Already thinking ahead to next year :)

[disneyjr77]

Our preferred time to vacay is the last week of August, but next year we need to go earlier. We've been in the beginning/middle of July and the beginning of August before, but that was back in 2010, 2012, and 2013...and i'm sure crowds have changed since then.

When is a good time to go? We were looking at the last week of June, what is that like? Is there a better time to go during the summer months?

 

[Lynne G]

Not really, summer crowds start when most of the kids are out of school at end of May into middle of June. Many in FLA go back to school the third week in August, so that will lower week day crowds. If you stay onsite, with one of the hotels that give the free express pass, and use early entry at least one day, I'd say it does not really matter when in summer, but lowest would be end of August and after Labor Day, when rest of kids go back to school, and before HHN starts.

You can check the hours this year, to get an idea, the longer hours the parks stay open, means expected more crowds. Same with the purchased express pass. The more expensive the express pass, the better chance the parks expect crowds.

What ever time you choose, have a great time!

 

[bobbie68]

Hi I just stayed the last week in June. We arrived there on the 27th and left July 1st. We usually go the end of July and beginning of August. I found the crowds to be lighter this time of the summer. Not by a lot but enough. VB was a lot better for capacity in June. I have been reading after we left and saw personally how long the lines were getting. The crowds and tour groups were picking up on our last day in the parks. The hours for the park started getting longer the week before I left and will stay like that till the middle of August probably. I like the beginning of August the best. I know the summer months are rainy but I seem to get a lot more storms this time then when I go in July/August. I noticed the crowds were a little heavier at this time last year then late June this year. Outside of the weather issue I would go this time again.

 

[skylock]

As long as I have express pass, I actually like it when it is more crowded. They seem to have more stuff open.

 

[JasonW]

Our preferred time to vacay is the last week of August, but next year we need to go earlier. We've been in the beginning/middle of July and the beginning of August before, but that was back in 2010, 2012, and 2013...and i'm sure crowds have changed since then.

When is a good time to go? We were looking at the last week of June, what is that like? Is there a better time to go during the summer months?

My family and I just got back from Universal. We were there July 7th - July 14th. It was certainly crowded during the 11am - 5pm hours, but very manageable. Staying at Hard Rock made things unbelievably easy, with EP and 5 minute walk to Universal Studios Park every day. Even standby lines were not that bad during morning and evening. I liked that the parks were open until 10pm.

Now Volcano Bay was a different story (if you plan on going). We got there at rope drop, and rode a bunch of the top rides, but by 11am, things were getting packed, and some virtual lines were at 3 hour waits. Just my thoughts.

 

[disneyjr77]

We did Volcano Bay last August and were like meh, it's ok...i don't know if it was because it was brand new and still somewhat hectic or what but we liked the lazy river, waterslide and pool at Cabana Bay better. DD11 (10 at the time) was ready to go not long after we got there. So i don't know if we'll go there or not.

We stay at Cabana Bay, so we don't get express pass for free and i don't know that i can talk DBF into spending that money. We had them once and didn't think they were that great, i think it was the year Hogsmeade opened.

I looked at Aug 9-17 yesterday as well, and it seems to be a few dollars cheaper. So now it's between the last week of June and the 2nd week of august lol

 

[robl45]

I think cabana bay is excellent and I'm sure we will head over there and use the pool, but I wouldn't be caught dead in in the parks without express passes. Volcano bay DD is excited about and me as well, but its honestly going to be the worst part of the trip having to get their super early to avoid lines rather than going onto the rides without much wait. There aren't too many people that love Disney more than me, but I'm close to done with all the nonsense with fast passes and booking and scheduling. That and my kid won't wait in line more than 20 minutes.

 

[glocon]

I would go later in the summer only because the chances of the new Harry Potter ride being open will be better then.
I love Harry.