Summer Time Visits

[Golter]

I love WDW (almost addicted), but you could not pay me to go when it is hot and crowded. Do most go in the Summer because its the only time they can go, or do you go as a Summer Vacation. I take my kids out of school and go in the "off season". The first week of December is our new unofficial annual voyage to the world. Low crowds and low temps = an amazing vacation.

What are some of the plusses to going in the Summer? Maybe I'm just not seeing any. I know longer hours will be brought up, but I can do more in 8 hours in off season than anyone can do in 12 hours during the Summer.

 

[RyMickey]

I really think the big reason is so that you don't have to take the kids out of school.

As our family has grown older, though, the advantages of the summer are that we find ourselves relaxing at the pool nearly 1/3 of the time that we're there. There's no need to rush out and "see it all." Plus, because of the longer hours, that relaxing time doesn't affect what we see in the parks.

RyMickey

 

[goofy4tink]

We did our first summer visit last August. It was more crowded than I thought it would be, but I think that that was due, in large part, to the FTP. I don't have the same feeling about the 'buy 5, get 2 free' deal now. It just doesn't seem as popular. Could be wrong. As far as the heat/humidity goes....well, it was almost as hot/humid in Mass. when we left for WDW. Yes, it did rain horrifically for 4 nights. But, it was a warm rain. My dd and I made a last minute trip from 12/12-12/17 last year. Will not go back at that time again. It was just too chilly. We are going at Thanksgiving tho. Hopefully it won't be dropping to below 40 then!!

I do like the parks being open a little later. But, we've now been 4 times, and going back many more since buying DVC, so we tend to take it easy and not rush around like nutcases anymore. I think we'll relax by the pool more and visit some things we've never done before. We also take advantage of the E-nights. We just don't want to take dd, almost 11, out of too much school. Yes, she's missing 3 days after Thanksgiving but that's better than 5. Our school system really frowns upon these vacation absences and the kids can't get their work beforehand. It's a lot to make up when you get home.

 

[suerob]

We'll be going in August this year. We've gone in May and December. Last time it was too cold for the waterparks and pool so we thought it would be nice to go and enjoy those. Also, I have another dd starting school this year and they can only miss 10 days all year so we could only take a short trip during the school year. We can go for a longer trip in the summer. We live in South Carolina and go to amusement parks all the time so we're used to the heat

 

[sugermouse]

We love going to DW in the summer. To us, the extended hours as well as the e ride nights far outweigh the heat and humidity.

 

[westjones]

We are leaving at the end of next week for our first summer Disney trip. I hope I didn't make a mistake suggesting we go in July. We have been to Disney in September, December and March; so now we are trying summer.

We only plan to go to the parks 1 day. We are doing EMH to Epcot on Wed. and staying for lunch. After lunch, we are going back to our resort and then heading to MK around 5:00 and staying for E Ticker night. I am hoping that by leaving in the middle of the day we avoid some of the heat.

This trip will be about doing things we don't usually do at WDW. We are going to the Hoop Dee Doo Review for the first time, the kids are going to a cooking class at the Grand Floridian Resort, we are going sailing and to Blizzard Beach. We also plan to explore Port Orleans and Wilderness Lodge since this will be our first time staying at both of those. To end our week, we are going to Disney's Vero Beach resort.

I don't think I could handle a week of going to the parks. I am 'hoping' that doing some other Disney activities will work out alright for us in the heat.....but we will see!

DJ

 

[geffric]

Like others had said we go in the summer because we can't take our kids out of school.. they are too old and will miss way too much..

Be tried spring break, but that is just as crowded. Also we drive to WDW, and to drive down and back in 1 week is not fun.. We don't let the heat get to us , we do the parks early and when it gets hot , go back to the resort and swim . If we stay at a park, we hide in the a/c..

 

[parmtoo]

Both of our DDs are in HS, and DS (3rd gr.), has a hard time making up work when he misses school. We also enjoy the fact that we can swin anytime for the entire trip. When we went in Dec. it was to cold to swim. We are taking our first trip to a waterpark this summer, can't wait for that either.
We are going at the end of Aug., (Aug. 22-Sept. 1), so we are really hoping that it won't be to crowded.

 

[wannabee princess]

Well, missing school has not been a factor for us - we home school - however, this year we are trying a very different approach and going for a few days in the summer!

As I read westjones post, I almost felt like I was reading my twin posting! We normally do the parks for the biggest part of our trip to Disney, but this trip we are focusing on the "other" things! We are only doing one day in MK - that is it! We are going to HDDR, Ohana's, parasailing, miniature golf, DD and Boardwalk as well as just enjoying our resort and the pool (AKL)! Then we are heading to Vero Beach for the remainder of our trip!

