Wow! Sorry :( I've been giving probably-wrong advice to some...

[TreeSapp]

Wow! Sorry
I've been giving probably-wrong advice to some...
(I ramble a lot - feel free to skip to the moral at the bottom)

I often pitch in my two-cents when posts pop up about 'best ways to tour the parks'. I claim we always do rope-drop to close and hit 2-3parks per day.

And this is a great strategy for us in the fall, winter & early spring. But holy-wow! Just got back from seven days in Orlando. First 3 days with my sister and her young kids were what my husband and I would call 'half days' left by 6:00, did only one park. Day 4 & 5 were meant to be 'full' days with a college friend of mine after the kids left.

How hard could it be? After all, we'd be 'taking it easy' on the first few days with the kids...

Oh man! The HEAT, the SUN, wow! We were beat and more than ready to go home, eat dinner and sleep by 6:00 each day. It was unreal. The kids were real troopers and both took decent stroller-naps. But the adults were totally exhausted.

By day 4 when i traded off my family for my friend, I think I might have had some form of heat-exhaustion. We'd planned 3parks per day, had a list of yes/no/maybe attractions, a couple dozen characters to find and had predetermined show times to fit our mad dashes through The World. I was like moving in slow motion and just tuning all the rides outs so I could rest my brain while I wasn't walking. I don't remember seeing the yeti on Everest, didn't hear any of the songs at the Nemo musical, walked only as far as a bench in Canada before sending my friend on alone to find Mary Poppins in the UK. Ended my day by falling asleep laying on an 8in wide wall outside Test Track at 5:30pm while my friend rode single rider. I woke up with a lizard 3in from my face, so that was different. We were supposed to go to MK 7pm-midnight - I could hardly make it back to the hotel.

11hours of sleep, 3 ice packs and 2liters of Gatorade later it was time to start all over again. Managed a full day, functional but footsore. Rope drop, 3 parks, walked to the car rather than waiting on a tram etc. we managed to cram in most (but not all) of the stuff we'd planned for the night before & a decent sit-down meal.

Sunday morning, just the husband and I decided we shouldn't waste our A&E FP+ so we woke up early, managed to arrive at MK just as the train pulled in for the morning show. Caught Scoop Sanderson (a first for us), ran to Peter Pan, moseyed over to big thunder, back to fantasyland for step-family M&G (they're were ~20min late). Then A&E @ 11:00 and straight out... It felt like a half day instead of 2.5hrs.


MORAL OF THE STORY: a week (or even 3days) of rope-drop to close (especially with park hopping) plans is just TOO MUCH in the heat. I swear we've done 3 VERY FULL days many times over. And a fair number of 5day trips in the fall. But in 90degree heat when you feel like you've just got to hit so many things to stay on schedule... Take a break midday, take a day off mid-trip, take a nap in your kid's stroller? Anything helps... It's brutal out there

 

[ciera321]

Yes, the heat makes a big difference! We are RD people, but we never (in the summer) stay all day. We leave around 3 and swim, clean up and head out to dinner. We do sometimes head back to a park, but usually at dusk for fireworks.

 

[Luvchefmic]

I'm sorry OP I am laughing WITH you I promise especially over the lizard 3 inches from your face BEST advice in heat plenty of water or gatorade while you are touring also Frogg Togg chilly pads I won't step out my door during this time of year without them ( best invention ever to stay cool ) and last but not least slow down WDW isn't going anywhere You can't do it all

 

[Zeebs]

the lizard made me giggle,

If you call to 6.00 a half day we must really disappoint you.

Three smallish children (3, 6, 8), we get there for rope drop and leave about 3.00 and DO NOT RETURN.

The difference being I suppose we are there for 14 days so we can spread our time out.

We find if we keep the kids to their normalish schedule getting good night sleeps then we are all happy campers and can do rope drop each day.

