Tips to survive June?

[AMonir]

Hi, I was just wondering if you guys have any tips for how my friend and I can survive the crowds and the weather of Disney World in June, and still have a fantastic time? When I booked the trip, I didn't realize how hot and humid it is that month or how crazy crowded it is, since I'm a WDW 1st-timer. Also, since I live in LA, I go to Disneyland all the time in June and it's totally easy. Heck, even August is easy there! But since I've been on these boards and read some guidebooks, it sounds like June is really difficult in WDW and that is really scaring me!! It's our first trip there, it's for my birthday and we're spending a considerable amount of $$, so I REALLY want to have a wonderful trip. Any tips? We're already planning to be at MK and Epcot 1/2 an hour before park opening, and AK and MGM exactly at park opening. I also don't do thrill rides, so that should hopefully cut down on long waits (I can't even do POC b/c of the drop! I'm all about the tame-but-fun rides). And we are staying on-property at CSR, so except for our Epcot day, we are allowing time to go back to the resort and rest in the afternoon. I only have enough days to do 1 full day each at AK, Epcot and MGM, but I have 1 full day and 1/2 at MK.

Thank you in advance for your tips!! As a 1st-timer, I appreciate it SO MUCH!!

 

[nalabell]

Well I would tell you to sign up for TGM or at least UG. The bottom line is go with a plan, take breaks in the afternoon, and try to remember your on vacation.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

It is a good idea to take that mid-day break. Everyone in your party will be getting tired and maybe cranky by then. Drink lots of water. You may want to invest in a Brita filtered bottle if you think a trace of sulfur smell may be a problem. The water at WDW is fine by us, but some people don't like it. Mister fans are nice.

 

[AMonir]

Thanks!! I did sign up for TGM and I bought UG, so hopefully that'll help. Good idea about the Britta water bottles, I will try that! Any other ideas, anyone?

 

[grinningghost]

I'm going to go against the majority here and give you my best piece of summer-touring advice - and you might not like it.

When it looks like rain - run for cover. Yes, you'll hear people say "put on the ponchos and go to the parks, they empty out, yada, yada, yada..."

As a veteran of many WDW rainstorms, I did that in the beginning - and trust me, it's not fun. The puddles are like lakes, you get your feet all wet, you get all wet, it's damp and miserable feeling. Stay dry. There's plenty to do inside. You can go back out after the storms.

 

[EEyorelover22]

Don't sleep in that's for sure. Be there before the gates open.

We always go in June and we do and see everything we want to. DD rode BTMRR 7 times in a row last year because we were there when the park opened. Her goal is to ride 8 times in a row.

Drink lots of water. I nearly was sick our first June because I sat in the sun waiting for the parade at MK. Be careful. Rest in the afternoon. It's insane around lunch time at MK. OH MY!!!!

If it rains, take your camera out of your bag at night to let it dry out. My camera died after the FL rains. The 2nd year we went it rained everyday for long periods which isn't the norm, but it did. Our video camera and my camera were toast when we came home

You can do it. I HATE Crowds and I do fine. I mean, I hate crowds. I don't have any trouble at WDW because I know it will be busy.

Make sure you have ADRs or you'll be eating Mickey bars for dinner!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I'm going to go against the majority here and give you my best piece of summer-touring advice - and you might not like it.

When it looks like rain - run for cover. Yes, you'll hear people say "put on the ponchos and go to the parks, they empty out, yada, yada, yada..."

As a veteran of many WDW rainstorms, I did that in the beginning - and trust me, it's not fun. The puddles are like lakes, you get your feet all wet, you get all wet, it's damp and miserable feeling. Stay dry. There's plenty to do inside. You can go back out after the storms.

They may not like your advice but it is sensible.. summer storms are normally not just rain storms, they are thunder storms. Do not stay out in a thunder storm. Lightning is a killer .. We are the lightning capital of the United States.. don't play out in the rain when ligthning is involved. If it seems just to be a shower, sure, stay & play but when the clouds turn black.. you head for cover. Call me over cautious...but I take no chances with lightning

 

[AStamm]

If you're planning on watching any afternoon parades, bring a small blanket or towel to sit on. The ground can be scorching hot, even in the shade.

 

[grinningghost]

They may not like your advice but it is sensible.. summer storms are normally not just rain storms, they are thunder storms. Do not stay out in a thunder storm. Lightning is a killer .. We are the lightning capital of the United States.. don't play out in the rain when ligthning is involved. If it seems just to be a shower, sure, stay & play but when the clouds turn black.. you head for cover. Call me over cautious...but I take no chances with lightning

Thank you.

Coming from a real Floridian, it makes me feel better to know my advice isn't totally off the mark.

That Florida lightning is scary.

 

[disnut8]

My best piece of advice for the Florida summers is to take a washcloth in a Ziploc bag. When you start to feel sticky, go into a restroom, wet down the washcloth and wash your exposed body parts. It really refreshes you and gets some hydration going. Then, just put the cloth back into the Ziploc for the next time. Another thing my husband always does because he sweats so much is to put an extra T shirt into our bag (we carry a big denim bag that either one of us can carry) and he changes mid-day. We put the extra shirt into a big Ziploc so he has a place to put the old one when he changes.

Take ponchos for the rains. They come up very fast and you can get soaked as previously mentioned. You can get cheap ones at Wal Mart or the Dollar Store. Take those with you every day even if there are no clouds. If there is lightening, get under shelter somewhere. Disney World has a ton of lightening rods so you are relatively safe if you are under cover. If it's just a rain, then you are fine.

 

[figment85]

The biggest lesson we learned in June is to drink LOTS of water. My DS got a horrible headache from dehydration one trip. He was sick for the rest of that day. On later June trips we always kept hydrated and never had that problem again!
I agree with all the previous posters about being prepared for rain. We've gone with ponchos and small folding umbrellas....usually just end up hiding out under cover. The rain comes down in torrents and almost always with lightning. The good news is everything is clean and fresh after the rain; quite pleasant then.

 

[AMonir]

Thank you soo much, everyone! I will definitely follow your advice! We plan to stay and tour the parks if it's raining, but the second it turns into a thunder/lightning storm, we'll run for cover and stay inside. Thanks!!

 

[Kitty 34]

This will be our 4th June trip. Here's what we do:

1. Drink TONS of water all the time!
2. Jump on an air-conditioned ride (Spaceship earth for example) when you need to take a break from the hot sun or torrential rains.
3. Wet down napkins with cold water and apply to wrists or neck if you are getting hot.
4. Take a break in the afternoon; not just to swim but maybe for a cat nap. That sun saps you and this way you will feel more refresh for the evening fun.
5. Stay up later at the parks.....it's a little cooler. Experiencing the parks on a nice summer night is priceless!
6. Mister fans are great especially to spray right on the face. Ahhhhh
7. Learn all the shortcuts at the parks and use them! Cut thru stores and enjoy the few moments of air conditioning.
8. Save the souvenir shopping for during a rainstorm. (It can rain solid for over an hour!)
9. Drink MORE water! Stay away from a lot of pop and yes even alcohol except for maybe that daiguiri at the pool!
10. As far as the crowds....use Fast passes, go to the parks early...leave....go back for EMH!

Have fun!!!