NEVER again in summer!!

[pixarmom]

I also love the beach, and that's where we're headed in August. We usually go to WDW between December and March. But my husband suggested a non-Disney trip for my July birthday, and I said I would rather use the APs we got in March to surprise our boys with a quick Disney trip!

Threads like these made me second-guess our decision to do a July trip. But we got a great AP rate, great airfare, and we've received really helpful advice from so many of you summer vets here (yay for the awesome posters on the resort board's BC/YC thread!!) We'll be back in February 2011 before our APs expire, so we won't be in a rush to do everything in the parks. So I'm still optimistic about our surprise and our trip!

 

[torinsmom]

OP, sorry you didn't enjoy your vacation! I am sure that is disappointing.

I AM glad that some people choose not to go in the summer. Not being mean at all, but it does reduce the crowds. Besides, why would anyone mind me saying I am glad you don't go during the summer if you don't WANT to go then? I'm a teacher and my son's school has a different Spring Break than me. And there is no way I am getting into the crowds at Christmas! Summer is our only chance and we do pretty well.

We were there June 16-25, and the only time I found the heat to be unbearable was when we decided to eat lunch in China and went the long way by accident. Every other day, by the time the sun and the crowds got their worst, we were back at our condo relaxing and when we returned at 6 or 7, things had settled down(both crowds and heat). We got free ice water every hour and alternated hot rides with indoor rides or shows. When it got really hot, we'd get a frozen drink or a Dole Whip--yum! We are from NC, so we are used to the heat and humidity and even the thunderstorms.

I'll take WDW over the beach any day!

Marsha

 

[DemonLlama]

It's also a matter of heat tolerance. My guys are headed down to the Manning Passing Academy this coming in week for the 4th year, in Thibodaux, Lousiana and they LOVE it. I would be completely miserable every hour of the day due to the heat and humidity.

That's why we've never tried a summer WDW trip. I'd rather have the Christmas crowds and the cooler weather, especially for the cost of the trip.

I lived the first 37 years of my life in and around the Houston area and dreaded the heat 9 months out of the year. No way can I fathom a trip to WDW in it.

But others seem genetically predispositioned for it not to bother them as much. They sweat, but it doesn't grind them down the way it seems to do others (me).

 

[TLinden16]

I'm going to move this to our trip report board.

 

[Later_Mater2009]

We went in July last year and I know what you mean about the heat but we live Alabama SOUTH alabama so heat and humidity we are use to, alotho, we vowed to go in a cooler month next time, we went in summer cause that was the only time to go for us that time. kids outta school.. etc.. we made the best of it tho, and still were able to enjoy the magic.

 

[mamalisala]

We are leaving in 22 days. And our last trip was in August (2 yrs ago). I HATE the humidity and couldn't believe I agreed that last time to go. Honestly, my anxiety about the heat and humidity was worse than the it actually was. We stayed hydrated and really we were fine. I'm usually MISERABLE in that type of weather, but the magic outdid the misery. We are doing it again because I am a teacher. No choice. It's this or Spring Break - which we have done. And that is worse! THe prices are horific and the crowds insane. Our district now has a VERY strict attendance policy and it could mean not getting credit for classes if a student misses more than 20 days doctor's note or not! While that is a month (if you think about it) you would be surprised at how many families abuse the 20 days.
As a teacher, it really disrupts the flow when parents take their children out of school for vacation. Inevitably what they miss in class is not just handled in the work they can take on the trip.

At any rate, people travel when they travel and people do what they want.
All in all... stay hydrated, take breaks and let the magic take over!!!!

 

[MickeyEars]

We were there May 26-June 4 and we were absolutely miserable. I promised if we made it home alive we would not return at that time of year!! I hate being sticky and sweaty as soon as you step outside your resort room and that's exactly what we were every single day. Our next trip will be the first week of January 2012!! I don't care if we have to wear coats and mittens I'd rather do that than sweat non-stop!!

Carla

 

[mom2rtk]

We went the end of June in 2004. We made rope drop every day and tried applying sunscreen while standing in line. Big mistake. The sweat was already dripping off our faces by then and the sunscreen kept getting in our eyes.

Yuck.......

 

[acejka]

Sorry you had a not so great time.... I do agree with the others that said you get used to the heat-I grew up with no AC and worked outside in VA summer heat every summer so I am used to the heat, and when we moved to Orlando, I was surprised, everyone was telling me how hot it would be here, but I don't find it bad at all.... In fact I tried to go to the pool a couple hours ago and it was too cold for us. ( I haven't been here too long so maybe the worst is yet to come)

That being said, I keep my house under 70... I like the house to be freezing so I can wrap up in comfy sweatshirts or blankets...

 

[whitneyNC]

I love fleece jacket mornings in the MK. We have "frozen" in October and "burned up" in Dec (mid 80s). I have been to Fla in the summer and can't imagine spending day after day in paved theme parks. The heat, the crowd, the smell of the crowd...could not do it. Hope your next trip is better!

 

[kimbo0569]

Sorry your Dh was ill during your vacation. I have to agree with your feelings about going down in the summer months. We've done it both during the summer and other times of the year....And honestly, now that dh is not locked into certain months to take his time off, I tend to stay away during June/July/August. The last time we went down was in Sept and while it was warm, it was comfortable and lovely to walk around and enjoy ourselves. Before that, we had gone down in July and August because that's when dh could take vacation and there were some days we were just dripping with sweat before we even walked into the parks.

