Help & Advice Please from experienced Dissers

[ppow]

We are going out to see the mouse for the first time in October this year

BUT

We already know that we want to go back next year but as we have 2 children (DD12 & DS7) we are at least trying to tag onto school hols.

We are thinking about July next year (12 - 26) - how hot does it get? how busy does it get? Basically how doable is it? Kids will be 13 and 8 by then and we cant afford to go in the main summer hol and my feeling is that it would be better to miss 8 days of school before summer break (when they are winding down for summer) than 8 days in Oct when they are doing some proper work.

Any help/thoughts/advice would be much appreciated.

Trina x

(PS: we will be staying off site in a villa in Santa Cruz on both occassions)

 

[darthtatty]

im from Uk and the last time i went was the end of may.
my son hadnt started school then so it was easy but next year we're going the end of May again. ive looked and theres a half term then so he'll just miss a bit of school.
the weather was just right and although it was busy, it wasnt too busy.

hope someone can help you with the info

 

[nibbo]

Have you ever thought of doing the 2 weeks before Christmas? Parks are fairly quiet, not too hot and one of the cheapest times of the year. Kids not doing much at school just before Christmas either. it's a very magical time of the year to go too. Our DD's 10 and 12 love it there at Christmas. We've just booked our 3rd time for Christmas 2009.

 

[Goofyish]

Towards the end of August is also a possibility.

Weather is still hot and humid like July with regular afternoon thunderstorms, but crowds will be a little lighter than July due to US schools going back mid-August.

Both July and August are very hot (90+) and very humid (100%). This high humidity tends to trigger thunderstorms in the afternoons - these usually only last an hour or so and then things dry our very quickly.
Although crowds are heavy the parks are open longer, so you can plan to get to the parks early and avoid the crowds and hottest part of the day, then take an afternoon siesta in your room or by the pool, then return to the parks later afternoon/evening.
You need to pace yourselves, drink lots, and take advantage of air conditioned shops and attractions

 

[ppow]

Unfortunately last 2 weeks of August are still very expensive because of school holidays and so are a no no.

Other option that has been suggested is tagging on to Spring Bank Holiday at end of may so effectively end May/beg June....... any thoughts?

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Unfortunately last 2 weeks of August are still very expensive because of school holidays and so are a no no.

Other option that has been suggested is tagging on to Spring Bank Holiday at end of may so effectively end May/beg June....... any thoughts?

The Summer months are a popular time because if you have children it's often the only time many of us can go, and certainly in our circumstances that's the case. 6 weeks off school etc - though unfortunatley not the cheapest.

As others have said July is extremely hot, humid and at times can be very crowded too. We sometimes find August a struggle and July is marginally worse weather wise and depending on the dates a fair bit worse crowd wise.
A lot of the locals even find July unbearable (lost count of the number of times I have been asked in a mall or somewhere "why do you come when the weather is so hot").
Touring the theme parks when it is crowded in high summer can be hard work at times.

The ideal scenario is finding nice sunny weather but not too intensive, cheap flight prices, and the parks not too busy....getting all 3 in the summer is a non-starter so dream on Johnny!

Whilst any time is 'do-able' providing you do the sensible things, visit parks at cooler and quieter times of the day, take plenty of rest in the shade, drink plenty of fluids etc...if choosing between July/August or end of May/start of June it's an easy answer as the latter is definitely the best time to go.
It will still be very hot but not as stifling as it will be later in the summer. Crowd levels will increase through June as many US schools break up in the middle of the month.

 

[stubb]

hi

it may be worth looking at buying annual passes if you are planning on going twice. We also went 1st 2 weeks of dec flights were approx£130 with tcd we have also gone around feb time. this year we are going for 3 weeks in august which weather wise is not ideal!

michelle

 

[PoppyAnna]

Towards the end of August is also a possibility.

Weather is still hot and humid like July with regular afternoon thunderstorms, but crowds will be a little lighter than July due to US schools going back mid-August.

Both July and August are very hot (90+) and very humid (100%). This high humidity tends to trigger thunderstorms in the afternoons - these usually only last an hour or so and then things dry our very quickly.
Although crowds are heavy the parks are open longer, so you can plan to get to the parks early and avoid the crowds and hottest part of the day, then take an afternoon siesta in your room or by the pool, then return to the parks later afternoon/evening.
You need to pace yourselves, drink lots, and take advantage of air conditioned shops and attractions

THis is what we will probably do next year.
DD's school tends to take it's inset days either side of summer hols which means they don't go back until 9/10th Sept. We're hoping to miss the major crowds and if we eat into school time by a few days I don't mind what with all the "what did you do in the summer holidays" chat for the first few days. I will only take her out if she has a good sickness record.

 

[castanea1985]

We are going out to see the mouse for the first time in October this year

BUT

We already know that we want to go back next year but as we have 2 children (DD12 & DS7) we are at least trying to tag onto school hols.

We are thinking about July next year (12 - 26) - how hot does it get? how busy does it get? Basically how doable is it? Kids will be 13 and 8 by then and we cant afford to go in the main summer hol and my feeling is that it would be better to miss 8 days of school before summer break (when they are winding down for summer) than 8 days in Oct when they are doing some proper work.

Any help/thoughts/advice would be much appreciated.

Trina x

(PS: we will be staying off site in a villa in Santa Cruz on both occassions)

Hi Trina

For the last 10+ years we have always taken our kids out of school on the last week of summer term. No problems at all.

Tracy xx

 

[Karenpowley]

Hi Trina,

I work in a school, and we go in July 09, although im in the East Midlands and we do break up before we go.

