How HOT is HOT??

[hmballz]

We are planning a trip to WDW from 7/31-8/5...It is me, my DH and twin 2 year old DS's...plus my in-laws who live in southern FL and my parents from NY. (We are also from NY).

My inlaws are scaring my DH and I into not going during this time due to the "intense, unbearable, dangerous" heat.

My plan was to do the parks in the early morning and early evening and spend mid-day at the hotel - we are staying at the WL. My DS's both nap between approx. 12:30-2:30. So during that time, we would also be napping or hanging by the pool.

We know there is no way to do everything on this trip and don't plan on it...we are just going to go with the flow - although I did make my ADR's for dinner every night.


ARE WE CRAZY?

Thanks-
Heather

 

[spiceycat]

couple of things to read

http://www.wdwinfo.com/tips_for_touring/keepingcool.htm

also
http://www.wdwinfo.com/weather.htm

the high are probably going to be in the 90's if not 100's for your stay - but it is not the heat - the humdity will be high - but because of this it should rain every afternoon and cool everything down for an hour or two.

your plan is what I do - expect leave when the parks get too crowded or your kids gets upset (heat & humdity) - so watch the kids - bring lots and lots of water.

won't go back until at least 4pm.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Your plan to be at the resort in the afternoon is a good one. I lived here for years and I've yet to see the summer rain/thunderstorm cool anything off. It usually makes things that much more humid and uncomfortable.

You will definitely be hot, and sticky and yes it can be dangerous. So, wear cotton clothing, oodles of sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and drink gallons of water (water, not soda).

Keep a couple of washcloths handy to wet in cool water or ice and wipe off hot faces and necks.

Don't push too hard and stay out of the sun as much as possible.

You should be fine with a little planning.

 

[eliza61]

Hey Heather,
You didn't say what park of NY you are from but if your like me and from NYC, believe me you can handle Florida heat. Can we say NYC subway in July? Besides, evidently your Inlaws are surviving...
Anyway follow spiceycat's & DVC~OKW's advice and you will have a ball. We always go in August and we love it.
We go to the parks in the early morning & the evening (parks are open until 11:00 pm.so you have a nice long time to enjoy) and then we are back at our resort during the mid day heat. Usually chilling out by the pool.
When we get out we jump to an aircondition ride or attraction. Check out hall of presidents, it's downright cold in there.

 

[iheartdisney]

Remember the end of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, when you get to go down below?
Well, thats it!

But it is totally doable. I second the A/C attractions. There is a reason Ellen's Energy Adventure is still running! No offense to Ellen I swear! But there are oodles of atttractions wheich are housed in Air Conditioned buildings and are over 20 minutes long.
Summer clothing and keep the kiddos hydrated and sun-screened up, and you'll be fine! They have plenty of water features in the parks as well for the kids to run around in to cool off.

Have fun!

 

[luvdisney00]

Heather,
We were there last year 7/10-7/17 and it was HOT! It was so hot that you would step out of your room all fresh and showered and be drenched in sweat in a few minutes. It was also very crowded everywhere, which made it seem hotter. You should be aware of this when deciding to go or not go in July.

That being said we really had a great vacation and we did just what you said, early mornings, afternoon at the resort for swim and shower, and evenings at the parks. I don't think the heat ruined our vacation or anything, but if we go in July again, I'll be better prepared for it.

I wouldn't let it stop you from going, just know that it is going to be like that.
HTH!!

 

[MickeyNicki]

We live in SWFL and it is HOT! We go from AC home to AC car to AC work and are hardly ever outside. We went to WDW in the summer twice, that was more than enough.

 

[hansel1]

One thing you might want to consider.....not making ADRs for every night.

I have been an ADR fan for a long time now and normally make them at the 180 day mark.

However, after taking my 8 month old son this past january I have decided to make less ADRs on our 2009 trip.

Disney with kids and disney without kids are two totally different experiences. My son did not enjoy most of the restuarants we ate at (including character dinners) and we really should have just gone back to the room and eaten a few nights.

The time you are going is hot, plus the crowds are larger. You might just want to make only one or two ADRs and wing the rest of your stay.

Just a thought!

 

[Disney Fool]

Remember when newscasters used to show how hot it was in Manhattan by frying an egg on the sidewalk? It's that hot! Usually hot when you get up and increases in heat dramatically around noontime, remains hot all afternoon--great for swimming. Evenings are hot, but you are relieved because the sun is not beating down on your brain. Please weat a hat and lots of sunscreen--and the mantra we all repeat: drink lots and lots of water--not soda---water.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

We were there July 27, 2007 and what we did was early morning into the parks, we made ADR's at CRT to get into the park extra early. We stay at MK until 1ish, eat lunch at the pool at our resort, swim, then shower, head back to MK for dinner adr at 7p. Make sure you work the EMH in your favor. MK closes at 2a during the summer EMH hours.

So by taking a 5-6 hour break in the day, you are still gaining time on the back end.

We get some serious heat and humity here in chicago in the summer.....it wasn't anything that we couldn't handle. Don't fret about it, you'll be fine.

