Somewhat disenchanted after trip

[DreamDelta]

I have ONLY gone in June and in August so I don't know anything else. I guess we're used to the heat and crowds, but we get to the parks for the rope drop and have done all the major stuff before noon.

My DS will be in 5th grade this year, so taking the kids out of school is not an option.

Sorry things didn't turn out how you wanted them to.

 

[kykatt2]

We have been to WDW in April, May, June, JULY AND YES AUGUST( We just came back ourselves and the ONLY reaon we did "Disney" in August was because I wanted my DD who turned 9 on the 8th of August to have a "Disney Birthday" while she still has a few specks of Disney Magic in her. ( which I must say the greetings and special little perks she received were great... made her feel like a princess)

The lines were the WORST I have ever seen and the heat was Intense but so was the rest of the South East.

I have taken the kids out of school only once... it gets harder to do that as they get older... and you really get dirty looks.

Don't make a decision till you go during any one of the slower and cooler times of year that have been suggested.

 

[angiepangie8]

First of all I'm sorry to hear that you had a such a bad experience at WDW excitedtraveler. We too will be going during those hot busy summer days. Between DH (a very busy High School Teacher & Tennis Coach ), DS (7yrold), and DD (5yrold) we can only go around school vacation days that don't coincide with Boys or Girls Tennis Seasons (similiar to dreamdelta and birdie girl above). Many of us just don't have a choice but to go at those busy times. Like Birdiegirl, I'm hoping that we are able to avoid some the craziness with the tips some of the helpful WDW travelers have mentioned.

So far I will take the following with me:

• go to parks early
• utilize fast passes and know how to get the most out of them
• take water and a spray bottle
• get a planning guide (what was it Mike~I'll have to go back and see)
• visit busy rides that don't offer fast passes first
• Keep reading DIS for more ideas

Keep the good ideas coming

Thanks

We have been to WDW in April, May, June, JULY AND YES AUGUST( We just came back ourselves and the ONLY reaon we did "Disney" in August was because I wanted my DD who turned 9 on the 8th of August to have a "Disney Birthday" while she still has a few specks of Disney Magic in her. ( which I must say the greetings and special little perks she received were great... made her feel like a princess)

The lines were the WORST I have ever seen and the heat was Intense but so was the rest of the South East.

I have taken the kids out of school only once... it gets harder to do that as they get older... and you really get dirty looks.

Don't make a decision till you go during any one of the slower and cooler times of year that have been suggested.

Hi KyKatt
Our son's and daughter's BDays are both in the summer. What kind of special things did they do for your daughter for her BDAy?

 

[Dina]

We just got back--- we didn't find the lines that bad-- but we got up very early, came back to the room in the afternoons and went back again at night. One night we had a 50 minute wait for Test Track, but other than that, nothing over 30 minutes (usually 10)-- I think the time of day makes a big big difference. We did see alot less though than in January. The wait at Animal Kingdom were too long once we had the Safari all finished. So, I didn't have a problem with waits (although I shouldn't say that, because if we saw a long wait, we just went back at a different time), but the heat killed us.

 

[angiepangie8]

Here are a couple other thread links with some helpful hints:

Tips from people who travel during "peak" or really "busy" times http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1400091&referrerid=&highlight=busy+times


What is your dining strategey for VERY busy times?
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1423688&referrerid=&highlight=busy+times

 

[eliza61]

[So far I will take the following with me:

Hi KyKatt
Our son's and daughter's BDays are both in the summer. What kind of special things did they do for your daughter for her BDAy?

Not sure what you are expecting but Disney doesn't really DO any thing special for bdays and anniversary. You can get a "birthday" button at the MK but aside from the cm's wishing you a happy bday please don't expect any thing else. You, of course can plan (and pay for) all the special activities you wish to celebrate. There is a forum with pictures of disney birthday cakes here and many people buy ballons and such for special events. Once again these are not free.

