First Visit When to go 3 options..

[Misfit]

Hi everyone! I've been reading the boards trying to soak in all the info and we have decided to stay at the Fort...Now I just need advice on the time we have 3 options July 2nd - 9th, July 22-29 or August 9th-16th... This is my situation to consider:

My husband and I will be going with our 2 daughter 17 and 9(They are both extreme Disney lovers) and our son 16. This will be our kids first trip to Disney. My husband, who has always had no interest in going to Disney (he went once when he was little never wanted to go back) has finally said he is ready, its time! YAY! Anyway, our oldest daughter is graduating and going off to college and our son is not far behind..Because of this its our last chance at a nice family vacation before everyone starts going their own ways and our kids first and probably last trip to Disney as a family for a long time..(Don't think my husband will be ready again for quite some time)

I was originally going for the 9th of August because, its a little cheaper and I thought maybe a little less crowded. We would get 5 day tickets with some time to do other things in Orlando..But, our daughter leaves for College the 22nd and I'm not sure I want to come back and not have a lot of time to get her ready..

Nothing really about the 22nd-29th just we have a wedding to attend the previous week and its in between my 2 other dates..

But, now I'm wondering if we should just pay a little extra and get 7 day tickets take our time at the parks and enjoy the holiday at Disney.. Since it will be their first and only visit for a while I think the holiday will make it a nice bonus..I'm OK with crowds I'm just wondering from those who have went, is going over the holiday worth it? Would it be a nice extra for our kids or is one of the other 2 dates a better option?

Thanks!!

 

[Teamubr]

Welcome Misfit to the camping board and your first post!. ,

We are typically a summer family too due to school schedules. The July 4th week will be really busy. The 4th is on a Saturday. That means many people will have a 3 day weekend. Those are always busier than a regular week. I would probably go with the August week. It sounds like it is a little cheaper and it should have a little less crowds. Some schools go back in early August. My DS starts the week after that.

Also, know that it will be HOT and humid. Think 98 degrees and 98% humidity. Summers typically have afternoon rain nearly everyday. It doesn't usually last long, sometimes 20 minutes, rarely more than 2 hours, but makes the humidity go from 98% to 120%.

If you are used to the heat, it's no big deal. I'm from the Midwest and it is often hotter around St Louis with the same humidity, so WDW is a relief.

I would definitely go with a 7 (or even 8) day ticket. Once you get past 4 days, each day is pretty cheap. We also get the park hopper option. We like to be able to hit different parks in the same day, especially later in the week. By the 4th day, you have probably spent a whole day at all the parks. The hopper lets us go back and do different things throughout the day.

Don't forget the Fort also has a lot to offer. It would be easy to spend a couple of days just doing things at the Fort. Since your family has never been to WDW, I suspect the parks will be the focus. Honestly, it's my family's focus too, but we like to spend parts of a day or 2 just swimming, canoeing, shopping, walking and relaxing at the Fort.

j

 

[growinupdisney]

As far as dates I would pick August some kids will be in school and the lesser crowds will help you enjoy your first trip. I have a daughter in college and trust me you will getting her ready all summer so you will have plenty of time for that. It will actually be nice spending that time with the family that close to her leaving.

If you really don't want to do that time I would with the later in July time we were there last year at the time it was really busy but we go to Disney every year so we knew how to manage the crowds.

I wouldn't go July 2-9 at all just because it will sooooo hot and that mixed with really big crowds just equal misery to me!

 

[bama_ed]

Hi misfit.

How will you be staying at the Fort? In an rv, trailer, popup, tent, or cabin? Those are all summer dates and if you were planning a tent in summer, we would have some further advice.

Bama Ed

 

[North of Mouse]

Hi everyone! I've been reading the boards trying to soak in all the info and we have decided to stay at the Fort...Now I just need advice on the time we have 3 options July 2nd - 9th, July 22-29 or August 9th-16th... Thanks!!

Welcome to the joys of camping at the Fort!! Well, for sure, all your dates will be super hot and humid, but that's just FL in the summertime!

Personally, would 'never' go over the 4th of July - max crowds plus max heat/humidity/usually daily showers would be too much for me. Of your three timelines, I would go the Aug 9-16 route - no breaks on the heat/humidity, but maybe not quite as crowded.

Good luck!

 

[Misfit]

Thanks everyone! Just an FYI we are staying in a pop-up but I am definitely leaning towards August because of the advice you guys have and even though part of me "can't wait" and wants to go sooner I think August would probably be better..