Talk to me about summer

[Mmw37]

So - my family and I always travel in January, but due to an upcoming move we had to cancel our 2018 trip and rebook for mid-June. We’ll do one night/two days at LegoLand, then three nights each at SSR and BLT. We’re DVC but new to it, and are planning to buy APs so we can use them again Jan 2019.

I know it will be hot. We lived in St Pete until 2014, so that isn’t really a problem. I’m more concerned about crowds. We usually go in early Jan, so we’re used to navigating the Marathon crowds. We usually attack early and hit as much as we can in the first couple of hours, then use FPs right before/after lunch, and leave the parks by 4 or so to get ready for dinner. We aren’t usually mid-day break takers - it seems to waste so much time. Wondering if we should change our strategy up? At least take breaks on our MK days, and obviously schedule them while we’re at BLT. How do you guys plan your days when it’s hot and crowded?

We’re also thinking of trying a water park, since they’re always closed in Jan. Which is more fun for a 6.5 and 3 y/o? Are lines horrendous, and does going on a weekday help at all? We’re moving to Wisconsin so will have easy access to the Dells from home...

 

[LSUfan4444]

Wondering if we should change our strategy up?

Summer hours are usually longer. It's pretty common to see closings much later than what you see in January so you've got more available park time. To take advantage of that extended park time many people (including us) need that mid day break, even if it's just for a swim and to get out of lines for a little while.

The mid day breaks allow you to spend more time in the parks after sundown when it's a bit cooler. We do the same sort of stratgey....hit the park early then grab lunch and head somewhere for a break. Later than afternoon we will head to whatever park we've chosen to make our FP+

 

[Klayfish]

We LOVE summer, it's our favorite time to visit WDW. We'll be there again this summer, and that'll make 4 straight summers for us, and probably 8 or 9 summer trips overall. Crowds are fine, IMO. We have zero trouble getting same day FP+ for any ride in the park, save FoP. We can do 8 or 9 rides via FP+ in a 5 or 6 hour window, with no trouble.

That water parks are awesome! Our summer trips are over 2 weeks long, so we have plenty of time. We'll hit each of the two pater parks at least 3 times each. No, it really doesn't make a difference all that much if you go weekday vs weekend. Yes, weekdays are less crowded because there are less locals, but even weekends aren't that bad. They typically open at 10am. From 10-11am, you can get on every big slide with no wait...the only limit is how fast you can climb the stairs. As for which is more fun, it's a true toss up. They both have tons of fun stuff for kids. The wave pool at TL is something like you've never seen, so if they aren't strong swimmers, just keep them in the shallow area and they'll be fine (it's a zero entry pool). BB has a fun area called Ski Patrol they'd like.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

So - my family and I always travel in January, but due to an upcoming move we had to cancel our 2018 trip and rebook for mid-June. We’ll do one night/two days at LegoLand, then three nights each at SSR and BLT. We’re DVC but new to it, and are planning to buy APs so we can use them again Jan 2019.

I know it will be hot. We lived in St Pete until 2014, so that isn’t really a problem. I’m more concerned about crowds. We usually go in early Jan, so we’re used to navigating the Marathon crowds. We usually attack early and hit as much as we can in the first couple of hours, then use FPs right before/after lunch, and leave the parks by 4 or so to get ready for dinner. We aren’t usually mid-day break takers - it seems to waste so much time. Wondering if we should change our strategy up? At least take breaks on our MK days, and obviously schedule them while we’re at BLT. How do you guys plan your days when it’s hot and crowded?

We’re also thinking of trying a water park, since they’re always closed in Jan. Which is more fun for a 6.5 and 3 y/o? Are lines horrendous, and does going on a weekday help at all? We’re moving to Wisconsin so will have easy access to the Dells from home...

My kids are of similar age. I'll answer the water park part, from my perspective:

Love the water parks! They are perhaps our favorite days. IMHO, BB is the better of the two with smaller kids. It has more rides that are a little more approachable and manageable for both parents and kids. While I love TT's wave pool, it's really too much for the kiddos and makes me a nervous parent. BB has a better kids area (better suited for the 3 year old, the 6.5 will be too tall for some of it).

I strongly recommend rope dropping the water parks, and by that I mean being there about 30 mins before park opening. You can get a lot done early at the water parks, but you need to be diligent. Then we do more relaxing, lazy river, wave pool type rides later in the day when the crowds are higher.

FWIW, we did a split stay earlier this year and did a water park day on our "moving" day - that worked out very well for us as it kept us busy the entire day and we were heading back towards the new resort when the room was ready.

I'm a summer fan, happy planning!

 

[Klayfish]

I strongly recommend rope dropping the water parks, and by that I mean being there about 30 mins before park opening.

I'm a summer fan, happy planning!