 

[dvcnewgirl]

I go all the time. I went in June this year and it was AWFUL!! I have never felt this way and I thought I was over disney. Now that I have been home a while and my next trip is a little bit away I realize it was the heat and crowds that I disliked not disney. Try it during a different time of year. You will see!

 

[angiepangie8]

snip We have been to WDW in April, May, June, JULY AND YES AUGUST( We just came back ourselves and the ONLY reaon we did "Disney" in August was because I wanted my DD who turned 9 on the 8th of August to have a "Disney Birthday" while she still has a few specks of Disney Magic in her. ( which I must say the greetings and special little perks she received were great... made her feel like a princess)snip

Not sure what you are expecting but Disney doesn't really DO any thing special for bdays and anniversary. You can get a "birthday" button at the MK but aside from the cm's wishing you a happy bday please don't expect any thing else. You, of course can plan (and pay for) all the special activities you wish to celebrate. There is a forum with pictures of disney birthday cakes here and many people buy ballons and such for special events. Once again these are not free.

Thank eliza actually I wasn't expecting much but when I read kykatt's post about the special little perks her daughter received it peaked my interest. Just the fact that we are going to Disney is going to just make their BDays. I'm hoping that we can have a least a little B-day recognition possibly at one of our meals. Not sure if they will sing a little song like they do at other restaurants. But a Happy B-day song would be awesome. Maybe I'll bring along some candles and put them in their desert one night if they let me. No matter what their bdays will be magical.

I'll have to be on the look out for a B-day button.
I'm gonna order TShirts from: http://www.tiedyeusa.com/ and then decorate them a little. Maybe I'll make DS and DD a special Bday one. Then it may bring them a little more special attention ~ a "Wow it's your BDay" or "Happy BDAy!" will do.

My mom makes such cool cakes. She just made a Pooh and a Little Mermaid cake for a raffle. She'll be meeting us at WDW using ME. Hmmmm I wonder if she can take a cake as carry on

 

[excitedtraveler]

I guess a big part of our problem is that we didn't get to the parks super, super early. We tended to stay up past our bedtimes and so the kids slept in a bit. I would like to try it at a different time of year, though. This year we went with another couple and the wife is a teacher. Next time we will go on our own. Actually dh is a former teacher so he said that we won't be taking dd out of school to go......so I better start working on him now!

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

I really should have stayed away from this thread! We are going in the first part of August next year. Unofficial Guide said it was the "better" part of summer to go compared to July....We can't take our kids out of school. Well, my daughter I would eagerly take out of school. But my step-daughter, not in a million years would her mom let her do it! In fact, we purchased the vacation package before we even told her mom we were taking her.

My brother and his wife went in the later part of October last year and had a blast. Walked onto most of the rides and rode all of their favorites, and some of their not so favorites, more than once. I am completely jealous.

 

[Dina]

I really should have stayed away from this thread! We are going in the first part of August next year. Unofficial Guide said it was the "better" part of summer to go compared to July....We can't take our kids out of school. Well, my daughter I would eagerly take out of school. But my step-daughter, not in a million years would her mom let her do it! In fact, we purchased the vacation package before we even told her mom we were taking her.

My brother and his wife went in the later part of October last year and had a blast. Walked onto most of the rides and rode all of their favorites, and some of their not so favorites, more than once. I am completely jealous.

