Tell me the thruth is end of July tolerable?

[brando5111]

We are thinking of going end of July through Aug 2nd. Are we going to be able to stand it? We live in California in a town called Valencia, which does get in the 100's in summer, but its a very dry heat...just worried we won't be able to enjoy the trip with the heat and humidity? But we also feel that it will be more fun during the summer since we can go to the waterparks and the theme parks will be open in the evening as well - which makes for a much longer day? What about the crowds - are they also unbearable in the summer? Our other option is Oct 4 thru 12, but I'm afraid everything will be closing early then, and its so much more fun to go back to the hotel in the afternoon and swim and then go back to the parks in the evening? HELP!

 

[DisneyLisa]

Well I guess it depends on the individual. We've done WDW the last 3 summers in a row & I just can't take the heat any more. We get weather in the high 90's here in the summer but touring parks in that weather is too much for me. I found we were always rushing to find the next break from the heat (ie. air conditioning).

We found it crowded but we didn't really mind it that much. As you can see, we're going in October this year. I want to go when it's a little cooler but still warm enough to enjoy the pool in the afternoons. I know what you mean about being in the parks at night though...we really enjoy doing that, but last July they closed fairly early and we were disappointed.

Oct 4-12th sounds like a better time to me but that's just my personal preference (nice weather & less crowded).

 

[Mad4Mickey]

I can tell you that being from Texas I always thought I could take the heat! I have been 3 times during that time of year and 1 time during that same week. I wont do it again , I cant take the heat and my kids were miserable. I only go before the middle of May or after the middle of Sept. They will close early in Oct but there will be less people and so it makes up for it . I am going in Oct this year because I am taking my 3 yr old Nephew and I want us BOTH to be happy !
Something else is the prices are much better in Oct, we are going to be able to stay in a deluxe instead of a moderate.
Hope you have a great time no matter when you go

 

[franw]

My theory on this is that if you go off season, such as October, you are able to squeeze in three times as much in shorter hours than you could if you go extended hours and have five times as many people vying for everything - meals, rides, water parks. We always go in October and May. There is plenty to do all day long, the weather is great and our evenings seemed to always be filled. I swore I would never go again in the summer after a week of 100 degrees and 100 percent humidity. Like you, I live in the west. Maybe we are a bit too spoiled by the weather out here but my personal opinion is the the Florida weather is intolerable in the summer. You can go outside at 6 am and it is like hitting a wall of heat and humidity. No offense Floridians, like I said, maybe you get used to it or I am a major weenie but I would vote for October. My undertanding is that they even have to close the water parks some days mid morning because the crods get so bad in the summer. It can even get real warm there in October but it is manageable. I will also say that after fifteen years of going to Disneyland and San Diego every summer, we absolutely love Disney World. It is the greatest vacation place in the world. Whether you are with kids, adults only or even a few days on your own - you will absolutely love the magnitude of the place with nothing infringing upon it from the outside. There isn't enough time to do everything in two weeks time.

 

[brando5111]

Wow - Thanks for such a quick response! Well, I must agree, I think even with shorter park hours, we'll be much happier in October. Just wish it could be during the food & wine festival! But my son's school break is only from the 6-10th of Oct.! OK, that's all set, now for the resort....(my next post!)

Thanks again! I'm getting excited making these plans. I work for a cruise company in California and usually we "go cruising" so this will be a much needed change of vacation for us...we haven't been for a couple of years and as much as we love Disneyland, it just doesn't compare to WDW in our estimation. There is so much more to do and the resorts just make it so special!

 

[primax]

Oh great now you are all scarying the crap out of me. Got keep watching this thread. : (

 

[Mad4Mickey]

Brando, the best hotel to me is the WL. It is so beautiful there and with great rates being offered in Oct , you cant beat it

 

[mirlow]

As much as I hate the heat I love the excitement of WDW in the summer. We have gone the last three summers during July/Aug. We live in a dry climate too, so it takes some getting use to. There's nothing like drinking a Lava Flow at the Polynesian Pool when it's 95 degrees outside! The MK can be very hot and smelly at night with all of the people crammed and sweaty, but you just have to figure out what works. We never wait more than 15 minutesfor rides. If the line is to long move on to something else. It works for us because we have young kids who nap, so we get up early do the parks for a couple of hours go back nap, swim and head back to the parks for a bit more and then we still might go for an evening swim. When my kids take their naps they can go till 11:00pm. Just like you we live in a different time zone and we don't quite adjust, so staying up till 11 feels like 9 for them. We have also gone down in January the last two years and it's just not the same. The parks close at 6 so I have to go all day with the kids and they are tired and cranky. Then they are out at 7 and we pretty much can't do anything with them tired so we are all stuck in the hotel. Plus after going during MLK week last year I have no desire to go back in January. Not only was it freezing (a low of 25 ) but it was just as crowded as the summer. Now I have been thinking about going in Oct. I'm sure the weather is great, but I bet the parks close early. I would like to try the MNSSHP.

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by Mad4Mickey
I can tell you that being from Texas I always thought I could take the heat! I have been 3 times during that time of year and 1 time during that same week. I wont do it again , I cant take the heat and my kids were miserable. I only go before the middle of May or after the middle of Sept. They will close early in Oct but there will be less people and so it makes up for it . I am going in Oct this year because I am taking my 3 yr old Nephew and I want us BOTH to be happy !
Something else is the prices are much better in Oct, we are going to be able to stay in a deluxe instead of a moderate.
Hope you have a great time no matter when you go

Deluxe resorts after July 3 are value season until the end of September, during October they will be regular season.

