Summer Insight

[awalker1015]

Hello all,
We have only been to WDW in March and October over school breaks. DD moves up to a new middle achool this fall and her school breaks are now different from DS. I'm in school as well and our trip was originally planned for next October to celebrate my graduation which will be next May.

So now we are left with traveling in the summer which we haven't done before. We live in Nashville and are used to the heat but we aren't normally park touring in it.

We were initially thinking first full week of June. Any opinions or suggestions on that week or another one in the summer? Clearly want to avoid the 4th and kids go back to school first of August so that is out.

TIA!!!

 

[cakebaker]

Heat wise, doesn't matter- it's going to be hot. If it were me, I'd go as early in June as possible. It will only get more crowded as time passes during the summer. Our trip this June starts the 13th, but I would've much preferred earlier but schedules just didn't allow it.

 

[isaboo]

One of the nice things about summer is that the parks are open late late late! We are from Houston though, so heat and humidity something we can deal with. This year, we plan to close down the parks at night, sleep in and spend the days at the resort pool.

In the past, we've done rope drop and a few hours in the park, back to the resort for pool or nap, then back to the parks after dinner.

 

[tstottle]

I agree with cakebaker. We always go in summer, once in May, then we've also been in June, July and August. It's all hot and crowded (but we not only deal with it, we love it). I think that the heat builds through July and August though so early June sounds good. Google crowd calendar. Our anecdotal experience was that there wasn't much difference between May-August except for one freak totally crowded day in MK, all the rest were about the same (and none as bad as spring break).

 

[awalker1015]

All this makes me feel better- Thanks! We had been spoiled with temperate weather.

 

[Tomh]

We are from NY, and I do NOT like the heat and humidity, not one bit lol. That having been said, my family has visited WDW during July in 2008, and during the end of August from 2009 on. I have handled the heat much better than I ever expected.

We are all day kind of people, rarely taking a mid day break. Typically, we are at the park for rope drop, and stay until it closes.

We do make certain to drink lots of water. We hit the rides mostly in the morning and evening. During the middle of the day when it is hot, we try to take it easier, taking in long cool attractions, shops, shows etc. We take a long lunch break inside when ever possible to enjoy the air conditioning. We also take a long supper break, usually at a table service restaurant.

If we start to feel run down, we stop somewhere to sit, have a drink, and just plain rest when our bodies tell us it is time to do so.

 

[Nancyg56]

We are from CT and while we experiece heat and humitity here, we usually are not trying to vacation in it, so August in Disney is HOT for us. We are early birds, so we hit the parks early most of the time, get the heck out of Dodge early in the afternoon and relax at the resort. We like to spend time at the pool and then take time to shower and have a TS meal for dinner. We do tend to go back into the parks after dinner when the sun goes down. If we plan an especially late night at a park, we spend time swimming at the resort in the morning, plan on lunch at a CS restaurant and then get to the parks. Either way, we never insist of following a plan if someone needs to get out of the sun. We keep hydrated, and make sure we are in airconditioned spots periodically.

 

[SillySallySews]

We always go in June, usually late June. It is hot and crowded but totally manageable if your expectations are realistic. We RD, take afternoon breaks, and love the late night hours, especially in the MK. We live in NC and find the heat and humidity in Orlando very comparable to what we're used to. You're in and out of the AC (restaurants, queues, shops, busses, etc.) so much anyway. Have a wonderful vacation!

 

[mom2rtk]

Hello all,
We have only been to WDW in March and October over school breaks. DD moves up to a new middle achool this fall and her school breaks are now different from DS. I'm in school as well and our trip was originally planned for next October to celebrate my graduation which will be next May.

So now we are left with traveling in the summer which we haven't done before. We live in Nashville and are used to the heat but we aren't normally park touring in it.

We were initially thinking first full week of June. Any opinions or suggestions on that week or another one in the summer? Clearly want to avoid the 4th and kids go back to school first of August so that is out.

TIA!!!

OP, our favorite time to visit Disney is in December. I don't handle heat very well and firmly believe there's nothing better than doing Disney in a sweatshirt. We have also visited in October, March and January and loved it.

But every now and then we take a summer trip to the beach. And I don't get that close to WDW without making at least a short stop.

I will say that it does require a change in approach. For me the trip takes on a much different feel in the summer heat. Don't underestimate the impact it will have on your trip, but don't shy away from it either. Make a plan to work with the heat instead of against it. For us that means embracing the late night EMH. Maybe you want to split your days and do rope drop then leave for the worst of the heat and return for the evening. Pack twice the clothing as you will likely need to change during the day.

I think crowds grow throughout June as more and more schools let out for the year. We are out for the year already now, but many schools in the northeast start later and get out later, so they tend to show up later in the month.

It will be summer hot, don't kid yourself about that. But work with it and I bet you'll have a great time.

 

[hawkeyesparks]

I like the summer at WDW. The hours are great, their are crowds, but I think June is a great month to go

 

[Hummingbird]

We actually go for 2 weeks over the 4th of July. (The week of the 4th and the following). I will not sugar coat it, it is HOT & HUMID, but doable. We hit the parks at rope drop and ride ride ride then around 11:30 we head back to the room for lunch, swim, nap. Then we will have dinner and head back into the park to close it down.

3 of us love the early mornings and tbh rope drop isn't THAT crowded unless it's July 3rd & 4th. The rest of the days you can just about get most things done with a good strategy.

Our other 2 are night owls so they sleep in then join us for lunch and all of their touring is done at night and they love it and close down the park (late emh is their best friend lol)

We actually live about an hour away, so I can tell you what a PP said is true. First of June would be the best time for you maybe because while it's hot (think 90°-94° during mid afternoon) the crowds are heavy but still lighter than July when all of the US is out for summer break, BTGs are here in droves, and temps are over 98° every single day it seems.

But don't be afraid, look into breathable footwear & socks (very important because sweaty feet) cooling towels, even the little personal fans that run on batteries. You can get them for about $5 at target or spring for the misting ones at the park. Stay hydrated. I would recommend drinking water as much as you can instead of sugary sodas and juices. And if your body says take a break then take a break.

 

[awalker1015]

This is all excellent advice. We are RD fans and have no problem taking midday breaks. The packing tips are helpful as well. Thanks all!!!