Hi there, Dawn, and welcome to planDisney! Your trip is so close, and pretty soon you'll be walking right down the middle of Main Street, U.S.A. Thanks for bringing your question to us about shade. Florida is known as The Sunshine State for a reason, and you're smart to be thinking ahead of ways to stay cool while enjoying the magic.
I have some good news for you. I took a look at the
Walt Disney World Resort Property Rules and found that umbrellas aren't among the list of prohibited items. You can bring your umbrella along both for shade and for rain protection. Florida may be known for sunshine, but it's also known for almost daily afternoon showers during the summer months, so keep it handy.
Would you like some other ideas for staying cool in the sun? Many Guests find that afternoon rest breaks during the hottest part of the day are perfect to avoid overheating while allowing time to enjoy your
Disney Resorts Collection hotel. If I plan to stay inside a Disney theme park all day, I like to make a dining reservation for mid-afternoon to cool off, rest and refuel to get ready for the remainder of the day. I also like to take advantage of some of the indoor shows in the afternoon for comfy seats and air conditioning.
The American Adventure at EPCOT is a favorite of mine because I like to try catching the
Voices of Liberty before the feature show. It's basically two shows in one with plenty of A/C. Also, make sure you hydrate regularly, and consider packing cooling towels and maybe even a neck fan to help you stay comfortable.
Dawn, I hope this has been helpful to you. Please visit us again with any other planning questions.
Let your dreams guide you!
Melanie