Midday break at Disney due to heat?

Question

I am travelling to Orlando for 2 weeks in July with my wife and 2 children (aged 13 and 11). We are from Scotland and so are not used to extremely high temperatures and humidity though we are well travelled in Europe so high dry temperatures are usually ok. I have read a good strategy for coping with the heat is to go to the parks for opening time then leave around 12-1pm to return to the hotel and relax/swim etc then go back to the parks in the early evening around 6pm when it is cooling down a little. Is this a feasible thing to do if we are staying off site? We are staying in the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress resort. Or would it be better to stay in the park and book a long lunch and go to some indoor entertainment? We don’t mind using Uber etc to get about.

Answer

Your strategy of taking a midday break from the parks in July is very feasible and, in fact, highly recommended when visiting Orlando in the summer. The heat and humidity can be intense, especially for visitors from cooler climates, and a break can make the experience more enjoyable for the whole family.

Since you are staying off-site at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, the key consideration is travel time. The resort is about a 15–20 minute drive to Disney parks, so using Uber or Lyft to get there and back is convenient and straightforward.

Morning in the Parks: Arriving at park opening allows you to enjoy popular rides before the crowds and peak heat build up.
Midday Break: Leaving around 12–1pm is ideal. You can return to your hotel to relax, swim in the pool, have lunch, and cool down in air conditioning. This also gives your children a chance to recharge.
Return in the Evening: Coming back around 5:30–6pm works well because temperatures start to drop slightly, and evening entertainment and fireworks are easier to enjoy.

Alternative approaches if you wanted to stay in the park include:

Booking a long lunch at a table-service restaurant with indoor seating and air conditioning.
Using indoor attractions, shows, and character meet-and-greets during the hottest part of the day.
Taking advantage of mobile ordering for snacks and drinks to minimize standing in the sun.

Overall, with your Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress location and availability of Uber/Lyft, the midday retreat strategy is practical, comfortable, and likely to keep your family happier and more energized for the afternoon and evening in the parks.

Midday break at Disney due to heat?

More Orlando Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions