Best time to visit in the summer (crowd-wise)?

[TristiK]

Lady year went early, the 5-11th. The first half of the week was great - never waited more than about 15 minutes. Crowds picked up as the week went on but still manageable. We're going June 1-10 next year.

 

[ChimCher-ee]

We also saw cast members doing a pretty good job keeping them from chanting and causing problems in the parks.

That must have been what was going on, then. Apart from steering away from the sheer volume of kids moving around together, I didn't see any bad behavior like in the past.

Just one more thought about doing your research re resorts. Be aware that these groups use Disney transportation, which makes getting home from the parks (especially after fireworks) a challenge.

 

[DisMommyTX]

We usually go early to mid-July, and it seems to get busier the later it gets. June and later Aug would be lower crowds, but I don't know how noticeable it really is. Choosing parks based on crowd calendars and using a good touring strategy can be more important than the actual dates. I also think June seem less muggy than August and just generally more pleasant in terms of weather.

 

[ColoradoMom12]

We experience the crowds as lower during the summer. But our other trips are at very busy times of year (Easter week/spring break and New Years in the past. This year we're trying out Thanksgiving). I would image more crowds during July 4th. We don't find it unmanageable in late July or early August. Even when we're at the parks on days when crowds are a 10/10, though, we still have an amazing time!

Managing in the humidity is our big problem with summer. We can handle heat, but humidity is something we do not experience here at home and have a hard time dealing with it!

 

[iujen94]

Thanks everyone for all your thoughts and helpful tips! I just realized my boys get out of school earlier than usual next year - June 1 - so based on your suggestions, we are going to plan on very early June. Thanks!

 

[fdefulvio]

We have always tried to go as early as possible to avoid the heat, but from the middle of June through August there isn't much difference temperature-wise. You are only looking at a difference of one degree, 91 to 92, for average highs, and we have experienced highs in the mid 90s many trips between late June and early July. June actually has the highest average precipitation.

The earlier in June, the better for both temps and crowds. Mid June through the first week in August will be the hottest and most crowded times of the summer.

This year we are visiting the first week of August do to other obligations, and I'm fully prepared for the heat. I can't imagine it will be any worse than the mid 90s that we have experienced on previous trips in June and July. I'm hoping we may get lucky that crowds will start to die down by then, as schools in the South start back. We are visiting friends in Atlanta the last week in July, and their son goes back to school the day we leave for Disney.

 

[ELSA711]

I think most people say mid to late August but we had our first summer trip this past June 6/9-6/20 and it was awesome! We had no trouble touring the parks, despite the heat.

 

[ucfknight]

We're debating whether to go end of August. I'm more worried about the heat and humidity. Is it bearable? From the Northwest so not used to heat.

I've lived in the Orlando area for 30 years and I'm still not used to the heat. It is pretty bad, especially in August. Just drink a LOT of water, try to find as much AC as possible, take a lot of breaks, and prepare to stink.

 

[hammie59]

From my own experience, very early June or late August for "lower" crowds. In 2015 we were there June 16-23 right after school got out (for the north) and it was almost as busy as it was over Easter break. Last year we were there Aug 23-Sept 3 and it was a lot better. Many schools were already back in session at that point. This year we're going 2nd week of August so I'm hoping it won't be too crazy

 

[AColeman]

Lady year went early, the 5-11th. The first half of the week was great - never waited more than about 15 minutes. Crowds picked up as the week went on but still manageable. We're going June 1-10 next year.

This sounds wonderful! We're going the 2-9 next June, so we'll probably see you in passing!

We made our decision based on Mississippi weather. LOL. We're okay in June, miserable later on. I can only imagine that FL will be even worse than our local weather. There's no way I'd go in August. Haha.

 

[Cuchman]

We have had good success with lower (again, it is all relative) crowds the last week of August into (and including) the first week of September. We are going that time again this year.
Yes, it is hot - but it often is and it isn't unbearable - at least for us.

 

[River Country]

Here is what to consider....

Northern states are in school through the last week in June
Southern states are back in school about the 2nd week of August
What does this mean?????? STAY AWAY FROM JULY

There also is a ton of Brazillian tour groups in July and they aren't so much of an annoyance but they travel like a school of fish and don't move and I saw them change the wait time of the Character Spot in Epcot from 5 minutes to 60 cause 45 of them got on line at once. I saw one group chanting and there were 2 Cm's that immediately asked them to stop

sooooooooooooooo. if you can go in Early June that's my pick 1/2 the country or so still in school and its not nearly as oprressively hot as August crowds I would imagine are the same