Can I pick your brains?

[ManCityMickey]

Hello All. After 2 visits to Disneyland Paris, we have decided to go to Florida for our next Disney fix! We are thinking of going in 2009, but we have been told to avoid August due to the heat. Is it REALLY that bad? We would like to go during school holidays, so Auguse would be best for us. We are currently thinking of staying in a value onsite resort, to take advantage of the free transportation (I drive for a living, so would like a rest!) We would like advice on EVERYTHING as we are new to U.S. travel and although I haxe been lurking around for a while, now is the time to get the ball rolling with our plans. We are a group of four, me, dw, dd7 and MIL. Thanks in advance for any help, I'm sure there will be many more questions from us soon!!!

 

[Dimplenose]

I've only ever been to WDW in August. It is very hot and humid but if you pace yourself, drink plenty of water and take advantage of air conditioned attractions at the hottest part of the day it is perfectly manageable.

Libby

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi,

I can fully understand the school holiday issue, especially as my wife is a teacher too.
We have been in August twice in the last 3 years, to be honest it is very hot, temperatures in the high 90s.
Whilst there is never a bad time to go to Florida August is far from ideal, especially for a 1st timer.

The majority who go in the summer would choose another time of the year if they could - I am not saying many don't go in August and have a fab time but in my opinion it's not the best month to go, however to either go then or not go at all is obviously an easy decision!
As Libby says, pacing yourself is vital and ensuring you plan plenty of rest days too.

WDW is vast and can be energy sapping - not forgetting of course the awesome Universal Studios (my personal favourite).

 

[Goofyish]

It is hot and humid in August and can be wet with afternoon thunderstorms (partly due to the high humidity).
Having said that, as people have already said, if you pace yourselves, plan a head, drink plenty of water and take advantage of air conditioned shops, restaurants and indoor attractions the heat can be manageable.
Park hours are longer, so you can get to the parks early, take a siesta at your resort pool in the afternoon and then return to the parks in the evening when it's a little cooler.

Crowds towards the end of August are historically lighter (due to local schools returning in the middle of August), but due to the free dining plan this isn't a clear cut as it used to be. But again, with planning, use of Fastpass and taking advantage of the longer park opening hours (and Extra magic hours if staying on-site), the crowds can be avoided to some extent.

 

[wayneg]

We have done 3 Aug trips. 2 very very hot incl this year, I think it was 3rd hottest on record, not sure. Other was the worst thunder storms every day for 2 weeks I have ever seen from 3 in afternoon until 10-11pm, it was crazy weather.
We love the hot weather so we manage no problem but it can be a big problem to some people.
I know you say you prefer not to drive but seriously consider it, I know many families do Disney with no car but I would not even consider it, the freedom of a car in Florida makes the holiday for us. I detest driving in UK, I try to drive between 3am-6am to miss traffic but it is such a pleasure in Florida, a car makes it so so much easier, there are so many things you can do without thinking about it but are very difficult without a car (or costly in taxis).
We stay within walking distance of Disney at LBV and it is cheaper to stay there with a car than onsite without. IMHO better rooms than Disney and free internet access but many families prefer th onsite themeing, we don't.

 

[Disneyday]

Ive got to agree with Wayneg about a car. There are so many places to go and things to see we would be lost without it. Driving is so much easier over there, the hardest part for me was using an auto gearbox.
Try booking car hire independantly as alot of packages with 'free' car hire charge stupid prices for insurance.
We have also stayed offsite but that is because we're a large family and could only stay in cabin if we stayed at WDW so I cant comment on that.

If you do go in Aug get yourself a good plan and get to the parks early so you can ride before it rains!
Sue

 

[ManCityMickey]

Thanks for all the advice guys! Souns like August isn't too bad...i was told that you can't breathe in the August heat!!! Does anyone know when the best time to book for August 2009 is? Thanks wayneg for the tip about LBV, i've not even looked there yet. I know August 2009 is a lomg way off...but I just can't help but plan these things...it send DW mad!!!

 

[Jakey Rowling]

Ditto the ease of driving.
Best tip for avoiding the heat is to get to the parks early, really early for opening.

You'll be amazed at what you can get done in the first few hours, take a break in the mid afternoon/avoid the thunderstorms and return for a later visit if you wish or simply call it a day.

The early starts may sound tiring but so are the parks in the afternoon in the heat and humidity and the parks can be really frustrating with the queues.

Plan a few rest days/shopping trips/water parks which can recharge the batteries.

 

[natalielongstaff]

I would stay onsite if you don't want to drive too much and still have a car for when you want to go offsite

as for when to go....i would rather be in WDW than anywhere else whatever the weather

 

[Jets fan]

We have only been in August once and it was just too hot for us, even in the pool. Swimmers were heading to the bridge to sit underneath it (Swan and Dolphin. It's difficult going within school holidays, last year we went over Christmas and next year we are going over the Easter Holidays just to avoid August (OKW) as we have to go in school holidays as well.

I would definitely stay onsite as when it gets too hot you can just hop onto an air conditioned bus and be back in your hotel quickly. We used the park earlies and lates alot and were never in parks over midday. We booked dinner every night in different restaurants around Disney and this worked well as sometimes we just sat in the room and read/watched TV as it was just too hot to go out. Here's our typical day:


8am Park early
11am Late breakfast
12 noon Back at hotel
5pm Dinner
Park late

On the whole we did avoid the intense heat during the day but our main problem was it being too hot to sunbathe.

We still had a brilliant time, just would not do it again.

