Visiting Walt Disney World in the summer isn’t all sunshine and blue skies. It can be challenging for many reasons, but even more so thanks to the extreme heat and weather.

It gets HOT in Orlando during the summer months. Like, really hot. There are days where you step outside of your hotel room and immediately start sweating. There’s no way around it. You will feel like you just got out of the shower (make sure you get a portable handheld or neck fan — it does help).

Sometimes there just isn’t enough Disney magic to make you feel better when you’re dripping in sweat, thirsty for water, and hoping the sun doesn’t burn you to a crisp as you stand in front of Cinderella Castle watching the afternoon show.

Well, that’s what I’m here for — to share Walt Disney World dining tips for summer.

From the chance to book free dining, to water refill stations, to Quick Service restaurants with indoor seating and lots of air conditioning, let me help you prevent sweat, dehydration, and heat exhaustion so the most magical place on earth doesn’t became, well, not magical.

In this article

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Walt Disney World Dining Tips for Summer

Use Water Bottle Refill Stations

There are water bottle refill stations across Walt Disney World for you to refill your reusable water bottle — for free!

Here are all of the current locations at the theme parks:

Animal Kingdom

• In Flight of Passage queue (Pandora)
• In Na’vi River Journey queue (Pandora)
• At restrooms across from Isle of Java (Discovery Island)
• At restrooms between Mombasa Marketplace and Tamu Tamu Refreshments (Africa)
• At restrooms by Satu’li Canteen (Pandora)

Hollywood Studios

• At Black Spire Market restrooms (Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge)
• At bus loop restrooms (near Disney Skyliner and bus loop)
• At restrooms across form Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant and BaseLine Tap House (Grand Avenue)
• At restrooms inside ABC Commissary (Commissary Lane)
• At restrooms near Milk Stand (Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge)
• In Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run exit queue (Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge)
• Next to Sunshine Day Bar (Sunset Boulevard)
• Outside Guest Relations (park entrance; Hollywood Boulevard)
• Near vending machine area outside security (park entrance)

EPCOT

• At International Gateway entrance restrooms and lockers (International Gateway)
• At restrooms inside Connections Eatery (World Celebration)
• At Rose Walk restrooms (walkway between Port of Entry and Imagination! pavilion)
• Inside the Odyssey pavilion (World Discovery)
• Outside Guest Relations (World Celebration)
• Outside Journey of Water entrance (World Nature)
• Near World Nature restrooms (World Nature)
• Near CommuniCore Plaza restrooms (World Celebration)

Magic Kingdom

• At TRON restrooms (Tomorrowland)
• Inside Pinocchio’s Village Haus (Fantasyland)
• Inside Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe (Tomorrowland)

Take Advantage of Free Water

If a Quick Service restaurant serves fountain drinks, they can give you cups of water — and you won’t be charged!

You may even see water stations set up around the resorts and parks. For example, Spice Road Table in EPCOT’s Morocco pavilion always has cups and water for guests near the check-in stand. You can even ask for to-go cups of water at Table Service restaurants.

A few tips when getting free cups of water:

• If you stand in line to order or Mobile Order, ask the Cast Member who gives you your tray for cups of water (they will either fill the cups for you or give you cups to fill if there is a self-serve beverage station)
• If you check out at a hotel food court, ask the Cast Member at the register for however many cups you need for water and then you can fill them yourself at the self-serve beverage station
• If you don’t have a food order at a Quick Service restaurant, you can still get cups of water. Just walk up to the counter (I usually go in the Mobile Order line as to not cut anybody off in the standby line) and ask.

The purchase of bottled beverages adds up, so free cups of water is the way to go.

Eat at Quick Service Locations with Indoor Seating

You can find plenty of Quick Service locations at the theme parks with indoor seating and air conditioning.

When it gets hot or there is bad weather approaching, many guests will flock to these locations, so be sure to plan accordingly.

