Great weather goes hand in hand with a fantastic theme park experience, but don’t let the heat get the better of you this summer. Whether you’re heading to Orlando for the Disney, Universal, or SeaWorld parks, to Spain for PortAventura, or even visiting a UK theme park like Alton Towers (yes, we can sometimes experience a heat wave in the UK!), it’s important to keep cool and hydrated while you’re enjoying the sun.
What to wear to a theme park when it’s hot
First thing’s first when it comes to keeping cool – your clothing. Choose light, breathable fabrics such as cotton and linen, and opt for quick-drying or sweat-wicking clothes. Light-coloured clothing will keep you cooler than if you wear dark colours, which absorb the heat.
If you’re planning on going on some water rides (and we would advise you to cool yourself down!), then the quick-drying fabrics will come in handy.
You may also wish to cover up some of the most vulnerable areas, such as the back of your neck, to protect them from the sun. Or bring a lightweight top to pop on if you start to feel like you’ve had too many rays. Most of all, wear something you’re comfortable in.
What to bring with you to a theme park on a hot day
Preparation is key when you’re visiting a theme park during hot weather, so here are some items that you should pack in your backpack.
Summary: what to pack for a theme park on a hot day
- Sun cream
- Cap and sunglasses
- Reusable water bottle
- Handheld fan
- Cooling towel
1. Sun cream
Sunburn can quickly ruin your fun – it’s uncomfortable and painful as well as bad for your health – so it’s best avoided. Bring a high-factor sun cream and apply it liberally in the morning before you enter the park, remembering to keep reapplying it regularly throughout the day.
It’s best to bring sun cream with you, rather than relying on buying it in the parks. Some parks may not stock it, and it could be pricey.
2. Cap and sunglasses
Protect your eyes from the sunlight with a decent pair of sunglasses and keep the sun off your face with a sun hat or cap with a visor. Remember to take them off before you get on some of the bigger rides – you don’t want to lose them!
3. Reusable water bottle
Staying hydrated during warm weather is important, so be sure to drink plenty of water during the day. Most theme parks have water fountains where you can refill your bottle. They’re usually located near the bathrooms.
You can also get ice-cold water from any counter service restaurant at the Disney parks for free.
If you fancy something else to drink, then some of the parks, like Universal Orlando Resort, offer refill programmes where you can buy a souvenir mug and get discounted refills. Also, if you purchase All-Day Dining for the SeaWorld parks, you can get a soft drink (and food) every 90 minutes throughout the day.
A refreshing beer or frozen margarita is a great idea, but be mindful of your alcohol intake as it can dehydrate you further.
4. Handheld fan
A handheld fan can be a great asset if you’re left holding the bags or when you’re waiting in the queue for the next ride. While we don’t recommend you ride the Kraken at SeaWorld with a fan in your hand, they can be refreshing when you’re off the rides and catching your breath between coasters.
Level up your fan game with a misting fan that sprays a fine mist of water onto your face – pure bliss!
5. Cooling towel
A cooling towel isn’t a must-have, but if you already have one, then it’s a good idea to bring it with you. Popping the cooling towel around your neck can really help to cool your overall temperature down quickly, making you feel more comfortable.
Top tips for keeping cool at a theme park this summer
Summary – top tips for keeping cool at a theme park
- Seek out cold points
- Watch indoor shows at the hottest part of the day
- Freeze a bottle of water the night before
- Go on a water ride
- Visit a splash zone
- Leave the park in the middle of the day
- Find air conditioning where you can
- Eat lunch during the hottest time of the day
- Take breaks throughout the day
1. Seek out cold points
On a recent visit to Universal Studios Hollywood, we spotted an ingenious cold spot station set up at the top of the escalators in the park. It’s shaded and offers visitors the chance to sit down and rest with a cold cup of water. Better still, the area is specially fitted with a very effective water vapour spray and fan.
When you spot these areas, be sure to make a note (either mentally or on your phone) so you can pop back to them if you need a break during the day.
2. Enjoy indoor shows at the hottest part of the day
There are plenty of amazing shows to complement the rides at our favourite theme parks, and these often take place indoors in much-welcomed havens of air conditioning. It’s a good idea to do these shows when the sun is at its hottest, between 11am and 3pm, so you can take a break from its rays.
If you’re watching an outdoor water show, be sure to sit in the splash zone – it’s more fun and maybe just a little too refreshing! Remember to cover up and use lots of sun cream, even in the splash zone.
3. Freeze a bottle of water the night before
As we’ve already mentioned, one of the most important things to do in hot temperatures is to keep hydrated by drinking lots of water. Instead of buying bottled water when you get to the parks, bring your own cold water by freezing it the night before.
4. Hop on a water ride
For a quick refresh, hop on one of the water rides at the park for a good old soaking – there’s no quicker way to bring your temperature down!
Guaranteed to get you wet are Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges at Universal Islands of Adventure, Congo River Rapids at Alton Towers, and Kali River Rapids at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.
We recommend doing the water rides early so you can enjoy getting drenched but still have time to dry off before getting in your car or on the shuttle bus later. Don’t forget to re-apply your sun cream after your ride, as it may have washed off.
5. Visit a splash zone
If you need to cool off and you’d prefer to play in the water rather than drink it, look out for splash pads or “spray grounds,” which are located all over the Orlando theme parks. One of our favourites is the Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station in the Storybook Circus section of Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park.
6. Leave the park in the middle of the day
The beauty of purchasing an Orlando combination ticket is that you can get to the park as soon as it opens and then leave around midday to return to the hotel for lunch and a cooling swim.
You can then re-enter the park (or visit a different one) later in the afternoon when the temperature has dropped a little and check out the rides you missed in the morning.
If you don’t fancy a swim, there are plenty of other ways to spend a couple of hours. Why not take a nap? You’ll then be feeling refreshed and ready to marvel at night-time shows and firework displays.
If you’re staying at a Disney Resort hotel, there is often entertainment to keep you occupied during the day. At Disney’s Riviera Resort, you can do a scavenger hunt, and there’s a craft centre. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge you can take a self-guided safari and see the animals.
Top tip: You don’t need to be a staying guest to visit the Disney Resort hotels. Why not pop in for a coffee or a bite to eat and explore.
7. Find air conditioning where you can
If you’re heading to Orlando, then you’ll find that most of the inside areas have air conditioning – a welcome respite from the Floridian heat. Some of the attractions have indoor queues and popping into restaurants and gift shops is another great way to stay cool.
If you’re travelling with little ones, head to Dumbo the Flying Elephant in Magic Kingdom Park, where there’s a soft play area inside an air-conditioned big-top tent. You can stay here while you wait instead of standing in a queue, and you’ll be alerted when it’s time to ride.
8. Eat lunch at the hottest part of the day
Another great way to avoid being in the sun when it’s at its hottest is to head to a restaurant. You can enjoy a yummy lunch, refuel, and take a break before tackling the rides in the afternoon. Indoor restaurants in the theme parks are often air-conditioned, too.
9. Take breaks throughout the day
Of course, we know you want to go on every ride and see everything there possibly is to see, but you don’t want to get overwhelmed and end up overheating. When you’re planning, try to fit in some short, regular breaks to give everyone a bit of a rest.
And on that point, don’t be afraid to be flexible! Having some sort of a plan or schedule is good, but remember, you don’t need to stick to it religiously.
If you’re ready to plan your next theme park adventure, come rain or shine (but hopefully shine!), you can plan your holiday through AttractionTickets.com.
