Our Favorite Ways to Stay Cool at SeaWorld Orlando

Somehow, every year, it seems summer days get hotter and those hot days last longer. Temperatures in Orlando have frequently reached the mid-90s, as of late. With Florida's never-ending sunshine and notorious humidity, it can be tough to stick out a full day at the theme parks. Luckily, SeaWorld Orlando offers plenty of ways to beat the heat and stay cool during your visit. Keep reading to find out how to have a fintastic time, no matter the temperature!

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FAQs

• What should I pack for a day at SeaWorld Orlando to stay cool? To beat the heat at SeaWorld Orlando, bring misting fans, cooling towels, hats and sunscreen.
• Can I visit SeaWorld Orlando on another day if it's too hot? Yes, SeaWorld Orlando offers Weather-or-Not Assurance when there is a heat index of 110 degrees or higher during your scheduled visit.
• Does SeaWorld Orlando have an app? Yes. The SeaWorld Orlando mobile app is available for download on both Google Play and the App Store.
• How much is the Ultimate Penguins On Ice Experience at SeaWorld Orlando? Prices for the Ultimate Penguins on Ice Experience start at $199 per person.
• Are there dryers at the exit of SeaWorld Orlando's water rides? Yes, there are human-sized dryers available to use for a small fee.

Packing for the Heat at SeaWorld Orlando

Before you begin enjoying your day at the park, you must arrive with all the essentials to keep you and your froggy squad cool, protected and hydrated.

Sunscreen

This is our No. 1 packing essential. However, if you somehow find yourself frogetting it, sunscreen is available at almost every store throughout the park. Slather it all over you and your tadpoles prior to arriving and reapply every two hours. Keeping your skin protected under the boiling Florida sun is incredibly important. The last thing you want is to arrive back at your hotel and realize you're bright red! Sunburn isn't only damaging to the skin but can ruin any other fun activities you have planned on your vacation.

Hats and Sunglasses

I never leave the pond without sticking a pair of sunglasses on top of my head. For any frog — but especially those with light and sensitive peepers like mine — keeping your eyes shielded from the sun is equally as important as protecting your skin. A hat or visor will also provide some wonderfully welcomed shade on your face. Make sure not to bring anything too fancy. The last thing you want is to lose a favorite accessory while riding Manta or Mako!

Lightweight, Quick-Dry Clothing

Avoid dark colors that attract the sun and heavy fabrics such as denim or cotton. Tank tops, athletic shorts or yoga pants are my go-to clothing options. Plus, they're incredibly comfy to walk around the park in all day. They're also perfect for those water rides you might just find yourself running to!

On that note, Infinity Falls will get you drenched. While there are human-sized dryers available at the exit of each water ride, you may want to bring a swimsuit to wear underneath and/or a change of clothes if you know your tadpoles will get fussy walking around in wet clothing (even though the sun is also a quick, free dryer)! Additionally, wear slip-on, waterproof sneakers or bring a pair of flip-flops or water shoes for these rides. Wet socks are not something you want to deal with for the rest of your park day.

Cooling Accessories

Cooling towels, portable misting fans and neck cooling fans are all permitted on SeaWorld Orlando property and a great option to have when the clouds disappear, and the sun starts beaming down mid-day. While not absolute necessities, if you already have them, you may as well bring them. Your future self will thank you.

How to Stay Cool at SeaWorld Orlando

1. Book a Tour for the Ultimate Penguins On Ice Experience 

I cannot even begin to express how absolutely amazing it feels hopping into this exhibit on a hot day!

This habitat that features six different species of penguins is kept at a whopping 28 degrees Fahrenheit and there's no barrier between you and these birds. I took shelter in here on a particularly scorching day in June and was able to stay in here — wearing just a tank top and yoga pants — for about half an hour before I felt my fingers start to go numb. That being said, you will want to bring a jacket for any particularly warm-blooded frogs in your party. (A useful rain jacket will even do the trick!) The tour lasts about 40-45 minutes, and includes interesting facts and behind-the-scenes glimpses into how these beautiful birds are cared for.

2. Stop by Other Animal Habitats

While Antarctica is by far the coldest building on property, you'll still find a much-needed escape from the heat at other exhibits, including the Jewel of the Sea Aquarium, the Manta Aquarium, Shark Encounter, SeaWorld Rescue Center, and the Expedition Odyssey Animal Habitat. Conveniently spaced out throughout the park, these habitats offer a mesmerizing look into the fascinating underwater worlds of these majestic animals — while also offering some blissful air conditioning.

