Late spring 2025 incentives (April 29-July 14)

[AstroBlasters]

The me of even 3 or 4 years ago would be shocked to hear me say this now but hear me out: for the consummate Disney park goer, summer WDW trips are actually kind of appealing. It’s generally a slower time in the parks (outside of July4) and the summer heat forces us to really slow down. We find we really enjoy the resorts so much more during summer and actually utilize all the amenities and relax so much more than usual, especially now that we stay deluxe, it’s a treat to be back at the hotels.

We do a couple of leisure park hours early (will literally go and sit in front of the spitting camel with a dole whip for at least 30mins laughing the whole time at everyone getting surprise spit on), go back to the hotel for a good 5 or 6 hours, nap/have a good meal/pool time, then go back later in the evening for a few more rides and vibes. Idk somehow the warm, muggy summer night air feels like my best childhood memories. We went for 10 days end of June/4th of July last year and then again for 5days in early September and can’t believe we loved it both times.

I know this still isn’t for everyone and I wouldn’t say this if we didn’t also have APs and don’t feel like we’re wasting park tickets (another point to DVC) but it is so much better than you might think it would be. Just have to change the type of trip you’re gonna have, and it’s way less about getting everything done in the parks and more slowing down and enjoying the Disney bubble as a whole.

As an aside, I hate the new LL system because it won’t let you stack rides anymore. It feels like it punishes people who don’t rope drop. We used to stack a ton of rides for the last 3-4 hours of the night and never felt any pressure to do anything specific in the mornings. Just wish they’d let us pick a new LL every 2 hrs like it did previously. Doesn’t mean we’ll get everything we want but at least can have more than 3 rides set up for when we come back to the park in the evening. But other than that no longer going for it, summer trips can be surprisingly pretty great!

I remember that when I first moved from Texas to So Cal I felt cold a lot but then got used to it.

Then I moved from So Cal to the Pac Nw and I once again felt cold a lot, but then got used to it.

Now when we go to So Cal we are quick to feel “hot” and going back to Texas (for work) feels unbearable except at night.

My wife is also very sensitive to humidity.

So, it’s just not worth spending the points and a few thousand dollars for airline tickets, food, and after hour tickets compared to March when the weather was great the entire trip.

 

[jolynne28]

The me of even 3 or 4 years ago would be shocked to hear me say this now but hear me out: for the consummate Disney park goer, summer WDW trips are actually kind of appealing. It’s generally a slower time in the parks (outside of July4) and the summer heat forces us to really slow down. We find we really enjoy the resorts so much more during summer and actually utilize all the amenities and relax so much more than usual, especially now that we stay deluxe, it’s a treat to be back at the hotels.

We do a couple of leisure park hours early (will literally go and sit in front of the spitting camel with a dole whip for at least 30mins laughing the whole time at everyone getting surprise spit on), go back to the hotel for a good 5 or 6 hours, nap/have a good meal/pool time, then go back later in the evening for a few more rides and vibes. Idk somehow the warm, muggy summer night air feels like my best childhood memories. We went for 10 days end of June/4th of July last year and then again for 5days in early September and can’t believe we loved it both times.

I know this still isn’t for everyone and I wouldn’t say this if we didn’t also have APs and don’t feel like we’re wasting park tickets (another point to DVC) but it is so much better than you might think it would be. Just have to change the type of trip you’re gonna have, and it’s way less about getting everything done in the parks and more slowing down and enjoying the Disney bubble as a whole.

As an aside, I hate the new LL system because it won’t let you stack rides anymore. It feels like it punishes people who don’t rope drop. We used to stack a ton of rides for the last 3-4 hours of the night and never felt any pressure to do anything specific in the mornings. Just wish they’d let us pick a new LL every 2 hrs like it did previously. Doesn’t mean we’ll get everything we want but at least can have more than 3 rides set up for when we come back to the park in the evening. But other than that no longer going for it, summer trips can be surprisingly pretty great!

I was actually quoting him from a previous post, but I think he used August snd not July.

