1st summer visit - tips please

[Daisy]

This is our 8th trip to WDW but our 1st during summer. From New Orleans so always went the week of Mardi Gras (nice weather/kids out of school) and couple of trips in Oct.

DH has conference so arriving July 1st. Traveling with 2 DS 17 & 13 (hey, also 1st trip with 2 teens)

Any tips regarding heat, crowds, etc. would be appreciated.

 

[monorailsilver]

We head to the parks when they open (or just before) & then we usually eat lunch in the park & head back to the resort from around 12-5, give or take a an hour.

We swim, relax in the room, do laundry, etc...but just basically relax/downtime.

Then we head back around 4 or 5 & usually eat in the park & stay til closing.

We bring water bottles with us. I fill them up with ice, add some water, add more ice, etc...so they stay cold for as long as possible.

As for the crowds I reallly have never had a problem with them. It may be because I do the major rides early in the am (this is with out small children) before the park gets too crowded & at night we linger & do a ride here & there.

 

[Storminator]

I agree. The crowds are doable (though you are going around the 4th so they will be large...use fast pass) but the heat can sap all of your strength if you don't plan. I'm used to humid weather, but 12 hours in it without a break would kill me. Go early, take a long break, and go back. Plan at least a day and maybe 2 at a water park. Don't eat too much.

We usually go off season but have gone twice during the summer. Lower your expectations as to how much you will get done and you will be fine.

 

[beccasmom]

I agree about taking it as easy as possible - not easy, but really important! Make sure to keep everyone hyrdrated. Mix your ride times with inside attractions times so that you can sit down and cool off - Hall of Presidents comes to mind! Dress to be as cool as you can. Eat foods that keep you cool - like salads, fruits, cereal, ice cream. Water or fruit juice is a better alternative than sodas. Take a break mid-afternoon to retreat to your hotel pool if possible or simply find a shaded area and chill with a cool drink. When you feel a need to rest, do so and try hard not to overextend yourself. Florida heat and humidity is extreme, so take it as easy as possible.

 

[buzz2400]

I go every 4th of july week. drink lots of water, get to park as soon as it opens, use fast pass.

 

[Greg K.]

Since you've been to WDW a time or two (or seven or eight), you can be more selective about what you want to do, and how you want to do it. Prioritize. And plan.

What others have said is good advice: go early, leave early, and take advantage of EMH and Fastpass if you can. By noon, the parks will be clogged and suffocatingly hot.

And there's this: in the summers, sudden and violent rainstorms are not uncommon in the afternoons. They last 20 or 30 minutes, then pass -- and then it's a PERFECT time to visit the waterparks! People scatter and head back to the hotels, and you can have these places to yourself.

 

[GinaGrumpyDwarf]

Plan your days as well as possible...know what you are doing before you walk in...popular rides EARLY, find misters...LOL and HAVE FUN!!

 

[pezpam]

Water, water, water. And high-SPF sunscreen. Even if you 'never' burn, you will in Orlando. I can't tell you how many families I heard a couple of weeks ago saying things like "We NEVER burn at home" as they sat there just lobster-red.

Adding in tamer-but-cool things like misters, restaurants, and my daughter's favorite.... the Carousel of Progress (UGH, I don't like it, but it does the trick cooling us down while she watches the show) will help a lot, too. Giving your body a bit of time to really cool down is important and really helps you get through the day much more comfortably.