Opinions/Recommendations needed - June/July or August

[First timer]

I had this posted elsewhere on the board and received only one response - it was suggested that I move it here so....

My family and I went to WDW for the very first time June 28, 2006 - July 4th.
I am planning next years trip (because we loved it - and of course have so much more to experience) more or less around the same time. However, I was wondering if perhaps August might not be a better time as far as crowds go (I know its hot - but it was super hot when we went anyway). I have noticed a couple of postings that mentioned it being light end of August. I'm not sure if this has to do w/it being hurricane season or that the children are back in school.

So you disney experts - your opinions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[monorailsilver]

I actually prefer August.

We live in CT so I am used to heat & humidity so it is not a big deal say if I was from Alaska going in August (FTR, I have never been to Alaska & they could have Heat & Humidity too but I just don't know).

Last year we went mid-July to the end of July & it was crowded.

The previous trip we went mid-August & it was less crowded. I want to say because alot of kids are back in school at that time.

Yes it is hot but every ride has A/C, you wear a hat & you just don't rush.

We take mid-day breaks & swim in the pool. And then we go back between 4-5 to the park.

Yes it rains but usually it isn't for the entire day & if it is raining for the entire day, the MK IMO is the easiest park to do in the rain.

My husband said we are going to go in June the next time we go since we won't go during school vacation (we have been there the week before Easter & never want to go at break time again). But I told him June is crowded too & I told him August is the best time to go in the summer.

 

[nhpooh]

We have been the end of August and the crowds are down. I think it's because most children are back in school. Yes it is hot, but as you said you were there when it was hot.

 

[PrincessV]

I can tell you most FL schools go back mid-August, which contributes to a slower time at WDW. Also, the annual snow-birds are still up north, cutting down on tourism in general.
I, personally, will never again go in Aug or Sept. due to the heat. BUT, I suspect northerners may have a leg-up on us Floridians when it comes to tolerating the heat. Sound strange, I know, but think about this: when I grew up in NY, we didn't have AC and spent nearly every day of summer outdoors, playing, doing yard work, etc. Sure, it was 85, not 95 degrees, but our bodies were fairly adjusted to doing stuff in the heat and sun. Fast forward to my life in FL now - I spend less than 2 minutes outdoors each day, going from AC'd house to AC'd car to AC'd office and back. I just spent a weekend at WDW and absolutely melted!
All that to say, if you feel reaonably comfortable doing outdoor things in the summer up there, I highly recommend avoiding the crowds and aiming for late Aug.

 

[bpitzer20]

We went at the end of August last year, and it was incredibly hot and rained every afternoon for a short period of time, it may do that throughout the summer, though, I'm not sure. The crowds were very light, which was great.

 

[First timer]

Thank you all. I am convinced! We are switching the reservations to end of August!

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

I wonder if I should post this, since, if I say go in August to everyone, then it won't be as uncrowded, but.......... how can I deny a Dis'er?

I think the proof of Aug/Sept being the slowest time of year is that Disney has offered numerous great deals during this time, including Free Dining two years in a row. With a lot of schools just starting, heat/hummidity, the chance of a hurricane, and no big special events like the Food/Garden Fest. or Halloween/Christmas...........attendance is just down.

We were there from Aug. 20th thru Sept. 1st. The first week was a little more crowded than the second, but nowhere near the crowds you get in June. ( I have never been in July) It was much busier when we went last Nov./Dec.

I hate the heat and humidity.........November weather is my style. But I will take the heat with low crowds. And it was really fun having the parks open until 10pm. The one EMH night, the MK was open from 10pm to 1am. I remember doing that when I was a teen. So cool!!

 

[Trini]

We were there aug 20-28 and it was really a great trip. It was very hot and very humid and yes it did rain, but the rainy times were actually the best times to do the parks. Most people run and hide, which left the rides and attractions much easier to visit. And it cooled us off!

This was our first trip, so I dont have anything to compare it to, but the lines were great. We never really had to wait more than 10 -15 minutes for anything. A couple rides had hour waits, but we just got fast passes for them, or came back later.

I go to Disneyland a lot, we live very close and the crowd levels there are NEVER as low as we experienced at Disney World. I'd say late August is a great time to go.

 

[mla2177]

My brother goes w/ his family every year the last week of August, and he said it is great as far as the crowds go!

Whatever you do, don't go the week of 4th of July!!!!!! we made that mistake and hardly went on anything.

 

[First timer]

I wonder if I should post this, since, if I say go in August to everyone, then it won't be as uncrowded, but.......... how can I deny a Dis'er?


I don't blame you!!


We were there aug 20-28 and it was really a great trip. It was very hot and very humid and yes it did rain, but the rainy times were actually the best times to do the parks. Most people run and hide, which left the rides and attractions much easier to visit. And it cooled us off!


Actually it rained quite a bit when we went in June/July as well. What's a little rain when you are in Disney anyway! We did see lots of people running out of the parks during the big rain storms that generally blew over after a short period of time anyway.

As for the lines - that was one of the biggest perks for us to switch travel times. I mean if we are going to swelter anyway it may as well be with less people around!