Advice please...what would you do?

[Trespassers William]

We will be going on our last family next year to WDW and as the 2 kids are no longer in secondary school (DD will be at Uni and DS will finish his A Levels next year) we have a longer summer break to choose from.

So here's the question, when would you choose to go between mid June and the beginning of Sept? what are the pros and cons during that period?

When we went in 2008 we went mid August. We stayed on site for the first time which was excellent, we got free dining and the crowds weren't too bad, the downside was the weather. We had a tropical storm for the first few days and when it cleared it was very, very humid.

I know US kids break up earlier so will crowds be heavy in June but I assume the weather would be better.

Any advice from more experienced visitors than us would be really appreciated.

 

[joolz1910]

I have zero experience but I do lots of research. I would go in Sept:
US kids back to school
Most Brits back to school
Better weather than August
Lower crowds
Lower humidity
Free Dining
Chance of MNSSHP (later in Sept)

 

[RDP]

Im a october /november person. Find the summers busy, too humid and the flights too expensive. Would leave it as late as you can but you still risk hurricane season.

 

[Sapper383]

If you need to go before the beginning of september then the last 2 weeks of august are you best bet as the US school kids go back to school halfway through august.

 

[queendisney]

Im a october /november person. Find the summers busy, too humid and the flights too expensive. Would leave it as late as you can but you still risk hurricane season.

Yes I am with you on that one with November..
But this is not an option for the OP so from that choice I would also leave it as late as possible. Have been in June/July before and NEVER again and been twice in September. The first time we did September we had a week of bad weather but it was still hot and didn't really have any impact in what we had planned, the second time we got stuck in hurricane Francis and was stuck in the hotel for 3 whole days, but this is very rare! I would rather risk hurricane season then go in June...

 

[happyj]

We have done July and August and September because of school holidays and exams and would prefer September ( the weather was good for us ) or late August.
I would never feel your days are over as a family because children are getting older. If we pay our daughter comes and when she earns money she will still want to come. Next year 4 of us are going and DD will be 23 and her partner 26

 

[Invisable89]

Hmmmm.. i'd say early June or the last few weeks of August.

Early June - Weather should be a bit more bareable, less humidity than July/August. But it will be hot! Would probably be crowded to a certain degree but not as bad as July. If you go to the Parks for rope drop, take advantage of EMH & only go to the Parks until lunchtime or the early afternoon & spread them out (e.g do MK over a few mornings then go back in the evenings to see the parade/fireworks) then that should make things ALOT easier.

Mid-late August/early September - The main issue is the heat/humidity but if you do what i typed above then that should also help, also make sure you drink plenty of water & rest as much as possible. That is why i say go to the Parks in the morning because it's alot hotter in the afternoon (usually). Also, the crowds will probably be lighter (especially in September) due to American School children going back to School from mid August.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

June is very busy time. Sept is less crowded because the kids have gone back to school. I would go in Sept. But keep in mind the first weekend in Sept is a holiday in the States so the parks will be crowded that weekend because its a 3 day weekend for most people.

 

[kazdav]

Majority of US kids went back on Wednesday (24th) but not all states are the same some go back beginning of September.

 

[jtlover]

We went last year at the end of August/beginning of September due to daughter's a levels

Next year we are going beginning of September so we are back for her to go to University around mid September.

We liked that time of year as less kids around due to the US kids back at school.

I dont like June personally, it is too hot for me

 

[mackay_j]

we were in a similar situation, just a note remember to factor in any possible uni resits dates- just in case! We were just about to book up for Aug when we thought about this. DD does not expect any - infact did so bril this year that she got an award But sure as fate if we booked to be away during or just before next years resits she would have one.

Also if other one is doing A levels and is going to uni, you may want to be about for results day, just in case he has to go through clearing as this is manic (friend dd just done this) and would be best to do while here for phone and internet access.

 

[WSussex]

Hi

We have been to wdw in Sept for 5 times - our 6th trip this sept - crowds always low and have always had fab weather - occaisional thunderstorm late arvo which quickly clears up - last year we went end of june/july - crowds huge and much hotter - not a great mix so will from now on always go in sept!

Sx

 

[Trespassers William]

Thanks for the advice everyone, sounds like beginning of Sept is the best option but I will plan around the bank holiday weekend, perhaps a couple of rest/pool days then.

Need to get on and price up a few options now.

Thanks again.

 

[wayneg]

we were in a similar situation, just a note remember to factor in any possible uni resits dates- just in case! We were just about to book up for Aug when we thought about this. DD does not expect any - infact did so bril this year that she got an award But sure as fate if we booked to be away during or just before next years resits she would have one.

Also if other one is doing A levels and is going to uni, you may want to be about for results day, just in case he has to go through clearing as this is manic (friend dd just done this) and would be best to do while here for phone and internet access.

We have just spent the past hour+ discussing all this for next year, DS will be getting his A level results 16th August, depending on which Uni he goes to we could have to move him in around 15th Sept, meaning we would need to return to UK weekend 8/9th Sept. There is no way we can fit in our usual 23-25 nights, even cutting to 21 nights would only give us results day + 1 day to deal with any problems.
Anyone going for 14 nights would be able to fit it in but I doubt we would want to, there will be enough stress around results & Uni without adding a holiday into the mix.
Taking everything into account we are considering 19th July ~ 11th August. = 23 nights. Far from ideal dates to go but we don't see much choice.
Ideally he will get the results he needs for York(AAA) and not start the new term until 8th Oct 2012 but other Uni's go back from mid Sept, need to cover all options.

 

[mackay_j]

Wayneg, It gets harder as they go through uni, as most get summer jobs that only allow 2 week off! Aghhh. And no more oct holidays, easter/spring has also gone as that's now study time. Only Xmas and July left- both peak times. At least we get cheeper direct flights going in July as the Aug ones look very high for next year. But we are flying thomson so no idea how that will go . Hope your having a good last- pre uni -trip.

 

[MichelinMan]

Just looked at the historical crowd levels data for last year on the touringplans site for you, and the first 2 weeks of June aren't too bad, but the 2nd 2 weeks get a lot busier.

September looks really good though - virtually all days are crowd levels of 5 or less, with a lot of them 1, 2 or 3. However, you have to factor in the hurricane season. Personally I would go in September if you could (wish I could go later, but I'm restricted to July/August due to school).

 

[happyj]

I remember that time only 4 years ago and only 1 year left at uni for our DD .time goes so fast. We went as soon as she had finished her exams. The time after results is busy getting ready to go to uni. She started in September.
But it was not our favourite time but better than not going at all !!!!

 

[Netty]

here's my input!!
downside of June.... brazillian tour groups and lovebugs
upside of September.... less busy in parks, still very hot, not as humid, and see the build up to halloween with MNSSHP!