Thank you all so much! This is very informative and gives me a lot to plan around. I hope to get FP’s for most all rides mentioned or at least hit up early in the morning/evening except Haunted Mansion... didn’t even consider that one, but certainly will now! The info on TSL being so hot is really helpful as well. I’ve heard AK is crazy hot everywhere, may just have to do the best I can and suck it up.
We've been to WDW a number of times in the summer, and we actually enjoy it. Mind, we usually aim to take a break from the heat roughly 2pm until about 5pm every day, or when the afternoon storms end.
For some reason, it doesn't really matter the ride, there's a short stretch around 11:30am - where the humidity feels a bit intense, but then it gets better, even though the temp goes higher.
Even still, the temps usually only ever go up to 92 at the highest. your best bet- acclimate yourself to summer outdoor temps before you go as much as possible. Get outdoors, and minimize how much you expose yourself to AC. Your skin take about 2 weeks to acclimate. A day at the beach, outdoor sports, are great for this.
AK feels a bit hotter because the foliage blocks much of the breeze. Even still, I dunno, we don't mind the heat that much. Each trip varies, but on a few summer tips, I have actually felt a little chilly in the evening. I was happy to be wearing long pants. Some trips are hotter though. Where normally we might walk between Epcot and HS, in summer we maybe take a few more shuttle boats.
DO drink LOTS of water!
After the sun sets/storms pass- PM temps in FL are often fairly comfortable. FL is a peninsula.
In my opinion, heavy rain storms are a more significant weather factor than the heat. Some trips are rain free; others feature multi-hour storms every day. Most commonly you'll get short down bursts. Often your best bet is just to pop into a gift shop for 10min. Try not to waste a plastic poncho on one of those mini-storms. Also, don't count on being able to swim every afternoon, or shuttle boats running. WDW closes pools, metal coasters, animal attractions, etc ANYTIME lightning is within a certain distance. It can be completely SUNNY, and the pool is closed.
We also avoid misters. Dry is better, but we don't bother with any special towels or coolers or anything, just the heat makes us a bit sleepy sometimes. Oh, and chocolate melts VERY QUCKLY! WDW is full of chocolate! Oh, and maybe limit how much you carry around all day.