I decided to break up the activity of going to all four of the parks every time, so that I don't burn dh out on going to the World! He enjoys our trips, but he would also be okay with going only every other year! I am hoping that once he sees the great choices we can do away from the parks, that the yearly (at minimum!) trips to Orlando are not stopped!

 

[zurgswife]

My mine reason is that during March, Dec. the times that we usually go..the water is to cold for me and I want to swim and go to a water park....So, July here we come...

 

[shatzjsl]

We just got back and it was hot. We spent most of the midday and afternoon in the pool and then went back to the park about 6:00 when it cooled off some. We missed some things but we were on vacation and relaxation was important, too. We still go at lot done.

 

[westjones]

Originally posted by wannabee princess
As I read westjones post, I almost felt like I was reading my twin posting!

Hey, wannabee princess, we are also 'twins' in that we homeschool. BUT we have found that going during the school year is still difficult because the kids get involved in all kinds of things (dance, drama, a reading program, scouts, piano, basketball, etc.). We do go in September every year on the Disney Cruise (cheapest month of the year to go on the Disney Cruise AND it just happens to be my twin DD's (10) birthday AND most activities are just starting for the year and therefore it is easier to take off then---in the spring we have dance competitions and theater productions).


You will love AKL! We stayed there 1 night last year and it was wonderful. At check in they will give you a list of resort activities. We loved the night viewing of the animals and the story around the fire pit!

Vero is new for us too this summer! I hear it is great though!

DJ

 

[airhead]

We have never been in the Summer,nevermind being there over the 4th! We are really looking forward to it. This is also the longest we have ever gone(12 days). We have always gone 5 days and really never enjoyed the pools or parks at night. Plus,I'm going to turn 50 at WDW!!! How cool is that!

 

[jessimom]

Have been to Disney on several occasions during the summer months. Have enjoyed everytime. We take nice breaks in the afternoon and go back and swim. We go back to the park around dinner time. The kids are nice and refreshed. May I suggest you bring a small battery operated fan. It helps keep the kids cool. I also keep moist towelettes in my bag and get them wet with water and use them to cleanse our face and necks.

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[Golter]

Thanks for the input. I have 3 children (Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, & 8th Grade) Taking them out of school has not been a problem, yet. I understand that it is not for everyone and every school district is different. I inform the school and the teachers the first week of school and then one week prior to departure. They are unexcused absences but kids havent had a problem with attendence.

I appreciate the necessity of going in the Summer and applaud you guys for your positive attitudes. If the Summer were my only option, I'm sure I would still go.

Also, we are not big on swimming on our WDW vacations. Kids really havent asked about it. In off season we generally stay at parks from open to close, come back to resort and eat and crash. We do US/IOA on every trip as well and they are not willing to give up any of the parks for a water park. We have a nice waterpark here in Houston (Splashtown) and kids enjoy that during the Summer.

 

[LovetoTigger]

My teenager and I are headed to WDW next week for our 3rd summer visit. A couple of years ago after a July trip, I swore I'd never go during the summer again. We used to take him out of school for early December or January, too. All I can say is enjoy it while you can. We could never do it now for any length of time. He's in high school marching band which owns your life from July though November or beyond. Plus he'd be miserable trying to make up work. After going last June, we decided it's not that bad. After all, you're at WDW! We just get an early start, take a break (either at our resort or a leisurely lunch), do an e-ride night, and even take a couple of days to sleep late, swim, and relax. But as I stated in another post, when my son's college days are upon him, I will no longer have to worry about the summer heat. I will resume my December/January visits!

 

[4greatboys]

We just got back from our first summer trip (May 29-June 12) after only going in Sept, Oct and Dec. The first week of June wasnt to bad, crowds were not to bad but the second week you could see a difference in the crowds.
I think we are going to stick to the off season. Even though the hours are shorter they are usually no lines and we never have any problems seeing what we want to. It also didnt help this June was hotter than it normally is there.
Summer is not unbearable and with fast pass and planning you can still see lots of things you want, we just prefer the off season times.
BTW Golter we are neighbors--we live in Friendswood.

 

[candykisses]

Going during the summer isn't our first choice, that would be Oct or Nov. We switched to Aug when our oldest son statrted 9th grade. Even though the school district doesn't find fall vacations and the homework is given ahead of time, he still missed too much in the classroom.

To make up for the high temperature and crowds, we extended our trips from 11 to 15 days.

 

[Barbmouse63]

We are also going this summer to do some 'extras". We go every other year and last June was the first time in the summer. We really did not think it was that bad. We will go again sometime in 2005 but this summer we want to do things we don't usually have time to fit in. We are doing the Hoop Dee Do, the water parks, and DQ all for the first time. We are really looking forward to this.

 

[crazelion]

I go in summer because anything below 70 degrees is cold to us southerns.

I like the longer hours because I can sleep get late and still do parking touring late at night.