Need Help Deciding Dates

[Red_Rider]

Hi All, it's been four years since we've taken a trip to Disney World and we wanted to go this summer to Disney and Universal -- timing mostly due to work schedules. The two timeframes we are looking at are 6/25-7/3 or 8/20-8/29. I'm looking for any advice on these, both pros and cons, I'm having a hard time deciding!

Thanks so much!

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

I have no experience with this, but I would think 8/20-8/29 would be less crowded. I am a teacher, and I know that every school in our area is back in school by the beginning of August. I would think both dates would be equally miserable as far as heat.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would do August. Yes, it will be hot, but we've gone the last week of August for the past 9 years and the crowds have always been very low. Just be prepared to drink lots of water and take mid-day breaks.

 

[Ladyandthepuppies]

From what I can see, it looks like ticket prices are lower for the August week which means Disney is anticipating lower crowds that week. That would make the decision for me!

 

[shh]

august will be less crowded...odds are it will be a little hotter and more humid. Aug/Sept are typically the hottest, most humid months of the year.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

august will be less crowded...odds are it will be a little hotter and more humid. Aug/Sept are typically the hottest, most humid months of the year.

I guess I stand corrected. Like I said, I have no experience with this. I've never been in August. I have been in June and July several years ago, and I can't imagine anything being hotter than that!

 

[Disneyfan754321]

Muckeys not so scary Halloween party starts in the end of August..... its awesome worth the wait just for that.. the less crowd is a added plus

 

[loves to dive]

I picked August. A lot of kids will be back in school by then. As far as weather, it will be hot in June and it will be hot in August. It will rain in June it will rain August. I have noticed though that school schedules don't seem to matter much any more. I've been just about every month of the year and there have been loads of kids around, I'm guessing home schooling and just taking them out of school. August will be the beginning of F&W if history repeats itself and I'm all about F&W.

 

[Red_Rider]

We've been in late August before and the humidity has been horrible, is it that way in June as well? That's one of my big concerns...

 

[shh]

I guess I stand corrected. Like I said, I have no experience with this. I've never been in August. I have been in June and July several years ago, and I can't imagine anything being hotter than that!

yup...many visitors make that mistake -especially those arriving in September...they get here with typical fall clothes in the suitcase and not enough summer stuff. It's totally logical to think because Aug/Sept are closer to fall = cooler. But not here.

Sept is really brutal- I dread it every year. Bad humidity when rest of country is starting to enjoy sweater weather - i get so jealous. lol. And smack in middle of hurricane season too. I crank up the AC and hide indoors from Aug through Oct lol. Strangely, June/early July is very hot...but to me, the humidity never feels as bad.

But Aug is definitely quieter in the parks.

 

[brockash]

We've been in late August before and the humidity has been horrible, is it that way in June as well? That's one of my big concerns...

August will be a bit more miserable weather wise than June/July and more chances of rain and possible hurricanes arounds; however it'll still be hot, humid, rain chances in June/July as well. Neither are nice in terms of weather, however late Aug. should be less crowded.

 

[Aj1129]

We go every end of August. The prices are better for us and I find it’s a bit less crowded. It’s HOT!! We have to take breaks each afternoon and be prepared for rain each day. It will downpour and then be done.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

yup...many visitors make that mistake -especially those arriving in September...they get here with typical fall clothes in the suitcase and not enough summer stuff. It's totally logical to think because Aug/Sept are closer to fall = cooler. But not here.

Sept is really brutal- I dread it every year. Bad humidity when rest of country is starting to enjoy sweater weather - i get so jealous. lol. And smack in middle of hurricane season too. I crank up the AC and hide indoors from Aug through Oct lol. Strangely, June/early July is very hot...but to me, the humidity never feels as bad.

But Aug is definitely quieter in the parks.

We've been the last few days of September and the first week of October several times. I never found it to be as bad as the week we went in June (second week of 2016 when they had an abnormal massive heat wave with near record temps) and the third week of July 2005. Never will I go those months again! And August would be out for me, too. OP, I would still choose the last week of August if those were the only dates you have to choose between just because of the crowds and like a PP said, Food & Wine Festival!

 

[aloha517]

Another vote for August ! Yes .. it’s hot but you have a nice long trip planned with plenty of time for rest and relaxation.. lower crowds and you can do the Halloween party !

 

[Ksquared]

I have always said I'd never go in the summer but we went this past August and as long as you realize it will be hot and humid and plan accordingly, you will have a wonderful time

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I guess I stand corrected. Like I said, I have no experience with this. I've never been in August. I have been in June and July several years ago, and I can't imagine anything being hotter than that!

We went the last week of July and the last week of August in 2019. This was the first time we had gone in July and for some reason, I found the heat to be more oppressive in July! It probably changes from year to year, but, especially with the lower crowds in August, I definitely preferred August over July.

 

[dledger]

We’ve been both of these time periods. Honestly they’re pretty comparable. The only difference we would note is July 3rd. We did breakfast at Kona then went to MK to grab a sweatshirt to bring home (our last day). We said maybe we will stay and do some rides. Nope. Main Street was crazy. We went to Epcot and it was better but we didn’t stay long. Really that’d be the only thing I’d note for the difference of either of these.

 

[sponica]

With July 3rd being the "observed" holiday this year, I think that week will probably be crowded.

I'd do August in a heartbeat. I did a week in August about a decade ago. I DON'T remember the heat. I'm sure it was hot/humid but I was also in Florida in August (and quite honestly, the northeast is generally as hot/humid whenever I've gone to FL in the summer).

I also grew up without A/C so i think I'm a little more used to being miserable in the summer.