July 23-30: Too Hot And Too Crowded!

[goofymax]

Just got back yesterday. Very, very crowded after noon. We had to get to the park of choice by 9AM and leave by noon or the heat and the crowds were unbearable. 96 every day and humid. It did not shower at all 'till our 6th day, which was very strange. When it did rain, it poured for at least an hour on our 6th and 7th day. People were drenched even with ponchos! At Epcot the Soarin attraction would run out of fast passes by 1pm. One day I walked over from the BWV to get four passes and was astonished to see the fast pass machines shut down , even though the park didn't close 'till 7pm . The people there were in line with a 90 MINUTE standby time posted. There were pushy and rude people there who had no regard for park rules and these people for the most part were Spanish speaking people. There were many foreign accents throughout the parks, which showed just how popular Disney is. There was also huge groups of teens from Brazil , who all appeared well mannered. I've never seen this many differnet groups of nationalities during previous visits (this was our 7th in a little over 4 years at WDW). We stayed at BWV had lunch there every day except one day which was at the Crystal Palace, it was good, but the breakfast is much better there. We would go to the pool between 2-4 pm because of the heat and even the pool was very crowded most days. Dinner as always is the best at LeCellier and Brown Derby. We also ate in Italy and it was good, not great. Three years ago this rest. had strolling opera singers sho were fantastic. Now all they have is one guy with an accordian and he plays one song and then takes a break! Teppanyaki was good as usual and great fun. Park Fare at the Floridian our last night. Not good for the money at all. Very limited fare they should call it. The bill came to the same as when we at at Lecellier and BD. We had a great time, but had to limit our park time due to the crowd size and heat. We would not go back in the month of July again due to these factors. We do have a 7 year old DS and brought his ll year old cousin for company, so we have to adhere to the school calendar. The next summertime visit will be the last week of August. I have heard the crowds are smaller and it is not as hot; but maybe a hurricane or two. I'll take it!

 

[2Xited4Disney]

Well I am glad I am going the last week in august?

 

[pdchris]

: We do have a 7 year old DS and brought his ll year old cousin for company, so we have to adhere to the school calendar. The next summertime visit will be the last week of August. I have heard the crowds are smaller and it is not as hot; but maybe a hurricane or two. I'll take it!

Why? We've gone 3 times (00,04,05) and each time took my son out of school for the week. We never had a problem with the school in that regard. We always went around the first week of May. The crowds aren't a problem at all and the weather is nice with very little rain. Reading other reports about the heat, humidity and crowds in July, if my only choice was Disney then or some other place, I'd go some place else.

 

[Disneycatlady]

We always go Labor Day Weekend and the parks are very do-able. We never go in the mid- summer- Labor Day weekend is very hot but the crowds are lighter.

 

[emememem]

We were there the week before you...same thing, hot hot weather and crowded parks, little rain........

 

[VickiL]

We were there the same week as you, and had the same experience. Getting to the park early is the only way to go! We got our fastpasses for Soarin at 10:00 with a 1:00 return time. When we got off the ride the return time was 7:00. By 2:00 the standby line was 2 hours and all the fastpasses were gone.

We also left the park by 2:00 or 3:00 and went back to our resort for a swim every day. After that we got cleaned up and went to dinner and a late show. We had a wonderful time and we found Disney very doable, if you can adhere to these time frames!

 

[MazdaUK]

I'm thinking about last two weeks of August next year, so i don't have to take my kids out of school (UK holidays are mostly August). Is the weather OK then - i.e. not too humid and hot? Don't mind showers, but do want to be able to get in the pool most days (we lucked out this March). Also not really keen on being in the middle of a hurricane! Or should I just head to California?

 

[WishinOnaStar]

We just got back yesterday also and it is funny how everyones perception is different. I will agree that it was very very hot but I thought the parks were not as crowded as I had expected. We did try to get there as soon as the park would open and leave right after lunch to head back to the pool. We never had more than a 20 minute wait on any ride except of course for Soarin which had a 40 minute wait at 9:30 am. On a few days we were unable to get there early and showed up at 10:30 and I still didn't think it was that bad. Please don't think that it wasn't crowded, just not as bad (IMO) as it was two years ago when we went in June.

 

[FBandA]

Thanks WishinOnaStar it is good to read both sides, we are going in 8 days.

 

[pigby]

: There were pushy and rude people there who had no regard for park rules and these people for the most part were Spanish speaking people.

We were there the same week and the week before, and we encountered exactly the same thing. Glad it's not just me!

