I'm never ever, Never Ever, NEVER EVER...

[Snow Wight]

Ok...so I've gone to the world at least 3 or 4 times in July or August before. The last time has been several years ago and after the last time I said I would never ever, Never Ever, NEVER EVER go in that heat again. And...I'm from the New Orleans area, so you'd think I'd be a little used to it.

Anyway...guess when we are going? Yep...August. Bringing my 9yo niece and it was the only week she could go. So, now I'm trying to rethink our touring plans. We aren't used to taking mid-day breaks, but I'm thinking we may have to.

So, for all you July/August travelers, do any of you not take mid-day breaks?

Would you consider a table service meal for lunch a good enough break to get out of the heat and get a little refreshed? Three of our days we have ADRs for lunch and dinner. I just can't see having a lunch ADR, taking a break and having a dinner ADR enough time to get things done.

When looking at our plans, I'm just not seeing enough time to take mid-day breaks, but with the heat, I'm thinking we'll need them.

 

[Postal68]

Ok...so I've gone to the world at least 3 or 4 times in July or August before. The last time has been several years ago and after the last time I said I would never ever, Never Ever, NEVER EVER go in that heat again. And...I'm from the New Orleans area, so you'd think I'd be a little used to it.

Anyway...guess when we are going? Yep...August. Bringing my 9yo niece and it was the only week she could go. So, now I'm trying to rethink our touring plans. We aren't used to taking mid-day breaks, but I'm thinking we may have to.

So, for all you July/August travelers, do any of you not take mid-day breaks?

Would you consider a table service meal for lunch a good enough break to get out of the heat and get a little refreshed? Three of our days we have ADRs for lunch and dinner. I just can't see having a lunch ADR, taking a break and having a dinner ADR enough time to get things done.

When looking at our plans, I'm just not seeing enough time to take mid-day breaks, but with the heat, I'm thinking we'll need them.

Previous to last year, we have spent every year at WDW in early to mid November. We went in August of 1993 and it was 98-100 degrees almost every day and we said never again.

Last year we had a week of vacation in the first week of August and nowhere really to go and we had just been on a Disney Cruise in April. But we said what the heck, we'll go to WDW and just take it easy and do some things we rarely do and take in the shows, parades and such. It really wasn't as crowded as we thought and we went early in the morning, took a mid day break to swim or nap and went back until park closing.
We had a great time. I still prefer the off season with milder temps and less crowds but it is manageable in August.

 

[AuroraRora]

I don't mind when it's crowded, but we were at MK on July 4th when it capacity-closed once. Since then, I've maintained that I will never ever, EVER be there over July 4th weekend again.

Thing is... I really wanna go to MK on Christmas Day!

 

[pigletto]

I'll do heat to avoid heavy crowds. I can not do both.
We always go the last week of August. I can't think of a day that we didn't take a mid-day break to be honest. We pushed it a little too far into the afternoon one day and we were stomping silently out of the park by 2pm because we were hot, exhausted and nobody was speaking to anyone else. It just doesn't work for us. So we make sure to do the mid-day break.
The good thing about it is it gives us a different WDW experience. When we go in the winter we're in the parks from open to close and we love that. When we go in the summer we pick a resort with an awesome pool and lounge around and we love that. Two totally different experiences, but both very enjoyable.
My 9 yr old will swim like a fish all afternoon and join in the pool activities and games while one of us swims a bit, gets a nice drink, and lounges by the pool. DD 16 takes a nap in the room and the other parent naps or reads a book in the room for awhile.
We're all refreshed by 4 or so, we head out for dinner and enjoy the evenings.

 

[CuppieCake04]

We are going last week of july first wek of august and we to are from LA. Just outside of BR. I am not big on mid day breaks or naps...lol. I try to plan 2 indoor shows as well as indoor lunch. I think coming from la you will be able to deal with the humidity better than others. But the heat gets to us all...

Also we would stop in the shops and browse to cool off a bit in between attractions. If you are staying on site you can have any purchases sent directly to your room so you don't have to carry it around.

 

[rteetz]

Ok...so I've gone to the world at least 3 or 4 times in July or August before. The last time has been several years ago and after the last time I said I would never ever, Never Ever, NEVER EVER go in that heat again. And...I'm from the New Orleans area, so you'd think I'd be a little used to it.

