Is it REALLY that bad??????

[bumperlove]

Hi All!!!

I don't post very often...I am a lurker...but I LOVE LOVE LOVE reading all your posts and trip reports - HappyHaunts1000 - I think I pee'd my pants reading your trip and dining reports !!!TABLE FOR ONE!!!- Great fun!!!!!

Anyways...

The Facts:
- Cast of Characters: Me (30), DH (33), DSS (5), and DSD (7)
- We are going on 7/11-7/17 - staying at the AKL (which is a constant $$$ debate with me and DH - we both want to stay here BUT we could do a moderate for less ,but we love AKL..blah blah)
- We are currently doing the MYW pkg w/dining BUT this has begun another debate in my head since I am currently an APH w/DDE but it expires in 4/06 - so I keep trying to figure out cost scenarios about AP discounts, getting the family passes, etc.

My DH and I are avid Disney nuts....okay DH calls me Disney Nazi but that's just due to my expert planning. Weird aside...A few years ago, I went to WDW with my dad, stepmom, and sister (she's 14 years my junior) and my dad wanted me to plan everything....the whole anal, disney, commando works! Well, because of that trip, my dad was the first to nickname me the Disney Nazi. So ......while we were in Epcot one day, we were touring World Showcase and my dad disappears in Germany. After about 30 or so minutes he catches up to us ...laughing. Well! He had gone into that glass shop in Germany to buy me an engraved glass beer mug. He asked the CM to have "Disney Nazi" engraved on the mug. Well the CM says that she is very sorry but that she can't engrave that on the mug. My dad suddenly feels awful as he realizes that he is in Germany asking for the word "Nazi" to be engraved on something...well the CM says, "Oh no, sir we can engrave that, but we can not engrave the name Disney on it as is copywrited, etc etc." My dad thought that was the funniest thing ever...Okay sorry back to my post...My DH and I hit WDW or DL about every 6-9 months - though the kids have only been once! hahhaha...ooops. Well this is the kids' second trip and this is where my worries begin....

My biggest worry is July in itself - huge crowds, blistering heat, and itineraries ...oh my! In all my travels to WDW, I have NEVER gone in the middle of summer, but then again I wasn't a slave to the school vacation weeks either.

Last year, we took the kids during April vacation. It was CROWDED but I did some itinerary work and used TGM and we did great. In fact, we were traveling at the same time as friends of ours (also Disney nuts) but alas all the parks they went to were soooooo crowded they didn't get to see too much. hahaha...shame on me!

So... if it is April vacation crowded, I am okay...we could deal with that but I am thinking it is going to be worse!!! Am I right? I wouldn't be so worried if it was just DH and I, because we would just be happy in the Disney moment but kids are another story. This is first time I feel the need to actually plan out my complete days. Previously, I would pick out which parks on which days , get my ADRs and then get a game plan of what attractions to hit during our days/nights. BUT now I feel the need to plan a step by step blow out of how we will be touring the parks....That in itself seems such an enormous undertaking and I will do it, but are the crowds THAT bad! Your thoughts?

And then there is the heat...how blistering is blistering? We are from MA...so April was comfy to us....I have been to WDW in late August with just DH and though it was humid and hot...we had squirt fans and took breaks when we wanted...but we are adults. How bad is this for the little ones....I am picturing melting cranky children whining about crowds and heat. We take afternoon breaks.....but I am still concerned about the kids’ comfort and our sanity.

So please share your tips, ideas, etc…I am all ears!!!!!

Thanks so much!!!!

 

[Wendy1953]

We would never ever dream of going in July....too hot and crowded...temps are way up there along with people's tempers with the heat and waiting on long lines...opt to take the kids out of school during off peak seasons...you'll all have a better time! by the way...tell Dad that they Disney florist has rules as to the way you want the "card" to read also!

 

[bumperlove]

we could take the kids out of school....but it isn't an option.

July with the kids is not my choice either....BUT our choices are either this July or April of 2007 (which I don't know if I can wait that long!) We are not just battling school schedules but vacations schedules with my step-kids' mom. She usually does her vacations in Feb and in August with them...which is cool but just less options.

I've done the Aug thing, and though it was hot, for DH and I, it wasn't THAT bad....but cranky, sweaty yucky kids......I am DREADING that!!!!