Animal Kingdom

• Pizzafari (Discovery Island)
• Restaurantosaurus (DinoLand U.S.A.)
• Satu’li Canteen (Pandora)

EPCOT

• Connections Eatery (World Celebration)
• Katsura Grill (Japan)
• La Cantina de San Angel (Mexico) – indoor seating is available inside La Hacienda de San Angel for select hours until dinner service begins
• Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie (France)
• Regal Eagle Smokehouse (America)
• Sunshine Seasons (World Nature)
• Yorkshire County Fish Shop (United Kingdom) – indoor seating is available inside Rose & Crown for select hours until dinner service begins

Hollywood Studios

• ABC Commissary (Commissary Lane)
• Backlot Express (Echo Lake)
• Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo (Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge)

Magic Kingdom

• Casey’s Corner (Main Street, U.S.A.) – very limited indoor seating
• Columbia Harbour House (Liberty Square)
• Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café (Tomorrowland)
• Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe (Frontierland)
• Pinocchio Village Haus (Fantasyland)

Use Indoor Table Service Seating Areas

During the day, EPCOT allows guests to sit inside two Table Service locations for a select amount of time outside dinner hours.

This way, they can escape the heat and weather, enjoy the air conditioning, eat their lunch, and sip on a beverage.

The first location is the Rose & Crown Dining Room. Before they start setting for dinner service, you’re allowed to sit in the dining area. I love grabbing a drink at Rose & Crown Pub (which is connected to the main dining area) and taking a much-needed break here.

The second location is La Hacienda de San Angel. If you’re dining at La Cantina de San Angel, this is the perfect spot to have your meal. Most of La Cantina de San Angel’s tables are outside, so this is a nice option.

Plus, this is one of the more popular Quick Service spots and finding a table can be hard. Being able to sit inside is a great way to cool off and gives guests more chances to find a table.

There will be a sign outside La Hacienda de San Angel noting if additional seating is available or if inside seating is closed for the day.

Try Free Dining If It Will Actually Save You Money

Disney World sometimes offers a free dining plan during the summer, including a “kids eat free” promo.

That said, free dining isn’t always the best option. When you book a free dining plan, you cannot apply any other discounts to your reservation. You definitely need to figure out what is best for you and how you can save the most money.

To ensure you get the best deal, I recommend contacting Hannah from Little Bit of Magic. She can help with all of your booking needs.

Have Lunch Outside of the Park

It’s never a bad idea to go back to your hotel or another resort for a break, especially in the middle of the day when it’s most likely to rain/storm and the peak heat has arrived.

Sometimes a change of scenery, where you can rest, enjoy air conditioning, and escape the crowds is the energy boost you need.

Plus, you can have lunch at a worthy hotel Quick Service or Table Service restaurant. If you’re eating at the latter, don’t forget reservations are always recommended.

Book Table Service During the Hottest Part of the Day

The middle of the afternoon in the summer at Disney World is always the hottest part of the day. This is also when it usually rains and storms.

It’s not a bad idea to make a reservation at a Table Service restaurant during this time, so you can cool off, rest your feet. enjoy a good meal, and avoid high temperatures and bad weather.

Grab a Cold Beverage or Treat

I always recommend grabbing a cold treat or beverage at Disney World, but even more so when it’s summertime.

I suggest a delicious Dole Whip, a refreshing beer, ice cream, a frozen drink (there are lots of alcoholic and non-alcoholic offerings), and more. The options are endless at Disney World.

Yes, snacks might melt quickly and drinks may get warm fast, but the first taste is usually worth it. Tip: eat and drink fast.

Find Lighter Fare

On a hot day, the last thing I want to eat is heavy, greasy, or fried food. I like to order lighter fare, and there are plenty of places to do exactly that.

Here are a few places I recommend with light bites and fresher options:

• Wailulu Bar & Grill at Polynesian
• Bar Riva at Riviera
• Nomad Lounge at Animal Kingdom
• Summer House on the Lake in Disney Springs
• The Boathouse in Disney Springs
• La Creperie de Paris in EPCOT

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If you have any dining tips for Walt Disney World, drop them in the comments!