Top 9 Places To Rest And Cool Off At Walt Disney World

There is no doubt about it, Walt Disney World shares in the heat the rest of central Florida enjoys.  The summer season brings extreme temperatures and large crowds after school lets out for the season.  It can get to you if you don’t plan ahead for some relief.  Walt Disney World is still the best place to be in any kind of weather so let’s take a look at how to stay cool and collected.

9. Oasis, Animal Kingdom

One of my favorite hideaways is in the many caves found in the Oasis of Animal Kingdom. Many people move on by these without even noticing them. They are easily found at the higher end , the one closest to the bridge taking you to Discovery Island.  There is lush foliage, birds to watch, waterfalls, and places to sit.  It is fairly quiet too.

8. Innoventions, Epcot

Innoventions has lower crowd levels, and you will find benches, air conditioning, and even some couches.  There are activities for the kids to do in here if they are not the ones tired out, and lots of carpeted floor to sit on. These are least crowded as the afternoon stretches on.

7. Walt Disney Presents in Hollywood Studios

Walt Disney Presents is a great representation of Walt Disney and his creative genius through the years.  You even see his office set up in there, models of his inventions, models from Disney castles from other countries, just so much Disney in one place! There are benches near the theater where you can see a film, in a comfortable seat, about Walt Disney. If you have never been, make this a priority on your next trip.

6. Columbia Harbor House, Liberty Square, Magic Kingdom

The upstairs of Columbia Harbor House is quieter because many people do not realize they can go up there.  It offers  great views of Fantasyland, offers air conditioning, and there is plenty of seating and tables where you can grab a bite and have a cool drink.

5. The Living Seas with Nemo & Friends, Future World, Epcot

Enter into the wonderful air conditioning and board a shell vehicle to enjoy the ride.  When you get off the ride you find yourself in area two-stories high with large tanks where you can sit and watch sea creatures swimming about.  It is a large area  and carpeted so it is easy to relax here, the  kids can take a nap even. It  is pretty quiet most of the time and there are bathrooms right there.  After awhile of rest, take the kids into Turtle Talk with Crush for one of the most entertaining interactive shows at Walt Disney World. It could be the highlight of their day!

4. Tom Sawyers Island, Frontierland, Magic Kingdom

This is an attraction you ride over the Rivers of America to on board a wooden raft and it has fairly low crowds all the time.  On the Island you will find it to be much quieter although there is a playground for the kids, a fort, bathrooms, and air conditioned caves to walk through, and you can even take drinks and food over there to enjoy. There is plenty of shade available and a covered porch that has chairs and tables to sit at while enjoying views of the river and Frontierland.

3. American Adventure pavilion, World Showcase, Epcot

American Adventure Pavilion is the largest pavilion in World Showcase so it has more space to fill when it becomes crowded in the park. Step inside for the air conditioning and learn more about America too.  In the main pavilion there are places to sit while waiting for the next show.  The theater is enormous and the seats are comfortable. It is a great show too. It is long enough that kids(snicker) who may need a nap can catch one here. The quick service location here is also very large, and not that well visited, so you can find a cool place to sit here and some tempting things on the menu. There are nice bathrooms in this pavilion too. The KidCot station is in the shade and there are picnic tables set up under the big portico to the side. And hey, there is ice cold beer nearby too!

2. Hall of Presidents, Liberty Square, Magic Kingdom

Hall of Presidents is centrally located, it is a large air conditioned theater with comfortable seats, comfortable to the point that people of all ages have fallen asleep in here, but I really do like the presentation.

1.  Animal Kingdom, Finding Nemo-the Musical

This is a 40-minute long show in an air conditioned theater with comfortable seating, good music, and you can even get a FastPass+ for it.  This is a great show.  We get to sit in comfortable seats while all the actors, dressed in black, manipulate the puppets on stage to entertain us.  It makes you feel human again after a day of sweating and being jostled about.

Many families choose to return to their resort for some down time for the kiddos in the air conditioned rooms, or perhaps a dip in the resort pool to cool everyone off, then they head back to the parks or a restaurant for dinner.  Whichever one you choose, we hope that you enjoy all of your time at Walt Disney World, even the hottest parts of it.