7 Tips for Avoiding Sunburn at Disney World — From a Pasty Native Floridian

Few things ruin a Disney World vacation faster than a wicked sunburn.

Trust me — I would know. As a pasty Native Floridian who was fortunate enough to grow up going to the beach and the Disney parks, I’ve had my fair share of run-ins with the sun. Because of that, I now take sun care very seriously. So, here are some top tips for avoiding sunburn at Disney World — from a pasty Native Floridian.

It Starts from Within (HYDRATE, people!)

Before I get to sunburn prevention, I can’t stress enough how important it is to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated while you’re in the Disney parks. Dehydration can creep up on you quickly — especially when you’re exerting energy walking from ride to ride in the hot sun — and even the most seasoned Disney veterans can be caught off-guard.

Despite what Tom Brady once said, drinking water won’t actually prevent sunburn, but it will certainly help you survive the summer heat in Disney World overall. Being sunburnt is one thing, but being dehydrated and burnt-to-a-crisp sounds like an even worse pairing than charred octopus tentacle and beer in a cocktail (I’m looking at you, Squid’s Revenge.)

Lather Up

Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. I’ll say it a thousand times — you will need sunscreen in Disney World during the spring and summer months. Truthfully, I wear it year-round any time I’m in the parks, especially on my face. If my arms, legs, or shoulders are exposed, I’ll make sure I’ve got sunscreen there, too.

And, don’t make the mistake of thinking that just because it’s an overcast or cloudy day you don’t need sunscreen. UV rays can slice through clouds like I slice through Mickey waffles at breakfast, so you’ll want to make sure you’ve put sunscreen on even if you’re not expecting particularly sunny weather.

It’s also important to make sure you choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher (I usually wear 30 or 50 on my body and 60+ on my face if I can!) The higher the SPF, the less UVB exposure is let through. I also highly recommend buying it ahead of time and bringing a decent supply with you — Disney World does sell sunscreen, but you’ll find yourself paying Disney prices for it.

Re-Apply

I told you I’d say it a thousand times — yep, more sunscreen! Don’t think you can slather the kids up from head to toe once in the hotel room before you head to EPCOT — that won’t work. Sunscreen is only effective if you reapply it — something I had to learn the hard way.

Check the recommendations for the particular brand you’re using and reapply as directed. My general rule of thumb is every couple of hours or when I realize it’s been way too long since the last time I reapplied. For my makeup-wearing Disney friends, sunscreen sticks can be excellent for reapplying without messing up your look too badly!

It can be a bit tricky to reapply sunscreen when you’re in a crowded Disney World park, but you’ll be thankful you reapplied in the long run. Find an area that’s away from people (especially if you’re using spray sunscreen), and please for the love of all things Disney do not stop in the middle of a walkway.

Get Shady

While sunscreen is your first line of defense against the sun, it shouldn’t be the only thing you rely on to prevent getting toasty. Some Disney World parks offer more shade than others, but you can typically find a place to escape the sun and heat no matter where you are.

At EPCOT, the Land Pavilion is a great spot to grab some shade (and you can even ride my favorite attraction — Living with the Land!), while grabbing some Jungle Juice and heading to catch Feathered Friends in Flight in Animal Kingdom has saved me more than I can count.

Hollywood Studios is a bit tougher — consider checking out some shows like Walt Disney Presents, or heading over to a dark ride. The queue for Rise of the Resistance might be long, but it’s typically pretty shady. Classic dark rides and shops will be your best friends in Magic Kingdom — Pirates of the Caribbean and the Carousel of Progress are my top choices, with the Enchanted Tiki Room getting an honorable mention.

Cover Up

Another option is to wear lightweight clothing that covers most of your skin. This can add an extra layer of protection on top of the sunscreen I know you’re wearing to the parks now since we had this talk. You can even go a step further and choose clothing that’s rated for UV protection if you want!

A long-sleeve, lightweight shirt might sound like a nightmare in the Central Florida heat, but imagine the nightmare that is not getting any sleep because you’ve been tossing and turning with an excruciating sunburn all night long. On particularly sunny days, I also like to double-up with a hat and sunglasses too. Baseball caps are great, but bucket hats and those with wider brims tend to be best.

Watch the Clock

The sun is at its most powerful between 10AM and 4PM each day, so if you can, watch the clock and try to avoid being out in the direct sunlight during these hours if you can. This is true even on cloudy days when the UV rays are still at their highest.

I already mentioned spots where you can hide from the sun, but this is a great time to plan to do indoor rides or shows during your day. If you’re using Genie+, try to make selections during this time for dark rides or those with shady queues. Another tip is to book an Advance Dining Reservation — that way you get the chance to relax for a bit in some air-conditioning.

Listen to Your Body

When it comes down to it, you know yourself and your family or travel party best. The sun in Florida is not to be trifled with, but the best thing you can do is be prepared and listen to your body. If you’re feeling like you might be getting a sunburn, get out of the sun as soon as you can and do what’s best for you!

The Sunshine State may be incredibly welcoming, but the Florida sun is unforgiving. Hopefully, you’ll learn from past me’s mistakes and take these tips seriously before your next Disney World trip!

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What are your tips for beating the heat in Disney World? Tell us in the comments.

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