I think cranky people come in any season....remembering back a year ago, a little over two weeks before x-mas where I thought that everyone around DH and I were going INSANE!
- People were yelling at handicapped people in wheelchairs that they were taking to long to get on the buses,
- while waiting for the backlot tour pre-show ... a woman screamed at her 5 year old girl and ripped her sleeve trying to pick the girl up off the ground because she was fooling around with her older sister,
- while waiting for Fantasmic a man screamed at his wife that they had spent way too much money ...the wife and the three kids began to cry until the show started,
- and lastly I tripped on the sidewalk and fell on a blanket that was being used to square off some space for a family (2 hours before the parade!!!) and the dad tells me to get the F&*@ off his blanket!...I didn't know what to do...it was just him and I ...I smiled and said "Have a Disney Day!!!!" while glad that my 6'4" firefighter DH hadn't heard as we probably would have ALL been escorted from the park as DH wouldn't have been so ....ummm...nice. Lighten up....geez its vaca and golly its DISNEY!!!!

So what are the rules at Disney Florist?????

 

[minijeanie]

gone twice in August with kids when they were younger.

yes it is hot...bring fans etc...
take breaks
you know the drill
make sure you stay on site so you can go back to room and cool off.

we had just as much fun in August as we did November.

although we bought gallons of more water..
make sure you bring a case or two of bottled water with you

 

[Popsicle]

but we always go in August. If my Mickey bar melts before I finish it, the termperature's about right. (If it's not the external heat, it's the "personal thermostat irregularities" )

We started when the children were 6 and 1. They held up fine. Don't think you'll find it too miserable. You're always going into some place that's got air. As mentioned before, drink plenty of water.

You might also want to try to get there early, take a mid-day break, and come back late in the afternoon. The crowds aren't as bad. Even if you're not staying onsite, if you're driving, you don't have to pay to park when you go back in, and depending on where you're staying, the travel time isn't bad.

 

[tiggergirlinMI]

I have gone at different times of the year, and 3 years ago we went to DW on the way home from visiting my parents in FL, we went to Disney July 9-12, and I was surprised, now keep in mind I grew up in FL and lived there a majority of my life, so I know hot. To my surprise it wasn't that bad, to me AUG is always worse, just seems more humid to me. Sure it was hot but you take breaks more often,and there's plenty of air conditioned buildings and you drink water, wear hats if you need to, and plenty of sunscreen. But crowd wise wasn't as bad as I thought,but that was 3 years ago. Go, have fun, just remember the tips of dealing with heat and enjoy!

 

[lizanne]

We've been going to WDW once a year since 1986 and last year was the first time we didn't go in July.

We have 5 kids (adults now-youngest was 3 our first trip) and when they were in school we never considered taking them out for vacation so our only option was June-July because Football practice started August 1st and everyone knows you can't miss Football practice, even when your 9 years old.

Was it hot? You bet! What's worse than the heat is the humidity, but somehow we survived and actually had fun.

We would be at the parks for opening, leave by noon and return around 4:30-5:00. If the park was open later we'd return around 6:00. You can tell the crowds are getting heavier by noon, there's no way we could handle the afternoons.

Since you know the parks you'll know where you want to go and that helps. If you need to get out of the heat duck into a store to cool off.

My kids have never been to WDW at any time other than the summer and they still love it.

My husband and I went last December and we enjoyed it so much that we probably won't go again in the summer (this year were going for Halloween) unless it's our only option, but we're old and my husband has health issues.

If I were your age and had to do it all over again, I would.

I guess it depends on how you feel about taking the kids out of school.

 

[Tiziminchac]

I liked your mug story. It reminded me of a trip I took when I was a teenager. My best friend wanted to buy a mug in Germany and have "Led Zeppelin" engraved on it. So the guy starts engraving the mug and my friend asks him if he knows how to spell "zeppelin"! I mean, it's a German word. We're in Germany. Duh! Well, I thought it was funny. Maybe you had to be there.

As for going in July, don't sweat it! (pun intended) Just have fun. Buy the kids a Mickey bar when they start to complain. If it gets to bad just go back to AKL and enjoy the pool for a couple of hours. For all that money you should enjoy it, right?

 

[Leota]

Popsicle, ITA. I like it HOT.

