Is there ANY week in the summer that's recommended?

[ptrbryant]

We've been spoiled by always going in Value season, but we may need to make a summer trip this time. I seem to always hear about the heat, rain and crowds in the summer. We are NOT morning people, so the whole "get there extra early" plan doesn't work for us. I know there're usually later park hours, which would be good for us--esp. since it would be cooler in the evenings.
Has anyone gone during the summer and found it manageable? I know to stay away from holidays like 4th of July, etc. Just looking for a summer window with lighter crowds and the least rain!
Thanks!
Karla B.

 

[BelleBeautyandtheBeast]

We braved July. You can see the exact dates in my signature (I already forget LOL). It was hot, very hot. We drank water like fish and survived. The only park that was ever crowded was Magic Kingdom. The kids still call that vacation the one where we would sweat everytime we left the hotel room LOL. We had gorgeous weather the whole week. 97 and sunny! We did not pick the dates we went, my cousin got married while we were there. If I had to pick again I would avoid July. I would guess that earlier in summer would be a little less hot and somewhat lighter crowds.

 

[harleyquinn]

I've gone in June and in August. I expected it to be cooler and therefore better in June, but boy was I wrong. I firmly believe that the second and third weeks of August are the best summertime weeks to go. The crowds are WAY more manageable as the schools in the South are back in session. Of course this only works if your kids (if you have them) aren't going back then. IMO the weather was also WAY better in August. Yes, it rained every single day, but usually around 1 (not effecting parades) only for an hour tops and had a tendency to clear some people out of the parks, making the lines shorter.
I'm planning a 2006 trip for one of those weeks.
Hope this helps!
The sad thing is I don't have kids yet, but DH is a teacher, so we're still stuck!

 

[bbowers]

I've been there in the first 2 weeks of June twice and the crowds were wonderful both times. The heat, however - once was manageable and the other time...not. I thought I was going to spontaneously combust as I waited for Off Kilter to start, and I only made it thru one song before I had to flee to O Canada for some A/C. And I had SO wanted to hear them.

 

[ptrbryant]

Hmm, I'm leaning towards mid-late August...we WERE there in May '02 in the midst of a week-long heatwave. It wasn't under 90 all week, though there was a breeze. We managed with our constantly-filled Brita-to-go bottles and a mist fan.

Still debating this in my mind!

Karla B.

 

[hawaii5o]

We have always gone either the last week of July or first week of August. This year we are going July 9-17th I have never gone this early before. It doesnt bother us with the heat or crowds. We fill up one of those little fans with the bottle with ice and water the ice melts during the day and we spray that while we are waiting in line if it is really hot. Also, we utilize fastpass so we dont have to wait in line too long. One more thing, you can always get a itsakadoozie!!!! not sure if I spelled it right. We ate alot of them the last time we were there. They are like a rainbow looking twisted popsicle. Sounds weird but very refreshing in the heat.

 

[ladybugz11]

We have been in both early & mid June, late June early July, and 2nd wk of August. To be honest I didn't notice much difference in the heat. I'm from Savannah in the summer it's always hot regardless. I remember the crowds being very manageable around fathers day. What you have to remember is stay out of the parks if possible between 1 and 5 those are the busiest hours. Also use fast pass, it makes a difference.

 

[marty0518]

The key thing when you go in July (or whenever its HOT) is to pace yourself. Take time for an afternoon break and relax by the pool. Go back to the parks later in the day and at night.

We always go in July due to school schedules. It is that bad....

 

[Aristocath]

Hmm, I'm leaning towards mid-late August...we WERE there in May '02 in the midst of a week-long heatwave. It wasn't under 90 all week, though there was a breeze. We managed with our constantly-filled Brita-to-go bottles and a mist fan.

We must have been there the same week of May '02! Not a drop of rain all week and hot. Being from Texas, it didn't bother us any. We just drank lots of water and kept going! We are also planning a summer trip this time because of school schedules. I'm thinking either the last week of July or the first week of August. Maybe we'll see you there.

Cathy

 

[weluvpluto]

For us, I wouldn't go in August again. The year we went in August, it rained for hours upon hours every day... also last year - was it Charlie that hit in August? I just remember one of the hurricanes arrived the exact date our APs expired in August.
It feels just as hot to me all three months though

 

[pezpam]

We went in July a couple of years ago. It was HOTHOTHOT - when it wasn't pouring rain, that is. That said, a sense of humor about the rain and Brita filter bottles kept full of free ice water and judiciously dribbled on hot little heads before drinkingdrinkingdrinking kept us going. I am very much NOT a heat person, so I'll try to keep WDW for non-summer months when possible, but a trip in July is better than no trip, isn't it?