Is the heat unbearable in the summer?

[Tink415]

Lots of good suggestions here for summer at WDW. The only thing I want to add if that there still is some value season in the summer, this year value season for the deluxes starts July 20 and Aug 3 for moderates and values.

When we have APs we like to go in the summer and sleep late, spend the day at a pool or water park, have dinner and then go to the theme parks at night. Makes the heat much easier to take

 

[PiperGirlInWondrland]

The last week of Aug last year was HOT. But we still had a blast! Just be sure to take breaks and drink tons of water. Enjoy!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

We've been in June, July and August. They must have just changed the value dates for deluxes because it used to start July 5. I think our August trip was the hottest. We are trying spring break this year--first time in many years the kids and I have the same vacation and I promised we'd go to Florida.
Remember--memories of any day at Disney, hot, cold, or in-between, will get you through any bad day in the classroom!
Robin M.

 

[LoveKermit]

We found last August (and on our Mexico trip Aug 2003) that you actually get used to the heat. So much so, that after Mexico I struggled with the AC in my car. That said, take it easy the first few days until your internal body temp adjusts.

Last Aug our daughter was 7.5 months. So, we had afternoon naptime for all three of us. And sometimes it was a solid two hours for all three of us. We didn't realize how much the heat took out of us also. Then, I always have to shower before dinner when it's hot. So we'd clean up and head out again. We always felt much better--especially when you see those families who have been out all day. They look awful and crabby. It helps enjoy the meal more--though we were sweaty by the time we got to the TTC (from the Poly). But it's clean sweat.

 

[lrab1126]

We went last aug, 2nd week, and it was totally unbearable. Many CM's told us that it had been the hottest summer they had ever recalled...and we sure felt it. One day the weather man referred to the next day's temps as "blazing hot" and he was not kidding...we were dying. I swear I lost 10lbs that week from sweating lol HAving said that, I have been there many times before in JUne, July and Aug and never felt it was unbearable... this was an exception. So it's hard to say...I would recommend end of june or early july if you can before it really gets to "blazing hot"

 

[GoofyaboutMickey]

It's hot but not unbearable

 

[ScarletFire]

Another teacher here and also limited to school breaks. I'm soooo glad I have a fall break. The weather is close to perfect in October. I don't mind the warm weather but July is too hot and pretty crowded. I vow to never go to WDW again in the summer. The temperature and humdity are oppressive. I'd consider X-mas or spring break. There are ways to manage the crowd scene. But, if you must go in the summer, this thread has lots of excellent tips.

 

[lake queen]

At our Oct. trip in 2006, we had record breaking heat in the upper 90's. We were soaked with sweat from the time we walked out our room in the morning, until we came in at night.

We had a awesome time!! Most attractions have AC or big fans that blow on you, so in line it isn't so bad. It was really hot walking around the parks. But we made sure that we stayed really hydrated.

At the MNSSHP we rode splash 3 times in a row (no line) we then sat on the pavement to watch the 10:00 pm parade. We swore that we heard our shorts sizzling, the pavement was still so hot!!

I thought that I could not survive in the summer, but after that experience, I would not hesitate to go when it is hot!!

I will also add that we did not eat as much on that trip. We did go thru a million $ 2.00 water bottles!!!

 

[LSchrow]

we used to go the last week of august (for about 8 years). we found the heat much more bearable with the lower crowds. the best advice has already been given (go to parks early, back to resort mid-day for swim/nap, back to parks when the heat & crowds wane).
we also try to save a few "cool" (either/and "wet") attractions in each park for the hottest hours ~ ice station cool in EPCOT, kali river rapids in AK, splash mountain in MK, great movie ride in MGM.
we freeze bottles of water overnight, & bring at least one per person. also, the little fans are great ~ lightweight & really work well. we carry a travel-size sunscreen for reapplying (btw, men with short/no hair need to be especially careful ~ we've seen many with a sunburned pate).
& lesson learned : if you have anyone with asthma (even mild), make sure they carry an inhaler ~ high humidity (on top of all the walking, excitement, etc) can make breathing difficult, & trigger a sudden attack .
hth

 

[mandidel]

Hello Fellow Teachers!

I am so glad to hear that the heat is not too unbearable in June. We will be there in June this year at the POFQ. One of the reasons I chose the POFQ was the foliage, and the fact that it just looked a little cooler by the river. I know, I'm dreaming. We were just at DL a few weeks ago, and even though it was only 80 degrees, and the humidity is lower, we were still sucking down the water like crazy!

