Really, how bad are the summers?

[FreeTime]

I am planning a trip once school is our (June 13). How big are the crowds? I will be traveling with 5 kids ages 2-13 and one grandpa. We have always went during the slower times of the year and I was wondering if it is going to be so crowded the the kids won't have any fun (well I'm sure they will have fun, afterall it is Disney, just not as much as usual). Thanks

 

[DNSDisney]

The middle of June is hot humid and crowded. But not as crowded as holiday. Just drink a lot of water, don't wear jeans (as my Dh insist on doing at times), you'll be fine

 

[grinningghost]

I LOVE summer at WDW! And that's even with us being rained on non-stop every trip. Yes, it's hot and humid. Yes, the crowds are huge, but FastPass has definitely helped. The biggest advantage to going in summer is this - the parks generally have longer hours, which gives you time to utilize the pools and waterparks, or take that much needed nap. Usually all the parades are running, and attractions which have limited hours have at least some open hours during summer.

Besides, the crowds are heavy, but it really makes for a festive atmosphere. At least that's the way I like to look at it.

Drink lots of water, carry a Misty Mate and eat a sit-down meal in an air conditioned restaurant during the hottest part of the day. It will be OK.

 

[dzneelvr]

Once our kids got older and taking them out of school wasn't an option, summer became our primo time!!
Good advice on the thread so far--remember to slow down a bit, especially with a 2yo. Use the pools at your resort and make sure everyone gets a chance to sleep in--no character breakfasts at 9am!! We hit the pool after breakfast every day and begin the Park Experience by late morning as we stay there till it closes!
Seek out shows in AC when you can and like I said earlier--slow the pace and dress for HOT weather--now is not the time to layer.
See ya in the summer of 2004 !!

 

[mcnuss]

I'll be the contrarian here and say that I'd rather not go to WDW again if I could only go in the summer. I hate the heat more than anything!

To me, it is unpleasant. I did it once and never again. The latest we go is first week of May. It is hot, humid, crowded, smelly. It rains - a lot. If you can go at any time, do it. Go over Thanksgiving or Christmas, the crowds will be the same and it's usually around 65 degrees.

If you must go in summer, go as early in June as possible.

JMHO.

Good luck!!

 

[Plan Man]

We had a blast in JUne but it was very very hot. I too like the festive atmosphere and the late closings.

 

[happy mom of 6]

I have been to WDW in June and it was so hot that I saw a CM that was working an ice cream cart faint and fall to the ground. I am assuming it was from the heat. The crowds were about average. Given a choice I would never go in the summer again because of the heat.

 

[allicat]

I've been in June and August and will be returning this August.
Its not that bad! If you are the type of person who absolutely cant tolerate heat, then you will be miserable. Otherwise, put your hair up, wear light clothing, drink lots of liquid and have fun. Take a mid afternoon break back at the resort to nap or swim in the pool and you will be fine.

 

[MrsPete]

Summer is the ONLY time to go!

The longer hours mean you can take a good long break at mid-day and still have plenty of time to get everything done at the parks. You do have to plan carefully, but I think it's much more for your money. Additionally, you can take full advantage of the water parks in the summer.

The heat doesn't bother me in the least -- I live in the deep South. If I stopped for the heat, I'd be quite non-productive from June to September.

 

[Connears]

We have been in June twice and are retuning this June 22-27. It is not an option to take our DS out of school as he is in 7th grade and it is frowned upon and he may or may not be able to make up the work(its at the teacher,s discretion). We love June..late hours.. it does get hot, but we hit the pools or ac for a rest in afternoon and return in the evening. You just have to pace yourself. If you go before the 4th July week the crowds are very manageable. We really enjoy this time.
Connears

 

[Darian]

Freetime,

The heat thing concerns me too. The humidity makes the heat pretty nasty. Out here in socal, temps around 110 are not that unusual in the summer... BUT its a dry heat and as long as you drink water, its not that noticable. It feels more like 85 in florida.

If you have heart disease or other chronic sort of condition, I'd recomend avoiding those hot summers. I go thru a lot of nitro spray but I can keep on truckin'. Either that or hang out in the Epcot coke freezy place... what is that called? Where it snows in thing. Weird. Wonderful!

The only stinky thing about going in cooler times is timekeep and COP are closed....

Darian

 

[jimmalru80]

Have made 5 trips in mid to late June and we are going again 6/25 to 7/2. It takes a little thinking and some prep. Use the EMH, take a mid-day break, drink lots of water, use FP, have a "rough" plan and you will be fine. Enjoy the longer park hours, take a moment to "watch" the crowds, and realize how lucky you are to be in WDW in the first place.

 

[BethR]

The last time we went to WDW it was the 2nd week of August and we will be going again this year the 3rd week of August.

We had gone in October, September, and May before that.

I had been very concerned about the heat - no one in our family cares for ANY extremes in temperature. But saying that, somehow we had a great time! Perhaps because it was our third time there and we were more relaxed, I don't know. I just know that we WERE hot, but we weren't miserable.

I am counting on us having as great a time this August. As everyone has reminded you, drink lots and lots, use a misty fan if you like them (I like them but DH does not), and make lunch your sit down meal of the day so that you can have a prolonged period of AC and rest.

Go and have a great time!

 

[lorivegas]

3 WORDS-----..... SWEATY, SLIMEY , STICKY!!

 

[BethR]

Sorry, I reread your question and it had to deal crowds. Don't forget you are going at a point in the summer when there are still some schools in session. So crowds will tend to be less than later in June, July, and earlier in August. They certainly will not be the same as if you would go at Easter or Christmas.

As I said, we went in earlier August in 2001, and although there were PLENTY of people, by using Fast Pass and making use of EE (we went on opposite days since we were staying off-site), we did not have long waits for very much. And actually I recall walking on some things. The longest time that I recall waiting, was for the Pooh ride in the MK - we waited about 45 minutes since we had not gotten Fast Passes for it.

I think that you will be fine.

 

[miko]

It is quite hot and crowds are larger but sometimes that makes for some more intertesting "crowd watching"!
Last August it was "cooler" at WDW than in Northern Va for almost a week!

 

[Ratpack]

We enjoy the summer there. DW is a teacher so going any other time is not going to happen unless we went during a Holiday and then the crowds are HUGE. The heat doesn't really bother us since we live in the south already, either we deal with it at Disney or we deal with it at home. I would rather be in Disney. Also, the hours are longer. We would be at the parks at opening and had everything we wanted to do done by lunch. Then back to resort to swim and cool off. Then back to parks around 5 or 6 and still had 4-5 hours beore closing. And the crowds to us weren't nearly as bad as we thought they would be. Almost no waits at park opening then FastPass in the evening and you should be able to do anything you want.

 

[MEM]

My family's strategy is similar to others posted here.

To avoid both the crowds and most of the heat, we do Early Magic Hour for MK and AK and then visit the same parks the day after EMH. It works! We rarely bother with it for MGM or Epcot. We are finished by 11 or 12 then have a relaxed lunch and spend a few hours in the pool and then rest in the room while we get cleaned up. We return to the parks in the evening. One of the best things about WDW in August (when we visit) is swimming late at night! My kids can't get over it and it makes for great memories during our long, cold, wet New England winters.

With regard to heat, I would squirt water into my kids' mouths from the sports bottle every 15-20 minutes or so. Avoiding soda (pop) and caffeine made a big difference in our tolerating the heat and humidity. A hat is a must too -- I could not
believe the people who exposed their heads to that glaring sun.