Don't worry. We thought our plans worked pretty well--- we did not wait in any long lines. We followed the Unofficial Guide's plans of what days/what parks (for the most part, a few days we went to the worst park, and it wasn't bad--- we went in the morning to a park that had evening EMH or vice versa, and crowds weren't bad-- except for maybe two times, we avoided EMH). But, we got up, had a little breakfast in the room and got to the park at opening-- the first hour and a half had very very short lines, actually walked on alot. Went back to the hotel around 11/11:30, had lunch and napped (we didn't swim) and went back to parks just before dinner (most nights kids were back in bed by 10pm, so they woke up around 7:30 and no-one was tired). We took off two mornings (the nights before were late nights) and just swam, and one evening (when we were doing EMH the next morning and wanted to get up early) and swam that night too. Also, the first morning we had breakfast at Crystal Palace an hour before park opening, which gave us a head start on the rides. Except for Test Track, we never waited more than 20 minutes (and usually less than that)---(that's including)TOT 3 times, and RNRC 3 times. The only thing we didn't do was Soarin--- very long line, must get there first thing in the morning to get a fastpass.

 

[pinkerbell]

being comfortable is everything on vacation, without that your time is not so good. I find it impossible to be comfortable in the heat and crowds so only go fall and spring... I really believe you booked when two big factors are at their peak...
last year we discussed free dining, and didn't do it beacuse it was in August I think.. then they extended it and we were able to book with it, but that's how much it differs, we were willing to forefit 10 days of free dining...
try again and i'm sure yuo will get the desired result. A FABULOUS vacation @ disney...

 

[eliza61]

I really should have stayed away from this thread! We are going in the first part of August next year. Unofficial Guide said it was the "better" part of summer to go compared to July....We can't take our kids out of school. Well, my daughter I would eagerly take out of school. But my step-daughter, not in a million years would her mom let her do it! In fact, we purchased the vacation package before we even told her mom we were taking her.

My brother and his wife went in the later part of October last year and had a blast. Walked onto most of the rides and rode all of their favorites, and some of their not so favorites, more than once. I am completely jealous.

Don't stress Mom, We've been to disney at every concievable time of the year. You can have a great time in the heat and crowds you just have to tour differently and do a little planning. I like August. This is what we do.

1. The parks are open a long time (14-16 hours) in the summer. Use your guide and decide which rides you really have to do and do those first.
2. After 2 major rides, go into an air conditioned ride. For example we will do splash mtn and Big thunder railroad, then we will hit POTC, its nice and cool.
3. Forget rambo touring. 90 degree Florida sun is not the time to be in a marathon.
4. Take a mid day break. If your staying on site go back and chill in the resort pool. You've got enough time to go back to the parks in the cooler evenings.

You'll love it.

 

[JenGray]

We just got back from DisneyWorld yesterday. Overall we had a good time, there were definitely good parts and fun parts but it was just soooo crowded. I guess what my main problem was was the lines for all the rides/attractions. I have 2 small children and we really didn't go on that much because often the wait was 50+ minutes .....and that was for rides like Pooh's Honeypots and Peter Pan! Our last afternoon/evening there we didn't go on anything, just ate dinner, walked around and left b/c the waits were so long and I just can't see waiting that long with little kids. Yes we did use fastpass when we could.

I know this won't be a popular post here, but I am a disney fan too....we were actually considering DVC until this trip. It's just hard to feel the magic when everything is crowds and waiting and knowing there are things you won't get to see and do b/c of the wait. Is it just me? Is it significantly less busy at other times a year? Maybe I am expecting too much?

I am so sorry this happened to you! As other people have posted, there are much better times of the year to go where there are less people and the weather is better.
We went the last week in Jan and first of Feb this year. It was cold some of the time, but never did rain. The longest wait was maybe 10 minutes, and that was at Soarin'. I guess most kids are in school this time of year and because it's right after the holidays... maybe people don't have the money to spend at WDW. It was perfect for us and we'll do it again in a heart beat.

We will never go again during peak season, or when the weather is hot. I refuse.... Next summer we are going in May but only to MGM for Star Wars Weekends. It's just a two night stay, then off to Vero Beach to relax.

Although... I do have to say that every time we come home... I am glad to be home and want to stay here for a while before going back to WDW. It's so overwelming. If you don't force yourself to sit down and relax on your trip... it's not going to be very fun in the end.