I wish we were on a year-round schedule just to have vacations at non-peak times, but we have to do what we can!

Looking forward to this summer!

 

[blondemom]

We've done late June and late August. I totally agree that the crowds thin out at the end of August and that makes all the difference. We went in June 2007 and it was very crowded and very hot. However, we are from New Jersey and it is just as hot and humid here in the summer! If I didn't have school-aged children, I would love to go at other times of the year. But, we go when the kids are off. We always have a good time. Just an FYI, with the heat and crowds, we witnessed many grouchy people. We were pushed and shoved. There were line cutters everywhere. We witnessed many meltdowns of both kids and adults. We did our own thing and didn't let anything distract us from our goal of having a bad time. My son was four at the time we went. We rented a stroller. It saved him from having a meltdown. I also was sure to plan breaks during the day. We went back to the Wilderness Lodge for a 2-hour break (if not more) every day. With the early entry and the late hours, we didn't miss a single attraction we wanted to see. You will have a blast.

Oh, and we drove down so we were able to bring two cases of bottled water with us. Stay hydrated. We had the misty fans as well. We took it at our own pace, and have no regrets!

 

[happymommy]

We did late August two years in a row. Yes, it's very hot, but actually in 2006 it was super pleasant the first 3 days - cooler than at home (Maryland)! You really never know. But plan for the heat.

We also take a break in the afternoon. It's better even if we'd chill in the hotel room and watch tv. Maybe get a load of laundry done, and let the kids play in the arcade (which I found out makes it so that it would have been cheaper for me to send out the laundry one time - I gave the kids so much money for those machines at the Dolphin )

I find taking water with me one thing that we don't do anymore. We do keep bottles of water in the room, but ANY counter service place that has fountain drinks will GIVE you a free cup of ice water. The ice makes is more palatable in the heat, so my kids will drink it down. You can add some packets of crystal light or something, but we just prefer it plain. So we don't bring water to the parks anymore. That is just us. Now I do sometimes have a few little packs of crackers, cookies, etc... in my backpack.

I also agree, book a TS lunch occasionally, then enjoy the service and A/C. Last August we did this at the drive-in theatre place at MGM. It was dark and actually we froze! The service was slow - but the food was awsome and we really enjoyed the break.

 

[Leighbert]

I have to disagree with many of the previous posters. I found the heat and humidity to be unbearable during July and August. I actually got physically ill more than once during my late July/early August trip in 2006. Given how much money we spend to go the WDW, I prefer to go when it's cooler and I can enjoy the parks' attractions (instead of a tour of the parks/ bathrooms!). I doubt that I or my family will go to WDW during the summer months ever again.

 

[jeanninepl]

Hello fellow teachers!

I am teacher with school-aged children. I too am booked for this July for Disney. I figured it may be "wicked hot" so I planned a more relaxing trip rather than a "park commando" style trip. We are staying at the Poly because I thought if it gets waaaayyy to hot we will just enjoy the resort and spend lots of time at the pool during the day (and my husband and I can enjoy so refreshments from the pool bar)!

I booked lots of character meals and we can do the parks at night or morning. I booked during "value season" so hopefully the crowds won't be that bad!

 

[NHTikiBeckie]

In one word...YES.

 

[loco4dis]

We went in mid-July. If you're from the north (Michigan here), I honestly don't think you are prepared for how absolutely freakin' hot it is. It doesn't stop you from doing your thing at the parks, but sometimes you just lean back and say, "Damn, it's hot." The misting water bottles are a MUST HAVE. It saved us. Also, a baseball cap and sunglasses. The summer Florida sun is just a relentless beast at the parks, and there is little shade. You will buy so many drinks you can't believe it. Plan that in your budget. I had a hard time finding places to refill my water bottle, but some here have said the CS restaurants will fill them (ice and water) for free. My kids were too young to carry their own water, so I was hauling a pretty hefty backpack in the heat as well. Back at the WL, the pool was too shallow to cool off, so it felt like a lukewarm bathtub in that heat. My hot, sweaty kids jumped in, turned around, and said, "Yuck, it's warm!" It was NOT refreshing in the least, but an icy cold shower in the room was. We're going in mid- to late-June this year, and I'm hoping it will be a bit cooler, but at least I know what to expect.

