just back - hot and crowded!

[marijeff]

hello everyone! just back from a week at POR. 5/23 wasnt too bad at MK, but after that it was mobbed. I guess we arent used to 95 degrees either, because the heat was just too much for us. We didnt even get to AK and spent only one morning at MGM. We got fast passes for RnRC at 10 am. After riding the coaster we zoomed over to ToT. It was only 11:15 and the fast pass was for 4:45/standby was 80min.

It was so hot I wanted a frozen banana from the little ice cream vendor - the line was 22 people deep! We left and went swimming back at the resort. Epcot was ok, especially WS. It is always so breezy there and we had 2 great nights there. Alas I fear this will be our last trip in May. I think we have been converted to off-season visitors!

 

[gmech6145]

We went in mid May. The weather was around 85 and 90. The parks were not that crowded. 15-20 minute waits. There was one day where we decided to go back to the Poly and go swimming.

 

[Tiziminchac]

Originally posted by marijeff
I think we have been converted to off-season visitors!

Welcome to the club!

 

[CheapMom]

I am scared- I have never been during the ON season and we take off in 2 weeks. I am anti-crowd and I think we are only doing 1 day of parks for that reason. Did you get to any water parks? If so- how were the crowds there?

 

[marijeff]

yes, we did TL and BB. I think we went to TL on 5/24 and it wasnt bad at all. The only thing we waited kind of long for was the family raft ride. I love their giant wave pool. The lifeguards held the waves and made everyone chant "we want waves!" for several minutes before they started again. It's great - everyone screams and runs, espcially the kids. You cant help but laugh. We ate at typhoon tilleys (i think that's the name) and it was really pretty good for the usual kids meals and salad.

BB we did 5/26 and it was awful! I can honestly say that it wouldnt upset me to never go to BB again. The wave pool is very small compared to TL and the lines were horrible! I mean every single slide, tube, raft ride. There is a ski lift that takes you up to the top of the mountain - we did it once and had to wait at least 30minutes just for the ride up. We walked next time. Another really bad thing about BB is the amount of hot sidewalk. My DS and I felt like our feet were on fire walking back from the lazy river ride. The kids section is nice but oh my goodness! the amount of people was astounding. The lazy river ride was like rush hour on the LA freeway-jammed and not moving! TL all the way for me!

Maybe the crowds will be less for you since the holiday will be over. We could definitely see an increase in people as we got closer to the weekend. Especially at the food court as POR is so spread out you can't really tell how many people are there. Also, it was a star wars weekend at mgm, so it was also packed. I guess it depends on if you can handle the heat or not. Please pack your own fan/spritzer. They are $17 down there! Epcot was the best by far - less crowded, cooler and breezy and I love to eat my way around WS. Have a great trip and I think they are calling for cooler weather over the next several weeks (at least only in the 80s and not near 100!)

 

[720L]

Cheapmom--don't waste your visit and do just 1 day in the parks!! It will be fine, just use fastpass and take afternoon breaks from the crowd. We were there in August last year and the crowds were terrible, but we got to the parks early (that helps a lot to get there at opening) took a break, then went back. We leave in 2 weeks also. Have fun and don't stress--it's Disney!

 

[Kaycee]

Originally posted by marijeff
I think they are calling for cooler weather over the next several weeks (at least only in the 80s and not near 100!)

Gosh, I sure hope they're right about that. If not, we've dealt with extreme heat on past visits, but we'd sure prefer 80's to near 100!

 

[jwfla422]

Hey Kaycee
80s is certainly better than 90s or even upper 80s!! It does though look like we're going to start getting into our summertime weather pattern with 80s and rain in the afternoon which really won't be so bad, but it will still be steamy.

We were supposed to go this past week and I'm kinda glad we didn't because I just can't believe how hot it go so quick (although I do remember going in early May in 2002 and it WAS just as scorching hot which was really unusual for that time of year)!!

I've been shopping for new mister fans and sheesh I haven't had too much luck around here (I mean, we are in FLORIDA!) Maybe they're selling out everywhere LOL (hope not!!)

Well, with the heat and the crowds we'll be hitting the parks early! ENJOY EVERYONE!!

 

[mic_key_mouse]

CheapMom.

We have gone in both the summer and at the slowest time of the year (first 2 weeks of December). If you are not into crowds, get to the park at least 15 minutes before it opens. I always plan to get there 30 minutes before- which results in us getting there 15 minutes before because we almost always run a little late. The truth is that most people can't/won't get up early. Even in June, I ALWAYS have RnRC, Great Movie Ride, Little Mermaid and ToT (at 10 with FP) done before most people arrive at 10 AM or so. Once these are done- the day is a breeze I used MGM as an example because the OP did, but it works in every park. Note the time the OP got to the first ride.

If you are onsite and have EMH- use it. We typically tour from opening until lunch time, take a 3-4 hour break for a swim and a nap, then hop to a non EMH park for the evening. In the summer, we go to the water parks about 4 hours (sometimes 4 1/2-5) before closing. Most people arrive at opening, stay until 2 or 3- then leave. The water parks are much less crowded in the late afternoon. If we get a storm while there- we wait it out and have the park to ourselves after it passes. We usually do a water park after a late night when we plan to sleep in.

