Summer Visit?

[tguz]

HA! Great description!

I'm curious, are the 15s there all month long or just for certain parts of it? We went mid-July and encountered them, but this year we're going the week after the 4th, so I'm trying to brace myself.

The last two summers, we went for a week the last week of July and stayed at All Star Movies one year and Pop Century last year and we did not encounter the 15's at our resorts. We are going again July 28 - Aug 3 again this year staying at Pop Century so we will see about it this year.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

I wondered the same thing during my very first WDW trip in July of 2003 as I kept seeing these large groups of girls following someone holding up a Flag all around the Parks!lol

Having returned every July since then for my Birthday and staying Value a lot of those trips,THE STORIES I COULD TELL!lol

The 15s are Tour Groups of South American girls celebrating their 15th Birthday.

They are FAMOUS for their matching Backpacks and shirts and for their LARGE numbers!

Most are given the choice of a LARGE party at home or a trip to WDW(some will also go to NYC and Miami and Bahamas)and,in addition to WDW,most will also go to Universal,Sea World,Busch Gardens,etc.

Some will also have Private Parties(some with South American entertainers)as well as Quinceanera celebrations in World ShowPlace.

The largest numbers,BY FAR,are from Brazil and Argentina with smaller numbers from Uruguay,Paraguay,Chile,Venezuela,etc.

It is VERY interesting when Brazil and Argentina encounter each other-they DO NOT like each other-mainly because of Soccer.

Their rivalry is like Alabama v. Auburn or Ohio State v. Michigan on STEROIDS!

The "main" months for the migration of The 15s are July for their Winter Break and January/February for their Summer Break.

For the most part,they are really nice young ladies,but they can get "out of hand" at times!lol

They now use Private Buses alot and that has helped greatly as has the introduction of the Super Greeters in the Summer.

I present to you the LEGENDARY PHENOMENON KNOWN AS THE 15s!lol

WOW the thought of being around that many 15 year old girls at one time is frightening. I was that age and was an annoying 15 yo girl too and now I get that daily dose of "fun" with my girls. As they'd probably say, "OMG today is going to be so fire, this is lit, I love Post Malone!!!!! I'm so dead!!!!"

OL but seriously, I am sure most are sweet and if their chaperones keep them in check, they're just kids taking a super cool trip out of the country, pretty lucky kids!! Just glad I don't ever see them during my trips!!

 

[FastPasser.]

Given the choice, we would never go in July-August when it is so hot/humid the last thing want to do is wait in long lines in the blazing sun.

I'm with you. Due to my over familiarity with being at WDW during the summer, I will not vacation at WDW during the summer months in the future. I'll go for a few hours, but that's it. That goes for peak holiday periods as well.

 

[holden]

Is the heat bearable? IMHO no. We cope by trying to do lots of indoor attractions, hitting the parks early and after the sun goes down, and staying well hydrated. It might be a placebo effect, but I think Smartwater helps a lot.

Crowds are manageable.

We usually visit in June, July or August. Temps in June seem a little better than August. I think it’s the humidity in August that’s a killer.

 

[maccagerl]

Even if you aren't paying, you can always walk into a quick service restaurant and get a cup of water with ice for free. We take advantage of that and get a cup of ice water and fill our water bottles. But if you do that, be sure to bring some water flavoring to use, the water in WDW is not good tasting tap water!

Starbucks filters their water so it tastes better than the other places!

 

[Klayfish]

Starbucks filters their water so it tastes better than the other places!

Sorry, but the words "Starbucks" and "tastes better" are incompatible.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

Is the heat bearable? IMHO no. We cope by trying to do lots of indoor attractions, hitting the parks early and after the sun goes down, and staying well hydrated. It might be a placebo effect, but I think Smartwater helps a lot.

Crowds are manageable.

We usually visit in June, July or August. Temps in June seem a little better than August. I think it’s the humidity in August that’s a killer.

Agree it's not the heat, it's the humidity. Early August is my safe visit time, I try to stay away from later in August for the more active hurricane/tropical weather issues. We're from FL and now we live in SC so where we are is actually hotter and more humid than Orlando in the summer months, I feel like we are primed and ready for FL 'vacation' heat than being at home and not on vacation heat LOL!!