The next trip we take down, hopefully next year, we are aiming for Sept/October or right after Thanksgiving so we can see the Christmas decorations.

 

[d96j97]

On a side note; we are trying December this year and have never gone then. Can you tell me a little about the wait times I should expect and anything not to be missed?

CCgirl...

I am sooooooooo jealous that you are going in December. In my opinion...it is the absolute BEST time of the year to go! The decorations are beautiful and we've never waited in line more than 15 minutes for any of the rides...most were 0-10 minute waits. There were times that the CMs let us just stay on the ride and go again because there was no one in line. Granted, that is for the first two weeks of December. From what I've heard...it gets much busier closer to Christmas. We've gone 3 times in December and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! Hope your visit is magical!

 

[d96j97]

How were the waterparks when you were there? (if you went)

Typhoon Lagoon was a major wait! The water temp. was 87 degrees and the wait for most of the rides were 30 minutes. Heck...I felt like I had to work just to have fun. Because it was so hot...by the time I carried the intertube up to the top of the ride, I was exhausted. Mind you...I'm only 4'11" and weigh about 110lbs. so maybe that is why I was partly exhausted. The water was so warm that it really didn't refresh you. We stayed for about 4 hours and called it quits.

 

[teacher1717]

You should check out the "taking kids out of school" thread!!! We takes ours out every fall for a WDW trip. Last i checked there were no rules saying you couldnt take kids out for a week!!!!!

Actually, in my area you can't just take kids out. Vacation is truancy and not an excusable excuse. They will take you to court, you pay a fine, and the kids are not allowed to make up ANY work. They get 0s for every assignment/test they missed. So obviously not everyone can go during the school year.

 

[crostorfer]

We can relate to your situation. We went one time the end of June first of July. My son, 16 at the time, got so sick from the heat that we had to take him to the first aid clinic at MK where he stayed for 1 1/2 hours trying to cool down. They, by the way, were wonderful. It was so humid that you could feel the air. He felt like he could not breath and started getting sick and dizzy. We spent the rest of our vacation going to the movies in DD and spending time inside. After that trip we decided we would never do another summer trip. We have gone the end of September 3 times, our forth time will be this September, and find it much more manageable. Being from the Pacific NW we are not used to this kind of heat/humidity.

Thanks for saying that, you just made me feel a lot better. I am worried about not being able to tolerate the heat. We wore sweatshirts, knit caps and UGGs to watch the fireworks last night and still had to wrap up in a blanket for warmth! LOL

 

[whitneyNC]

Actually, in my area you can't just take kids out. Vacation is truancy and not an excusable excuse. They will take you to court, you pay a fine, and the kids are not allowed to make up ANY work. They get 0s for every assignment/test they missed. So obviously not everyone can go during the school year.

I'd move systems. They are my kids. I understand that school attendance is compulsory, but in 99% of this country court ordered truancy trials are not how you described above. A week's absence with a note they were with their family? That's ridiculous. I know getting these days excused is sometimes a hassle; but cases involving kids being given an opportunity to make up work always side with the kid. Nearly all of my kids teachers have worked with us. Sometimes they have quite an involved assignment in order to get the days excused, sometimes not. I (as a teacher) am required to provide even suspended kids with all of their work and for unexcused (no documentation at all) absences. Where do you live?
Hope your summer trip is a good one. I live in the humid South, but couldn't do it. Obviously lots of people do and enjoy it.

 

[WdwforLife]

I truly don't understand how anyone can go to WDW in the summertime. I don't find "sweating" entertaining...and I'm a Florida native.

Perhaps those who have children in school? Or those in school themselves? It's not hard to understand. If Disney has taught us anything, it's to use your imagination

 

[teacher1717]

I honestly don't find it miserable at all. Growing up we always went in early November. But, now that I am a teacher, I have no choice. Is it hot, yes, but doable. We go to the park at opening and get on everything we want, take a mid-day break to swim and then back in the evening. Sunscreen and lots of fluids are essential as is a hat/visor/sunglasses. Every store/ride in in air-conditioning so it is not hard to find a spot to cool off.

I say, to each his own. I would never go during Christmas or Thanksgiving, but some people LOVE it then.

However, right now NJ is in the middle of a heat wave. It is currently 98 degrees, so really Florida won't be much different.

 

[WdwforLife]

I honestly don't find it miserable at all. Growing up we always went in early November. But, now that I am a teacher, I have no choice. Is it hot, yes, but doable. We go to the park at opening and get on everything we want, take a mid-day break to swim and then back in the evening. Sunscreen and lots of fluids are essential as is a hat/visor/sunglasses. Every store/ride in in air-conditioning so it is not hard to find a spot to cool off.

I agree, I actually don't mind the heat at all and I've gone all times of the year. I, believe it or not, actually prefer it to be extremely hot. To me, it just doesn't feel like Disney if it's not hot. I could never go to the parks when it was 65 or 70 degrees. No way. Plus it makes the air conditioned rides and shops that much more relaxing

Sure it gets sweaty and hot and you drink a lot of water but we're so busy having so much fun that we don't even notice. We just keep ourselves hydrated, take occasional air conditioned breaks, shower in the late afternoon and head out to dinner refreshed and ready for some more Disney action!!!