Why do you choose to go (or not go) in the HEAT and CROWDS?

[karylrocks]

Next trip is planned for the end of August 2008. Value season, possible free dining or another great discount, parks are still open pretty late, rides should all be up and running, not as crowded as other times, and it will for sure be warm enough for Blizzard Beach, DS's favorite park. He will be starting college this year (even though he is only 15) and working as a TA at the school he used to go to. His old school starts Sept. 11 and gets out May 29. College starts Sept. 24. We went for Thanksgiving once; older son missed high school and never got caught up. We went for Christmas once; DD had to quit her retail job in order to go at that time of year. It's just not worth it.

 

[Magalex]

This past year was the first time we tried a June vacation. We loved It and worked out well for us. My DS started elementary school so we thought it best that we visit during June(plus we wanted to experience Star Wars weekends). We were very very nervous about the heat and crowds. Our trip was 6/8-6/16! We had no problems at all. Be prepared and plan. Pack patience and be flexible!
You're at WDW Plus I like having to look forward to a trip leaving the last day of school for our DS plus not having to come home to go straight back to school and homework. We will be back June 2009!

 

[thepwa]

We typically go in August, although we have tried July. The heat and humidity is almost as bad here in D.C., so that not a factor for us. We can cope with the heat.

The biggest reason, aside from school being out (and I am not a type that pulls my kid out of school for vacation), is the parks being open later.

Over the years, I have learned when and where to avoid the crowds, and those tips are well documented. It takes a little more planning and park hopping, but the one tip that I think beats the crowds is the willingness to get up EARLY and attack the major attractions before the crowds get overwhelming. That combined with early EMH are the keys to our touring strategies.

I understand that a lot of people are not willing to roust up a family of 4 or 6 at 7 AM to ride Soarin', but since it's just the me and my daughter, it works well for us.

There is plenty to do while there are long lines at Space Mountain, so having everything open later fits very well into our plans.

Usually, we would be arriving this weekend, but because of the Dining Plan offer this year, we are delaying things a week. Even though the parks are closing a little earlier than we would consider normal, we are making up for it with things like the Pirates and Princesses party, which will keep us in the MK until 12:30 am our first night! We also like to go to the Adventureres Club and the Comedy Club, so that will fill another evening when the parks are closing earlier.

 

[pooh2001]

We also can only go when school is out, No taking kids out of JRHS or HS.
End of Junr into the begiining of July. A bit rainy, but not too bad.
We did Easter once - great weather - but more crowded than the end of June

 

[Quinn222]

Much as I love WDW, and I do, a lot, you'd have to pay me to get me to go there in the summer. Hot, crowded, miserable. No way. That's just me mind. I live in FL and WDW is only two hours away but once it gets hot I don't even think about going there.

 

[AmyAllan&Eve]

As a child, I went with my family, and the dates were always the same, June 26th (nephew's birthday) to July 4th. (My sister planned the trip. And since my nephew and I were only three years apart in age, I was invited to tag along.) I loved the park being open so late. I loved the extra fire works. And I even loved the warm weather, back then.

My first time to Disney as an adult (1992), we visited the first week of September. It was nice and much less crowded. I did miss the parks being open late and the extra-large fireworks display. However, something pretty fantastic happened for us. We had a plan with three sit down meals per day. The only restaurant not included was Victoria & Alberts. When I called to make reservations for dining, the CM offered me Victoria & Alberts. I remember saying, "Oh, no, that's not part of our plan." But he said, "That's okay. It's slow this time of year. We will include it." I was shocked. That was such a nice treat.

When I went back the next time (2002), I had become a school teacher, so August was best, and I was used to the heat anyway. The next time (2003), we visited in July and that was okay. But a little hotter than I wanted. Then the last time (2006), we visited for free dining in August. I was glad we chose the WL, because things did seem cooler there. But overall, the heat was unbearable. I do not remember the humidity EVER being that bad before. Maybe it's just that I am getting older. Or maybe last August was really hot and humid in Florida, but I decided not to risk it this time. I decided to try something different.

So this time, we are going to Disney in the middle of December. I will have to take three days off school. But when I return from my trip, I will still have a week off to rest up. And I am really looking forward to it! My only fear is that it will be too cold to swim. Hopefully, we will be able to find a little time for the pool.

Does anyone know if it's too cold to swim in mid-December?

December 2007, here we come!

 

[hmmchowell]

My brother and I went in March of 1986 and walked on to every ride in the MK and Epcot. It was great!!! I know that now more people go at that time than any other.

I took my family in the first week of November 2004. It was very crowded with Jersey week going on! But the 80 degree temps were nice.

Last third week of October 2006, my DD7 and I went on a mother/daughter trip and it was 90+ degrees the whole week (until the morning we left, when the temp dropped to 46 degrees and we froze outside waiting for ME to pick us up to take us to the airport!! So, you never really know what you're gonna get. Just go and enjoy! After all, it's DISNEY WORLD!!!!

 

[restful urchin]

I'd love to go on the off season but our next trip is June 16-24, 2008. I'm taking two of my nephews, aged 15 and 17 and basically their father (my big brother) said no way were they missing school !
It's not my first choice for time of year but.. as has been stated previously, the parks are open longer hours and we can take it easy and go back to the resort to swim etc during the heat of the day... etc. etc. etc.
Am looking forward to it!!!