Anyway...guess when we are going? Yep...August. Bringing my 9yo niece and it was the only week she could go. So, now I'm trying to rethink our touring plans. We aren't used to taking mid-day breaks, but I'm thinking we may have to.

So, for all you July/August travelers, do any of you not take mid-day breaks?

Would you consider a table service meal for lunch a good enough break to get out of the heat and get a little refreshed? Three of our days we have ADRs for lunch and dinner. I just can't see having a lunch ADR, taking a break and having a dinner ADR enough time to get things done.

When looking at our plans, I'm just not seeing enough time to take mid-day breaks, but with the heat, I'm thinking we'll need them.

We always go in the middle of the summer heat because thats the only time we can go. We do usually take breaks but not every day. Our breaks are usually going back for a swim at the hotel pool or finding a nice place to take a rest in the parks. A table service lunch is a nice idea we tend to do that sometimes as well. I agree I wouldn't take another break if doing lunch and dinner our lunches ten to be snack foods and such and have big breakfasts and dinners. A table service lunch should be good enough for a break. I would also take time to do a water ride during the heat such as splash mountain in MK or the rapids in AK. A lot of the ride are indoors or have a shaded queue for line waiting. That should also help with heat we don't tend to get a lot of fastpasses for that reason in the summer we only get around five fastpasses so we have some time in the air conditioning.

disney lover at heart

 

[karenklo]

We are limited to when we can go due to my husband being a teacher and me being a professor. So summer and Christmas break are the only breaks that line -up together. We do takes midday breaks. It is nice to go back and relax from around 3-5. Then dinner and back to a park till late or close. The park hopper is must for this plan as we head to a park open later. I will say it was just as hot when we went in April when the kids were little as it was in August! Just relax and enjoy your vacation!!

 

[Mother Gothel]

I can tell you that without any amount of uncertainty that we will never come back in June.

 

[Linda T.]

We go in July and we also always take mid afternoon breaks. It just helps us all refresh from the heat and humidity.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

We do rope drop to beat the heat and leave by the early afternoon. We often go to a waterpark and enjoy the shade, the lazy river, and a few rides if we want. This helps us burn a few calories without feeling wilted from all the heat. We sometimes return for a little evening touring, but not too late as it will be the next rope drop before you know it!

You have to take a break from the heat otherwise everybody will get cranky!

 

[toystory1130]

We just got back and for June it was just too hot! We go every year in June and expect heat~heck I like some heat but this year was just too much. Thinking of fighting next years T-Day crowd instead.

 

[sharadoc]

We will never go in August again either. WAAAAY too humid and too much rain - like it would start around 4 and not stop until the middle of the night. Because we've gone so often, we are not that motivated to go out in the pouring rain so wasted time.

But, for some advice, we suggest the mid-day break for sure and we don't like to eat very heavy. Nothing's worse than a big TS breakfast or lunch in the AC, then emerging into the heat and humidity with a really full stomach. Makes you feel dizzy or nauseous pretty quick.

So, we drink a lot, we get large drinks of lemonade or iced tea one at a time and just share until done. We bring sports drink and water, and we get snacks or small meals to share every couple of hours. We all get kids meals when we do sit down to eat, a nice light turkey and cheese on white bread some sugar free jello, grapes or a cookie and we're good to go.

Afternoon breaks at the water parks are good too, just to do the lazy river and wave pool. If you have hoppers, it's SO cheap to add water parks and it's definitely worth it.

 

[Sandy Fisher]

We never went over the summer. Our very first trip to Disney was in May of 1982. Wonderful. Great weather.
We went more than once in late spring, but summer was never a choice for a Disney vacation.
We lived down there just over 5 years (and of course had annual passes!) and we tried going one day here and one day there because someone from up north could only get down there at that time. Even the first week of June wore me out.
As much as I love Disney, it would have to be someone saying this is the last time we can go and it has to be over summer. And I'd have to really pace myself. We always did go so we were at the park before opening. And we left before the afternoon heat really hit. It can get hot in FL so quickly and the sun is so powerful.
I'd excuse someone from up north who'd never been to Florida, but otherwise unless you are forced into going over the summer months, I'd never recommend it. The FL heat is unreal.

 

[Mommytwotwins]

I am not a fan of the mid day breaks but with the heat sometimes you have to. We went in August 2010 and I have never sweat do much in my life. I like the heat and I am cold until it hits 80 usually but boy was it hot!!! We only made it until about 3pm everyday and had to take a break from the parks. I also do think a ADR for lunch does help, my kids were so crabby right before lunch and once they were able to cool off,eat and drink they were much happier. I can't say I would never do August again but it sure will not be my first choice! We just did April this year and it was great!!!!

