The all New *OFFICIAL JUNE* 2011 thread! Some like it hot!

[mommyoftwinz]

Thank you. My family will be up and out pretty early too - waited too long for this to sleep through it! I will try to keep the midday break in mind. The mister fans sound like a great idea. I will keep my eye out for some. I have a breakfast buffet reservation for Tusker house at AK for 10:15 on AK EMH day and 11:05 for Chef Mickeys on MK day (not EMH). Maybe we should not be sitting back eating then though?? Would you suggest I try to get something closer to 12:00 to maximize the morning time in the park? (We have DDP) Also, do you recommend that everyone carry a backpack to hold water bottles, mister fans, ponchos, etc? I thought we might be better off having one bag and sharing the load between myself, hubby and my oldest son (12) so that we can rotate it, but now I am wondering if one large bag will worse than a few little ones. The person lugging the bag would be extra hot.

This is our first trip in June and despite the heat and crowds it sounds totally doable with a little bit of preparation. The concensus seems to say go to the parks when the open for rope drop. I've made most of my sit down ADR's for either after 12 (the heat of the day it would be nice to sit down in the air conditioning) or dinner. We got the PH so we can go back to the hotel in the after and swim or rest and then go whichever park in the evening seems like it would have lighter crowds (mainly avoid evening EMH's). We'll be packing mister fans and a frozen washcloth every morning and I bought water bottles that clip onto our belt loops to carry with us. Have to pick up visors or hats still and lots of sunblock. If you don't want to carry a bag throughout the park, they do have lockers. I'm debating carrying the ponchos this year. Sounds like there's a good chance of rain on most days in the afternoon but it usually passes by quickly. It may feel good to get wet, cool you off or we may be back at the hotel resting anyway. So what does everyone carry at the park with them? I'm trying to lighten my load and really don't want to bring much, thinking about just carrying a wristlet.

 

[anjalee6]

This is our first trip in June and despite the heat and crowds it sounds totally doable with a little bit of preparation. The concensus seems to say go to the parks when the open for rope drop. I've made most of my sit down ADR's for either after 12 (the heat of the day it would be nice to sit down in the air conditioning) or dinner. We got the PH so we can go back to the hotel in the after and swim or rest and then go whichever park in the evening seems like it would have lighter crowds (mainly avoid evening EMH's). We'll be packing mister fans and a frozen washcloth every morning and I bought water bottles that clip onto our belt loops to carry with us. Have to pick up visors or hats still and lots of sunblock. If you don't want to carry a bag throughout the park, they do have lockers. I'm debating carrying the ponchos this year. Sounds like there's a good chance of rain on most days in the afternoon but it usually passes by quickly. It may feel good to get wet, cool you off or we may be back at the hotel resting anyway. So what does everyone carry at the park with them? I'm trying to lighten my load and really don't want to bring much, thinking about just carrying a wristlet.

I don't take much into the park with me even having two little ones. I wear a bagallini backpack. They are small, light weight, but I can cram everything into it that I need. I do bring ponchos with me. We usually pack the cheap kind even there is a chance of rain and then if it's already raining and supposed to rain more than we wear the heavier ponchos. It was brutally hot last year in july when we went and we still had the best time ever. You just need to make sure to take breaks and to not try to do everything.

 

[anjalee6]

Thank you. My family will be up and out pretty early too - waited too long for this to sleep through it! I will try to keep the midday break in mind. The mister fans sound like a great idea. I will keep my eye out for some. I have a breakfast buffet reservation for Tusker house at AK for 10:15 on AK EMH day and 11:05 for Chef Mickeys on MK day (not EMH). Maybe we should not be sitting back eating then though?? Would you suggest I try to get something closer to 12:00 to maximize the morning time in the park? (We have DDP) Also, do you recommend that everyone carry a backpack to hold water bottles, mister fans, ponchos, etc? I thought we might be better off having one bag and sharing the load between myself, hubby and my oldest son (12) so that we can rotate it, but now I am wondering if one large bag will worse than a few little ones. The person lugging the bag would be extra hot.

We either do ADRS first thing in the morning or or around between 12 and 1. This way we maximize our park time in the morning. We found this works the best for us especially with little kids. You kids are a little older so since you will probably be doing a lot of the attractions that everyone wants to do, then I would say meals around 10 or 11 might be cutting into your maximum park time. Of course, this is only one opinion and you will hear lots of different ones. Do what you think will work best for your family in the end.

