Easter, July or August?

[Debs Hill]

If you had to travel at one of these times(Kid's hols) which would you choose and why? Please be brutally honest about crowds, weather, wait times, opening hours etc!
Thanks

 

[Kallison]

We had the same choice, holiday or summer and we chose August. I gave the family the choice of crowds over heat and we would rather deal with the heat then the crowds. August is about the same as our August during a heat wave. Towards mid-late August the crowds thin out because the Southern schools start back for the year. I don't know what type of summer weather you are accustomed too, it is very hot, humid with afternoon thunder showers. Easter week is very crowded, very long lines.

 

[AspiringCindy]

I completely agree with Kallison! We prefer to travel to WDW during mid August. The crowds are not that bad and by the 2nd or 3rd week of Aug., the temp. starts to cool (just a tad).

 

[alisbarc]

August only if you can go after the 15th because of the thinning crowds. If you can't go after the 15th I would go in April because of the Weather. Crowds will be equally bad for Easter or June 10 - Aug 14. So in April you at least beat the summer heat.

Additionally, you can maximize your enjoyment and beat the crowds a little by doing some advanced planning. I suggest buying a copy of The Unofficial Guide to WDW by Bob Sehlinger. Has some touring plans in it that are pretty good.

ttfn

 

[lentesta]

I believe Alisbarc is correct about the August recommendation. Easter is likely to be more crowded than July (except for July 4), but Easter's weather is probably more bearable in April, too.

Alisbarc, thanks for the kind words about the Unofficial Guide. We're working on the 2004 edition now, so please let us know if there's something you'd like to see included, and we'll see what we can do.

Sincerely,

Len Testa

 

[drusba]

For this one I consider August the best of the worst. Here are differences:

Easter: Great weather -- usually mid-80's to low 90's, but not overwhelmingly humid, and pleasant in the evening; rains some but often just during sleeping hours. Crowds: go stand in your hall closet; now add 100 people in there with you; now try to breath or move; wella, you now know about Easter at WDW. I am exagerrating only a little bit. Popular rides have 2 hour and longer lines essentially all day and night and Test Track goes to over 3 (even the appallingly lame Swiss Family Treehouse has an hour line most of the day); fastpass runs out before noon for many rides; if you do not have a PS for a park restaurant for dinner, you will not eat (even counter food places go to 30 minute lines). Waterparks stop letting people enter by 11:30 due to capacity crowd. MK can go to capacity. But, as I said, the weather is usually great.

July: weather: very hot (mid 90's and then still close to 80 at night) and very humid with daily showers in late afternoon to evening. It does not cool at night -- you can sweat sitting still outside at midnight. Crowds: July 4 week comes close to Easter; rest of July has just the normally huge summer crowds -- 50 to 90 minutes much of day for popular rides; others can be fairly short lines many parts of day; fastpasses usually available still in afternoon and evening. Waterparks can reach capacity. Lots of South Amercian tour groups (its their winter break) and as a group they hit the same ride together often causing a huge line.

August: weather: no real difference from July. Crowd size is very large first half of month (see July above for normal summer crowd) and then lighter thereafter.

 

[DisneyLisa]

I agree with everyone above but definitely consider the heat. I love the heat & we have 90+ degree days here in the summer, but the constant heat & hunidity was almost unbearable for us...even in August.

I think if I had to choose, I'd rather take the April crowds than the summer heat.

 

[carene]

AUGUST

Yes, I agree with all the above, but it is bearable.
I thought the crowds were pretty bad, but i have never been at Easter, when apparantly they are worse.

Particularly like August for the late park hours.

Carene

 

[Debs Hill]

OK, so taking everything into consideration it looks like late August is the best bet if you don't mind the heat!! Exactly how hot does it get? And humidity? Does it rain every day? Can you tell me what the typical park hours are in august? Are you able to chill out during the day and hit the parks in the evening or are they not open that late?
Thanks again!

 

[eeyore0062]

Definitely August. We were there this past August, and it was a great time to go. It had entered into the value season, so the rates on the resorts were lower. The crowds were lessened, due to the fact that many of the local kids were back in school, as well as those attending schools in the southern states.

Yes, it was hot, but with doing early morning touring, and taking breaks during the middle of the day, it was not intolerable.

Yes, it did rain, but many of WDW's attractions are indoors, and with umbrellas and a sense of humor touring wasn't bad at all... and it cooled things off.

That being said, you could pay me to be a guest at WDW during Easter (been there, done that... never again... wall to wall people, and not enough time to see even half of what you would see at other times). July is crowded as well.

As for how hot... mid 90's with humidity in the 90's, but it is tolerable, if you do it right!

Park hours for August: Epcot 9-9, MGM-9-8, AK: 9-5 and MK varies depending on night, but at that time, usually 9-6 or 7 with later hours on the weekends.

Remember to take full advantage of Magic Hours in the mornings, which are as follows:
Sunday: MK
Monday: AK
Tuesday: MGM
Wed: Epcot
Thurs: MK
Fri: AK
Sat: MGM

and if E ticket nights are offered at that time in the MK, they make for cooler touring and a way to do the big headliner rides when it isn't as crowded, hot and when MK is lit up!~

Glad you decided on August... you won't be disappointed!