Any slow times in the Summer?

[eporter66]

Once our daughter gets to school age, we figure we will have to nix the fall vacations and go when school is out (most of the time ).

As I was thinking, I wondered if the last week of August prior to Labor day might be slower as the southern schools are back in session. I know I am reaching, and a summer vacation at WDW would probably be mornings at the parks, afternoons at the pool, and going back later in the evening. But - any suggestions if this might be a time when the crowds lighten a bit?

E

 

[Granny]

I think very early June and the latter half of August are probably the slower times of the summer. 4th of July is a zoo.

All but one of our 10 WDW trips have been in the summer, and we've gone in each of the summer months. You are right, it is quite hot. But the park hours are extended, virtually nothing is down for rehab, and if you are savvy with the FastPass system, you can do quite well.

The idea of afternoon naps/swimming is a good one. We tend to sleep in, go to a park that doesn't have EMH for that morning, come back late afternoon and then rest up to hit the parks later on. Our children are older so that schedule works best for us.

You might find this I like it HOT! thread to be of interest.

 

[rellabee]

We have gone the last 2 years during the week before Labor Day and will again this year. We are also trying to avoid taking my kids out of school.

Although amazingly hot, we have discovered that the lines are never that bad so we get in much more touring in a shorter time.

We also just purchased DVC in May. When I booked our August trip in mid-may, I could easily reserve a studio at either SSR or OKW for the entire week. I was able to snag 3 nights at the BCV which I took and put the other 4 on waitlist. There was also 5 of our 7 nights available at VWL. I would think if you could plan out more like 7 months in advance that there may be quite good availability at most of the DVC resorts.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

I am not sure... some schools are back in at the end of August, but I think generally speaking any time between Memorial Day and Labor Day are pretty hot. Our kids are grown now, but when we did our family vacations, we tended to do them in the October-November time frame. Yes, we had to take them out of school, but this time frame gave them time (6 weeks or more) to get acclimated to school and studying, and make new friends.

We just worked with the teachers and made sure everyone was on the same page and that missing a week didn't mean getting behind. This was easier with elementary school of course. Middle school seemed to be the hardest to work out and I think we only did one trip during a school year then. DD & DS are 2 years apart, so probably for 3-4 years our vacations were only in the summer. High school seemed pretty easy to schedule and work out.

With all that said, we really found the October-November time frame a great time to go to Florida and WDW. Crowds are real low... temps are moderate, the hurricane season is over, ocean temps are still good. All-in-all it just always worked well for us.

Not trying to discourage an August trip.... We've done those too, but rather just trying to pass on experience.

Whenever, Wherever, Have a great trip

 

[Corinne]

As I was thinking, I wondered if the last week of August prior to Labor day might be slower as the southern schools are back in session. I know I am reaching, and a summer vacation at WDW would probably be mornings at the parks, afternoons at the pool, and going back later in the evening. But - any suggestions if this might be a time when the crowds lighten a bit?E

Actually, you are not reaching at all. Well, at least there was a time when that would have most defintely been the case. It used to slow down markedly the last week of August. However, now that Disney decided to lure people in with the free dining, I am not sure that is the case any longer. I apologize in advance to those who have had it with the free dining slams, but I am one who really does believe we all suffer in many ways because they offer it. That's all I am saying.

 

[NYMomof4]

This year will be the 4th August trip for us and there is a difference between the middle month weeks and last week-with the week before Labor Day being less busy. A few years ago it was amazingly low on crowds that week, but last year there seemed to be more people. WIth that in mind, however, it was still one of the best times for us, crowd wise.

 

[CarolAnnC]

We used to go late August (NH often went back to school after Labor Day but not always). Still hot, but not quite as crowded. I would recommend it.

 

[vandy]

As far as June is concerned, that is when we can only go. Our school in Iowa starts the middle of August. The week after Memorial day is a week we avoid for several reasons so we usually go the first two weeks of June. The first week in June is busy, but not too bad. The second week however, is much busier than the first. This year it almost seemed to be double the crowds. For example, during the first week of June, wait times for rides seemed to be between 15-30 minutes and Fast Passes about 2-3 hours out on the most popular rides. Second week though we had 45 minute waits and FPs around 6-7 hours out. If you go for just a week, hit the very first week of June.

