I'm afraid we won't be able to handle the heat!

[missypie]

I had originally thought about a WDW trip for Spring Break '04. My other option was late May/early June. I asked on this board and the majority (but by no means all) of the DISers said late May/early June would be less crowded/better than Spring Break. So I booked a trip to Paris for Spring Break and we'll spend a few days at DLP.

We live in north Texas. We have MONTHS where it is at least in the high 90s. I thought "no big deal about the heat."

But then, last week we spent the day at the State Fair. It was only 84 degrees but was very crowded and we all got very hot and very cranky.

So now I'm thinkin' that maybe we won't be able to have a good time in June.

How do you stand the heat?

Is there anyone who would prefer larger crowds at a cooler time to smaller crowds at a hot time?

 

[Kallison]

We went 9 days end of August, don't know if we lucked out, but weather wasn't bad at all. Not much different than PA in August. There were only 2 days that I thought were unbearable. When we got hot we just headed for the pool for a break. Most days it was overcast which helped. We didn't even bother with the mister fans. The afternoon thundershowers really cooled it down. On our Friday night e-night we were all shivering and even ordered hot chocolate TWICE in the MK, it was rainy and cold going in and out of ac. I would rather have hot, less crowded any day. If you are Texan born and bred, you should be fine.

 

[Memaw2Wm]

We've gone to Disney World the last week of August for the past two years ... and it is HOT!!!

I don't do heat ... so I bought one of the little Disney fans that you hang around your neck ... I tried a two-pack of cheapie ones from Target ... my grandson dropped one and it broke, then the other one apparently turned on in his pocket and the battery ran out <sigh>, so the $7 Disney fan with it's protective cap was the better buy.

I also bought a battery-operated "squirt-fan" at Wal*Mart ... drink lots of water ... if you get overheated duck into an airconditioned shop or show, or find a shady spot to sit for a bit.

We also got to the parks early, then took a break about 1 or 2PM and went back to our cabin (FW) for a swim break.

In spite of the heat, I prefer the smaller crowds.

 

[crcormier]

I'm from Massachusetts so we don't have hot weather for more than a month or two each year, and I've been down to WDW in July every summer for the last three years. There were some very hot days, and it can be tiring, but everything is air conditioned.

I didn't find it unbearable, cause you can always take a break for an hour or two and go back and sit in the pool or shower. The advantage during the summer months is that the parks are open several hours longer than they are during the non-summer months.

The only park that can be a bear during a really hot day is the Animal Kingdom, because it is mostly outside, but a few trips on the Kali River Rapids is a good cool-down.

 

[tar heel]

The key is not to spend the whole day like you did at the fair. We've been the last week of May or first week of June four of the past five years. We do early entry almost every day even though we are decidedly not early risers. Both the heat and the crowds are lower before mid-day. If we have a sit-down lunch, we might stay at a park until mid afternoon. If we're eating counter service, we're usually back at the resort by 1 p.m. Then we return to the parks in the late afternoon or evening. We also carry fans and water and try to mix in some cooled attractions (such as shows) in our touring plans. It is also important to get fast passes and really plan what you're trying to see so that you don't end up standing in long lines. We frequently park hop, and I think that can actually be restful. For example, we might go to MGM for early entry, then catch the boat to Epcot for lunch. We also do e-night and sleep in the following morning. Most importantly, just take a break if everyone starts getting cranky. It is hot -- I won't kid you about that -- but it can be worked around at that time of the year.

That really is a decent time to go as long as you have enough time to take lots of breaks.

 

[FloridaCat]

The key is drinking a lot of water. You havet keep hydrated. Alternate rides and shows help a lot, best to help the little people hand in there.

 

[Dennis the WDW Menace]

Another little trick besides lots of water and a floppy hat is to put on plenty of sunscreen. Yes sunscreen, that is at least 20SPF or higher. It will keep you cool by not letting the sun burn your skin and thus looseing water that way. Having lived in FL for most of my life I found this out early and it does work.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Hey missypie, Just wanted to let you know I live in North Texas too, (DH, DD and I live outside of Lewisville.), and I also went to TX state fair last week. (Columbus Day, in fact..it was HOT!)

I still think it's better to go to Disney (Orlando is pretty much like Dallas, IMHO) while hot w/lower crowds, than cool and huge crowds.

I've been in early June, and even though it was HOT, it still felt like Dallas to me. I prefer the heat over crowds.

 

[missypie]

Well, hello Mickeyhugger. We're neighbors (I live in Grapevine). We were also at the fair on Columbus Day. I was probably cramed against you in the corney dog line or something. The midway at mid-day was just a killer...so hot - so crowded - I'm sure you can relate...I started thinking: If we can't handle this, how can we handle WDW when it's even hotter?

 

[shelleybell]

I live in The Colony. We(my DS and I) went in July 2003 and in June of 2002. The weather in June was much better than July. We plan on returning in June of 2004. Trust me, you can handle the heat! Like everyone is saying, take your time and drink plenty of water.

 

[dan-tot]

We went during that time and it was warm but not really bad yet. We went two weeks later in another year and it was hooot. We have decided from now on to go in December. The times are shorter but the decorations are nice near Christmas and it is alot cooler than the summer. We will be going dec 6 through the 13th this year and I am looking forward to it alot. Another thing the first week in June is Gay Pride Week that might be something to think about or not.

Dan-tot

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Originally posted by crcormier
[ The advantage during the summer months is that the parks are open several hours longer than they are during the non-summer months.

You really can't count on long hours during the summer any more. We ran into some alarmingly short hours this past June. Whenever you go, do drink a lot of water, wear a hat, and slip inside the AC when needed. One of my favorite places to cool down is the TTA

 

[Otto's Doll]

Just a cool down hint:

I took a large zip lock bag and a washcloth with us everywhere, and used it to wet our faces and hands. It helped ALOT, and could be rinsed anywhere.