Fort Wilderness/Disney in summer

[JJSinPA]

Hello!!!
We are planning a Disney trip in the next two years and with kids getting older, will likely have to be in the summer.
6 kids 14-5 in a camper w/ air.
Any thoughts on weather/heat/storms for July? How unbearable are the parks?

 

[bjschil]

Hello!!!
We are planning a Disney trip in the next two years and with kids getting older, will likely have to be in the summer.
6 kids 14-5 in a camper w/ air.
Any thoughts on weather/heat/storms for July? How unbearable are the parks?

A few years ago, we camped at the Fort for our first summertime experience. We were there in July, for about ten days. We found the humidity to be relentless, and decided if we are lucky enough to choose when we can go,then summer it isn't. Please keep in mind that we are from the upper Midwest, and are used to humidity, but never thought it would be that challenging. We also have a fifth wheel, with air conditioning, and that kept up well. It was just being outside that drained all energy. However, with all I have said, we had a fabulous time, laugh about how soaked we were, how drained we most likely looked, and felt lucky to have been there. It is doable, but it is humid and hot! We really enjoy the Fort in the winter, but realize that cannot work for all families with school-age children.

 

[2goofycampers]

Hello!!!
We are planning a Disney trip in the next two years and with kids getting older, will likely have to be in the summer.
6 kids 14-5 in a camper w/ air.
Any thoughts on weather/heat/storms for July? How unbearable are the parks?

There are a bunch of people who stay at WDW in July. I guess it's bearable for some. You won't find me there then.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

There are a bunch of people who stay at WDW in July. I guess it's bearable for some. You won't find me there then.

1) Summer is Hot and Humid at Disney.
2) To paraphrase the saying,
. . . Only Mad Dogs, Englishmen, and WDW Tourists go out in the midday sun.

 

[North of Mouse]

As pp's say - it will be hot, hot, humid, with 'mostly' daily t'storms that end with 'broiling' heat/humidity! Sorry, just no way to sugar coat it!! We're deep south, but can't take the all day park thing anymore - have done it in the past, but the all day thing can really sap all your energy/enjoyment. I love the heat, but only in small amounts at a time.

 

[lullwater]

In July we only do the parks in the early morning and late evening. We return to the resort before lunch, unless lunch is in the park, and lounge about the pool or water park for the rest of the sunlight hours.

 

[tiggerdad]

Aight, here's my input on this:

Been there in June, August, October, and November. Each trip was about 10 days and we ate exceptional amounts of food each trip.

I gained weight on the two trips in October and November, but lost weight in June and August. I assume from the excessive sweating in the heat.

So, if you desire to vacation and not gains lot of weight, then July is perfect!

 

[5stljayhawks]

Went in june, yah it's hot. Having an extra fan(my vote is for vornado) for out side sitting at the picnic table and maybe an extra awing or screen tent awing. Shade is awesome!! the kiddos on the younger side of the life will have tougher time w/heat, but still will love WDW. Since you are
at the fort, you will have access to extra magic hours, use them wisely!!! an hour early or late, is another hour to nap in the ac. (we use to have hybrid TT, it was almost unbearable with ends being in direct sunlight for naps. If you have a pop-up get reflective covers/survival solar blankets to reflect the sun at REI or local sports store, the heavy duty tarp like ones with shiny back . like $10 or $15 each and box of 1'" binder clips.

Park planning - The water parks are 100% in play here, as well as the fort pool. We would do late night at park, then late start at water park the next day. If cash flow is available, cabana at water park may be worth it. As for parks, when it got hot and kids were on melt down, we got a mickey bar or frozen lemonade and then headed to a sit down show or ride. Hall of Presidents is great retreat, almost always get in first try. Also hit AC during parade

 

[Ozgood]

Years ago (almost 20), we had boys in grade school and had to go around the school's schedule. We tent camped once in June and pop up camped twice in August. It was hot and humid like everyone says, but the kids only remember the fun we had at the parks and the water parks. They were good memories, amd we'd do it again. In fact we will when our 2 year old daughter starts school (yes, I said 2--we hit the reset button at age 43, lol). Just plan appropriately and you'll still have fun. Sunscreen, water bottles with fans, and tank tops will see you through! Take advantage of the extra hours. Our best day, and the boys still talk about it, was when we paid extra to stay until 2am. I don't know if Disney even still does that during the summer but when they close the parks down and only let 5,000 people hang around it is so much fun. Characters were out and the most popular rides were open. It was well worth the $20 a piece that we paid for those bands. I sure hope they still do that a couple times a week in the summer. It was a blast!