 

[SharkyGoddess]

This will be only my 3rd visit to Disney, and only my second with kids. The first two I can honestly say I don't remember crowds, but I do remember the summer heat and it's not much different than here. We're all going during the fall this year because it fit everyone's schedules. If I can choose for future trips we will always go during the cooler months.

 

[ldo]

going the last week of Aug, school starts the next week. We usually go either Christmas or Easter and the crowds are so crazy--so we thought we would try this. We are only planning 2 park days and doing character meals at hotels the other days, enjoying the pools, etc.
We can't pull from school and are limited to when we can go--I must sat that Easter is my favorite time--but the crowds this year were nuts--we are hoping to go on all the rides that we refused to wait 1+ hr in line at Easter.
ps--after reading all the posts--we're definitely steering clear of July!

 

[BabyFu18]

We always go during the summer (July/August) because it's the time of year when school isn't in session, plus it's easier to get off work. Also, my family has never been to Disney or on a vacation period any other time than the summer. To me, I can't imagine disney when it's not hot and crowded, that's kinda part of it I guess. I don't mind the heat, it's hot here too so it's not like it's a huge change and at least in FL sometimes it seems cool at night if there is a breeze (but not here in GA).

I'd love to go to Disney during the winter for a change, but I might miss all the summertime fun. If we could go to Disney once during the winter and once during the summer that'd be ideal, if not then I'd probably pick a summer visit over a winter visit because it's all I know.

 

[kileybeth]

going this Sept for free dining and the chance to stay on site at a more reasonable price. EVEN THO I said after our last trip in Sept I would never, never return again in Sept, way to hot.

I'm so easily pursuaded when "save money" or "great deal" come into play.

terrified of the heat. . .

Favorite times to go are first week or two of DEC, beginning of Jan, or October. have had very nice trips, lower crowd levels and weather at these times in the past. Also, swam each and every one of those trips, never to cold for us.

school is a non issue for us as we homeschool year round and take off when we want/need too.

 

[daisyduck123]

We pull the kids out of school in early May every year & take a 9 day trip because the weather is perfect & the crowds are low

 

[vellamint]

I have been in Jan., Feb., March, Apr., July and August.

The BEST trip ever was in April....perfect weather, a non-holiday week so low crowds!!

Sadly, I now work in a school and my kids are all in JHS and HS so there is no way I can get away. (uh hullo? Boss? I'm sick today...and for the whole next week oh and can you let attendance know that my kids are sick too?) sheesh

Anyway, we have gone mostly at the end of August due to the great deals (4 kids = 2 rooms) and every time I say that we will do February break next time because it is so darn HOT but then I go and book August again because of the deals (and the fact that I like to stay for almost 2 weeks to fit everything in lol).

Have next August booked already!!! Bring on that humidity - I can take it as long as I am in Disneyworld!

 

[kikiq]

Over the years, I have learned when and where to avoid the crowds, and those tips are well documented. It takes a little more planning and park hopping, but the one tip that I think beats the crowds is the willingness to get up EARLY and attack the major attractions before the crowds get overwhelming. That combined with early EMH are the keys to our touring strategies.

YES...I read other people's post of the crowds and lines at the same time we were there and that's not the same experience we had...maybe because we did exactly what you do. While we didn't get up as early as you, we definitely were in the parks by 9ish. Went to certain rides/shows, if the lines was too long or show was over, we moved on and came back later sometimes at night. The one day that is was 102, we were in DS, went to one show and threw in the towel...literally<G> Went to DTD for the afternoon, went back to Poly for a dip and started all over again around 6.

 

[micmacmissy]

We went in early December last year and the outdoor pools are heated, so you can swim. But with daytime temps in the low/mid 70's, we adults were never tempted to. The kids swam, though, and the pools at the GF were empty. Bring bathing suits just in case, but you'll never have that hot, sweaty, "I could go for a dip" feeling in December!

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Come on, what's wrong with a little heat and humidity!

I've been visiting Florida for years only in the summer because that was the only time my family could go on vacation when I was a kid. Heat and humidity were par for the course and we planned accordingly. In addition I lived in Orlando for 5 years while in college so I'm conditioned to the heat AND crowd conditions at Disney. Now that I have my own child, we still go the last 2 weeks in August because the crowds are lower and discounts are usually plentiful (AKA Free Dining, low airfare).

In addition, we also go for Easter and Christmas to visit relatives and Disney. I do take my child out of school but she's only in the 2nd grade and her teachers know I am very hands-on at home considering homework and additional assignments. I also tie in what she does at Disney with what's going on during the days she misses school.

 

[raven69david]

Did the mistake of breaking our traditional trip in December to go to Magical Beginnings last year in August - never again. To sum it all up in a sentence, too damn hot/humid and DD got dehydrated on last day. Never again!

 

[minnie61650]

When my family was young we would the children in October or May for our Disney trip. The crowds were lower and the weather was usually pretty good.

Then when our children were older and it as just DH and I wet in October a few times.
Last year we went in September and although the weather was hotter the lines were very short.
We are headed back this September and are hoping
for short lines again.

 

[Kteacher]

I teach, so I can only travel during school vacations. DH plows snow in the winter, so November to mid April is out for him. It will be a long time before I retire, so I've learned to work within the school schedule for vacations When the kids were younger we went during April vacation week. It was crowded, but the weather is beautiful. We have been in early July, early August, and late August. It's hot, but we don't do commando touring anymore, go to the parks early, and leave for a break at lunchtime. The last few years I've done some long weekend trips, and it looks like that will be the only way I can travel outside of the summer months to WDW.