June vs August

[Noni]

We are definitely going next year and because of kids it has to be during the summer. I thought August would be good because it would give my dd something to look forward to all summer. But now, I'm thinking June might be less crowded and less hot. Any thoughts?

 

[HM]

We've been during the first week of August twice and the first week in June once. The weather was remarkably similar during all the trips, so don't base your plans on heat and rain forecasts.

We like to take two family trips during the summer, one right as school gets out and one right before school starts again (only one would be to WDW). I'd say the kids are most excited to have a trip after school ends in June. It's a nice way to ease into the summer months and reconnect as a family. So that would be my choice. However, early August, the parks are open longer hours than early June, so that is also a plus on that side.

Good luck in making your decision. -HM

 

[swilphil]

I would lean toward June, but it might depend when in August you could go. Many schools start by mid-August, so if you can go during the last two weeks of August, the crowds will be down. A lot of East Coast schools also are still in session the beginning of June. I'm not really sure how that affects crowds, but I would think early June would be less crowded than early August. It's really hot in late June, but I imagine most of August is just as bad. I've never been in early June, so I can't address the weather then.

 

[Miffy2003]

Hello

I've never been in June so can't say which is best, but on my trips in August we found the parks to be:

Quiet (only queue over 10 mins was Peter Pan)
Extended hours (great!)
HOT HOT HOT!!!
No problem getting PS's

And we have always had a fantastic time. I hope you have a great time whatever you decide!

Karen

 

[PamNC]

and I would say go either early June or mid to late August. If I had to pick, I'd pick June. We like the first week of June because across the country many kids are still in school so it's not that crazy-mad-crowded. It's early enough that the big Brazilian groups aren't there yet - they come later in the month and in July. And, if you go early enough in June, you can still catch the tail-end of the International Flower & Garden Festival. We actually like to go Memorial week the very best so we usually overlap the end of May with the first few days of June. However, we did go the third week in June once.

August - well - by mid-August most kids are back in school. Now, we've gone in August and it's been unbearable hot - like over 100 degrees at times. And, we've gone in August and it was bearable. But, it's definitely hotter than June.

Another thing to keep in mind is the rate seasons - I'm not sure what they are but you should do some research and see if one time frame is cheaper than the next. Disney has value, regular and peek and holiday seasons. I'm thinking that early June and late August are both regular season, but I'm not sure.

Either way - have fun - we think summer at WDW is fantastic despite the heat.
But, we're from NC and it's pretty hot here too.

PamNC

 

[DoleWhip]

I have been early June, mid August, and late August. I thought early June would be less hot than August. However, I was wrong. 100 degree weather. All 3 trips were ridiculously hot and thunderstorms daily. So weather-wise, there is not too much difference.
Crowds will be the same early June or mid August.
Late August will be pretty empty, so that is what I would choose.

 

[halfway there]

Or just drive you crazy with "When are we going to Disney World"?? You may have to think about that one!

My kids like to go right after school gets out rather than later in the summer because then when you get back you have to rush around getting ready to go back to school. Maybe that's me who really likes it that way....

Also, I would agree that although the summers here are HOT in general, August is definitely hotter and more humid than early June.

I would do as suggested and check rates for the resorts and see when you can get a better deal.

 

[dawgfan]

I have been in August and in June. I had a great time on both trips. Here was the main difference...Crowds. I went in late June. The crowds were tremendous. We did not have the kids at this time and so that was no real huge problem. With kids it would have been a killer. I took my kids on their first ever trip to WDW the first week of August 2002. I was thrilled to find that the crowds were not bad to deal with at all. WDW is always "crowded" in summer but there certanly are times that are better than others. We had no trouble getting on rides or getting around. Heat is somehting that I cannot comment on as I live in Georgia. It is like Africa hot with the doors and windows shut and no air conditioning here in August. Just going outside will take your breath away at times. Thunderstorms are a daily occurance in Florida in the summer months and you just have to live with them. When we went in August it rained once a day and I mean STORMS!!! Lightening and thunder to beat the band. They did not last long. We just stopped in somewhere for shelter and a bite to eat and by the time it was over the crowds were gone. It's a pain, but usually unavoidable. I do not know about early June but August is my preferred time as many kids are either back in school or home preparing to get back. Go as close to school start as possible. My kids missed the first day of their school year that trip. No problem as it was on a Friday and only a half day of get to know the teacher. We had already met her. My kids had great stories to tell their classmates on Monday when they returned.

 

[Montana Minnies]

Noni
First time I ever sent to WDW was Aug. 1977 and it was hot! Being from Montana we were not use to the humiidity.
The next time we went was early June 1985- Hot again, yes it was crowded, but we had a great time. The third time we went 1988 in June again just a little later in the month still crowded and hot with rain as has been mentioned, nothing that lasted long. The 4th time we went July 03 and we knew it would be hot but we took the advice of what we had learned and during the afternoon hours went back to the hotel,(we stayed on property), relaxed and went back out again during the later afternoon and evening. That seemed to help a lot. Now this time when it rained, it did pour and it lasted more than just a few minutes. The parks did not seem overly crowded to me nor did the humidity seem to bother me as much as the first 3x when I have gone. All in alll we love WDW and it does not stop us from going back in the summer. Its the only time we can get there. So next Aug04 we will be there again, take our afternoon breaks and enjoy all we can!
Have a wonderful time.

 

[juliesue]

We have been in both months and I said I would didnt want to go in August again. June is hot and muggy and the crowds are somewhat bigger. However, the heat and humidity the August we went was awful!!

Now, if you like to go back to hotel and take a siesta, August is bearable. We went back and slept and swam during the hottest part of the day. Now, here is an example of how hot it was. My children NEVER sleep during the day. We came back to the room and hit the air conditioning and we were all asleep within 5 minutes. There was no stopping us! It worked well for us, but if you are trying the commando vacation, this will not be what you want to do.

 

[timC]

I thought August would be good because it would give my dd something to look forward to all summer.

If this is at all important, definately stay away from June. We go in June every year, to avoid the summer rush. It's a bummer because your big summer trip is over before the summer's even kicked off. Nothing left to look forward to all summer.

 

[biscuit]

We've gone in June two years in a row and probably won't do it again. The first year we went it rained every day and not just a shower. It would start in the afternoon and go on for a good part of the day and most times into the evening. The following year it rained six days out of 10. Same thing....it would go on for hours. When we went in August it would shower for a bit but not nearly as long as what we experienced in June.