BTW, it was just as hot (and dry) the week before also - very strange July weather - looks like we just missed the heavy showers on Friday and Saurday - we set off for home Thursday evening. I too thought the crowds were very heavy, put this down to the rain not dispersing people in the afternoons, as it normally does (we usually just carry on through the rain). But on the Saturday you arrived there was a short lived storm in the afternoon - we were in MK and got a spot right on the kerb on Main Street 10 minutes before the start of the afternoon parade. I still thought crowds seemed heavier than the same time 2 years ago, though - for this reason we are likely to choose end of August for a future visit or my favoite time, October.

 

[Keggy]

To the person who posted about the heat in August - it is worse in August then it is in July. But, July and August are the worse months here by far! It is much cooler in the mornings here than early evenings. My advice is to get up early go to the parks and come back to the hotel in the early afternoon to go to the pool!

Have fun!
Kelly

 

[MEK]

I'm thinking about last two weeks of August next year, so i don't have to take my kids out of school (UK holidays are mostly August). Is the weather OK then - i.e. not too humid and hot? Don't mind showers, but do want to be able to get in the pool most days (we lucked out this March). Also not really keen on being in the middle of a hurricane! Or should I just head to California?

August is hot, but it is doable. I have never been there when it's been as hot and humid as the midatlantic states were just last week. Go to the parks early, take an afternoon break, and go back in the evening. Carry lots of water and a poncho. It rains every afternoon. The crowds are much lighter right before Labor Day (last week of August) because most kids are back in school.

___________________________________________________

Max is my favorite cat

 

[MazdaUK]

Thanks, that's really helpful. I'm thinking a week in Captiva (hoping for sea breezes!) to acclimatise then a week in Orlando.

Haven't broken this to DH yet...

 

[goofymax]

I did not in fact find it cooler in the evenings. If anything there was less air in most of the 7 eves we were there. It felt as if the air just sood still and you pushed your way thru it! You just deal with it for the pay-off is greater than the heat. Don't know how the faux Beatles wear those clothes!

 

[Minnie]

We were there the week before u and it wasn't any better then. Last year it rained/sprinkled most days so with the use of ponchos and afternoon breaks it was bearable. This year it only rained once for about an hour the entire time we were there

After this last trip our July visits to WDW are most likely through. We will take my DS (11) out of school if needed to go during cooler times of the year. Since we now all have APs we are considering several short trips instead. Under consideration now are MNSSHP in late October and late April or Mother's Day weekend for the flower show.

I was told by several CM's that anytime after Labor Day, before Xmas, and after New Years before June are good times to go.

 

[NJ2Boardwalk]

Just returned from CSR, 7/25-7/31. First summer visit - and last! I've always gone in the fall, and now I know why. Very crowded and very hot. I, too, take my kids out of school. So worth it for the money you spend there. One week won't hurt their academic careers.

 

[disneylizzy]

OOOh boy, we're going the last week of August into Sept. We went the same week last year and got hit with Frances. Two whole days in the hotel, at least it was WL! It was not crowded, though, and not really, really humid either.

 

[Lives4Disney]

GoofyMax- Sorry your trip wasn't all you hoped it would be. If I only had a youngish child, I would DEFINITELY take him out of school and go in Jan/Feb. We used to do this all the time for up to 2 weeks. We did this until he (my oldest was in 6th grade) It was the best. The parks were relatively empty. Now he is a freshman and those days are over. It goes sooo fast.

I also started going during August, Thanksgiving, and Pres weekend this year just to get a few trips in and not have my oldest miss much school. I REALLY miss those days when he was in grade school & I have NO regrets about pulling him out for those fabulous trips.

Just something to think about.

Lives4Disney

 

[DISUNC]

We were there from 7/25 to 8/1 & it wasn't HOT it was BLISTERING FLAMING the FIRES of HELL hot!!!!!! This is my 5th time in JULY going to WDW and this by far was the worst HEAT I ever encountered there. Even the CM's were saying it was really TOOOO hot!
We missed the Stunt show @ MGM, since it only runs 3 shows only in the afternoons. The HEAT was really unbearable this time. Seen some kids pass out in Epcot & AK too! Even the pools were too hot @ the POP. On Saturday thay added cool water to them.

As far as the crowds Yes it was crowded at certain rides...Peter Pan had a 1 1/2 hour wait!!!!
Yet we walked right into the Haunted Mansion 3 times!!!!

Also I talked to a family from the UK, due to the currency exchange it is DIRT CHEAP for people from other countries to come to the USA now. The rate of exchange works well in their favor! I think she said it was 5 US dollars for every 1 UK pound! BIG DIFFERENCE!

 

[dsnymomof4]

We were there July 9-15 and agree with you about the heat and crowds - we also will probably not be going again in July. We went last year last week in August and although was just as hot, definitely less crowded! I am now looking forward to our upcoming trip first week of December - I can't wait to experience Disney when it isn't 100 degrees and packed all the time. We are taking our 3 children out of school for the week and am not worried about that at all. I can't wait to see everything decorated for the Holidays!