Summer Planning - when to go

[Smile]

We can only go during the Magic Season, June 11 - August 15. We have never gone during this time and are flying from California.

What do you recommend to be the less busier time?
Is airfare any cheaper or when is it the better to buy the tickets?
Any chance of less rain or slighltly less hot temps? LOL, I know this is long shot.

Any advice would be really appreciated.
Cheers!

 

[Tara]

I'd go the first or the last week of that season. A lot of Northeastern schools do not get out until at least June 15th or the end of the next week. (I live in NY and my son's last day of school is June 25 this year.) A lot of Southern schools go back to school by about the 10th to 15th of August anyway. In looking at the Unofficial Guide's crowd calendar, virtually that entire season is an 8 with some 9 days around 7/4 and then a few 6s on weekdays just before August 15.

One difference in times would be that I think (I didn't check) that Star Wars Weekends might still be going on at Studios.

Here is some averaged data:

June
Average high temperature: 90.5
Average low temperature: 71.8
Average precipitation: 7.32
Average humidity (1pm): 57
Record high (1985): 100
Record low (1984): 53

August
Average high temperature: 91.5
Average low temperature: 73.4
Average precipitation: 6.78
Average humidity (1pm): 60
Record high (1980): 100
Record low (1997): 65

 

[Goofy DVC]

I agree with Tara. We've gone both early June and mid August and we find that you catch a break with some schools being in session. We usually hit the parks first thing in the morning, then head out about noon or 1:00 PM to hit the pool at the resort. This has worked out very well for us. Good luck with your decision.

 

[disney ny]

I agree with the previous two posters to try to go early or late. I think that late August might be your best chance at hitting lower crowds as Southern schools are back in session and many of the Northeastern schools are going back fairly soon and may have already vacationed. That being said we went in late July last year and it was not that bad. It was very hot but we never had rain as a problem. I do remember going in August like 10 years ago and it rained a lot. I think it is all in how you look at it. I have never been to Disney when there were "low" crowds so maybe I am just accustomed to them. Such is the life of a teacher- you can only vacation at the same times as the rest of the world!!

 

[Granny]

I agree with the timing of other posters. I'll add that there is one time you will probably want to avoid if at all possible...the days around the 4th of July. Aside from that, we've vacationed in June, July and August and haven't seen a big difference in temperatures, crowds or precipitation. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Smile]

Thank you for everyone's advice. I think we will try to go in June 2011.