 

[jcanary]

I guess it depends how you plan on doing the parks. We do not do commando style. The extended hours and the guaranteed heat you are able to relax. We will never be found in the parks after 1pm but we will always be back after 5 or 6. We get to do the pools, do the boat and bike plan. Every where you go there is air conditioning, so if you are not in the hot sun in the afternoon you shouldn't mind it. As I have said we love it and usually always go in July. We have gone once or twice at Christmas and hated having to pack both warm and cold clothes. Plus you usually couldn't visit the water parks. Being DVC members we know we will be back again and again so we take our leisure time when it comes to the parks. I just think the extended hours make it so much nicer. You always have the night parades, etc. I am sure I am one of the few but I would not hestitate to send anyone or go myself at this time. But I would warn them that they need to leave the park in the afternoon and go back after dinner.

 

[richlaurasmith]

Originally posted by brando5111
We live in California in a town called Valencia, which does get in the 100's in summer, but its a very dry heat...

brando5111:

I was just in Valencia a few weeks ago, my brother lives there. It's beautiful!! You're so lucky to live in such a beatiful area but be so close to all the action, too.

 

[peachgirl]

We love going in the summer! We went this past December and while we enjoyed the trip, the cold weather was just awful. No water parks, no pool and there's just something strange about shivering in the MK! It was colder in WDW than it was at home for most of our trip! Also, it was a pain having to figure out how to dress each day. It was either carry jackets/sweaters around all day or head back to the resort just to change clothes when it warmed up in the afternoon or cooled off in the evenings. And while it rains all year long, we've never experienced the torrential rains in the summer that we did this December.


I don't want to go in the off season. Park hours are cut back and there's always a ton of things closed for refurbishment. Everyone has their own preferences, but I'll take hot and humid over cold and wet any day!

 

[lovethemouse2]

You never know about the weather in FL. Once we went and it was 100. Last year we went the same week (June 10) and had PERFECT weather, overcast, breezy, it couldn't have been more perfect. So you just never know.

In July the chances of having thunderstorms are greater than in Oct. Tho, the time I went in Oct we still had thunderstorms.

As far as crowds go I love going May or Setember, right before school gets out or right after it starts. In MK many rides had zero lines, yes, NO WAIT. We rode our favorites repeatedly. We walked into every restaurant with no PS and was seated immediately. However, I haven't seen Spectromagic or the Fireworks in 4 years! So you have to decided which is more important.

I went in Oct once on a weekend and it was very crowded. So you should aim for weekdays.

 

[lynniepooh]

I went to WDW mid-June of last year and have vowed never to go in the summer again! It was miserably hot...people are grumpier and it just spoils the magic. I'm going the end of the September this year...hope it has cooled off a bit by then. My favorite time is the first week of December...decent weather...the mornings are cool but the afternoons are glorious!! Plus the added bonus of the Christmas decorations and MVMCP!

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

I'm taking my 2 dds the 1st week in Aug and this will be our first summer trip. We normally go in May and Nov/Dec. We live in NJ and are used to the humidity. I'm just hoping its tolerable! I did plan some activites for the girls outside the parks for a cool break, grand adventures in cooking, and the wonderland tea party. We go pretty often and we are not the commando type. I plan lots of swimming and a day for Typhoon Lagoon.

 

[manhattan]

We went once to the MK on July 4, and swore never again. The crowds were unbelievable! My SIL normally goes that day too, but she doesn't mind the crowds and loves that the park is open later. We are planning a trip for the second week of July. Planning on doing the FT package, so we can go to the parks in the morning, head back to the resort in the afternoon and go pack to the parks after dinner. We usually head to Clearwater Beach for July 4 and don't mind the heat. I also normally have to head down to Miami last weekend in July for business, and again, don't mind the heat or humidity. We have gone to WDW a number of times, so we won't be stressing over trying to do every single ride. We've got our favorites, and that will be good enough for us.

 

[DEH3rd]

We've gone during easter, 4th of july, june, late july & august (I'm a teacher, so off-season is not an option). I love the longer hours. just take your time & don't try to see everything in one day, & you'll be fine. I have little ones (2,5,7), & they handle it with no problem. When they are tired, we stop. when they are hungry, we eat...etc... The extra long hours mean more opportunities for magic. Yeah, it's hot, & yeah, it's crowded, but if you just pace yourself, it is no problem. Remember, you're on vacation! Hope this helps

 

[Greg K.]

...and our first trip as DVC owners. Two weeks, in mid-July, at the Beach Club Villas.

Now, we've been to Disney several times, done it all, and will be picking and choosing where we go and when. So it's no big whoop for us. It's not like we are stampeding through the parks, elbowing through the crowds, sweating like pack mules, dousing ourselves with gallons of water and slathering on endless amounts of sunscreen for hours and hours. I figure we'll do early mornings and skeedaddle frmo the parks by noon.

Some friends, also DVC members, have been there several times in mid-summer and say that if you've been there before, and know what you want to do, and plan to be indoors or at the pool during the hottest time of the day, it's not bad.

We'll see.

 

[ZachnElli]

This year will be our 2nd July trip with kids. I like the summers when it's open later. We head back in the afternoon like everyone is suggesting and it works fine. We tell the kids either they nap or we don't go back after nap time and they always slept!

 

[Mad4Mickey]

Sammie, I dont know how my TA did it but she did get us a Deluxe for Oct for less then we would have paid in Sept for a Mod. She is wonderful and always finds me cheap deals . It could be that they are offering something for TX that month . They do offer offer specials from time to time depending on what state you are coming from.