You are allowed to take your children out of school for 10 days with permission from the Head - Although i dont condone it, it is a good time (if there is one) to take them out, as in our school the last week most definately is our winding down time, because most teachers have to completely clear their classrooms for the industrial cleaners to come in during the school holidays, so the children tend to do more arty things etc in the final week.

As for Florida in July - it is very hot and humid, and u do get thunderstorms (we only had one when we went 2 years ago!)but everywhere u go theres air conditioning, so you tend to stay cool - the only downside is, the heat does tire you abit because of the humidity - but hey, your so in awe of everything going on around you, you forget how uncomfortable it can be. As for the children they seem to be more resilient to it in Florida, because its such a magical place they forget how hot it is, and dont complain at all, just drink plenty. We bought big drinking flasks/cups which we use to fill with squash the night before, put them in the freezer, and then take them to the parks with us the following day.

It is busy, but if you plan well -(i got the itinary planner done for me in The Brits guide - it was brilliant, and we got to do everything we wanted.)

Hope you have a fab time!!

KAREN X

 

[Karenpowley]

Unfortunately last 2 weeks of August are still very expensive because of school holidays and so are a no no.

Other option that has been suggested is tagging on to Spring Bank Holiday at end of may so effectively end May/beg June....... any thoughts?

May is always SATs months in nearly all schools - Heads dont like it if you request a holiday then.

Karenx

 

[wicket2005]

I would recommend that the first time you go to Orlando you choose a quieter time because you will be able to get more things done. Subsequent times you know what you are doing and exactly which rides you want to do in each park and it is a whole lot easier.

Heat doesn't bother us at all. In fact, we quite enjoy it as a contrast to the weather we usually have here. We have been in Feb, July and August. February was the quietest with a week tagged on to the half term holiday.

We have been twice in July and it is crowded but as long as you get to the parks early and visit on their quietest days we have never had a problem with it. We also have only experienced on odd days the heavy downpour that we fully expected. I think it just depends on where you are and where those nasty clouds are sometimes. I know after reading trip reports from people there at the same time as us, sometimes they had rain when we didn't see any. As well as the USA being on holiday there was a lot of South American school children groups when we went in July. Basically you head in the opposite direction to where they are going.

Last year in August, we had one full day of rain and just the odd shower but other than that first day totally nothing to complain about. I didn't notice the crowds being any lighter (it was the first two weeks) but there wasn't any South American school trips which was a bonus.

It depends how you are as a family to how you feel the heat, everybody is different. I know my Mam is always saying it is hot but my Dad says it is cold as the windows are open and cold air blasts through the house. I think also if you are quite fit it helps because you don't feel as tired as easily.

What we have incorporated into the holidays now is a nice rest period back at the hotel, where we have a swim or a nap or both or even a cocktail or two before heading back out. Note cocktail only if walking to one the Universal parks. We found by doing this you can refresh your batteries.

Our kids are now 19 and 17 but, thankfully, still want to come with us (next year too ) but we are still tied down to university and college holidays, so invariably that means July/August. If we had the chose we would go any other time when it is cheaper.

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

Hello, firstly let me say I am NOT trying to turn this into a "should the kids miss school debate" just my opinion.

I am a primary teacher, lots of people on here keep suggesting different weeks when "the kids are not really doing much at school". From my point of view if one of my pupils were to take time out of school for a holiday I would prefer it was the end of july just before summer hols - we really aren't doing a lot in that last week. The worst time for one of my pupils to miss school is around spring bank time as this is when tests/assessments and report writing are carried out, when kids are away it is a total headache to try to find time for them to sit the tests when they come back as I have to find other adult bodies who are free to sit with them. Like I said just my opinion and not te start of a debate.

Obviously in my job I have to go July/August anyway and we have always found the heat and crowds ok.

Have fun whatever you decide to do.

 

[Karenpowley]

Hello, firstly let me say I am NOT trying to turn this into a "should the kids miss school debate" just my opinion.

I am a primary teacher, lots of people on here keep suggesting different weeks when "the kids are not really doing much at school". From my point of view if one of my pupils were to take time out of school for a holiday I would prefer it was the end of july just before summer hols - we really aren't doing a lot in that last week. The worst time for one of my pupils to miss school is around spring bank time as this is when tests/assessments and report writing are carried out, when kids are away it is a total headache to try to find time for them to sit the tests when they come back as I have to find other adult bodies who are free to sit with them. Like I said just my opinion and not te start of a debate.

Obviously in my job I have to go July/August anyway and we have always found the heat and crowds ok.

Have fun whatever you decide to do.

I totally agree!!!

 

[Haworthfamily]

Hello our DD is 6 (other two not at school yet)
We try and take one week either side of a school holiday, so she doesn't have to much ime out of school.
We tend to before the 'easter' holidays and the price is usually quite good.
It's always a tricky decision weighing up, school/price etc.
goodluck X

 

[ppow]

Am thinking of tagging onto Spring Bank at END of May so effectively May/June........

 

[kellie37]

hi

we went in may 06 and this year we are going in july. we are going the 10th so i have to take my middle 2 girls out of school for 13 days and the head said it was fine.

we know its going to be hot and very busy. but we are planning to go to the parks early and take a break at lunchtime and then pop back to the parks later in the day.

i have read a mixture of reports on disney in july, some say its too busy and wouldn't go again and others have said it was great.

i think whenever you go it will be magic.

 

[orlando-brit realtor]

Hi there. July will be hot and busy. I would recommend October to be honest with you. I say that as a Brit who lives here and we have annual passes so we can go anytime we like. We live right behind the Magic Kingdom and we avoind Disney between Middle June -middle of september because its too hot, too busy and you just cant get anything done because of all the lines.