First trip in June..any tips?

[bramble4]

Hi everyone! We're frequent visitors to WDW but always visit during slow weeks in October or December, so heat and crowds aren't too much of an issue. The closest we've come to a summer trip was early May about 6 years ago. This June (mid to end of the month) we are coming down with a school group. Definitely not our first choice of when to visit, but we're trying to make the best of it! What are your tips? Although we're experienced with visiting, I feel like a newbie since the summer months are so different! Thank you in advance.

 

[Skywise]

Be prepared for sweltering heat and a near daily chance of afternoon rain showers.

I'd look into spending a morning/afternoon at one of the waterparks too.

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

I have two important words...repeat after me...ROPE DROP!!! You didn't say if you were staying on property, if so then take advantage of EMH, and if not then avoid the parks with EMH. We rode like crazy at rope drop, with a touring plan that had us do attractions that were close to each other...definitely do not plan things that involve walking back and forth across the parks. Also do the "ride" type of attractions first and do the show type of attractions later on.

We did June a few years ago due to school schedule and it was very hot and crowded. Definitely had a great time, but it rained every afternoon, as in thunder and lightning. We got a very early start every day, then left in the afternoon for naps or pool time (but if thunder or lightning is in the area the pools are immediately closed). Then dinner at the resort and take the bus back to the park. If you are not staying on property then I probably wouldn't plan to come and go as it would take too long.

 

[mshanson3121]

Hi everyone! We're frequent visitors to WDW but always visit during slow weeks in October or December, so heat and crowds aren't too much of an issue. The closest we've come to a summer trip was early May about 6 years ago. This June (mid to end of the month) we are coming down with a school group. Definitely not our first choice of when to visit, but we're trying to make the best of it! What are your tips? Although we're experienced with visiting, I feel like a newbie since the summer months are so different! Thank you in advance.

It's not as bad as people make it out to be

Rope drop is your friend. The heat (and crowds) will really start building around 11. So... plan on being there for RD, and then take lunch around 11 or 11:30 which a) gives you a nice air conditioned break and b) gets you into the restaurant before the lunch crowds hit. Use your first FP+ before lunch when the crowds start building and then use your other two right after lunch. Then then take a nice afternoon siesta where you can rest, explore the resort, swim what have you. Try and score another FP+ for the evening and return to the park - summer evenings are VERY nice. Even though it will still be hot, it's an altogether different feel once the sun goes down. We LOVED evenings in the parks, and will be doing more next time. Be prepared for an afternoon shower at some point, when we were there it was generally around 4:00 pm each day and lasted for about 30 minutes or so, and MAN, does it POUR! However, typically we were always back at our house for a rest during this point, so it didn't matter. We normally ate supper around 4:00 then headed back in around 5:00.

ETA: I agree with PP about not criss-crossing the park. Tour by the area so that you're minimizing the amount of walking you're doing all over the place which not only a) saves you time but b) energy.

 

[LovingPooh]

Our family doesn't do rope drop. We sleep later and go into the park in the afternoons. We spend the mornings enjoying the resort or going to Disney Springs. We go into the parks when everyone else leaves looking exhausted. Of course, this works for our family and we speind a couple weeks at the parks.

 

[AuntDJ]

I wanted to chime in, mostly so I can read what everyone else says as we are going in June too . I have been in June in the past and rope drop is our touring style as well. It has been 8 years since our last visit but I hoping this will still work for us!

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

One more thought...either carry a supply of the dollar store disposable ponchos in your purse or tote, or be prepared to buy the (over-priced!) Disney ponchos for everyone!

 

[DisneyDude71]

Freeze water bottles and take to park!

 

[Hootch]

We have been in June multiple times. It's what happens when you have kids in school.

I'm assuming you will not have park hoppers since it is a school trip.

1) As mentioned rope drop is beneficial. You can do more in the first hour than you can do in three or four hours in the afternoon. There will be a lot of people at rope drop, but most will be headed to Seven Dwarfs or Anna and Elsa.
2) We carry ponchos with us every day except when heavy rain is forecasted. Then we have rain coats.
3) If you are going to be there four or more days take a break in the afternoon. The heat can wear on you. We usually take a break daily. It refreshes you for the evening.
4) If you are driving, carry a couple of cases of water. We pay about $0.16 per half liter bottle at Costco.
5) We are not big breakfast eaters. We usually take granola bars, beignets, etc and eat them while waiting for rope drop. That is also where we apply sunscreen.
6) Since we don't eat a big breakfast, lunch is early while crowds are lower.
7) Look at easywdw.com for preferred days. The recommended day may not always fit your needs but it will help. Josh frequently compares wait times for recommended and not recommended parks and there is a significant difference
8) DTD in the evening is a nice diversion in the evening. Lots of things to do and see and sometimes there are other high school groups performing.