Summer to Christmas convert struggling with summer void--anyone else?

[Fargoman2]

After five consecutive sweltering summer trips, our family of five is opting for a late Nov./early Dec. trip to experience the Disney Christmas magic. Sounds great, but I have to admit I'm feeling a big sense of void for this summer. I think we're really going to miss those evening strolls along Boardwalk, for example. And summer is just more relaxing--not from a touring standpoint--but from a less worries about work and school standpoint.

Anyone else feeling the summer Disney withdrawals, wondering how they can wait another 6 months to go?

 

[NotSoMini]

Can't comment on the summer "void", but I just wanted to let you know that after 6 or 7 December trips to the World, we just returned from a late spring vacation - the four of us agreed that although the weather was nice and warm, WDW just didn't have the magic that it does during the Christmas season! Soooo, our next visit to Florida will be in December again!

 

[FOV]

FargoMan - We are exact opposites! We have always gone to WDW in early December (with the exception of one October trip) and it is our *favorite* time to go! The warm walks on the Boardwalk will be replaced with the most amazing Christms decorations. WDW is truly transformed for the winter holidays!

This year my dd will be entering 6th grade and we can't take her out of school for a WDW trip so we are opting for a late August trip instead.

In our area of the country (Boston) it is beautiful in the summer so we take lots of days to enjoy the beach and weekend getaways in the mountains. We usually go to a few waterparks as well. When the weather starts to turn cold here we are looking forward to a warm Florida trip! I can imagine Fargo gets pretty chilly as well so FL in December will be a nice break!

Any tips on a summer trip? I am about ready to cancel fearing it will be too hot to enjoy.

 

[Minnie824]

Growing up, I used to go in summer all the time. You get used to the heat, and the needed trips to the pool, and waiting in line. But, since DH & I got married, we went on our honeymoon in Nov, went last year, Nov/Dec and this year Nov/Dec. I never want to go back in the summer! At least not until my kids are older. The thought of the endless lines and heat with a 4.5 and 2 yr old is not that appealing to me. We walked on almost every ride and to me, thats more relaxing! Its really not that cold either...you can have strolls along the boardwalk in the evening. In fact, last year we stayed at BC and did just that..walked to the Boardwalk Bakery. I haven't had a 'summer vacation' in a long time, so I don't really miss that aspect. Maybe you could go somewhere close for a night or 2 over the summer?

 

[Fargoman2]

Yes, I must confess summer is excruciatingly HOT at WDW! But having said that, our family did manage to thrive surprisingly well despite the heat. The keys are obvious, but worth repeating:

1. Get going early and plan a mid-day break back at your resort--nap, or at least lay down for a good while. If you think you can "tough it out," I would think again. The heat will beat you and by 4 p.m. you will be totally shot. The rest is a great reviver--it's almost like having two days in one.

2. Plan well--USE FASTPASS often and well. This is no doubt obvious to a veteran like you, but standing in long, hot lines is a killer. And take advantage of late nights at the park.

3. Manage your expectations. The crowds dictate the QUANTITY of what you can experience--you just won't be able to do as much as you do in December. But if you go in with that mindset and focus on a moderate pace with high-quality experiences--more time on the Boardwalk, r and r at the resort pools, etc. I think you'll do just fine.

4. A "bad" day at Disney is still better than any "good" day at work. Realize that you love Disney and appreciate what this different season has to offer.

Thanks again for your thoughts--and those from the others of you as well!

 

[ChristmasElf]

FargoMan

Any tips on a summer trip? I am about ready to cancel fearing it will be too hot to enjoy.

It will definately be HOT!!! Take along some frozen water bottles to the park with you if you can and get a mister fan as that will come in very handy!

Hit the parks early and head out of each one around 1-2 pm and head back to the resort for a dip in the pool and to freshen up, have a quick dinner and then head back over to the parks in the evening hours.

Take and wear lots of sunscreen as the sun can be brutal here!

Don't worry, you will have a great time~The Magic Kingdom is usually open late during the summertime leaving you loads of time to stroll through.

 

[millerjudi]

Here's my solution--go twice each year! I am lucky because my mother lives in Tampa and we go to visit her every Thanksgiving, so this year, we decided to go to Disney (our first trip to WDW) for five days before Thanksgiving. After going this past November, I was hooke and too sad to wait a whole year to go back, so I planed a short (2 1/2 day) trip at the end of June also tacked onto a trip to visit my mom. I can justify the airfare by saying that I am taking my DS and DD to see their grandmother!

 

[FOV]

Fargo Man - this should cheer you up when you are longing for WDW this summer (from weather.com):

Historical Temp August:

Fargo, ND High 81 / Low 57
WDW High 92 / Low 73

Historical Temp December:

Fargo, ND High 21 / Low 4
WDW High 73 / Low 53

 

[cabanafrau]

We're nervously braving it for the first time in August this year. We've always been used to November/December and January. Me thinks we won't be in Kansas anymore, but hopefully we'll have planned well-enough to have a great time in spite of ourselves!

 

[lizanne]

I know exactly what you mean. Last year was the first time since '92 that we didn't go in the summer. It took forever for Thanksgiving to get here. We checked in the day after Thanksgiving and stayed for 10 days.

It was a totally different experience. After the first Saturday the Parks weren't crowded at all. The weather was glorious. The Christmas attractions were all first rate (don't miss the Candlelight Procession or MVMCP).

After that trip my husband said he'll never again go back in the summer, but he has health issues and really can't deal with the heat anymore. I must admit, that is one thing about the summer I didn't miss.

This year we're going the end of October and I'm looking forward to the trip. But it's June now and Oct seems so far away. I miss our summer trips.

 

[kimluvswdw]

After five consecutive sweltering summer trips, our family of five is opting for a late Nov./early Dec. trip to experience the Disney Christmas magic. Sounds great, but I have to admit I'm feeling a big sense of void for this summer. I think we're really going to miss those evening strolls along Boardwalk, for example. And summer is just more relaxing--not from a touring standpoint--but from a less worries about work and school standpoint.

Anyone else feeling the summer Disney withdrawals, wondering how they can wait another 6 months to go?

I know just what you mean. We did manage to go over spring break but we usually go in the summer. We will not make it down there this summer because of hubbys vacation time and I was feeling very depressed at the thought of having to wait 6 months to get there. Time is going so slow. This will be our first time going at the beginning of December. I can't wait!

 

[grinningghost]

We love summer at WDW. The long park hours, the long lasting daylight, the ability to use the pools and waterparks without freezing - it's all great.

I would love to go at Christmas sometime, but I know what you mean about summer - it's such a great time to be there.