How to beat the heat at Disneyland

Here’s how to stay cool, find shade, and have fun when you head to Disneyland Resort on a hot day.

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Extreme heat is common at Disneyland, thanks to the resort’s warm-weather location in Anaheim, California. While the days are often pleasantly sunny, the heat can make you sweat even in a traditionally cold winter. At the end of summer and early fall, it’s common to see temperatures rise further (and heat waves are common in September and October!). So, even if you’re not visiting Disneyland in the height of summer, you’ll want to expect warm weather — and prepare for the heat.

Below, we share our must-know tips for how to beat the heat at Disneyland to help you stay cool, covered, and comfortable no matter the temperature.

What are the hottest times of the year at Disneyland?

Orange County’s weather is typically hottest during August and September. It may seem counterintuitive to expect warmer temperatures in the fall, but these months tend to see consistently hot days and warm evenings, with temperatures in the 80s and 90s.

Summer weather begins to appear early in April each year, as days become warmer at the beginning of the month; However, nights tend to remain cool during June. As July approaches, hot days become more consistent.

Even after September is over, it’s common to see high temperatures and 90 degree days (or hotter!) in October. Plus, since Southern California experiences relatively warm weather year-round, you never know if hot days will appear in the winter as well. You may experience temperatures of 80 degrees or higher during the day even in January and February.

Here’s an overview of what the weather typically looks like month by month at Disneyland:

How to pack and dress for the heat

When it’s hot at Disneyland Resort, you have to be prepared. Spending hours outdoors in the hot sun can leave anyone irritable and exhausted – and you don’t want to end up dehydrated or overheated. Here’s what to bring and how to prepare for a full Disney day in the heat.

Bring an insulated, refillable water bottle with you

Water is crucial on hot Disneyland days. You’ll sweat just queuing all day, and the more active you are (like walking from one attraction to the next), the more you drain your body’s hydration. So, Bring a reusable water bottle With you – we recommend isolated one To keep your drink cold all day long!

There are plenty of places to fill your water bottle throughout the day, and you can easily get ice from quick-service restaurants located throughout the theme parks. A reusable water bottle will ensure you don’t get low on hydration, which is a key factor in keeping your body temperature cool on hot days.

Layered dress

It may seem counterintuitive to dress for hot weather at Disneyland, but you actually want to wear more than just a t-shirt and shorts! Remember, most of the queues at both Disneyland and California Adventure are outdoors – and there’s not always shade. To reduce the sun’s effect on your skin and body temperature, it’s a good idea to do so Wear layers of light, breathable clothing.

You can layer a tank top or T-shirt under a thin long-sleeved shirt, for example, to keep your arms and chest covered from the sun. When the day heats up, or your layers get too warm, you can remove the outer layer. Plus, it’s easy to have options if you step into any air-conditioned spaces, such as the cool Soarin’ Queue or the cool Main Street Cinema.

If you’re visiting Disneyland in the spring or fall, classes are especially helpful. Mornings can be cool and foggy, and evening temperatures can drop into the 60s. When it’s cold out, having an extra layer handy can help you warm up or stay comfortable.

Don’t forget sunscreen and a hat

Too hot to even consider layering? Make sure to pack some sunscreen! While it won’t quite help you stay cool, sunscreen is essential for protecting your skin from sunburn — which, in addition to making you very uncomfortable, can raise your body temperature even higher. Reapply sunscreen regularly throughout the day, especially if you sweat a lot.

You will also need to bring a hat for your personal shade. The hat will protect your face from the sun and help cool you down a bit. while baseball cap Wide-brimmed hats work perfectly, and can help shade more of your head and neck for more heat and sun protection.

Carry refrigeration equipment

Since you won’t always be able to get into the air conditioning while you’re at Disneyland during hot days, you’ll need to bring a few items that can help you get a cool breeze or lower your core temperature. There are a number of options you can pack that are lightweight and easy to use during heatwaves, such as:

Just having the ability to turn on your little breeze—or soak in a cool towel to help you get some comfortable temperatures—can make all the difference on the hottest days of the year.

Choose a lightweight park bag

Finally, while you want to keep your hands free and have a place to stash your water bottle, cooling towel, fan, and all those other Disney must-haves, you don’t want to burden yourself with a heavy backpack or suitcase. Throwing a bulky backpack or bag over your shoulders on hot days can lead to increased sweating and fatigue. Instead, try to find a bag that’s breathable and lightweight, such as a packable backpack, that can hold your essentials but won’t allow you to add a lot of extra weight.

Relax in these shaded, air-conditioned spots around the Disneyland Resort

Photography by Adrian White

Throughout the hot days at Disneyland, you’ll need a break from the heat. Fortunately, while there are many outdoor spaces that will put you directly in the harsh sunlight streak, there are also quite a few shaded areas…and plenty of air-conditioned buildings!

When you feel the heat rise or it’s too hot to stand another line, head to these shaded, air-conditioned spots to escape the heat at Disneyland and California Adventure:

• child centres at Disneyland and California Adventure, which allow parents and little ones to relax in a cool environment
• Disney Animation Building (or cartoon art) has a lot of cool interior space and multiple attractions
• Disney Junior Dance Party!allowing the little ones to relax and have fun
• Disneyland picnic areaA shady spot with lockers and picnic tables
• Golden horseshoeIt is air-conditioned and offers ample seating
• Golden Winerywhich features a shady, quiet path that leads to the Walt Disney Imagineer’s former blue-sky vault
• Lobby of the Grand California Hotelwhich offers rocking chairs and plush lounging (in air-conditioning!)
• Hungry Bear RestaurantWhere you will find shaded patios upstairs and downstairs
• Main Street Cinema Cool, dark and fun
• Redwood Creek Challenge Trailwhich contains a lot of shaded areas
• The Lion King’s Tale at the Fantasyland Theatre Offers a shady place to watch the show
• Disneyland Railway It provides shade and a gentle breeze while riding
• Hyperion Theaterwhich provides a long opportunity to sit back, cool off, and relax (in case a show is on!)

Still want to visit some sights, but need something to calm you down? The attractions at Disneyland and California Adventure are terribly great (including some with air-conditioned queues!):

• Finding Nemo Submarine Journey
• Great moments with Mr. Lincoln
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission – Breakout!
• Haunted Palace
• Indiana Jones Adventure
• It’s a small world
• Mickey and Minnie runaway railway
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• The Roger Rabbit Toon Car spins
• Soren
• Space Mountain
• Star Tours
• The Enchanted Tiki Room (Bonus: You can bring your awesome Dole Whip with you!)
• The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Adventure Under the Sea
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Plan breaks at the hottest time of the day

When you’re trying to beat the heat at Disneyland, you’ll need to make sure you time your day to match the weather. Remember that California days are usually cooler in the morning and evening – but on exceptionally hot days, you’ll find that temperatures don’t vary much and can stay high into the evening.

So, it’s best to give yourself a real break from the heat and get out of the parks during the hottest times of the day. Usually, the heat peaks around 3:00 in the afternoon. This means that you’ll want to head back to your hotel or find a cool, air-conditioned place to relax from around 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM during your Disney Day. It’s the perfect opportunity to take a nap, put your feet up, go to the pool, or even just find something cool restaurant For a snack or late lunch.