We go a lot in the summer, we live here. It is oppressive, everything is sweaty and damp, and you almost can’t drink enough water to make it through the day. But I’d still rather be at WDW than at home. All your points are good ones. But there are some people that absolutely cannot handle the heat. The only thing Disney is failing at IMO in the summer months is not having more/longer EEH. The days are so long, often there’s no park time in the dark, which is when you get some relief from the heat and when the parks are the most magical for us.

 

[Brian Noble]

I remember that when I first moved from Texas to So Cal I felt cold a lot but then got used to it.

My son grew up in Michigan (Michigan!), and now complains when West LA is in the 50s. In fact, in our weekly call today: "The May Grey has started, so I haven't really gone outside much."

 

[VGCgroupie]

Yes, we also discussed how miserable one trip to Hawaii was where the temperature and humidity were lower than Orlando is projected to be.

The nights were OK, but the morning and daytime were oppressive…. even opening up a window could suck the pleasantness out of the room.

We’ll stay in Oregon for July and leave Orlando for March….

When do you like to visit Aulani?

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

I remember that when I first moved from Texas to So Cal I felt cold a lot but then got used to it.

Then I moved from So Cal to the Pac Nw and I once again felt cold a lot, but then got used to it.

Now when we go to So Cal we are quick to feel “hot” and going back to Texas (for work) feels unbearable except at night.

My wife is also very sensitive to humidity.

So, it’s just not worth spending the points and a few thousand dollars for airline tickets, food, and after hour tickets compared to March when the weather was great the entire trip.

Oh for sure it’s not for everyone, or even for most people, I was one of those people most of my life. But changing the type of trip up did make it much, much better. I’m from NY so we run the gamut when it comes to temp and humidity so maybe I’m just a bit more accustomed to the heat and humidity. When we go the rest of the year I find I want to be at the parks for most of it and never get to enjoy the resorts we’ve spent so much money on so it’s been nice to get more resort time. It is a nice change of pace is all. Guess I have to be forced by oppressive weather to chill out and sit on a pool chair once in a while

I was actually quoting him from a previous post, but I think he used August snd not July.

We go a lot in the summer, we live here. It is oppressive, everything is sweaty and damp, and you almost can’t drink enough water to make it through the day. But I’d still rather be at WDW than at home. All your points are good ones. But there are some people that absolutely cannot handle the heat. The only thing Disney is failing at IMO in the summer months is not having more/longer EEH. The days are so long, often there’s no park time in the dark, which is when you get some relief from the heat and when the parks are the most magical for us.

I remember you saying you’re from Florida. Do you ever get used to the temperature? Lol Agreed 1000% on extended evening hours. Even if it only comes back for summers I’d be happy.

 

[PolyRob]

I was always a sucker for a last minute July trip with AP discounts after saying I could never do FL in the summer. WDW opened some great things 2016 - 2019 in the summer including FeA/Soarin' Around the World, Pandora, TSL, and SWGE. The FOMO got me. I remember I booked a Wild Africa Trek (what was I thinking?) one year and cancelled it while walking back to YC from DHS because I thought I would pass out and die from the humidity

I won't risk points for the summer! It's pretty high on the charts outside of hurricane season and cash room discounts tend to be more aggressive if you're flexible with date.

 

[AstroBlasters]

When do you like to visit Aulani?

Anytime.

 

[JackosinDIS]

The me of even 3 or 4 years ago would be shocked to hear me say this now but hear me out: for the consummate Disney park goer, summer WDW trips are actually kind of appealing. It’s generally a slower time in the parks (outside of July4) and the summer heat forces us to really slow down. We find we really enjoy the resorts so much more during summer and actually utilize all the amenities and relax so much more than usual, especially now that we stay deluxe, it’s a treat to be back at the hotels.