We've gone twice in late August. It is HOT. I love it. But I go prepared. I take advantage of early mornings. I swim in the afternoons. I drink alot, wear my sunscreen & alternate being out in the sun with being inside in the A/C. I bring one of those neckwraps that you soak in cold water (I didn't even use it last August tho)
Most importantly, I go into it with the mindset that it's going to be hot & I'm going to love it. I think going in with a positive attitude rather than balking or fighting it makes all the difference. I do the same with crowds. I go knowing it'll be crowded, working around it as best as possible & have a great time no matter what.

 

[dgaston]

We been there twice in August and once in July. Yes it's hot, but do what others have said. Go early, use air-conditioned attractions, STAY HYDRATED, take a break, swim, drink water, go back in the evening. One more time: keep everyone drinking water -- carbonated beverages just don't do it as well.

 

[bellebud]

we went last summer (late june/early july) and it was HOT but still fun. we did early magic hour for MK, were out of there by 10:30am having done all the rides, swam ALL day, then back to the park at night for a fastpass ride, dinner and fireworks. it was great! i'd do it again in a heartbeat!

 

[akhenaten]

We were there July 2004, with DH, myself DD15, DS 10 and DD2.

It was hot and humid... hated the feel of the sunblock in the humidity...but can't do without it of course!

The kids (and DH,I) Held up fine...like you say lots of water...spray bottles and we used wet banadanas around our necks a couple of times.

Most parks had shops etc. to duck in when the heat got too bad.... the wost was Animal Kingdom.....really nowhere to duck into with AC.....but we were ok..


I don't think I would go again in July but as you say..with school schedules..not much option.......


Have a great trip !!

Carol in NJ

edited to add: my family is not good in Am so we never got to the parks at opening! Also the water parks seemed to fill up pretty early so if you plan of doing one of those go early!! (we did not plan to go to them but saw the buses stoped taking guests to the parks by about 11...guests told to try and go back later in the day)

 

[MiaSRN62]

We go during late July into early August often. It's harder to take the kids out of school now that they're older and ds is in college so we really have to take a summer trip because he's away at college the rest of the year practically.
Personally, we don't find the FL summer heat and humidity much different that what Philly has to offer (particularily July & August). Philly is usually very close to the Orlando temp/humidity range, so we're already pretty accustomed to it. Not sure how MA summers are ?
The crowds ? Well, there seems to be very few times when WDW isn't crowded anymore (maybe Jan & Sept ?). We also go during early Nov some years and have found the parks to be very, very crowded during that time period. Food and Wine Festival and Jersey Week help contribute to that.......there's also MNSSHP, Super Soap Weekend etc during that time period. Nov 4 & 5, 2004, were suprisingly crowded. We saw 90+ waits for many popular attractions (Peter Pan, Pooh, Space Mtn, Splash Mtn, BTMR, Test Track, Rock N Roller among others.........)
You also mentioned that April was comfortable for you. We were in WDW March 30--April 5, 1999. It was so blazing hot a few days that we weren't expecting it. I mean like 95 degrees a couple of days. So I don't even think April can always be counted on for being cooler.
I was in WDW Feb 10-15, 2005 and it was PACKED (and freezing---never made it higher than 45-53 all week) ! I never expected this, as it was prior to President's Week. I stayed at POP and a couple CM's there told me that particular resort was sold out for the week I was there ? So there seems to be fewer and fewer "slow" times in WDW. My advice is the same as others here............
Take it slow, stay hydrated. Start your days in the park early (if you're staying onsite, take advantage of EMH) and take a midday break. Go back after dinner. We freeze water bottles and carry them with us. They melt slowly in the heat and are very refreshing. Some people like to carry those personal water spritzers as well. If you expect crowds and heat, then you can plan accordingly and have a great vacation.
Also, an added bonus, is that the parks are open much later during the summer months. So take advantage of the cooler temps and stay later in the parks if you can.

 

[goofy4tink]

Yes, it is incredibly hot but most of all..incredibly humid in July. We have been once in mid/late June and twice in mid-August...very hot but it was the humidity that did us in each day. So, my suggestions...

drink huge amounts of water and be sure to stop by the rest rooms every hour or so.

head to the parks as early as humanly possible. Then leave and head back to your resort for lunch and a swim. Back to the parks late afternoon/early evening.

wear hats...everyone should have one with a wide brim.

lots of sunscreen.

one thing that helped us was to wear shirts with short sleeves rather than tank tops. it kept you from burning your shoulders and actually felt cooler.

eat one big, sit-down meal a day. you get to cool off and refuel.

slow down.....WDW isn't going anywhere. if you are there during the brutal heat and humidity you will not be able to rush from attraction to attraction without killing yourself/your kids.

make a list of each person's 'must-dos'...then do those early in the day, and go back and do the stuff you didn't get to do at another time.

