help with this decision--please!

[mjc2003]

We have been back and forth over the last 10 days on a possible late July quick trip, 4 nights.

My biggest concern is that we won't get to do much while there b/c of the heat. Is it unbearable in late July? If it is going to be hard to handle, would we be better off not upgrading the pass, and just skip the parks and do a water park day and a few pool days, perhaps some DTD and maybe even SeaWorld (we can get free tickets)? I know it's a personal financial decision, but am curious about if the parks are even worth doing in the late July heat? If we skip the upgrade and do the water park for a day we would only be saving about $300....

Help!

 

[spiceycat]

depends upon you.

July, Aug, Sept - (june and late may too) are hot, humdity and would not go to the parks during the day.

go early - leave by 10 am then go back at night - EMH. then you beat the heat and most of the crowds. although this solution is getting more and more guests to visit during PM hours in the summertime.

 

[mickeys girl 52]

You are right about it being a personal choice.As for me, I told my daughter to remind me if I ever plan a trip to the parks in the heat of July again please "shoot me.
We were just at WDW the bedimming of June and it was already really hot. We were on The Disney Dream 5 days which was great. We were at the Tree houses 4 days prior and did one park; Hollywood Studios for the Star Wars events. We went to Blizzard Beach one day and really enjoyed it. Spent the other days at pools and went to DTD in the evenings. I have 4 grandsons and they love Disney Quest. I love the Air conditioning there.
I just think the resorts are fun themselves and I can't take the heat and the crowds at the parks in the summer.

 

[DMKEDM]

Yes, it is up to you...but while I MUCH prefer the cooler months, I don't avoid the parks when I go in August (we have an annual late August trip)...

The parks are by no means "unbearable." Hot & humid outside, absolutely...but many attractions and virtually all eating places are well and thoroughly air conditioned so it's easy to get in and get cool...crowds are there, but not unbearable (unless it's 4th of July time)...

For me, early in the morning (at or near opening) up til late morning, just before lunch...back to the resort for swimming/relaxing...then back out to the parks for evening activities is the way to go regardless of weather, but certainly in the very hot/humid months...

Good luck w/your decision...if it were me, I'd go...but then it doesn't take much to get me to think the best place to be/way to spend my money is Disney!

 

[mjc2003]

Thanks all for the feedback. I think my biggest concern is that our two young girls are going to want to go to the parks, so when we get there we're never going to be able to avoid the parks entirely. Spending all that money for the upgrade is a questionable decision for 3 days of partial park time. But they might be a bit young for the water parks to be worth it (almost 6 and just turning 3).

If we could have found something at BCV, we'd just jump on it knowing they'd be happy in the pool all day and we could walk to Epcot at night. But, nothing available in the Epcot area.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Getting to a park early is the key to going in the summer. It worked for us last week in Epcot, DHS and MK.

I'm all for going and I think any of the DVC pools will be enough for your kids!

Bobbi

 

[scooter7487]

Yes, it is up to you...but while I MUCH prefer the cooler months, I don't avoid the parks when I go in August (we have an annual late August trip)...

The parks are by no means "unbearable." Hot & humid outside, absolutely...but many attractions and virtually all eating places are well and thoroughly air conditioned so it's easy to get in and get cool...crowds are there, but not unbearable (unless it's 4th of July time)...

For me, early in the morning (at or near opening) up til late morning, just before lunch...back to the resort for swimming/relaxing...then back out to the parks for evening activities is the way to go regardless of weather, but certainly in the very hot/humid months...

Good luck w/your decision...if it were me, I'd go...but then it doesn't take much to get me to think the best place to be/way to spend my money is Disney!

I could not have said it better myself. I am a teacher so this is about the only time we can go. We drink a lot of fluids and hit the ac to cool down. We are early risers so we plan on emh and hit that park in the am then back to resort for pool or nap (yeah like we can sleep lol) then back at night.

 

[patsal]

I could not have said it better myself. I am a teacher so this is about the only time we can go. We drink a lot of fluids and hit the ac to cool down. We are early risers so we plan on emh and hit that park in the am then back to resort for pool or nap (yeah like we can sleep lol) then back at night.

Same here, if it were not for summer vacation there would be no vacation for me. Hit the parks early, use fast pass --on an early EMH it is easy to get a ton done at MK before 11am. Then head back to the resort for water time! Hit the parks again after dinner. We have managed to do very well for the past 10 years!

 

[Mtnman44]

I won't try to sugar coat it. If you are not from a similar climate area, the summer is Brutal (this is my perspective anyway). Very hot and sweaty and just "wet". Crowds are also fairly busy.

However, it is definately do-able, with the right stategy. As has already been mentioned, the first tip is to not plan full park days. Go early, get fast passes, do some things, and then leave. Come back after dinner.

Second, drink lots of water. Start drinking early. Drink at least a bottle every hour. Don't wait till you get thirsty.

Third, strategically plan some activites to get you out of the heat throughout the day. Also, strategically plan some "get wet" activities. This does wonders for keeping you cool and preserving body hydration. I wear swim trunks and moisture wicking shirts. Every once in a while I drench myself on a ride or under a play fountain, etc. Some attention needs to be paid to certain areas to ensure they don't "rub you the wrong way" when you plan on walking around in wet clothes of course.

 

[LJM721]

I see your location listed as North Jersey. I'm from New Jersey also and have been to Disney World many times in July and August. My experience has been that's it's no hotter and more humid in Florida than it is in NJ that time of year. I was just finished a stay at BLT 2 weeks ago and the weather was more pleasant in Florida than it was in New Jersey. Good luck.

Larry

 

[keishashadow]

We've snuck down for 'bonus' trip the last few years end of July for just a few nights. Each year it was so hot I swore i'd never return that time again.

no matter the season we always would hit the parks early, take the mid-afternoon break & return to the parks.

last year (adults only) we decided to sleep in, enjoyed the nearly empty pool until after noon, then headed off to the parks. Despite many FPs being gone for eticket rides, our day seemed more enjoyable. I'm thinking the parks might just thin out mid day in extreme heat. We concentrated on staying in the shade/AC and skipped the parades & closed down the parks. Probably will follow the same plan this summer.