Disney World in July or August

[Rippington'sFan]

For those of you who have been to Disney World in the summer months did you tell yourself never again because of how hot/humid it was or did you not find the weather to be an issue?
thanks in advance for your honest opinions.

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by Rippington'sFan
For those of you who have been to Disney World in the summer months did you tell yourself never again because of how hot/humid it was or did you not find the weather to be an issue?
thanks in advance for your honest opinions.

Put me in the "never again" category. It is way too hot, way too humid and way too crowded. We simply could not enjoy ourselves the way we can in March or September-November period. The only reason we went in the summer years ago is because I was in school and couldn't get off any other time. But we'll never do it again.

Steve

 

[jcanary]

We love going in the summer. This is the time we most desire it. You get to explore and have more time to do things. The parks are open later. You have to have a plan and follow it. A general plan like you get up early for the parks, back in room around lunch or 1pm and swim. Yes I said check out your pool. It's much warmer at 2 then at 8pm at night. Or take a nap, then you go back at dinner time and it has cooled down. We are DVC owners and out of the 13-14 years that we have regularly visited WDW we have gone only twice not during the summer. Just plan other activities in the middle of the day and you will actually love it.

 

[tinkerbell1967]

I must agree with Disneysteve, we enjoy it more in say Sept or October. We have been in June, July, August and it is way to hot. Yes, the parks are open later but we found even taking breaks and drinking tons of water, it just wears you out to much. Just my opinion!

 

[crazelion]

I love going the summer long hours, more things to, and go swimming. I one that does not like going to t he park when cold outside. If I have to put on a jacket then it's not time to go to the park. Also that part that mybe that I am Southern I don't like cold weather. With the parks open longer hours in the summer I don't have rush to get up at certian time to enjoy them. Also I some people is not prepare for the south heat. Yes it can be hot and humid but also you have drink alot water and wear hat and know when to take breaks.

I work outside in the summer I tell people all the time to take lenty of breaks, drink water and powerade, light color cotton cloths so body can breath loose. I had number of people to faint in the concession stand because they don't take my advise.

 

[disneysteve]

While its true that park hours are longer in the summer, that is more than outweighed by the fact that crowds are much bigger so lines are way longer. I'd much rather go offseason and walk onto everything. When we were there in November, the longest we waited for anything was about 10 minutes, and most things were little if any wait. That just doesn't happen in mid-summer.

Steve

 

[bobcat]

My family loves going during the summer. It is hot and more crowded but with planning it is very doable. I don't find the late July and August crowds to be terrible and the pools and water parks are so much more enjoyable when you aren't turning blue after getting out of the water. Especially since FP the waits are minimal even in summer.

 

[DisneyBill]

Well, actually my WIFE said never again for July/August. She melts easily. I on the otherhand would take Disney anytime, anyway. Waterparks and resort pools are great mid-day heat breakers. Just take plenty of sunscreen, deodorant, and water. There is always the matter of going when time permits.

 

[dandave]

I have been in the latter part of August. When I got there on Aug 22 (according to when I activated my SP), it was very, very nice. It was very warm, but not too hot. The crowd levels were very, very low, as well. That was a trip that I took with my sisters. We had a fantastic time!
Then I turned around and went back to WDW with my family for the last weekend in August. It was quite a bit more crowded, but we still had a great time. This was all in 2002.

I live in FL, but I simply cannot stand it outside when it is so hot that you almost cannot breathe. And I'd rather not go to WDW at all, than get there and not be able to move in the crowds.

I thought late August was fine, and I'd go again during that time.

 

[C.Ann]

We went the beginning of Sept. 2001 for two weeks and thought the heat and humidity was HORRIBLE.. But - what bothered us even more was the rain...rain...rain....rain...rain..

And did I mention the "rain"??

Never again at that time of year..

 

[antmaril]

We have been in the summer three times. Each time we do it, I say "never again". It can be unbearably hot and humid - and crowded. However, if it's the only time you can go, don't let the heat stop you. We still had a good time. You have to pace yourself - start early, stop and have a nice lunch, go back to the resort and go in the pool. Go back to the parks after the sun goes down - we found it more pleasant in the evening.

It will be hot and humid, but you can still have a great time!

 

[Rippington'sFan]

Thanks for the responses. We have friends that have been a couple of times in November and they loved it. I've heard November is a good time to go for less crowds etc... The problem we have is we really don't want to take our kids out of school for a week. The summer for us would be better since we would drive and take a couple of weeks but then we have to deal with the heat and more crowds. Decisions! Decisions!
It may be kind of late now to plan for the kids April vacation but my wife thinks it would be too crowded during April vacation. I've heard that even if we went on a non school vacation week in April by pulling our kids out of school you run into the problems of other schools across the country on their vacations. The vacation weeks all differ across the country and it's busy no matter when you go. So I guess the best thing for us to do if we decided not to go in the summer would be to book early for one of the kids winter or spring vacation weeks. Decisions! Decisions!

How much busier is it in the summer compared to the spring months?

