Are we nuts to go in June?

[Shellh]

Me and my family have been to WDW twice - both times in October and have loved it! We like the manageable crowds and the comfortable temperatures during the day - though at night it can sometimes get cool.
We are trying to decide when to visit this year. I have a conference in Orlando in June (24th-29th) and thought that we could all go then and stay for an extra few days at WDW.
My biggest concern - the crowds. It is the week leading up to the July 4th long weekend and I shake in my shoes when I think about what that means to the crowds. As well, school is out for the summer by that time.
For all you experts, are we crazy to go then and what can we expect.

Thanks
Shell

 

[emilymad]

I was wondering the same thing. My fiance and I are going June 27 to July 2 as part of our honeymoon so we can't change the dates. I have never been in the summer and I am terrifed that it will be so crowded that we won't be able to do or see anything. I am planning on taking breaks, getting up early, etc. What is it really like in the parks at this time?

 

[DVC'96]

Bumping up because I'm thinking about going the third week in June 2005. How bad is June compared to July?
Thanks for the info!

 

[Tigger's Mom]

Yes, it's crazy in the summer and we won't do it again if we can find other times. We've been twice in June. It was HOT, humid and crowded. Several parades were canceled due to showers and thunderstorms. Once there was a tornado in the neighboring county while we waited for Illuminations.

Having said that, I'll add that we had a great time anyway. Suggestions: Take advantage of early entry if you can. Rest or swim in the afternoons, and stay for extended hours when they are offered. Plan what you feel are "must dos", but relax and don't expect to get to do everything. Don't let rain stop you if you can stand wearing ponchos...it thins the crowd considerably.

I think expectations are the most important thing...if you go expecting to relax and enjoy the atmosphere and just do what you can you'll have a great time.

 

[jpd3]

I am a Florida Native transplanted to Tennessee. I can tell you that it will be scorching hot in June. October is still pretty warm but it doesn't really compare to the peak summer months. I'd predict mid 90's on temp and humidity with thunderstorms likely every day.
There are lots of things to do to avoid the heat and rain and I second the comment about expectations. If you prepare yourself for the heat and take measures to minimize its impact it won't be a problem. It's always worth it to go to Disney in my view. Have a great time!

 

[Shellh]

Thanks for responses. I may re-think my plan to go in June. I figure since I can choose another time to go if I wish, I may do so. I think it is funny that I wasn't really thinking about the weather so much as the crowds but now that people have started talking about it - maybe the weather should be part of our decision-making as well. I don't mind heat but heat AND crowds might just do me in. The technique of going early, relaxing in the afternoon, going out again in the evening is a good plan - we did it the first time we went to Disney with a small child and it worked amazingly well.
I also think it is interesting that rain is more of a concern in June - when we have gone in October it has only rained once - one time on the night we arrived. October weather, though cooler, has been fantastic.
Thanks again for the info.

Shell

 

[RamseyTrio]

My DH and I were in WDW in late June/early July for 7 days as part of our honeymoon back in '96.

The temps were VERY hot and humid. It didn't rain much for us then though. I just remember one downpour which lasted about 20 minutes and one passing shower.

The crowds were awful although since we were newlyweds and we didn't mind waiting in lines for an hour or more.

Now, as a parent, I cringe at the thought of waiting in lines for 15 minutes or more!
I try to go just at off times now.

 

[danny1649]

We're going last week of June.

 

[georgina]

No, you're not nuts! We like the summer. It's hot, but the park hours are longer too. When it rains, we just put on our ponchos. There are air-conditioned places at each park to cool off. AK seems to be the hottest, but you can get soaked on Kali River Rapids. Use your time wisely, get fast passes, do E-night or EMH if you are staying on-site.

 

[DisneyFanatik]

We went in June '01 and we are going again this June. DS 11 is at a point where taking him out of school is not an option. Also since we drive I don't like having the pressure to get back home by a certain day. Yes it is hot in June and it is crowded, but I am very diligent with my planning - we are usually back at the hotel by early afternoon taking a swim.

 

[disneydill]

We went last June (22-27) and it was much, much, much better than I had prepared myself for! We have never gone during "busy" times before. It was hot - but not sweltering. There were crowds - but we didn't have to wait more than 30 minutes for most attractions. We did wait over an hour for space mountain. It seemed that the things for older kids/adults had longer lines - which makes sense folks with young kids can go other times of the year. The key seemed to be get out to the parks EARLY!

Don't worry - prepare yourself for the "worst" and hopefully you will be pleasently surprised like I was!

Good luck!

 

[WindowsJB]

We have gone to WDW in the summer on a few occasions. I wouldn't rule out summer trips entirely. Especially with the current trend in hours reductions at the parks. The summer is beginning to be the only time the parks are staying open "late". And I put late in quotations because the summer hours are shorter than they used to be. YES, it's hot, but the majority of the attractions are inside air conditioned buildings. There will be more otions available to you if you do go in summer.

Now, with that said, I am in no way saying that you HAVE to go in summer. Just don't be so quick to dismiss a summer trip.

Jared

 

[disneyfan551]

Even as much as I LOOOOOOVE Disney, someone would have to pay me to make me go again in June! It is way too humid!!!

If you are going to the conference anyway, I would maybe take a few extra days to myself. But, I wouldn't subject my family to the pain...nor, would I waste that kind of money. JMHO...

Have fun if you go!

 

[tiggerzpalz]

We go every year the last week of June first week of July and have had wonderful vacations. Yes, it is hot but we take advantage of early entry and late hours. We spend the afternoon hours by the pool relaxing. Sure it may rain but I have always found the showers are quick and refreshing actually. We just throw on a poncho and keep going. Crowds are crowds but we use alot of fast pass and jump on everything really early or really late. It works for us.

I would have to agree with other posters who say don't cancel so quickly. We have really enjoyed all of our trips.

 

[madge]

we find ourselves in a similar situation. Daddy has to be in Sanford (how far is that from WDW, anyway ) for some training on June 14. We are taking advantage of that to get some more use out of the APs....hoping that the crowds aren't awful just before and after that!

 

[NotUrsula]

I'll bet I know what conference you're going to!

If you do go to parks after, be prepared for crowds, because you know that the families of 30,000 librarians will be SWARMING all over Orlando! They are going to be pushing hard for everyone to have lots of fun, after the disaster that was the last time that ALA was in Florida. (Miami, in 1994.)

It is very hot in June (if you've been to ALA in New Orleans you have a good basis for comparison, only it doesn't rain every day in Orlando in June.) However, in June all the parks are open late, so when we do it, we only do early entry, then by 10:30, go do pool time or DD until about 5, when we head back into the parks for the evening activities.

Anyway, see you there! DH & DS will be park-hopping all week without me, boo-hoo. (Those pesky 8 pm meetings are my nemesis!)

 

[disnaholic]

We went during the first week of June before and it was not bad at all. I am currently making tentative plans for another early June trip. I learned that if you have to go in June go before
mid-June and you will miss the big crowds of summer.

It was hot, but the crowds were managable. We never waited longer than 20 minutes in line for anything, and mostly not even that long. (The only exception was the Jungle Cruise, should have gotten a fast pass!)

We just took breaks in the middle of the day to take a nap or swim.

I hope this helps! Good Luck!!

 

[ChairborneRangr]

We went June 9-16 2003 (starting monday after Gay Day)

Manageable crowds and hot, but not horribly so. I'd do it again! We had a BB day and a TL day where we cooled off and just relaxed.

 

[disnaholic]

When is Gay Day scheduled for this year?
Thanks!

 

[ChairborneRangr]

I believe it is June 5th with activities during the week leading up to it. You can check their website to make sure.