We do a couple of leisure park hours early (will literally go and sit in front of the spitting camel with a dole whip for at least 30mins laughing the whole time at everyone getting surprise spit on), go back to the hotel for a good 5 or 6 hours, nap/have a good meal/pool time, then go back later in the evening for a few more rides and vibes. Idk somehow the warm, muggy summer night air feels like my best childhood memories. We went for 10 days end of June/4th of July last year and then again for 5days in early September and can’t believe we loved it both times.

I know this still isn’t for everyone and I wouldn’t say this if we didn’t also have APs and don’t feel like we’re wasting park tickets (another point to DVC) but it is so much better than you might think it would be. Just have to change the type of trip you’re gonna have, and it’s way less about getting everything done in the parks and more slowing down and enjoying the Disney bubble as a whole.

As an aside, I hate the new LL system because it won’t let you stack rides anymore. It feels like it punishes people who don’t rope drop. We used to stack a ton of rides for the last 3-4 hours of the night and never felt any pressure to do anything specific in the mornings. Just wish they’d let us pick a new LL every 2 hrs like it did previously. Doesn’t mean we’ll get everything we want but at least can have more than 3 rides set up for when we come back to the park in the evening. But other than that no longer going for it, summer trips can be surprisingly pretty great!

I’m with you on this. I love my visits in late August. Perhaps I just haven’t experienced a particularly hot summer yet, but I’ve never found it to be too bad - and that’s from someone who lives in the North of England, where the norm is grey skies and drizzle - we all get our shorts on and light the barbecue if it gets above 70 degrees.

Agree with your frustrations on the inability to stack LL. it was so good to be able to sit round the pool until 3pm knowing that you could set off to MK with a full schedule of rides to last until fireworks. That said, I sometimes found it a bit too easy to get everything done and I’m now trying to see it as a nice thing to have a bit of down time in the queues.

I may revisit this opinion after this year’s August trip - we have my 6 month old niece with us and will be spending a bit of time in Epic Universe - I have heard that the lack of shade in celestial park is absolutely brutal.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I think those of you who go to WDW in the Summer are nuts!
I went as a kid and didn't mind it. But I think I'd be miserable going there in the summer as an adult. I get so cranky when it's hot and humid.

There was even a day during our January WDW trip that was borderline too hot for me.

That said, I will do June Disneyland trips and while they are technically too hot....I can handle it way better than I can handle our midwest weather in the summer.

 

[DanCali]

I think those of you who go to WDW in the Summer are nuts!

If you're tied to school calendars, it's one of the more flexible options... especially for those of us who are local and can go for short trips. We try to mitigate the issue by staying close to the parks (no AKV in the summer) and now we also take advantage of the water park entry on the first day.

We have a bunch of trips coming up in June and July and I just got these at Costco for the entire family (they are ~$35 at the warehouse for a 2-pack). Reviews seem good - we'll see how much it helps!

 

[VGCgroupie]

If you're tied to school calendars, it's one of the more flexible options... especially for those of us who are local and can go for short trips. We try to mitigate the issue by staying close to the parks (no AKV in the summer) and now we also take advantage of the water park entry on the first day.

We have a bunch of trips coming up in June and July and I just got these at Costco for the entire family (they are ~$35 at the warehouse for a 2-pack). Reviews seem good - we'll see how much it helps!



View attachment 962875

Had these exact ones for our trip last month. They work well, battery lasts long. They get a bit sweaty on the back of the neck but we still like them. Wish they folded up or something though

 

[ClaraOswald]

I've seen people with those as well. I didn't want to wear something on my neck so I just bought a little handheld fan that fits in my fanny pack when not in use. I've always been known to carry a small umbrella in the park. (Last time, it was destroyed by wind though. Ha!)

 

[Ruttangel]

As an aside, I hate the new LL system because it won’t let you stack rides anymore. It feels like it punishes people who don’t rope drop. We used to stack a ton of rides for the last 3-4 hours of the night and never felt any pressure to do anything specific in the mornings. Just wish they’d let us pick a new LL every 2 hrs like it did previously. Doesn’t mean we’ll get everything we want but at least can have more than 3 rides set up for when we come back to the park in the evening. But other than that no longer going for it, summer trips can be surprisingly pretty great!

