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Keeping Cool in the Parks




We all know that Florida is known for its sunshine.  During the warmer months, it is a good idea to take a break from the heat throughout the day.  Luckily, there are plenty of interesting ways throughout the parks for you to keep cool or take a break from the crowds for a few minutes.

When you are at the Magic Kingdom you can visit Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room and watch this Disney classic.  For an entertaining 3D show, drop by Mickey’s PhilharMagic.  Are you more of a jokester? Maybe the Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor is right up your alley; you may become the center of attention!  If you want to get away from the crowds and let the kids run free for a little while, then you should visit Tom Sawyer Island. The recently recreated Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride includes a brilliant new feature: much of your waiting will be done at an indoor playground.  Instead of standing in a queue outdoors, the entire family can cool off inside.  You'll be handed a pager as you enter the building; Mom and Dad can sit and watch while the kids are free to run and play.  Just outside the Dumbo ride is the Casey Jr. Splash 'n' Soak station, which is a lot of fun for kids and a great way to cool down.
 
When you are at Epcot there are lots of great indoor activities to enjoy.  If you want to try a variety of Coca Cola products from around the world, visit Club Cool in Future World.  Don’t miss out on drinking "Beverly"; it’s an experience you won’t forget!  One of my favorite characters is Figment; he can show you some great ways to use your imagination in his attraction "Journey into Imagination with Figment."  If you're looking for a nice, air conditioned slow-moving ride, take a trip on Spaceship Earth (inside the main icon of the park). If you need more time out of the sun then take a ride on the Universe of Energy; this attraction lasts about 45 minutes, so surely you will be refreshed when the show is over.

When visiting Disney's Hollywood Studios,  enjoy an exciting action-packed stunt show based on the movie Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.  While this is not inside, it is an opportunity to sit in the shade for a while. If you are in the mood for a 3D movie then head on over to Muppet Vision 3D.  Do you love princesses?  You can relax while watching a great open air theater performance of Beauty and the Beast, or the indoor theater show Voyage of the Little Mermaid.

Animal Kingdom can be a hotter park with its lush foliage and landscaping, but there are still some great ways to entertain yourselves and stay cool.  You can relax inside the Tree of Life with the show It’s Tough to be a Bug.  Just don’t squash the smaller guests.  One of the best shows I have ever seen is the Festival of the Lion King show, which is a fun-filled interactive performance based on the movie.  Finding Nemo: The Musical is the other Broadway-quality theater show that can be found in the park.  Do you want to get wet?  Then hop on over to Kali River Rapids for a wet and wild boating experience.  If the kids are looking for a place to run and jump around, and maybe dig in some Disney sand, a visit to Dinoland seems to be in order.  This is a great place for younger kids to get away from the crowds.  

As you can see, there are a lot of great places to go and cool off for a few minutes.  With a little planning and some back up activities you can have a wonderful time no matter what the weather is.

Here is a list of some of my favorite "cool down" spots:

Animal Kingdom
Dinoland – run and play area                                                    
Its Tough to be a Bug – show                                                      
Festival of the Lion King – show (currently under refurbishment)
Finding Nemo: The Musical                                                                       
Kali River Rapids – wet ride                 

Disney's Hollywood Studios                                         
The Great Movie Ride
Beauty and the Beast – live stage show
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular – stunt show
Honey I Shrunk the Kids -movie set adventure playground
Muppet vision 3 D – show
The Magic of Disney Animations – interactive drawing class

Magic Kingdom
Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room                                                               
Country Bear Jamboree                                                                          
Tom Sawyer Island                  
Hall of Presidents                                                                             
Mickey’s PhilharMagic                                                          
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor                                                          

Epcot
Club Cool- free samples of drinks from around the world
Innovations
Journey into Imagination with Figment
Spaceship Earth
Living with the Land
Universe of Energy


Tara

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