The one thing I will say is avoid the tent camping if you can. Nothing worse than having crabby kids and parents because you can't cool off in the AC for a few minutes. Even our popup offers this repreive! If I remember correctly, the year we tent camped, the hubby went out and brought back a window AC unit and somehow rigged it with the tent...yep, call us the Clampetts!

 

[amcc]

We've been camping there for the past 8 summers in an RV and now a popup, both with air. We've only done the parks once while we camp - last year in August. For camping, if you plan on spending any time at the site, I recommend a screen tent just to get the sun off of you. It is hot, humid so we spend alot of time at the pool, lightweight clothes. It rains almost every day, not usually all day, and it doesn't cool off much. Take rain jackets.

As for the parks...I'm a native Floridian and by 1pm (we got there at 7:15am), we were done and headed back to the camper and the pool. We went back to the park at 7pm. It's really hot, it's crowded but they stay open late and we had a great time. It was also the first time we went to the water parks and that was AWESOME. Ended up going 4 times.

 

[Disneymom20]

We did our first July trip this past summer. As the kids are getting older we are finding it hard to find times to be able to travel. Previously we have been in March, May, November and December. I read so many posts before hand and thought we were prepared for the heat. Wow! We are from Canada and I thought I understood humidity and heat, but I had no idea. It was off the charts hot!

We won't be back in July anytime soon but we did have a great trip, how how could we not? It's Disney! But we did find that the parks were too hot in the afternoon, mornings and evenings were best. We found that we couldn't do as much during the day as we had before, the heat zapped us where we wanted to go back and rest in the afternoon. We skipped the dining plan and I am glad we did, with the heat the kids didn't have their normal appetites. We just worked on staying hydrated and cool.

But I did like that the parks were open late, and we really enjoyed the evenings. The pools were great too.

Hope this information helps!

 

[FastPasser]

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[Barney Fife]

In July we only do the parks in the early morning and late evening. We return to the resort before lunch, unless lunch is in the park, and lounge about the pool or water park for the rest of the sunlight hours.

That's how we did it as well. In all honesty, Florida is no different than most of the south: hot and humid. 95 degrees and 100% humidity in Florida is the same as 95 degrees and 100% humidity in NC, SC, Ga, Ala., Mississippi, etc..

 

[daemom]

It's hot and humid, but that's the only time we can go as we still have one in school. Two more years and we're looking forward to returning in November--our favorite time so far! We get out early and rope drop, go back to the camper and relax and cool down for a few hours, then head back either to have an early dinner or eat and then back to the park for evening fun. It's so much more enjoyable to us to have that break and feel refreshed (as much as you can in the humidity) and have the energy to keep going through the parks.

 

[peg110]

It's hot and humid, but that's the only time we can go as we still have one in school. Two more years and we're looking forward to returning in November--our favorite time so far! We get out early and rope drop, go back to the camper and relax and cool down for a few hours, then head back either to have an early dinner or eat and then back to the park for evening fun. It's so much more enjoyable to us to have that break and feel refreshed (as much as you can in the humidity) and have the energy to keep going through the parks.

We have one in school still too, but we go for the Thanksgiving Time frame. Typically we will leave the Tuesday before Thanksgiving after we are done with work/school and drive about 5 or 6 hours. Then drive all the next day and stop just outside of WDW (maybe an hour or so) for the night. Then get up early the next day to check-in. Either we will park in the Overflow lot and do whatever or if the site is ready (which has been because we are not too fussy yet about the sites we will take as long as we fit), we will go and set up. We then stay the rest of that week and all of the following week, leaving on Friday (or Saturday) for the trek back home.

For our DD who is still in school, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is always only a half day. Most teachers don't give much work or do much new material on that day, so we don't feel too bad about that. Then they have the Thanksgiving break (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday), plus here in NEPA, Hunting is big (but not like it used to be) so the Monday after Thanksgiving is the first day of Rifle Hunting season for Buck (White Tail) and since so many families and kids (at least in the past) would not be in school that day, it has just become another addition to the holiday. So our DD will only really miss Tuesday - Friday after Thanksgiving (4 days) and still get to enjoy a 12 day vacation (8 or so actually in Disney). Add to that, that here in NEPA, that time of year snow and ice is not uncommon. A few years ago, we pulled out (on that Tuesday) right ahead of a storm. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving was cancelled due to the weather. Then the Tuesday after Thanksgiving (first school day after the holiday) was also cancelled, so our DD only missed 3 days.

It helps, of course, that our DD is an "A" student as well, and we try to get all the homework done before we go too. Obviously your situation might not be the same, but if it is similar, I'd say go for it. We have never had an issue with the school.