It’s not quite the same but there is a way to stack LL’s on the day by letting some expire
https://allears.net/2025/01/27/this-disney-world-lightning-lane-hack-is-so-sneaky-it-feels-illegal/

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

It’s not quite the same but there is a way to stack LL’s on the day by letting some expire
https://allears.net/2025/01/27/this-disney-world-lightning-lane-hack-is-so-sneaky-it-feels-illegal/

Interesting so an hour+ after a LL expires you can book another one? We’ve definitely used LLs well after expiry and have never had issue so I know that works, but I don’t think I’ve been able to book another LL until I went in manually and canceled even the expired one. Like it only lets you have 3 on the app in total, doesn’t matter their status? But I admit, I’ve never actively tried doing this so I’ll have to try again next time. Logistically this will be difficult but if it worked even to add 1 or 2 more for an afternoon/evening park day, I’d try.

 

[ChipTheRescueRanger]

The $500 D23 is still available it’s in the savings passport.

Will read over the t&c and report back

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

Interesting so an hour+ after a LL expires you can book another one? We’ve definitely used LLs well after expiry and have never had issue so I know that works, but I don’t think I’ve been able to book another LL until I went in manually and canceled even the expired one. Like it only lets you have 3 on the app in total, doesn’t matter their status? But I admit, I’ve never actively tried doing this so I’ll have to try again next time. Logistically this will be difficult but if it worked even to add 1 or 2 more for an afternoon/evening park day, I’d try.

My question/issue is that I presume you can only have 1 top tier (often the only decent LL) FP until you’ve actually tapped in to your first attraction, right? So for example, if you’re at MK, I guess you could have your original SpaceMtn sitting there expired, but can you then book Peter Pan or is it only T2 rides?

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

My question/issue is that I presume you can only have 1 top tier (often the only decent LL) FP until you’ve actually tapped in to your first attraction, right? So for example, if you’re at MK, I guess you could have your original SpaceMtn sitting there expired, but can you then book Peter Pan or is it only T2 rides?

Hmm no clue. I’m not even sure it works to add more rides without canceling or using 1 so it’s definitely something I’m willing to try out next time. If we go over the summer we’re not going to be using LL much in the morning so I’ll guinea pig some of this lol But my assumption, if this actually works, is that it’ll allow you to choose any ride after the first set of three that follow the tier rules. As it currently stands, once you scan into your first ride, doesn’t matter which tier, you can book anything you want after that if it’s available. Again, if this works, I think it’ll be the same.

 

[PolyRob]

My question/issue is that I presume you can only have 1 top tier (often the only decent LL) FP until you’ve actually tapped in to your first attraction, right? So for example, if you’re at MK, I guess you could have your original SpaceMtn sitting there expired, but can you then book Peter Pan or is it only T2 rides?

The tiers are not opened by letting something expire. *In your scenario you could book a single tier 1 to replace the expired tier 1, but you are still restricted to the LLMP tiers until you use any of the LLMP. Using a tier 1 OR a tier 2 you will allow you to book additional tier 1s. That's why some people book a throwaway LL for the first attraction they can find near the park entrance so they can run in, tap, and are then free to book anything they want throughout the day regardless of tier so long as they only hold 3 active LLMP.

*edited for clarity

 

[AstroBlasters]

The tiers are not opened by letting something expire. In your scenario you could not book another tier 1 until you used the expired Space Mountain OR a tier 2 you also have booked. Using a tier 2 will also allow you to book another tier 1. That's why some people book a throwaway LL for the first attraction they can find near the park entrance so they can run in, tap, and are then free to book anything they want throughout the day regardless of tier so long as they only hold 3 active LLMP.

My understanding is that once you’re in the park, there are no more tiers. I think that’s what you are saying.

 

[PolyRob]

My understanding is that once you’re in the park, there are no more tiers. I think that’s what you are saying.

Yes, as soon as you have redeemed any LLMP regardless of tier, the tiers are out the window and you can then hold up to three active LLMP of any tier.