For all you summer travelers....crowds??

[panfan]

Although we have been to WDW many, many times...we have never gone in the summer at all. I know it is a "whole different experience" than in early December or January when we normally go.

Just wondering ....WHEN in the summer months is the least crowded/best time...early July ? Late August ?? or doesn't it really matter?? Will be traveling with 3 little ones under the age of 8 and one grandmother that is not particularly thrilled with going in the summer! ( but she still insists on going...lol)

Just wondering if any of you could lend any advice or tips for traveling in the summer...heat/crowds etc??

Thanks in advance!

 

[AladdinsPrincess]

I'm always amazed by how crowded it is in the summer. I don't know for sure when the least crowded time is in the summer, but I would guess late August, or any time after most FL residents head back to school. School started for most of the state last week, and I thought the parks seemed a little less crowded this past weekend.

If you go in the summer, definitely plan to take a mid-day break to go back to your hotel for a swim and some time out of the heat. Utilize the water parks and then hit the MK at night (it's usually open later in the summer). Drink lots of water and bring lots of sunscreen as well!

 

[ktbugsmom]

We have gone in early August (just got back Sunday) and in mid-August 2002. Mid August was less crowded and I have heard that late August has even less crowds. I was actually amazed at the crowd levels in mid-August. I thought it would be much more crowded then.

But, this most recent trip, it was pretty busy, but if you went to the parks early, things were fine. We always left MK by noon. The crowds were awful then. One evening, we went back for the parade and fireworks. Between the parade and fireworks, we went to Adventureland and walked on jungle Cruise and Magic carpets - my 4.5 year old DDs favorites. I wish we had gone over to Mickey's Toon town, because I am sure that would have been dead too.

If we go back in August again, I will try for late August - about a week before Labor Day weekend.

P.S. with the mid-August trip, my DD was 2.5 and I went with my sister, her DD (6) and her DS (4) and our mom. The heat was tough on mom, but she loved the trip and enjoyed the afternoon breaks by the pool.

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

We were there last year mid-June and the crowds were unbelievable.
We had usually been in early May most years.

Get there as early as you can and leave by noon or just after, return in the evening. We were at MK on a Weds afternoon and I felt like we were in this giant sea of people, hard to even move around.

That said, we still had a great time! It started raining heavy about 2:00 which cleared a lot of people out, and we headed for POC and Splash Mountain.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

We were there the end of Aug last year and it wasn't crowded at all. Many schools are back in session, so the wait on rides weren't long at all. Only used the fast pass a few times.
We're going same time this year, hopefully it will be the same.

 

[maggie g.]

We were there last August and going again in two weeks. the crowds were not bad at all. probably why we're going back. you just have to be really flexible because the weather is so unpredictable this time of year. park visits were cut short because of severe rain and they also close the pools when there's lightening threats. One evening we sent the kid's to the kid's club @ BC and I caught up on laundry. Maggie

 

[Nickunited]

I am a big fan of late August!

Like posted above - most of the states are already back in school. I actually just spoke to a relative who is down there and she said that this morning you were able to walk on rides just about. As the day went on - lines formed but it was not bad as of this afternoon!