If you really want to do character meals though, trying to rework them to get Tusker House and Chef Mickey's is going to be hard. They also don't do character meals at these places for lunch so keep that in mind before you rework your schedules. If you don't mind eating really early, we go to Chef Mickey's at 7:05 am and it's not busy, we get in and out, and to our park on time. Again, I personally wouldn't give up your character meals now without thinking about it before you do it.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I will change it and congrats on more time at WDW.




Welcome! We usually post our plans and ADRS on page 1 of the thread. I will wait until you are more decided if that is okay and if you could give specific times for your ADRS that would be great (that is...if you want them listed on page 1-if not that is fine too).. Welcome again!

Thank you!! I would like our ADR's on there, and I am not making any changes to them, they are set.

Thanks for the crowd calendar & all of the info on here too. I am about to start reading the whole thread to get caught up with everyone. I'm so excited to have found this!!

 

[itsalebeau]

Hi. I am planning the first trip to DW for our family of 5 (kids 12, 10, and 8)! We will be there June 21 to 27. Everyone I mention it to says that it is a "bad" time of year to go between the heat, the crowds and the rain. A bit of a bummer to hear this when we already have it booked and 4/5 are excited about our first trip. (Hubby was already grumbling about having to go down in the crowds and heat so the feedback we keep getting is not helpful!!) Can anyone provide me with tips on how to work around the heat/rain? Is there a best/worst time to be places? Do you have any planning tips for dealing with the weather? We are staying at BWI and have water park tickets but not park hopper. Any info would be helpful.

You'll be there the exact same time as me, on our first trip to WDW too!! We aren't using park hoppers either.

I'm very excited. We were worried about the heat/crowds...we wilt easily.

These boards have been AMAZING for trip planning. I looked up a lot of "going in June" info on the boards and took a lot of notes. A lot of what people have already said is what I have found as far as advice... try to get there at rope drop, leave the parks in the heat of the afternoon and go back to your hotel room and nap/relax/swim, and then come back late afternoon/evening. And duck into air conditioned shops whenever you can!

 

[Gummie Bears]

Just bought our first travel items & packing stuff. 1 down and 100 more to go

 

[kittylady1972]

New Friday Night Questions!​

1) Which way do you tour World Showcase; Mexico first or Canada first?
We tend to heard towards Canada, usually cutting through the path from Imagination area.

2) IN MK, which direction do you head first; left to Adventureland/Frontierland or right to Tomorrowland?

Usually head towards Tomorrowland like the rest of the crowds...we should learn that head to the left thing sometime soon! We go through quickly and then tend to head towards Fantasyland of course and do that stuff first.


3) DO you pin trade? Nope.


4) Do you penny/coin press? Yes.


5) Which is your favorite 3-D attraction? Philharmagic!


6) What time of year do you prefer to go to Disney? Fall...duirng Food/Wine and Halloween but we will probably be doing June trips for a while now that the kids are older and taking them out of middle school will be more difficult than it was for elementary.


7) This trip, dining plan or OOP? Been waivering but at this point I think it will be OOP with the TIW discount card.


8) This trip, parkhopping or not? Always hopping.


9) This trip, staying on property or off property? Always on property.


10) This trip, water parks and more option or not? Probably not.


11) What is your favorite Disney smell? Walking down Main Street


12) What is your favorite music from a Disney park/ride? Tough one...Space Mountain maybe?


13) What is one character you/your family must see? Mickey and kids usually request Chip/Dale and/or Stitch!


14) What is one photo opportunity you have to take each time? The Disney Visa Free character photo and of course a picture of the family with the Castle in the background...how can you NOT have that?


15) What is your favorite thing to do on non-park days? What are those???


16) What one attraction would you be very disappointed to see closed during your trip? Hmmm...I think this trip would be Expedition Everest because Noah is so looking forward to riding it! Oh and BTMRR...we'd hate to miss that one even thought we've all been on it!

 

[FiveofusNL]

We either do ADRS first thing in the morning or or around between 12 and 1. This way we maximize our park time in the morning. We found this works the best for us especially with little kids. You kids are a little older so since you will probably be doing a lot of the attractions that everyone wants to do, then I would say meals around 10 or 11 might be cutting into your maximum park time. Of course, this is only one opinion and you will hear lots of different ones. Do what you think will work best for your family in the end.

