Summer crowds?

[toniosmom]

Hello! We typically travel in the fall or the spring, but next year we are considering a July or August trip. Yes, I know it'll be hotter than hot, and we may be hit with downpours on occasion, but when we went in November 2015, it was 90 and extremely humid! So, we're not afraid of weather....but I was wondering how the crowds are.

Thinking about the end of July or maybe some time in August. Opinions?

Thanks!

 

[Klayfish]

We haven't gone in August, but are frequent June and July visitors. It's crowded, but nothing wild or unmanageable. Lots of families on summer break. July is a big month for tour groups from South America. They're groups of 15 year old girls...we've seen groups range in size from 15 to 70+. There are lots of them. We just got back yesterday, and encountered a lot of them. Honestly, this trip they seemed much better behaved in the parks than we've seen in the past (we stay offsite, but I've heard they're horrible at the hotels). Didn't have any direct issues with them, so that was wonderful. However, their constant chanting is very annoying, especially in the queues or even on the rides themselves.

 

[toniosmom]

However, their constant chanting is very annoying, especially in the queues or even on the rides themselves.

I can imagine that after the first couple of times, the chanting could get on your nerves. I know they would get on mine. Maybe August is a better option for us -- maybe mid-month after the Florida kids go back to school.

 

[TJDisneymama]

I think the general line of thinking is the later in the summer, the better, as far as crowds. Parts of the US start to go back to school in early August. If you look at the estimates, they stay the same through July, then as August starts, each week is (supposedly) less crowded than the previous week.

 

[toniosmom]

I think the general line of thinking is the later in the summer, the better, as far as crowds. Parts of the US start to go back to school in early August. If you look at the estimates, they stay the same through July, then as August starts, each week is (supposedly) less crowded than the previous week.

Good point -- we're in NJ, so our kids don't go back until after Labor Day. Most of my southern friends' kids are back in school in early August. Maybe mid-to-late August will be a good fit for us.

 

[mdelano4]

We are also NJ residents. Almost always go middle to end of August due to a yearly festival i run. It's hot, but we have no issues. We find crowds are lighter because southern kids are back in school and the camps are done by then. That said, we have done this for about 15 years and the crowds have gotten larger over time.

 

[Tonberry]

Here in my town in CT, school starts on Monday August 28th this year, but a lot of schools around us start on August 21st or miscellaneous days during that week.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

One thing to consider, late Aug is when there are usually rides that go down for refurb. By booking late Aug, you may miss a ride or 2 by a few days. It might happen, it might not. It might be a ride you care about, it might not.

This year is particularly tough on late Aug. GMR, Ellen, Mission Space, Splash Mtn, and Hall of Presidents (though MS and HoP are down all summer, too)

 

[NavyDad]

For a long time summer crowds were big and just kept getting bigger. Last year attendance over the summer was down dramatically and it looks like that trend may be continuing this year.

 

[WEDWDW]

Maybe August is a better option for us -- maybe mid-month after the Florida kids go back to school.

The 15s will mostly be gone by then.

 

[toniosmom]

One thing to consider, late Aug is when there are usually rides that go down for refurb. By booking late Aug, you may miss a ride or 2 by a few days. It might happen, it might not. It might be a ride you care about, it might not.

This year is particularly tough on late Aug. GMR, Ellen, Mission Space, Splash Mtn, and Hall of Presidents (though MS and HoP are down all summer, too)

Thanks -- I hadn't thought of that.

 

[whiporee]

I've done July the last two years (I'm typing this at Typhoon Lagoon as I speak) and the crowds have been relatively low. I mean, it's always crowded but nothing horrific. I think the crowd flows may be changing

 

[TheBigErn]

We were there July 1-6. Everything was quite manageable except the MK on July 3 starting late afternoon. It was very crowded...to the point where they had a cast member every 20 yards directing traffic.

 

[DVCcurious]

Have you ever seen those Hawiian volcanoes? That's what Orlando in August reminded me of. I was so hot, and not in the sexually attractive way!

 

[Drusilla99]

We were at typhoon lagoon yesterday and it seemed like there were people everywhere, but the longest we waited for a slide/ride was 15 minutes. Not bad at all!