I have been asked about the long breaks before, so since I mentioned it I will address it here, too. By that time of day (lunch) I have all the major attractions done with no wait in line. I don't need to be in the park any longer, so we leave to stay out of the heat- which is going to sap the strength of the those in the parks. While 'they' are waiting in lines, we are sleeping in an air conditioned room and wake up refreshed for the evening.

The crowds aren't bad if you go early because there are no crowds. Will you have company at that time of day? Sure you will But nothing compared to the shoulder to shoulder crowds at the parks in the middle of the day.

Each person has to decide if they can do the early morning routine. I don't like fighting through crowds, so I get up Truth is, by day two or three of the vacation I am probably more rested than those that arrived with me (even though they slept in) because I was asleep during the hottest part of the day

Hope this helps you, and you won't worry as much

Blessings,
mic_key_mouse

 

[danny1649]

Will experience the heat and crowds for first time since 1989,we like going off season to avoid crowds and heat.This year grandson's are going and this was only time they could go.

 

[Mskanga]

I will never go again during peak season. I went by myself in December 2002 and I had a blast, MK actually looked like a ghostown at times. Then I took the family in February before presidents weekend , and they all thought I was fooling them when I said it would be better not only because of the crowds but also the weather. We enjoyed it so much more , we walked around not drinking constantly, the lines were minimal (if not a walk on ) . Now they are the ones telling me to go Jan-Feb before presidents weekend, we enjoy it a lot more, sometimes it's just a bit cool but I would rather just carry a light sweatshirt than to be sweating all day long. Even then the rain does not stop us, we get our ponchos and away we go to enjoy the parks.

 

[RC Fan]

Yep, the crowds were heavy for sure.

We went to both BB & TL last week and found them both to be very crowded.

Next time I go will be perhaps in September or October.

 

[TnKrBeLlA012]

Just got back yesterday and I don't think I will ever go back in May again! The heat was just awful you couldnt even enjoy yourself every time we went to a park I couldnt wait to get back to the hotel. I also couldnt beleive how many people were there!

 

[meiandrew]

We just got back as well, and have also sworn off future May visits ! WAYYYYYY too hot ! The most that we could go in the parks was around 2 hrs, without having to go back to the hotel for a break. Even AK yesterday was absolutely packed !!!

Stayed at POR, and while we liked it, like CBR much better.

Think we will stick to our Thanksgiving trips, and maybe an earlier one in March or early April next year. Cant wait till November trip after dealing with this weather !!!

 

[mb1017]

Originally posted by TnKrBeLlA012
Just got back yesterday and I don't think I will ever go back in May again! The heat was just awful you couldnt even enjoy yourself every time we went to a park I couldnt wait to get back to the hotel. I also couldnt beleive how many people were there!

I also went last week in the 95 degree heat. Whew!
I thought I brought enough clothes for a week but went thru everything in a couple of days. I too could only do a few hours in the parks then headed back to the hotel for a cold shower.

Luckily the hotel had a laundry facility. DD4 went swimming while I did laundry... gee I felt like I was home....

 

[ahoff]

We also just returned from 3 days at Vero Beach abd two days at DW. Much hotter at DW! And the most crowded I have ever seen it, we are usually Oct or Nov visitors. Didn't really mind the heat, as it made the pools more inviting. But last night at MK was way more packed than I expected, and we went at 9pm.

When we landed home it was raining, so I miss the sunshine!

 

[wannabee princess]

Originally posted by ahoff
We also just returned from 3 days at Vero Beach abd two days at DW. Much hotter at DW! And the most crowded I have ever seen it, we are usually Oct or Nov visitors. Didn't really mind the heat, as it made the pools more inviting. But last night at MK was way more packed than I expected, and we went at 9pm.

When we landed home it was raining, so I miss the sunshine!

ahoff-
I'd love to see your opinion/review of Vero Beach! We are heading there after a short visit to WDW.

 

[Magic2000]

Mic-key-Mouse - We also tour just like your family!!!! We always get up early and head to the parks. Stay til about lunch time, and then either grab a nice cool sit down lunch in the park or go to one of the hotels for lunch. Take a nap/swim break - then head back to the parks!! It really works!!!

We'll be there for 4th of July - can't wait!!!

 

[Cindie-rella]

How is the heat the end of April? We're going next April 24th thru May 4th. I heard it's not quite as hot or humid then.? Or is it? My original plans were to go April 17 -27th but I was afraid it may still be a little too crowded. (don't want crowds!) I hope I made the right move by moving the res. ahead a week.???!!! We don't like it too hot either. low to mid 80's with low humidity is perfect! Anyone been there late April?

 

[dreamscometrue47]

We were there this past April 18 - 23, which isn't really LATE April, but the weather was absolutely perfect the first 4 days; mid-80's sunny. Towards the end of the week the humidity started to increase and it got a little warmer. I love this time of year.