I think if you're from up north where the heat is short lived, it would be a shock for sure but it's already 90 degrees in SC.

 

[Darklord77]

I think if you're from up north where the heat is short lived, it would be a shock for sure but it's already 90 degrees in SC.

True. Living in the south for 23 years, including Florida for a few, gives me a different opinion on what temps are bearable than someone from Wisconsin.

 

[MainMom]

True. Living in the south for 23 years, including Florida for a few, gives me a different opinion on what temps are bearable than someone from Wisconsin.

I’m from Wisconsin and I love it! I soak it up. Winters are loooong and summers too short. We went in March last year and it was cold, windy and rainy. This year we will be there in June. Give me the heat!

 

[sponica]

Agree it's not the heat, it's the humidity. Early August is my safe visit time, I try to stay away from later in August for the more active hurricane/tropical weather issues. We're from FL and now we live in SC so where we are is actually hotter and more humid than Orlando in the summer months, I feel like we are primed and ready for FL 'vacation' heat than being at home and not on vacation heat LOL!!

I think if you're from up north where the heat is short lived, it would be a shock for sure but it's already 90 degrees in SC.

Every time I've gone to Orlando in the summer, it's just as hot and humid back home in the northeast. At least in Orlando I'm having fun? Of course I'm the person who thinks August is an awesome time to visit AZ. 100 degrees beats 100 inches of snow.

 

[tguz]

Every time I've gone to Orlando in the summer, it's just as hot and humid back home in the northeast. At least in Orlando I'm having fun? Of course I'm the person who thinks August is an awesome time to visit AZ. 100 degrees beats 100 inches of snow.

Very well said...I agree. It is just as hot and humid in the Midwest when we go to Disney so the heat is not a shock. And I agree, 100 degrees beats snow any day. As soon as it is retirement time, we are headed to Florida....Orlando area or Naples area.

 

[kniquy]

you can always walk into a quick service restaurant and get a cup of water with ice for free. We take advantage of that and get a cup of ice water and fill our water bottles.

So I know at all QS locations they have water, but do you have to stand in line to get it or is it set up in a separate location so you can just go and grab quickly? self serve or does staff have to pour and serve you the cups?

 

[Klayfish]

So I know at all QS locations they have water, but do you have to stand in line to get it or is it set up in a separate location so you can just go and grab quickly? self serve or does staff have to pour and serve you the cups?

You can just go to where people pick up food and ask for it. No need to wait in line. Many of them already have them pre-made, but yes the CMs do need to get them for you. Never takes long at all.

 

[tguz]

So I know at all QS locations they have water, but do you have to stand in line to get it or is it set up in a separate location so you can just go and grab quickly? self serve or does staff have to pour and serve you the cups?

Some locations have the big glass ice water dispensers on a separate table or stand with a stack of cups for self serve. I remember Gaston's Tavern having one and one outside near the 50's diner. I saw several more last Summer but I can't recall where.

 

[tallguy001]

I’m from Wisconsin and I love it! I soak it up. Winters are loooong and summers too short. We went in March last year and it was cold, windy and rainy. This year we will be there in June. Give me the heat!

Same here! Going to be even better after this horrid winter/spring here in Wisconsin! 55 days to go.

 

[sponica]

Same here! Going to be even better after this horrid winter/spring here in Wisconsin! 55 days to go.

We're sure having a nice November this May in NH.

 

[dtripli]

The last two summers, we went for a week the last week of July and stayed at All Star Movies one year and Pop Century last year and we did not encounter the 15's at our resorts. We are going again July 28 - Aug 3 again this year staying at Pop Century so we will see about it this year.

Well I took the plunge and booked it! The same dates as you....I couldn't decide between the two; so I went for a few days in each month. lol I hope you enjoy you trip!

 

[dtripli]

I just wanted to thank everyone for your input. We decided we are going for it!. We will be at the BC end of July thru early August....our first trip in the summer months!

 

[tguz]

Well I took the plunge and booked it! The same dates as you....I couldn't decide between the two; so I went for a few days in each month. lol I hope you enjoy you trip!

Awesome!! Thanks, and you enjoy your trip too!!

 

[Mmfan4]

Thanks for the thoughts. We are thinking about Disney World in August and were wondering about crowds. But we usually go around Thanksgiving and that’s a zoo.