 

[Mahusky]

Once our daughter gets to school age, we figure we will have to nix the fall vacations and go when school is out (most of the time ).

As I was thinking, I wondered if the last week of August prior to Labor day might be slower as the southern schools are back in session. I know I am reaching, and a summer vacation at WDW would probably be mornings at the parks, afternoons at the pool, and going back later in the evening. But - any suggestions if this might be a time when the crowds lighten a bit?

E

This will be our 7th (in a row) August trip split between VB and BWV. Yes August is hot but to be honest it is no worse than the heat and humidity that we aren't used to in the Northeast during those "dogday" weeks in July and early August. Just take it slow and drink water and you will be fine.

My kids love it that time of year get up ealry at the parks back to the room by 1-2 ish and swim in the pool... then back to the parks at night.

As far as crowds it wierd.. I'd say generally it is getting lighter over the last past few years especially last year the crowds were VERY light even with the free dining offered last year. MAybe because of increased gas and people not driving... who knows... .

MAke sure you get in a water park or two!

Enjoy!

 

[eporter66]

With all that said, we really found the October-November time frame a great time to go to Florida and WDW. Crowds are real low... temps are moderate, the hurricane season is over, ocean temps are still good. All-in-all it just always worked well for us.

Not trying to discourage an August trip.... We've done those too, but rather just trying to pass on experience.

Whenever, Wherever, Have a great trip

Oct-Nov is when we have been going, and we love it! That is why it will be so hard to leave it behind. We will work with the schools as much as possible, hoping we can continue to go in the fall for a few years yet!

 

[photobob]

I've been on several trips around the first week of June and on the last week of June. The last week of June is MUCH busier than the first. Just got back from a trip last Sunday and it was as busy as I've ever seen it. I plan to go the first week of June next year..

 

[disneynutz]

Sems like a goode resun knot too put yur kidds in scool. I nevr went too scool and it nevr dun me wronge.

 

[yitbos96bb]

Late August is really dead... but VERY VERY HOT! In fact the first time we ever ate at Alfredo's was during lunch in August... Too hot, needing to get out of the sun, that was the closest restaurant... Mmm... Their Fettucini will be missed.

I think very early June and the latter half of August are probably the slower times of the summer. 4th of July is a zoo.

All but one of our 10 WDW trips have been in the summer, and we've gone in each of the summer months. You are right, it is quite hot. But the park hours are extended, virtually nothing is down for rehab, and if you are savvy with the FastPass system, you can do quite well.

The idea of afternoon naps/swimming is a good one. We tend to sleep in, go to a park that doesn't have EMH for that morning, come back late afternoon and then rest up to hit the parks later on. Our children are older so that schedule works best for us.

You might find this I like it HOT! thread to be of interest.

 

[MagikMom]

Sems like a goode resun knot too put yur kidds in scool. I nevr went too scool and it nevr dun me wronge.

I too am unable to Pull my kids out anymore. I used to be able to when they were little but if I pull them out at this age they will end up like DisneyNutz!! We have gone at the end of August before and are going again this year. It is the slowest time of the summer months. Florida starts school the 2nd or 3rd week in August so you don't have a lot of Florida residents. We went the last week in June/1st week of July last year. I will never go during 4th of July week again. WAY too crowded! If you go in August, your plan of going to the parks early, going back to the pool in the afternoon and then going out again at night is exactly what we did and it worked out just fine.

 

[friskykitten]

Just an FYI---Florida used to start school during the 2nd week of August....but this year we (in Sarasota county) are starting school around the 20th of August. I am not sure about when the rest of Florida starts school but you can't count on most Floridians being in school those first few weeks of August anymore. Hope that doesn't put a damper in anyone's plans.

 

[Pinmaniac]

We in Duval county (northeast FL) are also starting school around the 20th of August this year.

We usually do a quick trip in August as soon as the Florida resident seasonal pass blackout lifts (mid August) and last year was markedly more crowded than previous years. We are expecting crowds this year to be near or above last year levels. That said the crowds are still toward the lower end of the scale.