Summer Trip - What to expect

[caracarn]

I have visited Disney many, many times in my life so I feel pretty comfortable that I know everything I need to know most times, but I've come across something I have no experience with and am looking for any and all feedback I can get.

We are a blended family of 8 and went for the first time with everyone last year for spring break. Half the kids had never been so they were excited but also convinced that the other half who had gone many times and could not stop talking about it were nuts. They were insistent that they would go, probably have a decent time, and not really want to go back.

Well before we even ended that trip all those "naysayers" were asking about when we could come back. (I love Disney! ). As time has gone on the questions keep coming up and we are trying to see when we can save up enough to return. The new challenge for us as the kids have gotten older and with the differing schedules or work and school is that it is most likely going to be a trip next summer in 2016.

This is where I get to my lack of expertise. For all the dozens of trips to WDW, I have never, ever gone in the summer. I have avoided it mainly because of the presumed heat, though we have gone in September or late April-early May so figure it may have been similar. I know the September trips felt really hot some times. It would be June, July or August.

So.... What can those of you that have gone then tell me? Can you even stay in the parks all day (kids ages 18-11 at that time) or will it be like a torture test? Are the crowds crazy, i.e. how many rides can we expect to get on in a given day? I personally really do not like standing in the heat, but if that's the only time we can go then I will just need to deal with it. I still want to get my Disney fix!

Thanks for the input.

 

[kboo]

We went the last week of August last year with 3yo DD. It was hot, it was humid, and it poured a few afternoons we were there. That said, we had a great time! Is it possible to go all day without taking a break? Yes, though I'm not sure I would have wanted to even if our DD didn't need her nap. We napped when she did. I think it's possible if you make sure to take in some air-conditioned rides and shows at peak heat, and maybe break for lunch inside, etc. The crowds were not bad at all - the crowd calendar the week we were there ranged from 3 on the weekdays to 5/6 on the weekends. There were lines for the "E" rides, but even so we managed to see Elsa and Anna waiting "only" 60 minutes in the standby line one night after dinner, and rode 7DMT after about a 20 minute wait one morning. We also got a 35% off room deal. All in all, it was surprisingly fun, though we took pool/lunch/nap breaks EVERY day.

I would totally do it again, but would definitely take breaks and - with bigger kids - work in at least 1-2 days of water parks too.

 

[ariane37]

I hadn't been to Fla. in the summer since 1991 until last Aug. I DESPISE the heat - I've said this here before, once it hits 80 I rarely go outside unless a loved one is bleeding . Disney being my exception, although our trips to Disney had been Jan, Feb, May, Oct, and Nov. Older DS started Jr. High last Sept. so we decided to try summer and went Aug 25th - Sept. 2nd. I am not exaggerating when I say I DETEST and hate hate HATE the heat and I assumed I'd decide we'd never do summer again, but it was not as miserable as I thought at all! Ended up being a great trip It was hot as anything and I had planned mid-day breaks (which we normally never do) but ended up we didn't really need them and after the 3rd day, we didn't take them. Hated traveling back to resort only to turn around and go back to the park. I did schedule TS lunches instead of our usual TS dinners to get out of the heat during the hottest part of the day, and then we just went inside stores or shows when we needed to. Crowds were not bad at all that last week. The only 2 lines I got really hot on that stick out in my mind were Kali when we went for the 2nd time w/o a FP (waited about 20 min) and TOT w/o FP (ridiculous 40 mins. I did for my son).

Never been in Sept. but from what I've read it's still pretty hot then! Might not be much different than Aug.??

 

[staceyrhood]

It is VERY VERY hot and humid in the summer, July-September being the worse. Also keep in mind that is also rains a lot during summer. I would take breaks in the afternoon, drink a TON of water, and have a squeeze breeze (fan with water bottle attached) with you to cool off. The crowds will be very busy, dropping off the last week of August, and dropping significantly after Labor Day.

 

[AuroraRosesMom]

If you survived September, then you can make it through June, July, August. June probably being the best bet. I live in FL and I always say that August and September are probably the hardest months IMO. I've been to WDW at all different times of the year. I don't know if there is a slow time anymore LOL. So, yes, it'll be busy. It'll be hot. Stay hydrated. I don't know if going all day is worth it... I'd prefer a trip to the pool in the evenings. But, if you really want to fit everything in one day, then do what you gotta do! Like I said, you conquered September... So, you'll be OK!

 

[Disfan1968]

We go in August just about every time. For us, staying in the parks all day would in fact be a bit of a torture test. I advocate the longer trip, 6-8 hours/day in the park plan. I also did the split day park plan (where you go at rope drop, take a few hours off mid day, and go back for evening) one year when i didn't have kids, and liked that to.

Just plan for and around the heat and embrace the fact that it will be hot, and you'll be ok.

 

[caracarn]

Thanks for all the great input. As a blended family we have our own unique "challenges" in when we are able to take vaction times etc. but it seems like if we can do June that would be the best with the heat. No way we could do late August as school nearly starts and again, the visitation schedules do not allow for deviations from parenting schedule (which splits the week) the first week after and the first week before school so the latest we could reasonably go would probably be until August 15th, which seems to have general consensus that it will be both busy and super, duper hot.