 

[serendipity]

It's really bad. I also take the subways but believe me, it doesn't compare. My grandmother worked for Disney World, and I used to spend summers with her. We spent a lot of time at the parks, but were sensible. I ended up having a heat stroke as a 10 year old.....

 

[PrincessKitty1]

As a Florida resident for over 45 years , I never do anything outdoors in June, July, or August that doesn't involve being immersed in water. Seriously, I agree with the poster who said they go from their air-conditioned house to their air-conditioned car to air-conditioned work or the air-conditioned store. Summers are brutal.

Afternoon thunderstorms just make the heat/humidity more unbearable, and the heat peaks at about 5 PM.

I did an internship in San Antonio and actually walked around the Riverwalk for a couple of hours in 96 degree weather. In the Florida humidity, I can walk around in 96 degree weather for 10 minutes tops (then I'm drenched and cranky).

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Going to Florida in the summer is like going south of hell. Not much point. 95 degrees F can be about 102 with the heat index.

I used to go to WDW in the heat of summer every year as a kid. We toured early in the morning, went inside around lunch and didn't come back out until late afternoon. We didn't swim during the day but in the evening.

You're not crazy to go during this time. Just make sure you take it easy and take the necessary precautions.

 

[safetymom]

I used to live in PA and we had many days in the summer where it got to 95- 100 with 100% humidity.

I didn't find it much of a change when I moved to Florida. I didn't have a/c in PA but I do have it here.

If you take breaks and drink lots of water you will still have a great time.

 

[brergnat]

I would not be concerned about you, but the kids. 2 year olds cannot handle that kind of heat in a happy way. They spend a lot of time in the stroller, and that can make things worse.

I'd seriously reconsider and try to go in the fall, if possible (Oct or Nov). There is no reason, really, to go to WDW in the high heat of summer with 2 year olds. They are not in school. Unless you or your DH is a teacher and you have no other choice, I'd really not go in July with such young kids.

I have two toddlers too. They are 3.5 and 2 now. We live practically next door to Disneyland and have had APs for years. WE don't even go to Disneyland in July or August, due to the heat (and there's NO humidity here...). When it's like 98 degrees, NO ONE has fun. All you are worried about is making sure every inch is covered with sunscreen, being worried because your 2 year old will NOT leave a hat on for more than three seconds, and then there's the awful glare off the pavement, right into your toddler's eyes at stroller level, and god knows they won't keep sunglasses on either...I can go on and on. No matter what we do, some part of our child gets horribly sunburned (ears, back of neck, random patch on leg, etc.) and I feel SO bad for them when they fall asleep and are drenched in sweat.

In high contrast, when we go to Disneyland when the weather is NICE and cooler, it's like day and night. The kids LOVE it, have so much fun, and are never cranky. Heat brings out the worst in everyone, so for your own sake, if this is really supposed to be a vacation, save it for a cooler time. Everyone will enjoy themselves a lot more, trust me.

You can save the heat torture for when your kids are school aged, and you get threatened with banishment from the school system if you take your kids out during the school year for a family vacation. ::cop:

 

[krissyh]

I am in WNY and have lived in SW FLorida.
There is no comparison.

On the hottest, most humid days here, when everyone is in A/C, I'm out, at noon, doing yard work. In FL, I would stay in A/C or the pool all day in June/July/August. The only humidity I have experience in NY that comes close is in the Mohawk Valley and that still isn't as bad as 98 degrees with 98% humidity.

With two, two-year-olds, you will want to plan for a covered stroller, go to the parks early, be back at the resort for lunch/swim/nap then go to dinner (don't forget to make your ADRs early and and for an early time (like 5PM or when your kids are accustomed to eating) so that you don't have a longer table wait, with hungry AND hot kids). Then, head back in the evening.
By the Way - friends from Florida who were in NYC in August, "didn't think it was hot at all."
I would know where the iced lemonade carts are and have water in your room that you freeze (it will melt really fast during the morning) and carry it with you in the stroller.
Really work on your touring plan so you don't wait too long (use fast passes) and are regularly inside shows with A/C.
Don't forget it often rains around 3:00-4:00.

 

[noahdove]

I want to add my 2 cents. I live in central NY and when we were at Disney in 2005, it was no hotter or more humid than it was at home. I carried a hand towel with me to keep it wet and when we would stand in a line, I would put it around my neck...I learned this trick on a mission trip years ago. Also, use the stores to get from one place to the other as the air can be a great help. I don't have any air conditioning at home, so at first I was cold, but after a few days I adjusted...just take your breaks like you are planning and have a magical trip

 

[RMulieri]

Think ....hot as Hades and Humid like a South American rainforest and you get the picture

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

Well, I live on the gulf coast part of Florida so..the heat isn't really a problem when we go down. But, I have noticed Orlando is hotter than a lot of other parts of Florida. I'm used to it..but still.

Anyone think Walt planned that?

 

[Native NYer]

We usually go in the summer and just make sure to take a break in the afternoon. We return to our resort, nap, take a dip, and cool off. Then we return later when the sun goes down. Just drink lots of water, wear sunscreen, and take a break. You'll have a wonderful vacation.