Really how bad is the weather and crowds in June and August?

[kniquy]

Not any time soon but for future plans we would likely look at some stays at the end of June or late August. I love the summer and heat - we live in MA so I know FL weather is very different, but really how unbearable is it really? -- is June better than August or are they just about the same.

Seeing that we are DVC now we don't have to be at the parks all day because we can go more often. We would likely do the parks in the morning, resort for the afternoon and then parks in the evening.

What are everyone's thoughts on these particular times of the year for weather and crowds.

TIA for the input!

 

[onestitchloose]

We did notice parks seemed more at their capacity, parade times were difficult, but hey it's always busy, just your luck some days

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

The weather in August is miserable if you aren't used to humidity. Everything is damp all the time, even the clothes in your hotel room. But we didn't find crowds to be too bad, but we were so grumpy with heat even short lines irritated us. We ended up going to places we weren't interested in because they were cool. And then I froze because I was drenched in sweat and the AC was blasting. Even the pools felt like bathtubs.

 

[DisDadDVC]

That depends. Do you like getting lit on fire and then have a bucket of water poured over you? If so, then you'll be fine in August. We are from CT and go every year in early/mid August. If this was my once in a lifetime $10k trip, I wouldn't want to do it then. But since we go 3-4 times a year, we don't feel the need to have 12 hour park days. We just go with the flow (or weather), and always have a good time.

 

[gdrj]

We have visited in July and August. We just plan our days differently. Parks early, Pool Mid day, Parks in the evening. If we are in Parks mid day tend to go to MK. Smaller foot print, less walking, and more shops etc to go inside to cool off. Pools are a key for us.

 

[hardis5]

We've done a few late August trips and if one is used to high humidity, it can be bearable. We'd do the parks as early as possible to beat the heat, crowds and mid-afternoon thunderstorms. The one advantage if you can time rides and shows is if rain is predicted, thunderstorms have a way of really thinning all but the die-hard and dumb park goers (we falling into the latter when we needed to by rain ponchos) as long as the rides you want to do while it is raining are not outside or suspended due to lightening.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

We went this past August and found the weather went nicely with our typical DVC days. We are usually up early because our son doesn't sleep in so could enjoy the cooler mornings. By early afternoon it was hot and we were ready to swim. We simply avoided the hottest parts of the day by swimming and enjoying our hotel. Sometimes we returned in the evening. Since you aren't planning to spend the whole day in the parks, I think you will be fine.

 

[loves to dive]

We used to go late August/early September for years (now I go late March/early April for F&G-my birthday combined and then again sometime in Sept. for F&W. We are from Georgia so the heat nor humidity bother us, it's not any different than home. It will rain every afternoon in August, not sure about June as that may be one of the few months we haven't been.

 

[tjkraz]

As others have said, it's not the heat it's the humidity. You'll be sweaty and sticky from the moment you leave air conditioning. Many people will go out early and then swim in the afternoon, but the popularity of this approach can lead to crowded pools. And the pools are not always very refreshing--temp usually feels like a warm bathtub throughout the summer.

Threat of rain is always there. Could be a brief shower in the afternoon or an all-day soaker. Rain is always a risk in Florida, but the risk is heightened during the summer months.

If you have older kids or no kids, visiting the parks in the evenings is a great alternative. It's still warm, but at least you don't have the sun beating down on you. And park crowds will noticeably decrease starting around dinner time.

Personally I don't find the crowds to be particularly oppressive. WDW seems to be busy year-round these days. Summer months are certainly nothing like Christmas or Easter. Parks don't reach capacity and mandate closings in the summer.

It's not my favorite time to visit but aging kids (teens) makes it something of a necessity for us. I'd say the key is how tolerant you are to bright sunlight and high humidity. It will definitely reduce your personal comfort and (for many) increase irritability.

 

[southerngirl528]

That depends. Do you like getting lit on fire and then have a bucket of water poured over you? If so, then you'll be fine in August

As a resident of the Orlando area, I think you described it perfectly, DisDadDVC!!!! I love our winters here in central FL but our nearly 10 month long summers are crazy. We set records for heat this Christmas even!

I brought my own children in June several trips before moving down here. Sometimes I wonder HOW in the heck we did it when I go to the parks now. But doing what gdrj suggests was my plan then: get up EARLY, be at the park at opening and hit the big stuff as quickly as possible. Leave the park when the heat and crowds get bad. Enjoy a leisurely lunch somewhere air-conditioned. Swim and have the kids (little or big ones! LOL) take a power nap afterward. Then go back into the park in the early evening and close it down if you want! It can keep you and everyone in your party sane.

