There is no mistaking the fact that it is hot in Walt Disney World. Well…yes, it’s obvious that it is hot in Walt Disney World, but the comments you hear while walking through the parks may prove that not everyone notices that fact. With the temperatures in Florida being hot 9-10 months a year, the summer months can be absolutely brutal. Knowing that, you’ve got to find ways to protect yourself and here are some shady spots in the Magic Kingdom where you can take a break.
This list is going to name the obvious and not-so-0bvious places where you can get out of the sun for a little bit at the Magic Kingdom and keep from getting scorched.
1.) Take a ride or a see a show
So you have an agenda and time schedule at Magic Kingdom that you are trying to stick to your guns about. That’s understandable, but maybe you’ve got a 27-minute gap between your dining reservation and the end of your Haunted Mansion FASTPass+ reservation because the DoomBuggies moved faster than expected.
Scoot into the Hall of Presidents. It may not be for everyone, but it runs for 23 minutes and you can get out of the sun and better yet…into the A/C. Believe it or not, it’s a really good show and you can learn a thing or two while you’re in there.
Aside from Hall of Presidents, just get into any show that you are walking past or go on a ride that is indoors and can cool you off for a few minutes.
2.) Just duck into the shade
Believe it or not, there are more shady spots in the Magic Kingdom than you may think. You just don’t notice them because you’re usually walking right past them en route to your next destination. Some of them are already taken up by smoking sections, but others are there for your resting pleasure.
Remember though…they may not always be shady spots depending on the sun’s position, but they’re good at times when needed. Here are just a few of them:
- The Tangled-theme area has tables, phone chargers, and trees providing some decent shade.
- In the Tomorrowland arcade, there are benches in the way back allow you to take a seat and charge your phones if needed.
- Take shots at the Frontierland Shooting Gallery. It’s not indoors, but it is greatly shaded and cool and you can have some fun for a bit.
- Next to the Golden Oak Outpost is tree-covered seating on the left and a little area on the right before you get to Splash Mountain. Sometimes, there is an ice cream wagon open there so don’t crowd them. But if it’s not open, have a seat off to the side and rest in the shade.
- Around the Liberty Bell replica – Shade trees provide great cover and there is a little big of wall seating available.
- In front of the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse – There is actually some rock-bench seating between the entrance to the treehouse and the egg roll cart in Adventureland.
- In the very back of Tomorrowland between the restrooms and Space Mountain. There is a good bit of seating and almost always a spot covered in shade.
- Tom Sawyer’s Island – The hidden fun spot at the Magic Kingdom. No, it’s not really hidden, but so many avoid it. Almost the entire island is covered in shade so even if you’re not sitting and resting, you can walk while covered in tree-shade. Let’s not forget the awesome mines and caves to walk through that are exceptionally cool…even in the dead of summer.
SEE: Disney Myths – Fact or Fiction: Find a paint brush on Tom Sawyer’s Island, get a FASTPass
NOTE: Please make sure that if you find a shaded area, it’s out of the way. Don’t sit down smack in the middle of a walkway or queue line so you can cool off. There are options.
For instance, the covered walkway between Liberty Square and Fantasyland is NOT a seating area. Just because you sit on the sides against the wall of Columbia Harbour House or Yankee Trader doesn’t mean you’re out of the way. It’s a walkway.
3.) Have a snack
Go into any number of restaurants in the Magic Kingdom and grab a quick bite. You may not be that hungry, but there are great snacks to be had at just about any quick-service location…they include carrot cake, apple slices, cucumber salad, French fries, and chocolate cake.
Pull up a stool at Gaston’s Tavern and have one of their massive cinnamon rolls. Grab a cupcake from Cheshire Cafe and sit in the covered seating off to the side. Pick up a Citrus Swirl and sit at the covered seating area across from Sunshine Tree Terrace.
4.) Take a look around in the stores
The time it takes to walk through the Emporium (walk, not sprint) will cool you off in plenty enough time. Take a look at Uptown Jewelers and the Confectionery on the other side of Main Street as they are good to cool off in and also pick up some great Disney items. In the back of Magic Kingdom is Big Top Souvenirs which is huge and mighty cool on the inside. In here, you can do some shopping and grab a snack all while staying out of the sun for even 10-15 minutes.
