How Crazy am I

[BoVance]

We have been visiting WDW about 2-3 every year for the past 5 years. We have been during all majow holidays and many special events. But we have never been in the summer. I currently have a rservation for june17-july2. all my friends are saying I'm crazy for going to Florida in the summer. How hot and how crowded is it.

 

[Sandisw]

I am a teacher so we go in the summer every year. I have never been in June (we don't even get out until June 25th!!!) but have been every week in July and the first two weeks in August.

It is definitely hot and the week of 4th of July was REALLY crowded. However, if you drink, take breaks in the afternoon, and have the attitude that you will see what you see and enjoy yourself, you will be fine!!!

We usually eat lunch at 11:30 am, before the crowds set in at the CS places, which gives us a nice break. We usually leave the park between 1 - 3 and head back to the resort. Sometimes we go back and sometimes we don't.

The biggest thing is drinking lots of water. It helps a lot!!! Utilizing the Fast pass system is a must. We plan our visits to the parks based on when the parks have night time EMH. We go to that park the NEXT DAY--ie: if MK has EMH at night on Wednesday, then we would visit Thursday (we figure that since a lot of people were there late the night before, the crowds might be less). We try to avoid the parks that have Early EMH as well since those tend to be the busiest parks.

Have a great time!!!!

 

[5forDiz]

Is it hot and humid during that time where you live ? If yes then you may as well be in WDW !!

Get to parks at or before opening so you can be first in and score Fastpasses as early as possible and walk onto as many attractions as possible before long lines form. We try to leave by noon, return in evening and stay for Extra Magic Hours. And lots of bottled water.

This thread talk about first week of July (& july 4)

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2114804

ETA : And another thread discussing summer strategies

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2153076


good luck

 

[Tara]

We have been visiting WDW about 2-3 every year for the past 5 years. We have been during all majow holidays and many special events. But we have never been in the summer. I currently have a rservation for june17-july2. all my friends are saying I'm crazy for going to Florida in the summer. How hot and how crowded is it.

Eh, not really crazy unless you simply can't bear heat and humidity. If you've been during xmas, then you are used to crowds, and summer won't be quite so crowded (but your last few days leading up to the 4th might be close). The nice thing is that all the hours are extended and there's usually the full assortment of night shows and parades every night. Take advantage of evening touring and extra magic hours at night, take midday breaks, swim, drink tons of water.

 

[BoVance]

Thanks for the great advice. I think it would be hard for my family not have a great time as long as we are at WDW. One other question. We always use sun screen and we usually use 15 or 30 block. Will that do?

 

[5forDiz]

Thanks for the great advice. I think it would be hard for my family not have a great time as long as we are at WDW. One other question. We always use sun screen and we usually use 15 or 30 block. Will that do?

Well for our family we do at least at least 50 (sport water/sweat proof type ) - mainly because of our youngest who burns quite easy so we just keep it simple and all use same. There are lots of shaded areas and ability to walk out of direct sun so we try to do that as well ( is at MK walk through shops on left side of Main St. all the way through Casey's Hotdogs to reach Adventureland, Frontierland etc. )

Also, when we're in park during day we don't take back packs, heavy camera etc. because that only makes you much warmer.

 

[Tara]

Thanks for the great advice. I think it would be hard for my family not have a great time as long as we are at WDW. One other question. We always use sun screen and we usually use 15 or 30 block. Will that do?

It will do, but you'll have to reapply it more frequently. The SPF number is a multiplier - you take the amount of time you can be in the sun before you begin to burn (for me it's really about 10-15 minutes) and multiply it by the SPF and that's the amount of time you are protected for. However, sunscreens over 30 haven't been shown to provide significantly longer protection - people often apply too little and claims such as "waterproof" or "sweatproof" are just false. (I read that the FDA was going to start cracking down on the use of those words) So you're better off reapplying every 2 hours no matter how high the SPF is, especially if you're swimming or out in very hot weather (i.e. sweating).

 

[La2kw]

DW and I are also both teachers and we have been going in the summer for the past 20 years. We have always had a great time. We went at Christmas once and while enjoyable, it didn't feel right. It wasn't hot enough to swim and we missed the water parks terribly.

We haved always used 55-60spf and just found 85spf, which we use now.

 

[DebbieB]

I've gone a couple of times in the summer and it wasn't that bad. Get to the parks early, do fastpass, do an afternoon break, go back to the parks in the evening.

 

[chum]

You'll find a way to have fun no matter what!
Our family has decided to try to avoid the peak months.
LA2KW is right about the waterparks and pools in the cooler months but we like having a bit more elbow room and less waiting.

 

[gracelrm]

DH & I are teachers and we usually go in the summer as well. We are usually able to go around the first or second week of June, so it may be a bit cooler than late June/July, but it's still pretty hot. We try to get to the parks early, leave by noon or 1:00 and spend the afternoon hours at the resort relaxing or swimming. Then we'll usually do a TS dinner and then back to the parks for the evening. We started this routine when the kids were young and have continued it cause dad needs a nap and my fair-skinned family needs time out of the sun and heat. I agree with the post that said avoid backpacks and camera bags - they do really seem to add to the heat. Also, I have found Animal Kingdom almost unbearable during the summer. I tend to get uncomfortably hot there and have breathing problems while I'm there. So, if we go to AK, we go for an early entry day and get out of there by noon. It may just be something quirky with me - but I feel ill at AK in the summer. Also, be prepared for the late afternoon showers. You'll want to bring along rain gear if you plan on being in the parks in the late afternoon hours. We've rarely had a day in June without an afternoon shower.

 

[PurpleTurtle]

Also, I have found Animal Kingdom almost unbearable during the summer. I tend to get uncomfortably hot there and have breathing problems while I'm there. So, if we go to AK, we go for an early entry day and get out of there by noon. It may just be something quirky with me - but I feel ill at AK in the summer.

That's funny. We've been during all different times of the year (Jan., Dec., Feb., Oct., April, May, June) and find that no matter what time of year, AK is pretty much unbearably hot. My DD10 comments on it every time we go there. So strange!

 

[Corinne]

We go to WDW every summer and we just love it. We have heard the same thing from our friends for years, "Isn't it too hot there in the summer?" My answer is always the same. It is hot HERE too but I would rather be hot at WDW than here! hehe! Have a wonderful time!

 

[Cyndibear]

We went same time you are going a couple of years ago. We usually go in September. I have to say that I felt it is hotter in Sept than in June. We went to the parks in the AM, used FP and then when back to the resort in the afternoon for a rest. We did use EMH quite a bit to do the most popular rides. We had a great time. Have Fun!

Cyndi

 

[JerJan]

I LOVE WDW IN THE SUMMER!!!!