 

[Selket]

We went for the 1st time in August (we'd normally been in early January in low crowds and cool temps) and I was afraid of melting too. Actually it wasn't bad! Towards the end of August some kids are back in school so it is less crowded. We got 2 eride nights to enjoy. The only park that seemed way hot to me was the AK. It was an especially rainy August so we got a lot of rain and the storms drove us out of the pool in the afternoons - just the time when everyone tells you to go back to the room for an afternoon rest time and swimming! We had to adjust our touring to go swimming in the mornings because sometimes after 3 pm it was too stormy and they closed the pools for quite a long time. That could be chalked up to an unusual amount of bad weather though

 

[MEM]

Put us in the category of "always in August". Because there are penalties for taking our children out of school and because the holiday crowds would overwhelm us, August is now the only time we go.

We prefer the last week of August because the crowds are smaller than the rest of the summer and for some reason, the weather is not quite so rainy. Going in the heat of the summer forces you to slow down, have a sit-down lunch, take a break at the pool in the afternoon, a nap in the room and return to the parks in the evening.

Last Friday while I was waiting at the bus stop in 40 below zero weather in Boston, I kept trying to recall the heat of Orlando in August. It almost helped!

This past August we took friends with us who claim to hate the heat and worried about it in advance. They found the heat quite manageable because they followed the lead of their Tourguide MEM. Their only issue was blisters on their feet, but they did not listen to Tourguide MEM when she advised them on footwear to buy before the trip. Tevas are awesome!

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by Rippington'sFan
Thanks for the responses. We have friends that have been a couple of times in November and they loved it. I've heard November is a good time to go for less crowds etc... The problem we have is we really don't want to take our kids out of school for a week. The summer for us would be better since we would drive and take a couple of weeks but then we have to deal with the heat and more crowds. Decisions! Decisions!
It may be kind of late now to plan for the kids April vacation but my wife thinks it would be too crowded during April vacation. I've heard that even if we went on a non school vacation week in April by pulling our kids out of school you run into the problems of other schools across the country on their vacations. The vacation weeks all differ across the country and it's busy no matter when you go. So I guess the best thing for us to do if we decided not to go in the summer would be to book early for one of the kids winter or spring vacation weeks. Decisions! Decisions!

How much busier is it in the summer compared to the spring months?

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How about the week in November that runs into Thanksgiving? That way you would only be taking the kids out of school for 3 days..

Our very first trip to Disney we left home the Saturday before Thanksgiving and came home the Sunday after.. From our day of arrival up to Thanksgiving Day there were NO crowds at all.. Thanksgiving Day (on the advice of a CM) we went to Epcot instead of the MK and there was hardly anyone there..

That would give you 9 days of vacation - with the kids only missing 3 days of school! Just something to think about - oh - and the weather is great and you'll get to see the Christmas decorations!!!!

 

[Rippington'sFan]

Originally posted by C.Ann
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How about the week in November that runs into Thanksgiving? That way you would only be taking the kids out of school for 3 days..

Our very first trip to Disney we left home the Saturday before Thanksgiving and came home the Sunday after.. From our day of arrival up to Thanksgiving Day there were NO crowds at all.. Thanksgiving Day (on the advice of a CM) we went to Epcot instead of the MK and there was hardly anyone there..

That would give you 9 days of vacation - with the kids only missing 3 days of school! Just something to think about - oh - and the weather is great and you'll get to see the Christmas decorations!!!!


That's a great idea. I really never considered going during thanksgiving but it is worth thinking about.
thanks for bringing that up.

 

[The VWL Five]

One thing I always think about is when people go in July and do the parks in the am, pool at noon and the parks again in the pm, isn't everyone else doing the same thing? Seems to be the best plan to me but aren't you going with the crowds the entire way?

We are doing for 2 weeks this July. Haven't been the WDW in the summer for years. But that's all about to change.

Help me................I'm meeellltttiiinnngggg.

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by The VWL Five
One thing I always think about is when people go in July and do the parks in the am, pool at noon and the parks again in the pm, isn't everyone else doing the same thing? Seems to be the best plan to me but aren't you going with the crowds the entire way?

Logically, you would think that, but you hang out here with a bunch of Disney veterans. You'd be surprised how many people go to the parks in the morning and keep going until they are totally exhausted. In July, that usually occurs by mid-late afternoon. A lot of folks stay until the 3pm parade then leave about 4. Also a lot of folks with very young children don't stay in the parks as late, so it isn't as crowded later in the evening.

Steve

 

[Linda L.]

I've done 3 trips in August and am planning my fourth. I find it very hot, but here in MA, it's just as bad that time of year. I figure I'd rather be there than here. I don't like school vacation weeks, too busy. The last week of August is the best. Crowds slow down and with fast pass, we don't have problems. I never waited more than 30 minutes for anything, and that was for Spiderman at IOA. My kids are well past the age of being able to take them out of school, so options are limited. End of August is better than Feb or April vacation by a long shot. I buy those little fans and we're fine!