If you really want to do character meals though, trying to rework them to get Tusker House and Chef Mickey's is going to be hard. They also don't do character meals at these places for lunch so keep that in mind before you rework your schedules. If you don't mind eating really early, we go to Chef Mickey's at 7:05 am and it's not busy, we get in and out, and to our park on time. Again, I personally wouldn't give up your character meals now without thinking about it before you do it.

Those are my only ADR's that would be a problem I think. I booked the Sci-Fi Dine in for 12:10 on HS day and my other two are for 5:25/30 so that will be perfect. I want to keep Chef Mickeys for sure and there are no openings for breakfast or lunch at this point, but I am going to try to get something later/earlier in the day for AK day rather than our 10:15 at Tusker House. Better talk to the kiddos to let them weigh in though... the younger two like the idea of the Character meals. I am amazed at how much prep work goes into preparing for Disney. Getting the DDP for free was fantastic, but scheduling ADRs certainly added to the planning confusion for a first-timer! I am really glad that I found this site. Thank you for all of your insight.

 

[FiveofusNL]

You'll be there the exact same time as me, on our first trip to WDW too!! We aren't using park hoppers either.

I'm very excited. We were worried about the heat/crowds...we wilt easily.

These boards have been AMAZING for trip planning. I looked up a lot of "going in June" info on the boards and took a lot of notes. A lot of what people have already said is what I have found as far as advice... try to get there at rope drop, leave the parks in the heat of the afternoon and go back to your hotel room and nap/relax/swim, and then come back late afternoon/evening. And duck into air conditioned shops whenever you can!

Glad to hear someone else has the same worries! The "wilting" is an issue for our crowd as well! My husband is already grumbling I know there are probably better times to go when it is not as warm or less crowded but I am hoping if I go into it expecting huge crowds and unbearable heat, I will either be pleasantly surprised or at the very least prepared. Once we get there and the excitement kicks in, I think it will be hard to remember that we cannot do it all. My motto will need to be "water, sunblock, can't do it all, repeat". We leave our house at 3:30 am the day we go to DW, have a 3 hr lay over in Toronto and arrive in Florida 1:00 pm, so before we even hit DW it would have been a long day! We will be staying at BWI, so I am hoping we can hit TL to cool off if we are up to it and Epcot in the evening (if we have not crashed before then). If we are really tired, probably just the BWI pool and Epcot as it is suppose to be 5 mins away. I have created a "schedule" based on the ADRs but will just do what we can when we get there.

Glad to hear someone else has the same worries!

 

[live4christp1]

Getting excited!!!!!! Ordered the kids each a grab bag of 10 Disney pins to have as traders (grab bag price averages out to $1.50 per pin) and they arrived Friday!!!!! I think they each picked 3 out of the 10 that they wanted to keep...... Will have them go through their other lanyards and see if there are any they want to add to the trade pile this year.

Looking for suggestions for what to do with their "keepers". They have traded and/or bought some really good ones and I would like to come up with a nice way to display them - at home - not looking to take them with us.

 

[mommystieg]

Looking for suggestions for what to do with their "keepers". They have traded and/or bought some really good ones and I would like to come up with a nice way to display them - at home - not looking to take them with us.

I bought a cork bulletin board and decorated it with Disney scrapbooking stickers.

 

[live4christp1]

I bought a cork bulletin board and decorated it with Disney scrapbooking stickers.

That's a good idea. Thanks! Do the pins seem to stay put pretty well? I looked at the shadow boxes with the glass door for holding pin collections but they are a little more than I wanted to spend considering I would need 2.

 

[toomanycars]

Getting excited!!!!!! Ordered the kids each a grab bag of 10 Disney pins to have as traders (grab bag price averages out to $1.50 per pin) and they arrived Friday!!!!! I think they each picked 3 out of the 10 that they wanted to keep...... Will have them go through their other lanyards and see if there are any they want to add to the trade pile this year.

Looking for suggestions for what to do with their "keepers". They have traded and/or bought some really good ones and I would like to come up with a nice way to display them - at home - not looking to take them with us.

