What is summer like?

[pickers1982]

so after 4 out of school trips my son starts school in September so we don't have the flexibility we used to! Days or off peak prices and quiet parks are a think of the past!

We re now looking for a 3 week summer trip (probably 2018 as our youngest will be 4 and will hopefully have ditched naps and be able to stay up later!

Our recent trips have been October or February ones,but my question is how hot is the summer and how busy! If it's hell on both fronts we may reconsider (maybe do Easter although I guess that costs more and school hols wouldn't allow 3 weeks!)

 

[McCrae]

Parks are not that busy, off peak for Florida. If you plan well and avoid being out at the peak times of heat it's no problem.

 

[pickers1982]

Parks are not that busy, off peak for Florida. If you plan well and avoid being out at the peak times of heat it's no problem.

Sounds promising!

 

[mackay_j]

I think it depends on when over summer you go. Our summer holidays are July to mid Aug and that is a relatively busy time with lots of south american tour groups. However, later in Aug into early Sept is much quieter. (out with Scottish holidays ).

As for the weather- it will be very warm and also rain for about 2 hrs after 3pm (set your clock by it). It is less hot that the continental EU at the same time of year but can be more humid so you need to drink and drink some more. We have been to florida many times in july-Aug and as a comparison we went to Florence and Rome last summer at the same time of year and the heat nearly there floored our two girls (21 and 18).

 

[Hisgirl]

My UK friend came over in July and the heat mixed with the intense humidity was tough for her. Just be prepared for it to feel like a sauna at times and do your touring super early or late. And plan for pool time!

 

[kbmartin]

I don't have the flexibility to go any time of the year - I'm a teacher - so my husband and I go at the end of August every year. I'm not going to sugarcoat it. It's hot as hell. Although daily temperatures show that it is in the 90s, it will feel like it is in the 100s. This is weather that we do not experience in Wisconsin. It gets hot here in the summer, but rarely THAT hot and never that humid.

With that said, we still go every year at that time. We think any day at Disney is better than no day at Disney. You will need a strategy so that you can tour the parks safely. I would imagine that if you are going for three weeks, you will not feel the need to rush to do everything at once, and might not do full days at the parks, which is definitely going to work in your favor. There's actually a great thread on here that you might find useful. It's about September, but I don't think September is typically much better than the summer months as far as weather. Check it out and you'll learn some great coping methods for the heat. http://www.disboards.com/threads/ar...eat-exhaustion-in-sept.3521900/#post-56000487

If you must go during summer, the least crowded time is at the end of August (many Southern US schools start back at that time or earlier - meaning less crowds). We go as late as we possibly can. (In fact, we are getting back home the night before I have to start back at school again!) Check out the EasyWDW crowd calendars and that will show you how crowded the parks generally are. This summer saw lower attendance than usual at the parks, but typically June and July are packed.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

We went July/Aug last year and it was very busy, a lot of groups. The water parks were packed as was everywhere else. It was very hot and we had a lot of rain, saying all that we had a really good time, but I would try and go towards the end of August if we went again in the summer.

 

[jahber]

Also note that it can vary here in Orlando, to some extent. Typically we have a pretty predictable forecast of 90 (~32C) degrees, afternoon thunderstorms every day. And that's pretty manageable. Hot, humid, but manageable. But not this summer. This summer has been close to 100 (~38C) many days and it went one 10-day stretch at my house without rain. 10 days of no rain in Florida in summer = HOT. Last year was pretty typical. Two years ago we had a dry September where it regularly got up to 100--actual temps, not "feels like." You may luck out with a "mild" or typical summer (some people come once during one of those summers and think it's always like that...and then return the next year to a big surprise), but just be prepared for heat like you can't imagine and plan accordingly. And for the love of Pete, bring sunscreen and reapply it every 90 minutes! You'll have a blast if you take it easy and drink water all day, whether you're thirsty or not.

 

[pickers1982]

Sounds like a bit of a gamble re heat but if we re going to do it will aim for late August.

Guess it's between then and Easter. Like the idea of a longer trip. Is Easter busier?

Life was much easier before school holidays got involved.

 

[disneyholic family]

july is VERY busy.....and VERY hot......and VERY humid...
August is less busy...(but still very hot and humid)...
that said, we pretty much only can go in the summer....there are ways to manage the heat...
don't even think about doing all day in the parks, as it's suicidal in that heat...especially with a 4 year old...

if you go, try for august, as the crowds are slightly more manageable....(and you don't have the huge groups of south americans in august, that you do in july)...

 

[Woodview]

As you are from U.K. and have been to Disney before ..an idea would be to go to Disney in Paris for a change.

& Visit other places ...... maybe go Camping / mobile home etc .

Is Parc Astrix still around ? ( On the way to Belgium )

 

[disneyholic family]

As you are from U.K. and have been to Disney before ..an idea would be to go to Disney in Paris for a change.

& Visit other places ...... maybe go Camping / mobile home etc .

Is Parc Astrix still around ? ( On the way to Belgium )

i wouldn't wish disneyland paris on my worst enemy...

 

[pickers1982]

As you are from U.K. and have been to Disney before ..an idea would be to go to Disney in Paris for a change.

& Visit other places ...... maybe go Camping / mobile home etc .

Is Parc Astrix still around ? ( On the way to Belgium )

Good advice..... We actually just did that in June (paired up with camping and the new centre parcs). Didn't enjoy it much last time (4 years ago) I went but had a really good time this time!

 

[mister morrow]

July is usually very busy, but things this year look different. The weather is manageable.
August is usually very low crowds when I go (last week of Aug.) and it is HOT.

I'd go in August rather than Easter. Look up spring break crowds disney world on youtube and it will change your mind easily LOL

 

[Elise79]

This July had less crowds than the previous 3 we have done but nothing to say it will stay that way. Good planning can beat this anyway, we have never not done anything we wanted to due to crowds.

Weather is going to be hot and humid both July and August.

We go every summer - just plan to take a break in the afternoon. The long park hours allow for this well.

 

[zavandor]

When going during the summer (actually I prefer early September) I plan to have a sit down meal for luch and not dinner and after that go back to the hotel for an afternoon break by the pool. This way I can tour the parks in early morning and evening when they're cooler and less crowded. It works for me very well.

 

[Guyton dis lover]

Just Hot and I mean it Hot.