I finally get it.

[dougsmom98]

I had only been to WDW in the fall and winter and had never been in the summer. We just got back from a 6/16-21 trip and we were not prepared for the heat/humidity. We had never taken afternoon breaks before but now I understand why people do this in the summmer. On the days that we got there for park opening, we had to take a break in the middle of the day. I think I personally could have handled the heat all day if I just planned on a few indoor, air conditioned attractions but my MIL and children needed that break. We stayed off site and it was still worth it for the break. We would leave around noon or 1 pm. It would take us 45 minutes to an hour to get back to the room including the time it took to walk out of the park, take the monorail or boat back, ride the tram to the parking lot, and drive to the hotel. We would eat lunch and spend an hour or so in the pool, and then change our clothes. It would be our goal to leave the hotel around 4 to head back to the parks. One day we got to the park around 10:30 and we didn't go back for a break, we just stayed through until 8:30 or so. We did make sure to eat inside at an air conditioned counter service restaurant though on that day.
-Amy

 

[Sandi]

We've also never been in the summer because I don't want to deal with the heat. But, as DD gets older, I fear that we won't want to pull her out of school so much. As a northerner, I'm wondering how you felt about going in the summer and whether you would do it again.

P.S. We take mid-day breaks whenever we go.

 

[LovetoTigger]

Even though we live in the South, the heat is still a challenge at WDW. We're (me and teenage son) going next week, but will probably just go to the parks for 2 or 3 days. Even then we may take a break. If you pace yourself, drink lots of water, you'll be fine. We always get to the parks at opening. One thing that helps us is having a nice sit-down lunch somewhere (perhaps Sci-Fi or Crystal Palace, anywhere in the air conditioning. Spending an hour sitting down and relaxing during the middle of the day really revives you. When my was in elementary school, we'd sometimes take him out for a few days (his dad could not get spring break off and summer was their busy season at work). But when he hit middle school and now high school, it's nearly impossible. Now I plan vacations around school holidays. But when he's off to college and on his own, you can be sure I will resume my off season traveling. Then the only schedule to work around will be my own.

 

[dougsmom98]

I am torn as to whether or not I would go in the summer again. My husband and I are teachers and can only go during school vacation or the summer. The heat that we had last week was something I had never experienced before here in the north. We have had temperatures in the 90's here in Maine a few days each summer, but not with as much humidity. I enjoy hot weather but really had no idea it would feel as hot as it did. If I had a longer length of time to visit in the summer, I think I would do it again and plan a few days of rest. We skipped the afternoon parade at the MK because we couldn't bear the thought of sitting and watching on the pavement. We had planned to do AK but we couldn't bear the thought of the heat. There is so little air conditioning at that park and I think we would have been miserable. After the first day of adjusting to the weather, my husband and I were hot, but could manage. We consider ourselves to be in fairly good shape though. My MIL is a very large woman and not in good shape at all and she was miserable. I literally thought she was going to die before we got to the end of Main Street. I think watching her sweat and complain made it harder for me to enjoy myself. We found many advantages to the summer compared to our last trip at Christmas. We found it to be much less crowded at the parks and the rates that we got for our airfare, car rental and 2 bedroom villa were fantastic. So, we saved money and did less standing in line than we did then, but I did feel more magic during the school vacation week because the weather was more enjoyable. I guess I would go back in the summer if I were able to find the great deals that I did this time.
-Amy

 

[babybunrab]

I'm a northerner, too, and usually only go in the summer because I don't want to pull DS out of school. We drink a ton of water and take afternoon breaks (not to mention bathroom breaks with all that water). I know I couldn't do it without water and breaks (or I could, but I wouldn't be much fun to be around). I don't go 'Commando Disney' when I'm there in the summer, either. I go nice and slowly (though I stay off to the right to get out of the way of people who are moving more quickly than I care to).

I guess I like AK in the summer because of the trees, though we usually get there early and come back at 3:00 after a break to watch the parade.

Just editing to say that I think people like Dougsmom who go during Christmas are very brave! The decorations are beautiful, though. I was there in January for the half marathon (only time ever not in summer) and the decorations were still up. I'd never seen them before and thought they were quite impressive and special.

 

[DsnyPrncss]

I definitely agree that tackling WDW in the summer can be tough! My family is pretty used to it by now because all but one of our 13 trips to WDW has been during the summer. My dad is a high school administrator and my mom is a teacher so it is impossible for us to visit while school is in session. As long as you are prepared for the heat and the crowds it's not so bad! I would much rather visit WDW when the weather is warm than in the winter too. We visited once over Christmas and loved it, but it was damp and rainy. My sister and I are 20 and 24 and we still take breaks during the day! This forces us to relax a little on the trip too, which some people forget is the point of a vacation! Fast Passes have made visiting in the heat and crowds much more bearable too! Only 19 more days and we will be there!

 

[mic_key_mouse]

I am a northerner, too- and used to live in Orlando. I moved for 4 reasons- June, July, August, and September

We went this year in June because of some school issues, but in the future I will bend over backwards to not do that again. The temps aren't that bad (I used to live in Tucson, too), but when you combine the temps with the humidity it gets uncomfortable in a hurry.