 

[Aliceacc]

We're both teachers. So we ONLY go over the summer. And we adore it.

For us the mid day breaks are essential.

We hit the parks at rope drop, and tour like crazy until lunch time. Then it's back to the resort to spend the rest of the afternoon in the pool. It's simply no fun being in the parks in the afternoon-- too many people.. many of whom are nearing tantrum stage (and, no, I don't mean just the kids), lines that stretch forever, and the heat that even gets to me... and I LOVE the heat!!! Those hours in the pool leave us refreshed enough that we can get dinner, and stay until fireworks, then come back the next day and do it all over again.

A big part of the puzzle is the resort. As a family of 5, we're somewhat limited. So we save for 2 years or so, and get a Deluxe that's VERY close to one of the parks and that has an amazing pool. Now that we've discovered the Beach Club, we're just minutes away from 2 parks... it makes that lunchtime trek to the resort a breeze.

 

[think-like-tink]

Ok...so I've gone to the world at least 3 or 4 times in July or August before. The last time has been several years ago and after the last time I said I would never ever, Never Ever, NEVER EVER go in that heat again. And...I'm from the New Orleans area, so you'd think I'd be a little used to it.

Anyway...guess when we are going? Yep...August. Bringing my 9yo niece and it was the only week she could go. So, now I'm trying to rethink our touring plans. We aren't used to taking mid-day breaks, but I'm thinking we may have to.

So, for all you July/August travelers, do any of you not take mid-day breaks?

Would you consider a table service meal for lunch a good enough break to get out of the heat and get a little refreshed? Three of our days we have ADRs for lunch and dinner. I just can't see having a lunch ADR, taking a break and having a dinner ADR enough time to get things done.

When looking at our plans, I'm just not seeing enough time to take mid-day breaks, but with the heat, I'm thinking we'll need them.

July/August go-er here. and YES, YES, YES, take a break. It will save your vacation! It's so hot,I promise you will not miss a thing. Minnie and Mickey will be there at night pictures. Splash Mountain will not be removed while you are away. Go back to your resort take nap, swim, shower, and go back refreshed. You will have a different attitude by then.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

You have to take a break from the heat otherwise everybody will get cranky!

When I went in August '98 with two cousins we never took breaks (not my idea), the result of which was the 15-year-old cousin going, "I hate this place" every afternoon like clockwork.

No, I'll never go back in August, and will never go back at any time of year with these particular cousins.

 

[Fivemuggles]

I'm from the New Orleans area too- and went last July to universal (traitor, I know- but I just love Harry potter ha)
Anyway- it really wasn't much worse than the heat/humidity we have going on here right now. We got to the park early, took a break from 3-6 or so then came back and stayed until closing.
My suggestion is to wear LOOSE clothing! The first day I wore a fitted tank top and denim shorts- never ever again! Nike shorts and a flowy top were much better the next 2 days.

 

[Novakm]

Haven't been since August '94. On that trip, we slept late every morning and had a leisurely breakfast. Every day, there was a rain shower shortly after we arrived in the park which would last for an hour or so. All the "rope drop" crowd left the park when the rain started. We had the parks almost to ourselves during the rain, and then it would take 2-3 hours after the rain stopped before the crowds came back. When it got too crowded, we went to a water park or the resort pool.

Now this was quite some time ago, so weather and crowd patterns may have changed, but back then it worked well. We had a leisurely vacation, and still managed to hit all the rides.

 

[princessbrulee]

We have gone in the latter half of August every year for the past 4 years. I'm a teacher, so that's the lowest crowd time we can go.

The first year we did rope drop with afternoon breaks, worked very well. The following year I decided to try to use ADRs as our break...it was disastrous. We were hot, tired, and cranky and after a few days couldn't get up for rope drop anymore because we were so exhausted.

Needless to say, we went back to afternoon breaks the next two years, and it just works for us! The only time we don't leave is at Animal Kingdom, but we're usually out of there by 4 anyway.

Moral of the story? Rope drop, afternoon breaks, back in the parks for the evening works wonders in the August heat! And don't forget at least one day of sleeping in (depending on the length of your trip), especially on the morning after staying up for Wishes!