutes long, so you get a pretty long break from walking in the sun. The opening section of the ride and queue do have sections directly in the sun.

Pirates of the Caribbean 

A great classic attraction. A must-do every time I walk into the Magic Kingdom and it doubles as a great place to cool off. A majority of the queue is inside and the parts that isn’t will be shaded. The ride is 8 minutes and 30 seconds, and you possibly might get a little wet. 

Hall of Presidents

This is one of my favorite shows at Walt Disney World, maybe because I am a big history nerd and it is a 25-minute show in the air conditioning. The shows run continuously, and the waiting area is littered with cool displays, benches, and air conditioning. It goes through major moments in American history and it is a bipartisan great show. 

Small World

The song can drive most people crazy but a 15-minute slow-moving boat ride in air conditioning with minimal wait is a win for me. It is also a Walt Disney classic, and you can’t go to Disney without listening to this world-famous song. Please don’t send me the therapy bills. 

Philharmagic

A show that doesn’t get much love in the Disney community. It is almost always a very short wait and overlooked a lot. It is a 12-minute show with an indoor queue and has classic Disney music and great characters that the kids will love. And you will love the A/C. 

Dining

Any table service restaurant and any quick service restaurant with indoor seating. 

A great way to take a break and cool off. These can get expensive in a hurry but are a great use of time. 

Space Mountain 

This does have a longer wait than most in the park and on this list, but it is worth it. All of the queue is indoors and if the extended queue is open it is outdoors but if you do see this, you need to run away from Walt Disney World because that day is crazy busy. 

Very fun ride too! Not very comfortable seating but good air conditioning. 

Monsters Inc. and Carousel of Progress

Once again lumping two for one. They are almost side by side and a great use of time. Almost always a short wait and an enjoyable air-conditioned show. Unfortunately, the Carousel of Progress queue is outdoors but they move quickly. The show features products of the past present and future as they go throughout the decades showing progress in these items. A classic show and a great song. This show lasts 21 minutes. Monsters Inc. is just a fun show for the kiddos and has some moments that are pretty funny for adults too. This show lasts 15 minutes. The queue is all indoors so a great way to get out of the sun.

The People Mover

A quick way to get off your feet and one of the most relaxing rides at Walt Disney World. This is typically a favorite for the Disney community and for good reason. A quality relaxing ride with minimal waits with all the ride being in the shade or in air conditioning. An easy way to get a quick break as the ride lasts 10 minutes and the wait is minimal. 

There are more than 10 but Google algorithm likes rounded numbers. Most of this list are shows that are featured at the Magic Kingdom and they are a great way to cool off while having some enjoyment. It is currently 92 degrees outside with the sun out and no clouds in sight. I know you have your must-do attractions and shows might seem like a waste of time for some people. I know I didn’t want to back in the day, but it is necessary because this sun is no joke. Sprinkle some of these attractions during your Disney day at Magic Kingdom to keep cool. I know it is expensive but if you pass out on the pavement due to lack of water and heat exhaustion the hospital bill will be pretty rough on top of a Disney vacation. Be smart. Be safe.