 

[kykatt2]

First of all I'm sorry to hear that you had a such a bad experience at WDW excitedtraveler. We too will be going during those hot busy summer days. Between DH (a very busy High School Teacher & Tennis Coach ), DS (7yrold), and DD (5yrold) we can only go around school vacation days that don't coincide with Boys or Girls Tennis Seasons (similiar to dreamdelta and birdie girl above). Many of us just don't have a choice but to go at those busy times. Like Birdiegirl, I'm hoping that we are able to avoid some the craziness with the tips some of the helpful WDW travelers have mentioned.

So far I will take the following with me:

• go to parks early
• utilize fast passes and know how to get the most out of them
• take water and a spray bottle
• get a planning guide (what was it Mike~I'll have to go back and see)
• visit busy rides that don't offer fast passes first
• Keep reading DIS for more ideas

Keep the good ideas coming

Thanks



Hi KyKatt
Our son's and daughter's BDays are both in the summer. What kind of special things did they do for your daughter for her BDAy?

She had a Birthday song message from Minnie and Mickey, an autographed Card and balloons from Snow White and all 7 Dwarfs.
GIVEN 2 lanyard Pins from two different cast members.
Taken to the front of the line for the "Indy Cars," and "Soarin"
All Characters came to our table at the same time at "Chef Mickey's" to bring her her "Birthday Cupcake"
Free Upgrade on her Bibbity Bobbity Boutique experience.
And NUMEROUS Birthday Wishes.

She definately felt special that day.

 

[angiepangie8]

[/COLOR]


She had a Birthday song message from Minnie and Mickey, an autographed Card and balloons from Snow White and all 7 Dwarfs.
GIVEN 2 lanyard Pins from two different cast members.
Taken to the front of the line for the "Indy Cars," and "Soarin"
All Characters came to our table at the same time at "Chef Mickey's" to bring her her "Birthday Cupcake"
Free Upgrade on her Bibbity Bobbity Boutique experience.
And NUMEROUS Birthday Wishes.

She definately felt special that day.

Thanks kykatt2! I appreciate the info. DS and DD would absolutely love any special Bday recognition. How did the cm's know your DD's Bday?~ I imagine you told them at Chef Mickey's~ Also I was thinking about the BBB for DD, but wasn't sure if the DH and DS would be to thrilled to take time out to do this. (they can paint a mickey on DS's head ~I think) so maybe he would like it. I guess the main battle would be with DH on this one. Did you make
reservations at BBB at 180 days out? What time did you schedule it for? & where did you do dinner that evening?

(sorry for all the offtopic Q's)

 

[First timer]

I really should have stayed away from this thread!

Me too! We are leaving tomorrow and now I am really worried about the crowds. My DH will kill me if it is as crazy as it was last year (our first trip) last week of June - July 4th.

We can not pull the kids out of school either (DD17 & DD6). I was hoping that because of the southern schools starting up again mid August that it would at least be a bit more manageable. My DH will NEVER let me live it down if it is just as bad in August as it is in June/July - not to mention - even hotter!!!!!

I think I better pack some valium.

 

[kykatt2]

I told the CM's at the hotel when we checked in, they handed me a "Birthday Button" with her name on it.

When I made her Dinner Ressie at Chef Mickey I did tell them when I made the reservation. That was in late May so less than 90 days out. They get a special place mat that you can keep.

As far as Bibbity Bobbity Boutique... I made the reservation in June sometime for 2:00 they were running about 45 minutes late.( we had 5:00 ressies for Chef Mickey and we were running tighter than I wanted to be. Process takes around an hour.
I MAY have told them it was her Birthday... can't remember. But they saw her button and knew it was her birthday. They did her nails free.. we did not get that package.

Every princess gets a "BBB" sash ... but they have a "Birthday" sash and that's what my DD got.

And Maybe... the Dream Team will tag you and give you a Dream Fast Pass or some other Dream !!!
Have fun !!!!