Blessings

 

[Luv2Roam]

We were midwesterners all our lives just until January 1 this year.
I had a tendency to hibernate even in the summer there.
I can't honestly say the weather is hotter or less/more humid here. It use to be 100% humidity without rain in the midwest too.
Here there is more of a breeze, compared to the midwest. In the midwest, the breeze, if there was any, was just more hot air.
It rains more here this time of year too, which can bring some relief.
We also vacationed in WDW the last of August last year and the last of May the prior year. Even Columbus Day weekend here a few years ago was 100% humidity and still hot.
Obviously here the hot weather lasts longer. The August trip was the first one where we returned to the resort for afternoon breaks. And it made the vacation MUCH better. It's the time I would say a good resort makes up for a lot. We stayed at WL that trip.
Also I found make sure all your clothing is loose fitting cotton. MAJOR difference.
We did not eat as much since we were so full from drinking cold liquids. And still being dehydrated we did not run to the bathroom all the time.
I really feel for those having to vacation here in the summer. They are a sturdy group of people who can handle it.

 

[jennymouse]

We just returned from a 6/6-6/13 trip and I have to agree. It was hot, humid with lots of rain and thunderstorms. We took our breaks in the afternoon, but it was still hot in the mornings and afternoons when we returned to the parks. We even had two pool/break days scheduled with 5 park days. We didn't get a lot done when we were at the parks, especially AK. If it weren't for enight we would've missed much in MK. The evening thunderstorms made touring at night miserable and caused Fantasmic & Spectro to be cancelled when we wanted to see them. The kids wanted to go to the parks but then started whining about the heat soon after arrival so we would leave and go hit the pool. Stormalong Bay was a big hit and the kids and adults alike seemed to have more fun there than in the parks.

I'm sure I'll forget all this and plan another summer trip in the future but right now I'm going to stick to months that have a little cooler weather and less rain. If I must do it in the summer I think we'll just make it a waterparks and resort pool kind of vacation.

I think I'd rather do spring break even though the crowds are higher because it's better than heat and crowds together. Our trip at the end of October was perfect weather and crowd wise but we had to take DGD out of school for a week and we really don't want to do that again. The first week of March my DGD is out of school for 2 days for records day, maybe take her out for three days and go that week. I dunno.

 

[Disney Debbie]

LOL - We were there last week and were pleasantly surprised on how "cool" it was! Especially in the evening.

For people who've been to AKL before and know exactly what they want to do - I'd recommend going late in the day. We got there at 5:30 on a day it closed at 8:00 and walked right on Dinosaur, Primevial Whirl, It's Tough to be a Bug and then took the last safari of the day - absolutely no wait - and we saw more animals then we'd ever seen before - including the cheetah, lion and rhinos. We didn't want to do anything else there so it really worked out perfectly.

 

[SpecialK]

We were in WDW 6/7 to 6/14. DH and I are both teachers and restricted to school holidays also. I thought June temps. in Florida were pretty similar to end of July in Chicago. But we're not out pounding the pavement with thousands of other people when it hits at home! We went through clothes so fast a I had to do laundry TWICE.

This was our first trip in ten yrs. and our first with kids. Once we got the hang of it, it wasn't too bad. We went early, took water and a wet wash cloth, and left when anyone started to feel it. We also all wore hats - made a huge difference.

I know we missed a lot but we just figured we'd go back in a couple of years. We made great use of the pool at the resort and had a great time. Went through a ton of sunscreen.

 

[antmaril]

Those summer trips to WDW are brutal aren't they? We were there last July and it was so hot and humid. We live in Michigan (Detroit area) and it can get pretty hot and humid, but when you are walking in those parks for hours - it is unbelievable!
We went again during Presidents' Week and I thought it was fabulous. It was actually pretty cool that week and there were times (especially in the morning) that we needed our jackets. I will take wearing a jacket any day over the heat and humidity of the summer.

Once the kids get older and it's hard to take them out of school, you have no choice. Either the crowds of spring breaks or the crowds and heat of summer. It's still fun, but you have to have a plan during the day. Breaks are imperative!!!

 

[laurabelle]

Originally posted by Disney Debbie
For people who've been to AKL before and know exactly what they want to do - I'd recommend going late in the day. We got there at 5:30 on a day it closed at 8:00 and walked right on Dinosaur, Primevial Whirl, It's Tough to be a Bug and then took the last safari of the day - absolutely no wait - and we saw more animals then we'd ever seen before - including the cheetah, lion and rhinos. We didn't want to do anything else there so it really worked out perfectly.

We've been in the summer twice before and always took breaks around lunchtime. Now I'm thinking about swimming, then getting to the parks late afternoon (4ish) and staying until closing. I'll finally see the AK parade! AK will be open until 7:00 and then we'll hop over to MK for a couple of rides and Wishes. And hubby's all for sleeping in!

 

[babybunrab]

I thought of something else that might help women at the parks, sparked by someone's comment to wear breathable fabrics. I usually wear skirts or dresses at WDW in the summer. The air moves better that way and I don't get nearly as sweaty and my shorts don't stick to me.

 

[miste76]

I have to agree with the posts above from Illinois. I don't find the weather at WDW to be all that different from the midwest summers. It's hot here and it's hot there... we've always just dealt with it. I'm so excited about being there that I don't think I let the heat bother me that much.
It's been several years since I've been to WDW during a different season but I am looking forward to visiting this October (hopefully). It wouldn't be bad to go again in November too