We did this. Hobby Lobby 19.99 after coupon for the frame.

 

[live4christp1]

Love it!!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!! I've got to go to Hobby Lobby to pick up something else, I'll have to remember to look for this.

We did this. Hobby Lobby 19.99 after coupon for the frame.

 

[mommystieg]

That's a good idea. Thanks! Do the pins seem to stay put pretty well? I looked at the shadow boxes with the glass door for holding pin collections but they are a little more than I wanted to spend considering I would need 2.

The pins stay put -- although that shadow box looks really cool!! We use the bulletin board because the kids occasionally like to take pins to trade so they can easily remove the ones they are no longer interested in.

 

[Eeyores#1Fan]

Hello Everyone! Hope all had a good weekend this past weekend. Seems like more planning has taken place. My weekend was full of traveling, cheer competitions and now back to work. Only difference is I'm working from Cali this week We start our June countdown on Sun. so after that it will be nothing BUT planning.

Have a great week!

 

[Marlton Mom]

new friday night questions!​

1) which way do you tour world showcase; mexico first or canada first?

We will be coming from the beach club entrance to the world showcase so i will have to see. Usually we go to mexico first. It's funny because i really have no idea what we will do coming from the beach club entrance and i usually have everything thought out ahead of time!

2) in mk, which direction do you head first; left to adventureland/frontierland or right to tomorrowland?

Frontierland

3) do you pin trade?

No trading but we do collect those addictive things!!

4) do you penny/coin press?

Yeah baby!! We get the list of all the machines and look for them if it's convienent. They are usually located in the gift shops btw

5) which is your favorite 3-d attraction?

Um, aren't they all in 3d... Lol no special one.

6) what time of year do you prefer to go to disney?

24/7/365 !!!!

7) this trip, dining plan or oop?

Deluxe dining plan. I have a 12 y.o. Son who is eating me out of house and home so we hope it will be enough... Lol!

8) this trip, parkhopping or not?

Always a parkhopper

9) this trip, staying on property or off property?

Beach club baby!!!!!

10) this trip, water parks and more option or not?

Yep, this trip we got the golden ticket.

11) what is your favorite disney smell?

Not sure

12) what is your favorite music from a disney park/ride?

I think i like all of it

13) what is one character you/your family must see?

Mickey!!!

14) what is one photo opportunity you have to take each time?

Castle

15) what is your favorite thing to do on non-park days?

Collapse from exhaustion, plan next trip.

16) what one attraction would you be very disappointed to see closed during your trip?

The carousel of progress, now is the time, now is the best time, now is the best time of your lives..... That song!

~mm

 

[Marlton Mom]

For those of you worried about the heat don't forget that some of the parks are open until late at night. No sun means cooler temps!

Think positive!!

Marlton Mom

 

[FiveofusNL]

I planned on packing sandals for my family to wear when we hit the parks in June, but after hearing about all of the walking, I am wondering if sneakers are better??? Any suggestions from those of you who have been there? I bought water shoes to wear at the water parks. Also, a silly question....do you wear hats at the water parks? I want to make sure we are covered in the line ups but thought you would probably not be able to wear them on the rides. In fact, now that I think of it...are you allowed to wear them on rides in the theme parks? So many questions and I still have 2 months to go!!!

 

[live4christp1]

I planned on packing sandals for my family to wear when we hit the parks in June, but after hearing about all of the walking, I am wondering if sneakers are better??? Any suggestions from those of you who have been there? I bought water shoes to wear at the water parks. Also, a silly question....do you wear hats at the water parks? I want to make sure we are covered in the line ups but thought you would probably not be able to wear them on the rides. In fact, now that I think of it...are you allowed to wear them on rides in the theme parks? So many questions and I still have 2 months to go!!!

DH wears sneakers to the parks for the most part - occasionally he will wear sandals. I like sandals or crocs - but sandals that are more of a sport sandal with some support - not just a flat dress sandal. DS prefers crocs or flip flops, is the same. I do pack sneakers for everyone just in case. We have done water shoes at the water parks but I think there are some instances where they aren't allowed (I can't remember for sure as we have only ever been to BB twice and TL never). The paths in the sun are really hot on the feet.....they do have water spraying along most of them though so when we are barefoot we try to stay in the water. Sorry - no answer for the hats.