 

[labattblue]

Can I tolerate the Orlando summer heat and humidity if I was hanging by the pool all day? Yes! Can I survive 50-60 park hours over the course of a week in the same conditions? Absolutely Not!

 

[bangzoom6877]

As a kid, my parents took us to WDW a couple of times in the middle of August (first 2 times I went there actually). I was 8 the first time and 12 the second time. DH and I are also teachers, and DS3 is in nursery school too. DS-8-months (14 mos. when we go) is the only one without this issue right now.

I remember it being very hot in August. I also remember going into the air-conditioned shops and loving that. I can't remember if or when we took breaks to go back to the room because I was so mesmerized by being at WDW that those are the memories I have...so the good news is that now that I am 30, I only have great memories of being there in August as a child! And I never had any bad heat/humidity memories years ago either. We are going this July with our 2 sons. Here are some things we are doing:

-Keeping a slow pace and while we want to see as much as we can, we will make sure everyone is happy and not miserable by being forced into any attractions while hot/tired/cranky (including DH and myself!).

-Eating light throughout the day...cereal in the morning in the room (except for 2 mornings of character breakfasts); lighter CS lunch (maybe a grilled chicken salad) at whichever park we are touring; TS dinner in air-conditioning (biggest meal will be dinner, after touring park & not in the middle of the heat).

-Breaking after lunch to return to the room and relax in the AC. Both DS's will probably fall asleep in the car on the way back to the POP and we will carry them into the room and let them nap.

-Shower in the afternoon some time before dinner, daily.

-Dinner at 6 either at a park or a resort TS restaurant.

-Character meals with different characters at each one (4 character meals total) so that my kids can see all their favorites without having to wait in a long hot crowded line in the parks.

-Possibly the nighttime SpectroMagic parade at MK if I feel my kids can handle it...if not we will go to it next time around when they are a little older.

-Not try to see everything everyday...be more realistic that we will not get to do everything, BUT we will have lots of fun no matter what! We'll be at Disney after all!!!!!

-Fastpasses whenever we can

-Morning EMH whenever we can, except for the Studios...we are doing an 8 AM breakfast with Playhouse Disney characters anyway and will get into the park early, so we are going there the day after the EMH hoping it will maybe be less crowded

-Air-conditioned attractions!

-Indoor CS restaurants for lunchtime whenever possible. Could use the break in the cooler temperature!

-Driving to the parks so that if kids fall asleep on the ride back to the room it will be easier in the car than carrying a hot tired sleeping cranky child, baby and a double stroller! I know the car will be hot when we get into it but I would rather not wait for the bus.

Bonnie

 

[lissiesmum]

great posts, everyone! I know being from New Hampshire that I don't like heat when we have our "heat waves" (three days in a row of 90 degree heat!). I find it draining and I have no energy and stay indoors with the AC on. My DD (now 2) cries when it is too hot. I am hoping that this year when she is 3, that she will be more tolerant of the heat. It's hard when it's hot and humid here because it is generally nice, dry weather and then all of a sudden we are slammed with unseasonable humidity/heat so we are not used to it so much. I suppose if you step off the plane and it is a constant weather pattern, your body must get used to it? I think I'll have to wait and see this summer how my DD handles the heat. I know I could tough it out because it's WDW, but I don't know if I can expect the same from a child My only other option might be to go the last week in April, but I really want to spend over a week in the World and I feel like that may limit my time...could any of you teachers share about a trip you took that was on a shorter vacation? I'd love to spend at least 8 nights, and I would assume when you get back from WDW, you are pretty tired and need some down time before going back to school?

 

[skipperkim]

great advice so far, and hello to all my fellow teachers sounds doable to me. I can definitely see the napping and swimming in the afternoon. Is it a project to board the busses more than once a day? Is there shade while waiting for the buses at the parks? Has anyone stayed at Yacht Club or Beach Club just for the pool? The resort itself isn't that appealing as I"m from New England, but, the pool looks fantastic. I'm thinking also of the Wilderness Lodge or Dolphin/Swan. I wish I could afford a monorail resort, but maybe another year! Keep the great posts coming, I could use all the tips I can get!

The bus stops at the parks do have shade. The value resorts do not have any at the resort, but at the parks they do. The S/D does have special rates for teachers, but is not part of the ME.