Have a great trip...and Welcome to the DIS boards. Lots of terrific info here.

 

[patsal]

It's busy but the hours are longer. We go every year for either the first two or last two weeks of July. Yes, it is hot, but not everything you do is outdoors. Ride to ride with fast pass works very well. EMH at MK works very well with kids, plan on breaks, plan your lunch in the air conditioned places to get out of the sun. Keep the kids hydrated, get to the parks at opening, leave mid day when the heat and crowds are the worse, return in the early evening. I don't like to take the kids out of school and regretted the one time that I did for only three days. For us it just isn't an option. So long as you are a planner, the crowds will not seem any worse than Easter break.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Wanted to add...........
If you're planning on doing one of disney's water parks, start out at least 30-60 min prior to park opening. The water parks have been known to close due to capacity as early as 10:30-11 am. We like to drive to the water parks and usually get to the parking lot at least 1 hour prior to opening

 

[bumperlove]

We freeze water bottles and carry them with us. They melt slowly in the heat and are very refreshing. Some people like to carry those personal water spritzers as well. If you expect crowds and heat, then you can plan accordingly and have a great vacation.
Also, an added bonus, is that the parks are open much later during the summer months. So take advantage of the cooler temps and stay later in the parks if you can.

Thanks everyone for all your input! VERY HELPFUL!!!!

About the freezing of the water bottles....I had heard that Disney had replaced their mini refrigerators with some sort of electric drink cooler that did not get as cold as the frig did. Is this true? Can you still freeze bottles if you are not in a villa?

 

[bumperlove]

Wanted to add...........
If you're planning on doing one of disney's water parks, start out at least 30-60 min prior to park opening. The water parks have been known to close due to capacity as early as 10:30-11 am. We like to drive to the water parks and usually get to the parking lot at least 1 hour prior to opening

Yeah...I had planned on TL this year, but DH talked me out of it. Besides the crowds, my stepkids aren't all that comfortable in the water. They are so fearful. They were too big for the kid area at TL last year ....thought it was boring...and refused to get on anything else. We persuaded them on the family raft ride and that scared the mickeys right out of them. The wave pool was a disaster as DSS (4 at the time) didn't want the water to go over his ankles...ummmm...which mean that my feet weren't even covered. DSD (6 at the time) hated the waves. We did the lazy river 4 times though. That was biggest hit of the day.

It amazes me that they hate the water so much...they have each taken three summers worth of swim lessons with their mom.

 

[Disney Fool]

Well, Bumperlove, I thought I'd add my two cents. I'm from Massachusetts also, AND I'll be heading down for the third time this year (drum roll...) in July!!! I'm escorting six teenage girls to their first trip to Disneyworld, and of course, they couldn't go during sophmore or junior school year. So, it's July. Frankly, I'm looking forward to it. I've been to disney just about every month you can think of....and I like it hot and here's my reasons why:

l. You can swim! (been during February and January --too cold!)
2. Parks stay open much later (I'm talking midnight here--you really get your money's worth out of a day's pass!)
3. There's much more going on. It seems that the parks are too uneventful during the winter months.
Don't get me wrong; I enjoy less hassle, quiet times, and no waiting on rides just like everyone else. But there is a trade off. After many, many years of going to Disney, I've realized that the parades are a bit thinner on characters during the winter, the floats are not inhabited as much, (characters have to go to school too)
So, when I go during cooler months, I expect "uneventful" days. In the summer, in spite of the heat and crowds, the atmosphere is electric, much more lively. So, we'll freeze our Brita sports bottles and drink from them all day, rub ice cubes down our necks, brave the heat and humidity, fight the crowds, and love every minute we're not in New England and freezing!
Have a wonderful vacation whatever you choose to do. Maybe we'll meet each other by the water cooler!

 

[Wendy1953]

You cannot send flowers to anyone and have them come from any Disney character....not allowed, forbidden...I guess they don't allow it because other families would get insulted that they didn't get flowers or giftbasket from whatever character and you did!

You'll have a great time no matter what time of the year you go down, just keep the weather in mind when planning the days schedule and you'll all do fine! Have a magical trip!