Kirsten

 

[JimmyV]

Thank you for pointing out what should be obvious, but is so often overlooked. When it comes to crowd levels 2 ≠ 9. When it comes to temperature, 72 ≠ 94. When it comes to humidity, 70% ≠ 90%. There is a natural tendency for people to think (and post), "Well, we were able to do it, so everyone else should be able to as well." But there are so many variables at play that we should all be cautious in our attempts to re-capture someone else's magic. 20 extra degrees or 400 extra cheerleaders all queueing up at RnR at the same time can alter the overall experience in ways that words cannot express. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[Maggie Lizer]

We did a lot of RD mornings followed by a break from about 1 or 2 pm until 6 or 7 pm. Spent some time at the pool and napping. Well, the kids napped, I can't seem to fall asleep in the middle of the day. Got a lot done, despite traveling with a 3 year old and a 1 year old, actually, following that plan.

 

[mm1971]

Glad you made it through OP.

We went in August last year instead of our usual October. It definitely requires more stamina. We found that heading to the parks early, leaving at lunch time and returning after dinner was a much better strategy for us. Being able to relax in the pool, room or even just getting away from the heat and crowds for a couple of hours regenerated us for the evening craziness.

Back to it this August! Really wish we had an October fall break like a lot of others around the US. It would make it so much easier.

 

[asmit4]

Heat makes no difference to us....we are RD people....stay for about 4-5 hours, go back and nap, then back to the parks for 2-3 hours at night. That's IT. TOTAL. We just can't handle any more than that. It's VERY tiring! I don't care what time of year it is---we just can't handle an entire day.

 

[ajwolfe]

Hmmm, your post worries me a bit. We are normally the type of family that can easily spend 12-13 hours in the parks a day and get up and do it the next day for the majority of our trip. However, we do not go when it's hot out (other than one crazy August trip). So now I'm wondering how much the heat will impact us....But we don't move at a crazy pace either, so hopefully we will be okay.

 

[mm1971]

Hmmm, your post worries me a bit. We are normally the type of family that can easily spend 12-13 hours in the parks a day and get up and do it the next day for the majority of our trip. However, we do not go when it's hot out (other than one crazy August trip). So now I'm wondering how much the heat will impact us....But we don't move at a crazy pace either, so hopefully we will be okay.

If you take your time, stay hydrated and make sure to cool off in the attractions and during breaks you'll be fine. Hydration is probably the most important part. Water only as soda can actually dehydrate your body.

Per my earlier post, we never stay the whole day. I have friends that do July 4th week and are commando touring guests. They have no problems at all going all day and actually use those Frogg Toggs that I have seen reported in the threads to help keep cool.

 

[fla4fun]

I can feel the OP's pain! I have a last minute summer trip planned for next month and I am planning on about 4-5 hours per day in the parks and two non park days. I am primarily focused on MK this trip, and over the course of the trip I have FP+ booked for every attraction on my must do list. I planned the must, must do attractions at the beginning of the trip so if I wimp out from the heat and end up doing more swimming than touring, I won't miss my absolute faves. I usually visit during cooler weather, with the exception of my annual September trip, and it is harder to get things done in the heat.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Thank you for pointing out what should be obvious, but is so often overlooked. When it comes to crowd levels 2 ≠ 9. When it comes to temperature, 72 ≠ 94. When it comes to humidity, 70% ≠ 90%. There is a natural tendency for people to think (and post), "Well, we were able to do it, so everyone else should be able to as well." But there are so many variables at play that we should all be cautious in our attempts to re-capture someone else's magic. 20 extra degrees or 400 extra cheerleaders all queueing up at RnR at the same time can alter the overall experience in ways that words cannot express. Thanks for the reminder.

Aint that the truth!

We go every year at the end of august. We always take a midday break. Its essential!! Without a midday break, we only last as long as 6-7pm. Then we're done for the night.

 

[ArwenMarie]

We go every year during the last week of August...we get probably half as much done in a day than we do during a trip during the cooler months. It really is a brutal heat. Add in the daily thunderstorms for extra fun. You definitely have to be careful and be ok with doing a little bit less.

Glad you survived ok!