Try showing up at the water park just 5 minutes early, give it a shot. We never rope drop the 4 main parks, because we have zero desire to be up at 6am or 7am and then stand outside the gates. But the water parks, we do "rope drop". But seriously...we get to the front gate at 9:55am...a few times we've tapped through at literally 9:58am. There aren't a ton of people there, even then. We hustle quickly to chairs, drop our stuff and head right for the "big" slides. There is literally zero wait. No need to be 30 minutes early.

Otherwise, I agree with everything you said.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Try showing up at the water park just 5 minutes early, give it a shot. We never rope drop the 4 main parks, because we have zero desire to be up at 6am or 7am and then stand outside the gates. But the water parks, we do "rope drop". But seriously...we get to the front gate at 9:55am...a few times we've tapped through at literally 9:58am. There aren't a ton of people there, even then. We hustle quickly to chairs, drop our stuff and head right for the "big" slides. There is literally zero wait. No need to be 30 minutes early.

Otherwise, I agree with everything you said.

Good to know, thanks!

 

[holden]

Keep in mind that it usually rains in the afternoon. We don’t take mid day breaks because of that. We cram in what we can before the rain.

 

[powellrj]

The summer crowds aren't as bad as they use to be. More people are going in the fall than they use to.

 

[Shanti]

So - my family and I always travel in January, but due to an upcoming move we had to cancel our 2018 trip and rebook for mid-June. We’ll do one night/two days at LegoLand, then three nights each at SSR and BLT. We’re DVC but new to it, and are planning to buy APs so we can use them again Jan 2019.

I know it will be hot. We lived in St Pete until 2014, so that isn’t really a problem. I’m more concerned about crowds. We usually go in early Jan, so we’re used to navigating the Marathon crowds. We usually attack early and hit as much as we can in the first couple of hours, then use FPs right before/after lunch, and leave the parks by 4 or so to get ready for dinner. We aren’t usually mid-day break takers - it seems to waste so much time. Wondering if we should change our strategy up? At least take breaks on our MK days, and obviously schedule them while we’re at BLT. How do you guys plan your days when it’s hot and crowded?

We’re also thinking of trying a water park, since they’re always closed in Jan. Which is more fun for a 6.5 and 3 y/o? Are lines horrendous, and does going on a weekday help at all? We’re moving to Wisconsin so will have easy access to the Dells from home...

1. Crowds aren't bad in summer, except around July 4th. Crowds were actually quite low when we went in late July last yesr.
2. Set your FPs for outdoor rides before noon, when it's least likely to rain.
3. Carry lightweight ponchos. The Disney ones are too heavy & bulky for my taste. We get the thin ones from Academy at home and they work very well.
4. Wear water-friendly shoes (shoes that you won't mind wearing when they're wet). Tevas waterproof sandals are good for this.
5. Avoid wearing denim, which shrinks when wet & takes forever to dry.
6. Stay at a resort with a great pool & take midday breaks.
7. Go to the water parks at rope drop.
8. Play mini-golf after sunset- it's very pleasant that way.
9. Everyone in your party should have hats with good-sized brims, and I also recommend sunglasses.
10. EMH are even more useful in summer, because the best weather of the day is during morning and evening. Use them if you're staying onsite!
11. You'll notice that resort prices are lower in summer than at most other times of year.
12. Have fun! I think summer is the most carefree time of year at WDW.

 

[Shanti]

Summer hours are usually longer. It's pretty common to see closings much later than what you see in January so you've got more available park time.

Summer hours don't run nearly as late as they used to, unfortunately. They should still be longer than hours in January, though.

 

[SA mom]

Ditto what Shanti stated. I will also add that rainy days are great because many people leave. We had a great night in Epcot just hoping on one thing after another one mid-June evening.

 

[Dakota731]

We’ve had seven summer trips and never even had to use fast passes! We rode Space Mountain, RNR coaster and EE over and over with no waits. We are doing our first December trip this year, and I’m shocked how hard my ADRs were to get, so I’m afraid I will be shocked by the crowds. The summer’s longer hours and water park options seem to spread the people out more, in my opinion. I don’t like the heat much any more, but I’m also nervous about the cold nights this trip. I guess I’m saying there is no perfect time to go to WDW, and there are pros and cons for any season.

 

[Tomh]

We always travel in August. The parks are crowded, but if you have a plan, and make good use of FP+ it is manageable. We particularly enjoy the long park hours, and generally are there from open until close.

As far as strategy, we are there for rope drop, plan on hitting some biggies standby in the first hour, and schedule our FP+ starting at either 9:30, or 10:00, that way we are done with our 3 pre booked FP+ by 1:00 at the latest, and can go for a 4th.

 

[Mmw37]

I’m so glad to hear all of this! Usually we leave the parks by 4 or 5 and don’t return, but if we leave by lunch time and come back for an early dinner and more rides that might work out well. Water park on our split stay switch day is probably a great idea, I think we’ll do that. Thanks all!