Easter or late August

[strawberry blonde]

With the boys either at Uni or starting 6th form in September, our usual Feb trips are now out of the question.

As we're not very good with the heat we have a problem..... End of March for Easter or try and cope in August ( US schools hopefully back).

So, have I left it too late for next Easter and is it manic? Or do we go the last two weeks of August? Went for our honeymoon back in 1990 in the June and we found it hard to cope with the humidity.

Any suggestions greatfully received

 

[wayneg]

You have to decide if you want the heat or the crowds, easy choice for us as we prefer it hot.
Been 3 or 4 times at Easter, its mega busy(only Xmas is busier) weather can be mixed but if you have been in Feb its similar, a few degrees warmer.

 

[irongirlof12]

we have done last 2 weeks in August and we coped with the heat quite well, we just hoped between the air-con shops, the pool and made sure we hit the parks early and returned later on in early evening.

I understand that Easter time is heavy on the crowds and personally I would take heat over crowds any day

 

[MrsSparrow..]

Like you suspect, August is very humid and Easter weather is much easier to cope with. However, I have been some years in August and the weather has even been verging on being bad, one year had little sun and little humidity!

I'll always pick August because of lower crowds, but it depends on whether you would prefer better weather with bigger crowds or vice versa

 

[strawberry blonde]

Thanks everyone for your help. At the moment I'm just desperate to get something booked for next year as we haven't been away since Feb '09.

I think we've been spoilt going in February as we've had low crowds, good weather in an afternoon and good prices.

At the moment Thomson have some great deals for the end of August this year. Has anyone ever done last minute for end of August.... maybe the month before?

Need to discuss it with DH and Ds's as they don't like the heat or queuing

Can't have both. I'll put up with either as long as I get back

 

[Invisable89]

Well Easter is 'do-able' IF you plan vigorously! Make sure you make rope-drop on your Park days & get fast passes ASAP for the main attractions cause they'll be none left by the afternoon. You can beat the larger crowds by only going to a Park until mid-day because otherwise you'll be queueing for rides 90 minutes +. It's just pointless otherwise.

Also Easter is one of the most expensive times to go so if you want to save money late August is also a better option aswell as just going then for lower crowds.

 

[UKDEB]

For me, I'd choose heat over crowds any day, and I don't do heat well! Last time we went in August we got mega lucky in that we didn't have typical August weather. It was hot, but not humid and we hardly got any rain. We had one day of typical weather which reminded us how awful it could have been - stifingly hot and humid by midday, torrential rain and lightning storms during the afternoon, pleasant, and clear by evening. It's a compromise, for sure, and nothing's guaranteed, but I will do anything to avoid the worst of the crowds.

Going in late August, you should be nearing the end of the summer season both crowds and weather-wise. Given the choice, between that and Easter, it would be an absolute no-brainer for me. I couldn't leave it until the last minute to book, though, no matter how good the deal. Until I've booked, I'm not going and I enjoy the build-up and planning almost as much as the trip itself.

 

[evnted]

Late August.
Easter has been less crowded than I remember it was a few years ago, however late August is great. There's way smaller wait times. I guess you might want to worry about heat if you don't like it but I'm pretty heat tolerant so it doesn't bother me as much as it does to others.

 

[queendisney]

yep...with the majority on this one also...
Much rather have the heat of August then the crowds of April. If its late August going into Sept it might not be as bad as you think anyway. Have you ever considered going October early Novemeber time...that is more in keeping with the Feb weather you like, no humidity, lovely temps, low crowds etc...

 

[loobzuk]

we've previously visited in April/May with one visit over Easter itself. I have to say that I didn't find the crowds a problem for any of those visits although I did find it quite cool on our 2007 Easter trip (and I'm not a fan of heat) but I tend to jinx the weather, in May 2009 we had a week of solid rain).

We're trying August for the first time this year as I don't want to take the children out during term time and I think at 10 and 7 they're probably old enough to deal with the heat and humidity.

I shall be doing a trip report (and hopefully a few live updates too) and as I'm weather obsessed no doubt there will be lots of details about heat, humidity and rain!

 

[cliveywolves]

Def August for me too... we are going this year soon 23/8 - 5/9 our first time going at this time of the year we normally go in May or June, It will be hot and humid but ive been informed by so many people that the parks are so much quieter its untrue on somedays only 15 min waits for most big ride etc... Also Easter is so busy and the weather can be cool too...

 

[ben1993]

Another vote for August, we went in may but it was 90 - 98 degrees for the whole 2 weeks and it wasn't a problem at all. Heat over crowds any day!

 

[happyj]

Next year is our last to do on term times. and we are going at Easter as we did this year. The weather was beautiful. Wait times not a problem. But as we go every year we take things easy. We have been the last 3 years in august. Weather very hot , but we say we are lucky and happy to go and will make the best of the weather. I know how you feel about planning we only booked last week as we had to wait for our daughters time table to come out, at last the planning begins. !!

 

[xox_Violet_xox]

Been in August and I didn't notice the weather being much different to when I've been in early July, I don't ever find getting acclimatised to the weather a problem though, last time we went in July '09 I was wearing skinny jeans round the parks and carrying a hoodie!

Just pack ponchos!

 

[strawberry blonde]

yep...with the majority on this one also...
Much rather have the heat of August then the crowds of April. If its late August going into Sept it might not be as bad as you think anyway. Have you ever considered going October early Novemeber time...that is more in keeping with the Feb weather you like, no humidity, lovely temps, low crowds etc...

Would love to do October or November but if we go as a family ( plus DS's girlfriend from Uni) then it has to be when the 6th form college and Uni have a break together and Uni doesn't do half terms.

Looking at Easter prices again, I think it would have to be end of August if DH agrees. It would drive me mad having to queue for ages after paying a small fortune to get there.