if we have to go in the summer questions

[soccerchick]

Hi,
Mom wants to do a big Disney trip in summer of 05 with the kids and grandkids. I teach so the earliest I could leave would be 6/18 and have until the third week of August. Everybody else has more flexible schedules. Are there times to avoid, like around July 4? I know the heat and humidity will be yucky, but that's FL in the summer.

Thanks for any input/opinions!

 

[laceemouse]

I recommend going right after you finish school in June or right before you start school in August. Many northern schools go until later in June, many southern schools start back early in August. I think either time the crowds would be moderate at most. It will be hot either time, but just plan on lots of swimming or afternoon breaks. You will have a great trip. We don't take our kids out of school so our choices are no better than yours. I would love to live where I had the option of a year round schedule but I don't see that happening. We plan on going next Christmas, talk about CROWDS!

 

[swilshire]

Laceemouse has it right. We get out of school early June and have gone several times right after school is out. The crowds are not bad then. I suspect your best bet to beat the crowds would be right before school starts again for you. We go back the first week in August. I saw some really good deals on off-site lodging this year in August.

We went this year for the 4th of July. Definitely crowded, but not like Spring break or Christmas holidays. Awfully darn hot, though. The other thing to consider would be the weather. Thunderstorms every afternoon are the norm in Florida in the summer. We planned on going back in the evenings after a break, but usually the weather was not fit for this. You might look for historical weather data to see if June is better than July and August. That would be my guess, but it's just a guess.

Sheila

 

[dzneelvr]

We go the last week of June up to July 3 because of our DS-17 and DD-14 sports schedules.
The crowds are large but we accomodate by hanging around our resort until 11am or noon and then heading out; remaining at the parks until they close. After 8pm, you can do everything, so don't waste time in line for attractions. See the shows that aren't offered after a certain time.

Be sure to make PSs if you want sit-down service. You won't be able to "walk on" anywhere in the summer.
Use FPs religiously, and eat during the heat of the day. There are plenty of cool spots in each park.
Have a wonderful time. We LOVE our summers at WDW!!

 

[bobcat]

I too am a teacher so the only time I can go is summer. We have gone anywhere from the 3rd week in July up to the 3rd week in August. As you get later in the summer the crowds are less because many schools have returned already, but park hours also start to decline. The heat/humidity is the same during that time frame so that doesn't make a difference. You will meet many other teachers there during that time. It never fails that I strike up conversations with other teachers.

One thing I do like is that when we vacation late in the summer I feel more refreshed for the school year becasue I am still coming off my Disney high. There are often good value resort hotel deals then as well.

 

[disneymagical]

We will also be going this summer. We have not confirmed the dates yet, but are looking at the week in July and first week in August. Our other WDW trips have been in April and we would come back from the parks to the resort in early afternoon to swim and just hang out at the pool. Then head back in the late afternoon or early evening to the parks. This worked very well for us. But now I'm wondering about the afternoon thunder/rain storms. How bad are they ususally and how long do they last? Any suggestions on what to do if we break and its raining or is it better to stay at the parks because the crowds might be on the lighter side?

 

[soccerchick]

Thanks for the replies. I am ignoring housework to research this trip

 

[dzneelvr]

There is rain in the summer. Plan on a "park clearer" at least once a day so stock up on the $1 ponchos and make sure you wear shoes that will dry. On some weeks it seems to storm just when Fantasmic is set to begin, so get to that as soon as you can. Plan on attending the first night so that you have plenty of nights to fall back on.
this summer we made it but for the next 2-3 nights, it was stormed out.
We are so used to the showers/storms it doesn't even phase us, but if you've a family that "melts", then you'll not be good candidates for the summer.