 

[knkmom]

We went late June on our first WDW trip and it was miserable! We are not use to humidity (from Cali) and it took us a couple of days to get over feeling icky from it! The parks were packed early mornings and late evenings, nights. I think everyone ran for their air conditioned rooms or the pools in the afternoons!

 

[DisDadDVC]

I would love for Disney to have a "beat the heat" event in the summer. Reverse the park hours for a few days (or keep them open 24/7...). Open from 9pm to 9am.

 

[kniquy]

The one advantage if you can time rides and shows is if rain is predicted, thunderstorms have a way of really thinning all but the die-hard and dumb park goers (we falling into the latter when we needed to by rain ponchos) as long as the rides you want to do while it is raining are not outside or suspended due to lightening.

I am with you 100% -- I am the type that would head to the park when it is raining because i know everyone else is running the other way.

I would love for Disney to have a "beat the heat" event in the summer. Reverse the park hours for a few days (or keep them open 24/7...). Open from 9pm to 9am.

That would be an awesome idea!!

thanks for all the input. We will have to weigh our options when the time comes. I guess if it is the only time of year that we have to take our disney trip we will have to make the most of it.

 

[DougEMG]

Do you like getting lit on fire and then have a bucket of water poured over you?

Love that

 

[pinklotusflower]

we've went once late August and never again it was just too hot and humid and really busy, as has already been said if you plan to miss the park in the afternoon the pool is packed with everyone else doing the same thing.

 

[DizBub]

We went in early June for the first time in 2014. Never ever intended to go during that time but our original date coincided with DDs due date in September so it had to be June. Dreaded the heat but we were pleasantly surprised when it wasn't too bad. Crowds weren't too bad either. I can imagine it got hotter and more crowded later in the month.

We are repeating this June. Hoping we have a repeat of the weather too. At least the parks will be open later and there won't be any holiday parties scheduled. We typically go in early fall and after Thanksgiving, those parties close the MK at 7 PM 4 nights a week.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

One of our semiannual trips was regularly scheduled for the last week of August. However, our August travels ended after our 2014 trip.

In 2014, we stayed 9 days and 5 days saw temperatures over 100 degrees. Moreover, one of the days topped at 105 degrees and we watched television in our room.

In 2013, the crowd levels were higher than years past. It seemed as though more families with children were traveling before the start of school. Wait times were longer and fewer attractions had short waits.

In 2012, we stayed in a AKV-Jambo House savanna view room. All of the animals were taken off the savanna and housed in staging areas because of a pending hurricane.

Collectively, temperature, hurricane season, and rising crowd levels have now made us May travelers.

 

[kermiebudge]

We live in New England and have visited every June / July for the past 4 summers Another one coming up!

As long as you know what to expect, it won't be a surprise. Plus, I think in the northeast we do get exposure to the humidity piece, so we acclimate to that relatively o.k.. That said, having a plan in place that works for your family is *key*.

We know in the FL summers, we could not withstand a park for full day, that I'm sure. So, we typically get to a park for RD, stay for a few hours, go back to resort for some pool time (and of course a fresh change of clothes!), then head out at night to another park when the sun goes down

For the crowds...it's definitely CROWDED, but it's also another good reason to arrive for RD!

 

[Brian Noble]

I rarely go between Memorial Day and Labor Day---I prefer to visit during either our February or April breaks. But, when we do, we avoid the parks in the afternoon entirely, strongly consider water parks, and enjoy the later hours that many of the parks offer, as they are beautiful at night. Most of our sit-down meals are lunches after a morning in the parks when we are desperately in need of air conditioning.

The crowds aren't that big of a deal, but I'm comparing summer to President's Week, Easter, and Christmas. We rarely visit in the offseason.

One year, we took a "bonus" trip because we had some Wyndham points to burn, so we visited in July. We bought water park/DisneyQuest APs, did some resort exploring (including some resort meals that we ordinarily don't have time for) and avoided the theme parks entirely. It was one of our best Orlando vacations ever.

 

[TeeterTots]

Hot and humid, but crowds are doable! I've been in August with an infant and 3yo. Parks in the morning and pools in the afternoon.