Summer Nights - How Bad??

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

Ok, I never, ever considered going in the summer...heat, crowds....but now that the children are getting a wee bit older, I'm thinking about a summer trip. We've been 5 times in the last 6 years, so I'm starting to think we could skip things and try a different strategy. We could spend time during the day swimming, boating, shopping, etc...and just hit the parks in the evenings, say 4:00 pm, maybe avoid some of the heat (I know it can still be hot at night, but hopefully less brutal).

So, I guess my basic question is just how bad are the parks in the evenings in the summer? We're spoiled -- we've been in early May, early Ocotber, mid November, and early December!

Thanks for any feedback!

 

[tjmouse]

Unfortunately, I would think everyone else would have the same idea, so the parks would tend to be crowded at night.

 

[jarestel]

Though summertime can be a bit more crowded and temps can be warm, it's a great time to go! The parks are open much later in the evening and early mornings and evenings are quite comfortable. Of course if you're out and about in the parks during the afternoon, the heat may be a bit strenuous for those not used to it. We tend to swim and relax during the warmer times of the day and take advantage of early entry and the later hours at the parks.

Have a great trip!

 

[wdwoldtimer]

Evenings are bearable, but it can still be hot and humid. If you don't like feeling like your walking on the surface of the sun with a billion other hot, sweaty people, then your plan to spend the midday and afternoon hours back at the hotel is a good one. Don't forget you can also get up early and hit the parks before it gets too hot.

 

[TAKitty]

This past summer was hot in Michigan (where I am from). When I went to Florida in July, I didn't find it that much different. We did utilize the water bottle/fan to help us stay cool.

 

[sunking]

Evenings in the summer can be very hot and humid. Not as bad as the afternoon but it can still be very uncomfortable. Mornings can be just as bad as the evening. My family thinks it starts bad and then gets worse as the day goes on only to get bad again at night.

Have fun, take your time and you will have a blast.

Sunking

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

We have been to WDW three times in June. My advice is to get to all the parks as early in the morning as you can. We've been able to get a lot done in a few hours at all the parks by getting there at or before opening. The really big crowds don't start arriving until later in the morning.
As for the evenings......crowded.....crowded......crowded......
Last June the evening EMH was a complete waste of time. Seemed like there were more people there at night than during the day.

 

[Schmeck]

We've gone twice in August, and the evenings were great! The kids were able to ride all their favorites, and it was warm enough to stay in tshirt and shorts, but not too hot at all! And don't forget all that air conditioning... Plus, the lighting at WDW is amazing, it just gives the parks a really awesome feeling at night.

Early mornings were great as well, but stepping outside the resort hotel first thing and getting that wave of humidity blasted in your face

 

[JFrey4240]

We love to go to Toontown in the summer evenings. My DD can ride Goofy's coaster with only a few minutes wait--something we never do during the day. The lines for the characters is also much less in the evening. We take naps in the afternoon so we can stay very late. Sometimes it's warm and humid but not too bad without the sun shining down on you. You will have a great time! No worries!

 

[disneyfanfamily]

When in the summer are you planning on going. I understand that the end of August is usually less crowded. We have gone in July twice and the crowds just get worse and worse as the day goes on. Early morning worked out great for us. We were able to ride all the rides without waiting too long (used fast pass alot).

We are planning a late August trip next year. I am hoping for less crowds then July. Of course we went the week of the 4th.

A side note - though it was terribly hot, we had an incredible time.