Summer Strategy

[Happyjen27]

I’ve never been in the summer.
Planning on a trip with DD (14) beginning of August.
I am prepared for rando rain showers and oppressive heat.
I’m uncertain with each park selling to capacity each day how to best navigate the heat and crowds and just standby lines.
Are certain parks better for evening touring? Are certain parks better for rope drop? What strategies have folks been using in the heat and capacity parks?

 

[Tigerlulu]

So I can help just a little. Heat wise, stay hydrated. Start early and don’t stop! I didn’t do this one day last august and passed out. Did it the next day and was fine. You kind of have to embrace the heat too. Know it’s going to be bad and roll with it. Lots and lots of water and Powerade!
Touring wise, I’m not sure what to expect yet this summer exactly. We are going end of June. Generally speaking, hit rope drop, take break in heat of afternoon at a table service and then stay until park close. I don’t have a touring plan yet, kind of waiting to see what happens when the crowds increase around Memorial Day. But I don’t expect it to be drastically different, just longer lines I think.
Early august last year we didn’t have much rain. Couple late afternoon showers but they were really nice actually. Don’t let them chase you away! It cooled us off and chased away some of the crowds. And they didn’t last that long. We had the dollar ponchos you can get anywhere and then just tossed them after the rain was over.

 

[Marthasor]

With the exception of last year, we have gone every August for 8 years. Our strategy is to always go at rope drop, leave the park around 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm and then go back out around 6:00 pm or later. I, personally, would probably try to get your "must-do's" in in the mornings and leave the evenings for something a little more unstructured as the rain can be a bit unpredictable as the day goes on (afternoon showers are fairly prevalent). Going "park commando" in August just doesn't work for us because of the heat, but we still enjoy our time there.

 

[Adventureland]

We've only been in Summer aside from my HS graduation trip. It's fun!
We're not nap people so we never took a break, but the rain tended to be in the afternoons, so if you're break people, take them then. We usually eat early dinners at home, so we schedule early dinners in the parks at sit-downs. Eat at odd hours if you can swing it.
The parks do really empty out during the rain, at least the general outside area. See if you can take advantage of it, but get any shopping in before it starts looking gloomy! I'm not a poncho person because I find I get too sweaty underneat, but people love them. I'd rather just shield my glasses and get an umbrella or enjoy the rain. Plastic bags for your phones are a must for the rainstorms and general water rides and sunscreen goop.
Light colors, lots of sunscreen, hats to shield your eyes. Dress for comfort and breathability if you can, not style. Both is nice though. I like dresses personally, might get some skirts too.

 

[OregonDisDad]

I suggest getting cooling towels for each member of the family (I saw a 10 pack online for about $15). Last summer trip, we bought one in the park, and I think it was over $20. It was essential for my wife (who is sensitive to the heat), and our kids generally snatched it up whenever she was not using it.

We also are not nap people, but on particularly hot days, we do sometimes take a mid-day pool break. This might be even more refreshing if masks are still required in the parks.

In any event, I suggest breathable masks (there is another thread on that), plenty of sunscreen, and disposable ponchos (you don't want to have to try to dry these because the smell is awful after use).

 

[MarkS2112]

It’s very hot and oppressive heat. Random pop up thunderstorms each day can be expected so expect to get wet. Plus pools close at same time as storms. With parks not being open late the evening touring is limited. August can be brutal from the start of the day on.

 

[VandVsmama]

I’ve never been in the summer.
Planning on a trip with DD (14) beginning of August.
I am prepared for rando rain showers and oppressive heat.
I’m uncertain with each park selling to capacity each day how to best navigate the heat and crowds and just standby lines.
Are certain parks better for evening touring? Are certain parks better for rope drop? What strategies have folks been using in the heat and capacity parks?

We're going to be at WDW 6/1 - 6/7. We're from AZ, so we're used to dry heat, not crock pot heat like they have in Florida...and I'm a delicate desert flower, so I melt in Florida summer weather. We went to WDW at this same time of year 3 years ago. we're planning on using a lot of the same tricks that we used on that trip in order to survive, like:

• get up early for rope drop
• leave the park just after lunch (and eat an early lunch)
• everybody lays down to take a nap in the hotel room
• pool time
• go back to a park for dinner
• be willing to be flexible and adapt
• don't cheap out and try to get by with 1 battery-operated fan for 4 people to share. Not everybody will want to use the people-powered 'old school' Cost Plus Imports fans like Mama here uses.

And on THIS trip, I bought 2 neck fans which have 2 small fans each on them, which you point toward your neck/face. My kids refuse to use these, but DH & I are going to. Plus, I have a USB-port battery operated handheld fan which is supposed to last 10-12 hours on 1 charge. And then I'm going to buy 1 or 2 of the overpriced WDW fans...because those are amazing and work really well.

We tried the cooling towels, but found them to work terribly in FL compared to AZ summers, so I'm leaving them all at home on this trip.

 

[BethanyMouse]

We only go in the summer. Yes, it is hot. But you will survive!

Tips:

• Be there at Rope Drop
• Go back to rest/pool in the afternoon heat
• Enjoy an air conditioned dinner
• Head back to park for evening
• If you are doing Counter Service- eat early (11 am or 4pm)
• HYDRATE

HAVE FUN!