 

[castanea1985]

Hi MancityMickey (even if its the wrong colour of manchester lol)
We like going to Florida anytime!! If you can manage the Med in high summer, you'll be fine in Florida!
But I would strongly advise a car!! Getting from Universal to Disney is like going from the Trafford Centre to Stockport - If you liken the I4 to the M60!
If you wanted to 'do' Disney 24/7 then you might not need a car, but if you want to go to the Florida Mall, or Universal, or Kennedy Space Centre, or even Sea World... then I'd get one!!
One things for certain.... you'll love it!!
Tracy

 

[ManCityMickey]

Thanks again!!! Tracy, I think we will want to "do Disney 24/7" as we managed to make Disneyland Paris last for 6 nights!!! The only non-Disney park we are planning to visit is Seaworld, which I reckon we can get a taxi? How does the transportation system work? We are probably going to stay at Pop Century, is there a direct link from there to the parks?

 

[Frances999]

I don't think August is too bad. We have been three times in August now and although it is hot, it has never been unbearable or annoying to the point where it affected our enjoyment.

The only non-Disney park we are planning to visit is Seaworld, which I reckon we can get a taxi? How does the transportation system work? We are probably going to stay at Pop Century, is there a direct link from there to the parks?

A taxi shouldn't cost much. There is possibly a shuttle or something from Pop Century, but I am not sure about that. You should definitely consider trying to see Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure - they are wonderfully themed and have some great attractions.

 

[ManCityMickey]

I would like to go to Universal, but DW is a bit of a wimp and won't try the "big rides". I would really love a go on Hulk...maybe for our next trip when DD is a bit older we could go to Universal.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I would like to go to Universal, but DW is a bit of a wimp and won't try the "big rides". I would really love a go on Hulk...maybe for our next trip when DD is a bit older we could go to Universal.

I agree with Frances, and with the exception of Magic Kingdom actually prefer the Universal parks.

To a degree the label it has for just 'big rides' can be misleading, yes there are coasters there but also plenty for children plus with the likes of Spiderman, Shrek and The Mummy it boasts some of THE best rides in Orlando.
If these were at WDW they would get more rave reviews I feel.

Our favourite parks generally depend on which Joshua likes best, other than Magic Kingdom where he loves Fantasyland he likes Barney (US), ET (US), Woody Woodpecker (US), Curious George (US), Cat In The Hat (IOA) and Popeye's Barges (IOA) the best.

It's all about personal choices and opinions really, nobody can doubt that MK's Splash Mountain is a great ride but I actually prefer IOA's Jurassic Park and Ripsaw Falls rides.

I do understand though for a 1st visit that you would be unwise to rush around and see everything, especially in the summer.

Enjoy the planning whatever you decide.

 

[wayneg]

Same for us with Uni/IOA we get more use out of our AP's for there than we do our Disney AP's. After our August trip I think Busch Gardens is also better than the Disney parks, we had 2 fantastic days down there.
It is so difficult planning your first trip, it gets easier after a few visits. We are Disney mad but a Disney only hoilday would do my box in. We love Orlando for everything it has to offer surrounding Disney. Although many do Disney only holidays its not for us.

 

[edenlee]

Sorry, but I have to disagree here about Universal and IOA. We went last year for the first time and would not go again!

The quese were horrendous and alot of the queing areas were not undercover which made it worse. Also, there is a charge for the Universal equivalent to Fastpass. I think this is a bit much after paying to get into the parks in the first place.

We much prefer the Disney Parks and we adults and some of us (!) love coasters.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Sorry, but I have to disagree here about Universal and IOA. We went last year for the first time and would not go again!

The quese were horrendous and alot of the queing areas were not undercover which made it worse. Also, there is a charge for the Universal equivalent to Fastpass. I think this is a bit much after paying to get into the parks in the first place.

We much prefer the Disney Parks and we adults and some of us (!) love coasters.

You have never found Disney parks very busy also? ALL the parks suffer from long queue's at busy times of the year.
It does sound like you didn't have much fun and as you pay for the tickets are quite entitled to visit where you choose, but I have spent hours at WDW parks in queue's over the years yet it hasn't put me off returning, I just try and plan my way and avoid the worst of the crowds/heat where possible.
I don't understand why you would rule out a return because of 1 bad experience with crowds. Would Magic Kingdom have been any quieter on the day in question?

The 'express pass' system is a bit of a rip-off now, however Universal always have outstanding offers on their tickets - we recently bought Annual Passes with a further year free of charge.
We have found with careful planning, mainly getting to the parks early, the worst of the queue's can be beaten , however as we rarely spend more than 3 hours at any park on one visit that obviously helps us, especially when our sole aim is to ensure Joshua enjoys the rides he prefers, rather than any I or my wife may.
Furthermore Universal, as I say earlier, has so much our son enjoys - he has never taken to most of the Disney parks, but with his autism he has his favourites and often is reluctant to try new things.

There are pro's and con's all around. The important thing is together they provide a contrast of things to do and more variety of attractions also.

I am a fan of both but equally are just as happy doing other things away from the parks too.

At least ManCityMickey has plenty to consider. Take it your avatar isn't another Sven signing by the way! (up the reds)

 

[castanea1985]

Hi ManCityMickey,

If you are looking for transportation from Disney... do as the locals do....

http://golynx.com/

This is the local bus system. Alot cheaper than taxi's! Although if I were you, I'd hire a car for a few days and plan your trips out on those days!! Happy planning!

Tracy

 

[ManCityMickey]

Sorry! I didn't mean to spark a debate over WDW Vs US/IOA!!! Great to see that so many people have different opinions about the attractions though.
Does anyone know when I can book for August 09? I have asked my local TA, but she was as much use as Rio Ferdinand!LOL

Johnnysharp2... Tha Avatar IS a January target for Mr Sven, along with Mr J Cole, Mr M Owen and Mr P Crouch!