Finally going back!

[Disneyhayes]

DH finally agreed to go back! I just need to decide if we should go right after school gets out which is the end of May. Or if we should go before school goes back at the end of August. Any thoughts?

 

[kaybird]

We have done both. Either way, you miss some of the heavier summer crowds. End of August can be quite warm, but maybe a little lower crowds.

 

[bjscheel]

I vote right after school gets out. August is hurricane season I think. We've generally gone as close to beginning of June as we can before other schools get out. When you say end of May, would your trip include Memorial Day weekend? You might try to avoid that.

 

[ArielSRL]

We get out before Memorial Day and we are going the first full week of June (3-11). If you want to go sooner, I would probably wait til maybe Tues or Wed after Memorial Day.

 

[Disneyhayes]

We would go after Memorial Day

 

[AggieRach99]

We get out the week before Memorial Day and will fly in on 5/29. We have gone this week and the following week in June for the past couple of years and really like it. Crowds aren't that bad. Congrats and have fun!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We've done both and enjoy both. Yes, August can be HOT, but totally doable. Personally, I would price them both out and see which offers you the best deal and then go from there.

 

[Evad]

There's a good chance there may be a free dining offer at the end of August

 

[Disneyhayes]

Thanks everyone! We're supposed to go to myrtle beach in September so I am thinking that would just be too close for my husband and work. And June is a lot sooner lol

 

[DWillowBay]

IMHO......For weather - May. For a really fun time right before it's back to school - August. We've done both and I have no preference in terms of crowd levels or possible discounts.

 

[gap2368]

August is hurricane season I think.

I think you are right but I would not stop a trip to Disney because of this in 45 years Disney has close 4 times due to hurricane so it will be unlikely it will close, and I think this is at the begging of hurricane season too.

 

[Tomh]

Late August is indeed at the end of Hurricane Season. We have been visiting in the end of August for the past 8 years, and only really had a Hurricane impact our trip one time, and the day it impacted was our last day. We still spent the entire day in MK, short lines, cool temps, the only real negative for us was that the parades were replaced with the rainy day parades due to the weather. Aside from that, we had a great day, so I wouldn't let the worry of Hurricanes sway your decision. Generally, the later in August, the lighter the crowds. Park hours are still pretty long. We enjoy visiting late in August, just have to be mindful of the heat.

 

[Number Six]

Late August is indeed at the end of Hurricane Season. We have been visiting in the end of August for the past 8 years, and only really had a Hurricane impact our trip one time, and the day it impacted was our last day. We still spent the entire day in MK, short lines, cool temps, the only real negative for us was that the parades were replaced with the rainy day parades due to the weather. Aside from that, we had a great day, so I wouldn't let the worry of Hurricanes sway your decision. Generally, the later in August, the lighter the crowds. Park hours are still pretty long. We enjoy visiting late in August, just have to be mindful of the heat.

Late August is the heart of hurricane season, and often when it is at its busiest. The season doesn't end until late November. That said, serious impacts from hurricanes to the Orlando area are uncommon.

 

[andyman8]

Personally, I'd go with the late May/early June option, especially if you have vacation plans for September. Late August is hot in Central Florida, and while the start of summer is still certainly very hot, those couple of degrees make a huge difference. Plus, you can take advantage of longer hours and, depending on when you go, you may even be able to catch the very end of Flower & Garden at Epcot, which is a nice bonus. I'd also add that, if you don't envision yourself returning to WDW within the next few years, you'll generally find yourself dealing with few attraction closures and refurbs during the late May/early June period than during the late August period.

That said, the tradeoff is crowds. You can expect higher crowds in late May/early June than in late August, and while they are still very much bearable, you'll definitely want to take advantage of rope drop and/or those late closings I mentioned earlier. Not only will these times of the day see shorter waits but they'll also be much cooler. Speaking of cooling off, I'd recommend building in some time for at least one of the water parks and some time to hang out by the pool. Whether it be dedicated rest days or just an afternoon break, these breaks to cool off will work wonders for your family.

Hope this helps!

 

[Lightsoutx12]

Yeah August is kind of a bad month for heat/potential hurricanes (though it is always hot here and hurricane season technically starts June 1st). I think personally you would be a lot better off going in late May/Early June. I think if you just take advantage of your fast passes and plan which rides/shows you want to hit first. You will be good either time you plan to go!

 

[Disneyhayes]

Thanks again everyone. We chose to go late May/early June. We'll stay on site and get park hoppers. That way we can do EMH in the morning and night and take afternoon pool and nap breaks

 

[AggieRach99]

Thanks again everyone. We chose to go late May/early June. We'll stay on site and get park hoppers. That way we can do EMH in the morning and night and take afternoon pool and nap breaks

One thing that hasn't been mentioned here yet about early June planning (I didn't even think about it in my earlier post) is that Orlando Gay Days will be going on in early June. We usually just avoid the park that is designated for the event for a particular day, due to crowds. Just something you may want to research and be aware of when planning, as that event brings lots of folks into the parks.

 

[Disneyhayes]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned here yet about early June planning (I didn't even think about it in my earlier post) is that Orlando Gay Days will be going on in early June. We usually just avoid the park that is designated for the event for a particular day, due to crowds. Just something you may want to research and be aware of when planning, as that event brings lots of folks into the parks.

Thanks for the reminder on that. I'll have to factor it in when planning park days

 

[ArielSRL]

Thanks for the reminder on that. I'll have to factor it in when planning park days

I just looked at the calendar bc it does effect my vacation. Thurs 6/1 is AK, Fri 6/2 is DHS, Sat 6/3 MK, Sun 6/4 is Epcot.

Last year that Saturday was our arrival day and we went to MK. It was very crowded as Saturdays tend to be already, plus the Gay Days crowd. So this year, we just decided to add a day onto the end of our trip and not do a park on arrival day (Sat 6/3). We will do a resort swim afternoon, and a Disney Springs evening.

 

[Disneyhayes]

I just looked at the calendar bc it does effect my vacation. Thurs 6/1 is AK, Fri 6/2 is DHS, Sat 6/3 MK, Sun 6/4 is Epcot.

Last year that Saturday was our arrival day and we went to MK. It was very crowded as Saturdays tend to be already, plus the Gay Days crowd. So this year, we just decided to add a day onto the end of our trip and not do a park on arrival day (Sat 6/3). We will do a resort swim afternoon, and a Disney Springs evening.

Thanks for the info!