Storybook Circus has a great splash zone where you can cool off.

Summer is here and it is hot in most of North America. However, in Central Florida and in Walt Disney World, it is beyond hot. It’s super-hot. When you add in the high humidity and blazing Florida sun, you might just want to find some ways to cool off by getting wet.

Fortunately, Disney has you covered!

There are a surprisingly large number of ways to get wet and cool off around Disney World. Some will get you completely soaked while others just give you a chance to dip your toes into the water.

Let’s take a look at six excellent places to get wet at Disney World:

1 – Disney Beaches

About 60 miles from the beaches on either coast, Orlando is in the center of the state of Florida.  However, you might be surprised at how many Disney Resort Hotels have their own little beaches on lakes where you can sit on the sand or dip your toes in the water. Note that Disney strictly prohibits you from swimming in these lakes. I’m not sure if it is because of “brain-eating amoeba”, alligators, or just general liability, but I don’t want to be on the wrong side of any of those things.

Disney beaches:  wade yes, swim no.
Disney beaches: wade yes, swim no.

Here is a list of resorts where you can enjoy the beach and a little surf:

Magic Kingdom Resort area:

  • Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
  • Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
  • Disney’s Contemporary Resort
  • Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
  • Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Epcot Resort area

  • Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
  • Disney’s Beach Club Resort
  • Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Animal Kingdom Resort Area

  • Disney’s Coronado Springs

2 – Disney Resort Hotel Pools

Every resort hotel at Disney World has a pool for guest use. However, not all pools are created equal. Some of the Value Resorts have very basic swimming pools, while others are more involved (hello Disney’s Beach Club Resort with Stormalong Bay which is nearly a water park on its own). Disney generally doesn’t allow ‘pool hopping’ so if the theming of your resort’s pool is important to you, be sure to do some research when you book your reservations.

The Cars section of the Art of Animation Resort has a fun pool.
The Cars section of the Art of Animation Resort has a fun pool.

3 – Disney Splash Zones

Disney understands that it is hot and they’ve added a lot of places where folks can get a little splash of cool water; even little ones can get soaked!

Magic Kingdom: Casey Junior Splash n’ Soak Station in the Storybook Circus section of New Fantasyland has plenty of water attractioms that allow small kids to get wet. Very wet.

Storybook Circus has a great splash zone where you can cool off.
Storybook Circus has a great splash zone where you can cool off.

Epcot: Liquid Layer in the walk between World Showcase and Future World has plenty of bubbling fountains that little kids will love.

Disney Springs: You can find a play fountain next to the Hanes Build-A-Tee store where kids can have fun.

4 – Disney Sports

While you aren’t allowed to swim in Disney lakes, you can definitely get fully wet in them if you are willing to pay for a sports adventure. The Sammy Duvall Watersports Center located in Disney’s Contemporary Resort offers water skiing, wakeboarding, and tubing.

5 – Disney Water Parks

If you are looking for an all-day, soak-in-the-wate,r “Disney-style” type of experience, plan to spend some time at one (or both) of Disney’s world-class water parks: Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. Whether you want to spend your time floating around a lazy river or taking a crazy fall on the 12 story high Summit Plummet, there is something for everyone.

Note that the water parks generally operate from 9am to 7pm or 8pm, so you may want to get an early start.  Also, consider that these parks, like others, will fill up around midday, especially when it is hot.

6 – Disney Park Attractions

You can get a little spritz of water in many attractions including Mickey’s PhilharMagic in the Magic Kingdom and It’s Tough to Be a Bug in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

However, there are a few rides where you can get really soaked too:

Magic Kingdom: Splash Mountain in Frontierland is a log fume ride where you may get anything from a good splash to a complete soak.

Splash Mountain earns its name every day - you may get wet.
Splash Mountain earns its name every day – you may get wet.

Animal Kingdom: Kali River Rapids is a raft ride in the Asia section of the park where you will get bone-soaking wet. It’s the whole purpose of this ride.

Whether you want a little cool down or a full-body soaking, Disney has got you covered.

Do you like getting wet at Disney World?