3. Sit in the Splash Zones

Park your frog squad in the first few rows of Dolphin Adventures, Orca Encounter or Flippers, Facts and Fun: The Sea Lion Experience to get a wet and wild welcome from our aquatic friends!

4. Hit Up the Water Rides and Splash Pads

There's no faster or more fun way to cool off at SeaWorld Orlando! Enter a mystical paradise and prepare to take the plunge on Journey to Atlantis, a thrilling flume/coaster hybrid. Store all valuables and hang on tight as flowing fountains, surprise geysers and breathtaking waterfalls soak every inch of you on Infinity Falls, a world-class, rip-roaring rapids ride that leads you to the tallest drop of its kind into churning whitewater. Splash along with Ernie and his bath time buddy at Rubber Duckie Water Works, a water play area complete with watery blasts, fountains and pop jets that's fun for the whole family.

5. Brave the Coasters

Experience daring drops, high speeds and epic inversions on SeaWorld's six thrilling roller coasters: Penguin Trek, Ice Breaker, Mako, Kraken, Manta and Pipeline: The Surf Coaster. If anything, these awesome attractions are sure to get the wind flowing through your hair — even on the most scorching of days. Pipeline is especially notable for its RFID technology that customizes each rider's experience as you're harnessed into your seat that's calibrated to move in two-inch increments to resemble riding the waves as closely as possible.

6. Take a Mid-Day Hotel Break

Nothing recharges you when the heat starts to be too much like a dip in your resort pool or even just a relaxing nap in your hotel bed. With many hotels just minutes away from the park, there's plenty of time to leave the park mid-day and come back right before the sun starts to set. This is also a great strategy because you won't be out in the heat when temperatures are at their hottest. No matter how toasty it gets, temperatures are always more manageable both early in the morning and later at night.

7. Take It Slow

While it can be tempting to just run from ride to ride, it's important to squeeze in frequent breaks throughout your day. Taking time to sit down in the shade and cool off is incredibly important. Lakeside Grill, Flamecraft Bar and Glacier Bar are three of our favorite places to do just that in comfortable, shaded areas. Coaster Coffee Company at the front of the park and Coaster Coffee Express near Dockside Pizza Co. are also the perfect places to grab some caffeine when you need that extra boost.

Of course, I have to mention my favorite area of the park! One of the least crowded spaces at SeaWorld Orlando is the walkway between Sesame Street Land and Expedition Odyssey. This sidewalk skirts the water and is an ideal place to slow down for a bit and enjoy the view of Kraken and Mako across the lake and even the adorable Flamingo Paddle Boats!

8. Stay Hydrated

One of the most important tips I could possibly give is to stay hydrated throughout the day. Drink water even when you're not thirsty. Heat exhaustion and dehydration are no joke and hoppen more often than you think. Pack a reusable water bottle and refill it at various water fountains located throughout the park. Sugary and alcoholic drinks (such as the Coaster Cocktails served during Coasters After Dark) might be delicious, but can leave you even more dehydrated than you were before.

9. Utilize Quick Queue

While many of the lines are under shaded structures, a few of the lines are actually inside. Cut your wait time significantly on any ride by purchasing Quick Queue Unlimited. With this epic add-on, you can hop on your favorite rides over and over again without waiting for potentially over an hour each time in the hot sun.

Do you visit SeaWorld Orlando often? Opt for year-round Quick Queue access.

10. Know the Weather Policy

Sometimes, even all the above tips aren't enough to keep you cool. In May 2026, Central Florida experienced a few record-breaking heat waves! The good frogs over at SeaWorld Orlando want you to have an amazing time while you're there — no matter how high the temperatures get. That being said, their weather policy includes extreme heat.

That's right: If extreme weather impacts your experience in the park or impacts flight plans for an upcoming visit, SeaWorld Orlando invites you back within 12 months — free of charge! This Weather-or-Not Assurance program applies year-round, covering weather events for every season, such as extreme heat (i.e. a heat index of 110 degrees or above), rain, lightning, wind, snow, hail and more. This means that if Mother Nature winds up having other plans for your park visit, you can come back to the park another day at no expense to you.

To take advantage of this incredibly generous program, you must be present in the park on the day of your ticket and either stop by Guest Services in the park or complete an online form with your original order number within one week of your visit.

Do you have any other tips or tricks to stay cool at SeaWorld Orlando? Let us know in the comments below.

Related: Our Favorite Ways to Stay Cool at Universal Orlando

Our Top SeaWorld Orlando Tips for Your Next Visit

Hoppy planning!