Hate crowds but running out of time...

[ahill004]

We have until end of august for our annual passes. However due to sports schedules we are limited with when we can travel back down to Florida. Looking at either Memorial weekend, July 4th weekend, during the week end of July or mid august. All sound like very crowded times to go. Any time better or will they all be heavily attended?

 

[soniam]

Volcano Bay opens Memorial Day Weekend. I don't know if we know how that will affect crowds. It could draw people to the entire resort, or it could just draw people to Volcano Bay. Also, Pandora is opening at WDW. So, that could draw crowds from Universal, or it could draw crowds to Orlando to both parks.

 

[schumigirl]

You say mid August........how mid August?

Last 2 weeks it can quieten down........still busy, but I would choose that time over July any day.

 

[cbsnyber1]

We went this past Thanksgiving weekend (Friday - Tuesday) and honestly, the crowds were really manageable - with Express Pass. I would say mid-August might be the slowest time, as it is near the end of school summer vacations (Southern schools are mostly back in session by that time), and it is not a holiday. The heat, however, could be intense but that's true for the periods you list, maybe not as much so for Memorial Day.

 

[kohlby]

Without knowing how mid-August that is, I'd say Memorial Day. A lot of schools are still in session then - though most GA and FL schools will be out. If August is the third Monday in August or later, then August is your best bet.

 

[pcstang]

Without knowing how mid-August that is, I'd say Memorial Day. A lot of schools are still in session then - though most GA and FL schools will be out. If August is the third Monday in August or later, then August is your best bet.

And AL schools too.

 

[Metro West]

Without knowing how mid-August that is, I'd say Memorial Day. A lot of schools are still in session then - though most GA and FL schools will be out. If August is the third Monday in August or later, then August is your best bet.

I would also say Memorial Day...the weather will be more tolerable than any time in July or August...crowds or not.

 

[ahill004]

So we are biting the bullet and hoping for the best Memorial weekend. We booked club level with annual pass holder rate for fri-Sunday nights. Our other options is going no club level Thursday to Sunday nights. We've never stayed club level and not sure if the extra money for me and two kids (one is a hungry teen though). We could go with the extra night but the teenager would miss a day of school and I'm pretty sure three full days will be enough unless someone thinks otherwise??? Would love thoughts!

 

[macraven]

My vote would have been memorial too

Less heat....

Check the hotel schedule for hours of breakfast, afternoon snacks and evening hour

The 3 deluxe hotels have some differences
But minor differences..

Breakfast, do early when club lounge opens so you can enjoy early entry

Afternoon the lounge has out sodas, coffee, tea and water bottles
Also included could be basic snacks such as crustables, chips, pretzels

Dinner/appetizer hour at rph starts at 5:00
Desserts follow after that
Beverages of beer, wine throughout this evening offering
Spirits have a fee

Pbh and hrh have similar set up as all have a few hot dishes besides cold
Salad type of foods also offered at all
Cheese/crackers etc are about the same at all 3 of the hotel club lounges

 

[ahill004]

My vote would have been memorial too

Less heat....

Check the hotel schedule for hours of breakfast, afternoon snacks and evening hour

The 3 deluxe hotels have some differences
But minor differences..

Breakfast, do early when club lounge opens so you can enjoy early entry

Afternoon the lounge has out sodas, coffee, tea and water bottles
Also included could be basic snacks such as crustables, chips, pretzels

Dinner/appetizer hour at rph starts at 5:00
Desserts follow after that
Beverages of beer, wine throughout this evening offering
Spirits have a fee

Pbh and hrh have similar set up as all have a few hot dishes besides cold
Salad type of foods also offered at all
Cheese/crackers etc are about the same at all 3 of the hotel club lounges

Thanks macraven! So I think we would eat the breakfasts and probably snacks maybe twice during our Friday-Monday stay. I don't think we would do evenings... maybe desserts for the kids. Is it worth it for the extra $236 for our stay? (Three nights). Can we access the club level before our rooms are ready the day we arrive? And are the actual club level rooms any different than regular rooms other than club access? Thanks again!

 

[macraven]

The rooms are the same on all the floors
Club or not, no difference in rooms

Yes once you are checked in, you can go to the club lounge

Room can be ready before 4:00

 

[macraven]

Really don't know how to guide you
I go solo and book a king suite for close to two weeks

King suites would cost more than a standard room on club level
With the extra room, I would relax there in my suite if I was not poolside in the afternoon

I have done club about 3 times over the past few years

Believe me, I never ate enough to consider it a savings for staying on club
But that is due to my style of vacation
Some mornings I sleep in and hit the parks at 10:30
Skip breakfast and do lunch at 1:30 in the parks
When I snack on items from the candy shops or pink donut, I don't want food again until later in the evening

I used club for coffee quite a bit and maybe hit it at breakfast a few times
What they had was good and enjoyable
Did go to the lounge some afternoons to pick up a soda or water on the way to the parks

Only hit it in the evenings maybe 4 nights
I did not want to leave the parks by 5 just to hit the club for their dinner hour and dessert

I wouldn't call what they had would compete with a full meal though
It is not set up to be a substitute for your dinner
But I did see some guests use it that way

I did some of the apps and salads and did try a few of the hot dishes
All were great in the club

I'm not used to eating that early (5:00) as my lunch generally is about 1:30 while in the parks

My dinner hour at home is usually around 7 pm
While at the darkside I would eat my evening meal around 8 or closer to 9 at the hotel restaurants or at city walk

Now if I had others with me on a trip there, I'm sure I would rearrange my schedule to the club hours for their offerings

Club might be wonderful for you and your family
Since it will be 4 of you, I'm sure you will come out ahead economically by staying club
If my numbers are correct you are paying about $78 more per night for booking club level

Some sweet rolls or cereal and fruit in the morning at club, soda/water, and evening offerings could cost you more if paying for it at an eatery each day

You can easily come out ahead financially

Don't second guess yourself
Go to the parks and enjoy your vacation
Time together with the family is precious

 

[keishashadow]

We've been both weeks over Memorial Day weekend. The prior week is slower.

I'd have gone for mid august, last year visited that time. Was busy but slowed down toward the end of week.

Rates seemed lower over Memorial Day trips

We have mandatory week of vacation 4th of July week. Currently all dates @ AKV as no APH rates (may not have I'm told). Just can't justify nearly $500 a night @ RPH.