Need some advice from you experts...

[MelKemp]

Hello everyone, I'm new here on the boards and let me tell you first how much I've already enjoyed just reading your tips, questions, and replies! My husband and I have planned a trip to WDW for us and our 3 kids(14,9,8) this summer. It's been over 20 years since the last time I was in Florida(especially in the summer)! Are we completely insane for going the last week of June? People have told me that we won't enjoy it because it will be so humid and hot. So what advice can you all give me? Thanks!!

 

[goofyernmost]

It can be very hot and humid that time of year in Florida. WDW has many escapes all inside attractions are air conditioned and they have misting stations and the ever popular "water splash rides".

Move slowly, stay in the shade as much as possible, drink a lot of water and take breaks if you can during the midday. Go back in the evening when it is cooler. Whenever you start feeling really warm just imagine how the person in the goofy costume must be feeling.

Have fun!!

 

[las3888]

I'd rather go and deal with the heat than not go at all! It will be hot and humid, but all the lines are in shade or inside even for alot of attractions. Expect crowds at the parks, pools and the water parks. Disney does a fairly good job of dealing with crowds...try to get 'fast passes' when offered and go to the parks early in the AM (best time) and then again later in the evening. The parks should be opened for longer so you should be able to see everything you want while working around the heat.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by MelKemp
Hello everyone, I'm new here on the boards and let me tell you first how much I've already enjoyed just reading your tips, questions, and replies! My husband and I have planned a trip to WDW for us and our 3 kids(14,9,8) this summer. It's been over 20 years since the last time I was in Florida(especially in the summer)! Are we completely insane for going the last week of June? People have told me that we won't enjoy it because it will be so humid and hot. So what advice can you all give me? Thanks!!

It can be very hot and humid, but unless you are esp. sensitive to heat and humidity it shouldn't be too bad. I have gone in the summer and I LOVE the heat and humidity (of course, as you can see, I'm from Boston, where it's winter for , like, 9 months out of every year ).

In the parks, the heat is not that bad. Many attractions are indoors and provide excellent escapes from the heat. The world showcase at Epcot may seem bad in the heat, but sit down and have a snack at an indoor cafe and duck into the movies and shops to cool off. You'll be fine.

My last trip was this past Feb and most days, I had to walk around in a sweater and one day I had to wear a hat and gloves
so I'm jealous of your summer trip!

 

[my3princes]

Wear light colored clothing and stay away from cotton. Especially cotton socks. Your feet will swear and the cotton keep moisure in and caused me some nasty blisters last trip. Synthetics are supposed to be much better. My kids like the water spray bottles with the fans, but by at home and bring with you because very $$ in parks.

 

[AimeeM]

If I had the choice of summer or not at all, of course I would go. But I would never choose summer for 2 reasons- heat & crowds. We have gone every January since 99, and snuck in extra trips Thanksgiving 02 and early October 03. I have been there in January when its been 30 and when its been in the mid 80's. Im from Pittsburgh, and we go to WDW when its freezing here. I want it to be warm, but not hot. The year it was in the 80's, was hot!! I had a 3 month old with us, and I remember being at animal kingdom and everyone being all sweaty!! blah!! We also had a heat spell this past October while we were there. IT was a little more crowded in October, but it was HOT & HUMID!! All I kept saying was "im never coming back in early october" lol We went then so we could do the Mickeys Not So Scarey Halloween Party, and we all dressed up. It was hot hot hot that day. We went to Blizzard beach first, then to the party. I was sweaty all night. I kept thinking, it will cool down, it will cool down. Well, it never cooled down..haha.. WE left the party at midnight and I was STILL sweaty. I can not even imagine standing in long lines in summer with the temps at their highest. Id much rather have warm days, cooler nights and wear a sweat shirt if needed. Is there any way you can go at another time of year? Thanksgiving works well for us because our kids are off 6 days. Im sure no matter when you go you will have an awesome time. Ive just been rather spoiled by going in the off season with no crowds and usually no sweltering temps.

 

[MelKemp]

Thanks guys for all your advice!! With it being the first time that we've ever been, there's alot I'm finding out and alot of questions I'm sure I will be asking all ya'll! Another question I have is, we're not staying inside the parks(I'll probably learn from this trip that will be my first mistake HA HA) when you have the hopper passes are you able to leave(to go back to your condo) and come back later for the parades, etc? I didn't know if they would let you re-enter or if you had to pay for parking or what have ya all over again....

I told ya I had alot of questions:happy1:

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

Just be thankful you're not going in August.

 

[shortbun]

Reserve sit down lunch and dinners so you have rest in A/C.
That saved us in early June and 96degrees. Eat lots of
ice cream, stay on site so you can take pool breaks. Wear
comfortable light colored clothing and hats.
BTW, I disagree with earlier poster and cotton, I say cotton
is the best thing to wear. As far as blisters go, I take a change
of socks and switch to dry ones part way through the day.
I also take moleskin for hot spots and lightly spray my feet
with anti-perspirant on the first day. I don't do it every day as
ones feet do need to sweat.
Go slow and early.

 

[SBarrett]

MelKemp,

You can leave the major parks and return as you please with the hopper tickets (get your hand stamped when you exit a park). Since you're an off-property guest, you pay a daily parking fee ($7) at the major parks, but you can use the daily receipt to reenter the same or another parking area on the same day. I live near WDW and I go any time of the year. In the summer, expect heat and crowds (and plan accordingly). I like to tour early mornings and evenings in the summer, resting in a cool place in the afternoons after lunch. Drink lots of water, protect against sunburn and watch after your feet (thin noncotton socks - like CoolMax socks - help prevent blisters). To handle the crowds, use FASTPASS liberally, plan to arrive at shows early, and don't stand in long lines if you can avoid them. You can have a terrific time, even in summer, with good planning!

Steven Barrett, author of "The Hassle-Free Walt Disney World Vacation" and the "Hidden Mickeys" book, both published by The Intrepid Traveler Publishers

 

[SBarrett]

MelKemp,

You can leave the major parks and return as you please with the hopper tickets (get your hand stamped when you exit a park). Since you're an off-property guest, you pay a daily parking fee ($7) at the major parks, but you can use the daily receipt to reenter the same or another parking area on the same day. I live near WDW and I go any time of the year. In the summer, expect heat and crowds (and plan accordingly). I like to tour early mornings and evenings in the summer, resting in a cool place in the afternoons after lunch. Drink lots of water, protect against sunburn and watch after your feet (thin noncotton socks - like CoolMax socks - help prevent blisters). To handle the crowds, use FASTPASS liberally, plan to arrive at shows early, and don't stand in long lines if you can avoid them. You can have a terrific time, even in summer, with good planning!

Steven Barrett, author of "The Hassle-Free Walt Disney World Vacation" and the "Hidden Mickeys" book, both published by The Intrepid Traveler Publishers

 

[AimeeM]

Hi MelKamp
Just wondering where you are staying and why you chose not to stay on property!

 

[MelKemp]

We have a friend who owns a condo about 10-15 minutes from WDW and it's only costing $300 for the week to stay there, and when you have 3 kids you're not able to stay in the value resorts inside the park. I think once we get there and my husband sees how much fun it really is (and get past the heat and crowds), he'll realize he was wrong with his idea of staying offsite.

Man, the things we have to do to prove a point to our "thickskulled" husbands!