Should we go in June with 3 and 6 year-old?

[disneydenisel]

I have a dilemma...

My Dad wants to take the whole family (13 people) to WDW next year. The only time that my sisters can go is in June, after school gets out. I have only been to Orlando once, during May, and it was already pretty hot for me. Now I have two autistic children (3 and 6), and I'm wondering whether flying them across the US and going to the parks in the heat of the summer is a good idea. I should add that my Dad wants to take everyone on a family vacation, and he's 70 and never been to EPCOT before. I would appreciate your experienced advice.

We'll be going from CA time to East Coast time, so we'll be waking up at about 9:30 AM at WDW. By the time we have breakfast and get to the MK, it will be around 11 (accounting for transportation time). Will it be unbearably hot already? We were at Legoland in CA this August and found it hot and exhausting. I don't know how we will do with the humidity. When we visit parks in CA, we usually go early, and leave right after lunch for a break. But because of the time adjustment, I'm sure my kids' internal clocks will not reset, so we'll be eating lunch at 3pm which will be really hot!

We can go and hope we have fun, opt not to go, or go by ourselves at a different time of year. If we do go, I am trying to get a 2-bedroom villa at either VWL, BCV or BWV. The other 9 people traveling with us probably won't stay in either of those places because they are going "budget" and we need a kitchen and the space. So we'll have to meet up with them once a day for a meal or something like that.

What should we do? Is it worth it to go? Should we stay local and go to DL in CA instead, and go to WDW when the kids are older or the weather is cooler? If we don't go, my family will understand, but will we be missing out?

 

[Magic2000]

We've done Disney many times during the summer, including a couple of times during the week of July 4th! Yes, it is hot; but with arriving at the parks early, using fast pass, going back to our room for a nap/swim break, then returning in the late afternoon and staying as late as we wanted - we did fine.

If you go knowing that you might not see everything, you'll be fine. We like to take a slow approach - let the kids pick out some rides. We also like to eat a sit down meal for lunch - that way you get a break in the a/c!!

If possible, definitely stay on site. In the summer, it is so nice to get on an air conditioned bus and head back to the resort. If your party needs to split up, its not a problem

Enjoy your trip!!!

 

[dopeys biggest fan]

Yes it will be hot, and crowds will be large. June is a very popular month to go.

I went with my whole family in 1998 (Grandparents, Parents, DH, Sister, BIL, Niece and My uncle and first cousin). As with you, My Grandparents were getting older, and my grandfater had the beginnings of alztimers. Looking back I wouldn't trade that time with them for anything in the world!!! We have some of the best memories from that trip! I even got to ride Space Mountain with my grandfather........priceless!!!

We had to move around slowly b/c we had a 2 year old in a stoller and 3, yes 3 wheelchairs! We still managed to have a blast!!!! I reccomed going, just take it slow and if you need to go back to the hotel and take a break during the hottest mid day hours!

I vote go!!!!!!!

 

[disneyag]

Take each day slowly. It might be worth it to rouse everybody out of bed earlier than 9:30. You can get to the parks when they open and then leave when crowds get unbearable to go back to your hotel for a nap/swim. Arriving at the parks at 11 might be frustrating -- lines are beginning to form and it's hot. When our kids were small, we planned a sit-down meal for lunch each day-- that hour of air-conditioning bought us extra patience!!

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

I have done a trip with DDs when they were 3yrs and 6 mos (Apr), 4 1/2 and almost 2 (Aug), and we have one planned for 6 and 3 (Jun). Now my DDs are not autistic, but we found the midday "family nap" to be priceless. Of course, we only shifted 1 time zone also. By the time of our upcoming trip, we will live in AZ (as opposed to LA), so the time zone adjustment, as well as the increased humidity will be a challenge.

My best advice: you know your kids. Stick to their schedule as much as possible even if that means missing out on some of the family events.

 

[vicb]

disneydenisel,

I applaud your everyday strength and courage in raising two autistic children!

The issues you raise are all valid ones. You sound like you have a very good sense of your children's vacation needs. I think you should try to go on this trip. The other poster who said the time with your extended family is priceless is so right. Some what relectantly I took a trip with my whole family this past July because my dad really wanted to do this while he could. It was not to a place of my choice nor an optimal time (think Las Vegas over July 4- hot!! But it all worked out and I'm so glad I did it.

Just be sure to state very clearly to your family what your needs will be (time adjustment issues, need own kitchen etc...) And go with very scaled down expectations. You won't see and do it all but that will be ok as long as everyone has a good time. Do what you need to for your children because if they are able to relaxe and enjoy the trip I think you will too! If they like to swim, spend lots of time at the pool. Take advantage of their time change and do evening activities (cooler and fun stuff).

I wish you the best!

 

[disneydenisel]

Many thanks for the advice and encouragement. If other families have survived the heat with young ones, then I suppose we can too. I will just have to make sure we stay somewhere comfortable and take the parks slowly. Hopefully it can all work out! I feel better about the trip already!

 

[jcemom]

Would it be possible to "save" the MK until the end of the trip when you've adjusted to the time change and could arrive at opening? I think it would make a huge difference in your enjoyment of this particular park. Epcot and MGM can be done, IMO, with a later arrival. By 11:00 all the rides at MK are going to have long lines. If you could be there before opening you could get a lot done in a couple of hours, take a nice break during the hottest part of the day, then go back to the MK or another park in the evening.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

You may also want to check out the disability board. They have some threads on WDW with children with specail needs. My dad is now unable to enjoy at trip to WDW and I really wish we had gotten one last trip in. It will be worth the effort.

Good luck

Jordan's mom

 

[disneydenisel]

Originally posted by jcemom
Would it be possible to "save" the MK until the end of the trip when you've adjusted to the time change and could arrive at opening?

Well, I don't know if they will be able to even adjust to the time difference. I guess I will just have to see and plan our touring around whatever schedule they are on. Good suggestion though.

 

[jcemom]

Well, either way, it wouldn't keep me from going! Just make sure the kids drink enough water or other non-carbonated liquids so that they don't get dehydrated...I'm sure you know to use sunscreen. Play it by ear. After all, you know your kids best and know what signs to watch for. If they're getting too hot, tired, cranky, just head back to your hotel for a break. If you can manage to stay on site that will make it easier on you. Maybe you can plan to meet up with the others in the evenings for dinner and fireworks or something like that? Think how great it would be to spend time with your family over dinner (or even dessert if dinner doesn't fit their budget) in Epcot's World Showcase and all see Illuminations together? You can all go mini-golfing together one evening. Maybe an ice cream at Ghirardelli's and some shopping/playing at Downtown Disney would be fun for everyone...there is SO much to do!

 

[swilshire]

The earlier in June you could go, the better in terms of the crowds. Since many northern schools are in session most of the month, we have found the first couple of weeks to be pretty light there.

We went this year in July. It was WAY too hot for my family's taste. My noonish, we were ready to leave and go spend some time in the AC. We always planned to go back for the evening, but most days there were thunderstorms that discouraged us. One of the few days that the weather looked good and we did return, we got drenched when a sudden downpour came up while we were waiting for the parade.

I would do it for Dad's sake, but pace yourself. Staying on-site will certainly help. If you have a few extra days, you might want to fly in early and spend two or three days at one of the Florida beaches to relax and adjust to the time change before you hit Disney. You definitely want to be there when the parks open each day to maximize your experience, and you'll get the early admission days if you stay on site.

JMHO.

Sheila