 

[luvmy2babies]

I envy people who can regularly make fall and winter trips. We went to Orlando for my daughter’s fall break once and toured from open to close for 3 days straight. It was 2 days at Sea World and 1 unplanned day at MK due to crowds at Sea World and the weather being too cold for Aquatica. 9 to 5 on day 1, 9 to almost 7 on day 2 and 9a to 9p on day 3. And this is with me, an 8 year-old and a toddler just under 2. Granted we moved slowly and took breaks, and my toddler took great stroller naps but we did it…30 theme park hours in 3 days and no complaints.

But our summer trips have been a lot different. We will only see fireworks or a night time parade if we get to the park around 3 and stay to close. Most days are rope drop to 3, pool, dinner and done. We do our Epcot day usually 10 to 5; but, this one coming up will be 9 to 4 because we have a 5:10 ADR at Ohana after which I’m sure we’ll only go back to Epcot to get the bus back to our resort although I will ask dd if she is up to staying a while, I don’t anticipate it will happen. This strategy was especially helpful last trip because my son refused to nap until the 5th day when he passed out on the bus back from DHS. And with my daughter, if you give her frequent breaks and keep her hydrated, she can do 8 hours in the park. But do 4 and take her back to the resort without something specific (like a sitting at BBB) to get her back to the park that evening and that 4 hours is all you’ll get.

So I’ve never seen Illuminations. I actually missed Wishes on our last trip because I left it until the last day. I figured I’d save that late night until the end since all we had to do the next day was be out by 11am for the drive home. My daughter liked the plan of doing the morning at MK, going back for a swim and rest and going back that night to end our vacation with Wishes until it was time to do it. Almost 5pm and I went to wake her to get ready to go back to MK and it was a no go. Lesson learned. MSEP fast passes for the first night-check. They are always wired the first couple of days anyway. But we still won’t get to the park that day until around 3.

 

[PoohsFan1]

Thank you for pointing out what should be obvious, but is so often overlooked. When it comes to crowd levels 2 ≠ 9. When it comes to temperature, 72 ≠ 94. When it comes to humidity, 70% ≠ 90%. There is a natural tendency for people to think (and post), "Well, we were able to do it, so everyone else should be able to as well." But there are so many variables at play that we should all be cautious in our attempts to re-capture someone else's magic. 20 extra degrees or 400 extra cheerleaders all queueing up at RnR at the same time can alter the overall experience in ways that words cannot express. Thanks for the reminder.

I agree. We leave next Friday and we will be going from 70+ degree weather to 90+ degree weather and will be dealing with massive crowds (we normally go at more of an off time of year). I knew this going into our vacation so I made sure that I scheduled afternoon breaks every day that we are going to a park so we can relax and swim for a couple of hours, plus I also made sure we have a couple of off days from the parks and do some non park related activities (i.e. renting a pontoon boat, go mini putt putt, go to TL twice and DQ). OP, I hear ya, I too have probably given wrong advice and I am more then likely going to be just like you during our trip . However, instead of getting a power nap on a wall or a nearby bench, you will more then likely find me in either a ride or show that has comfortable seats and AC .

 

[momof1princess]

OP, I know exactly what you mean! we're RD folks too, but GEEZ, when you go during the summer, it's a struggle! We went one year in early June, I think it was 2009, and the local newscasts said that Orlando was having a heatwave-97% humidity by 7:00am! Now, we're from Alabama, so we're used to humidity, but good grief! we were miserable! Last year, we went in May, hoping for slightly cooler, or less humid, weather, but didn't really see much difference from 2009. I would LOOOOVE to go in November or December (we would have to do Thanksgiving or Christmas week, due to DD16's school schedule), but DH would never survive the crowds.

 

[JimmyV]

However, instead of getting a power nap on a wall or a nearby bench, you will more then likely find me in either a ride or show that has comfortable seats and AC .

For a concrete example of how October differs from June, in October, Carousel of Progress, Ellen's Energy Adventure, Impressions of France, and Finding Nemo are "if we have time and can fit them in" attractions. In June, they move up to "must do" attractions.

 

[kakiegirl]

To us when you go in the summer mid-day breaks are a must for us. We hit park opening and stay till noon or soon after if we eat lunch in the park. We go back to the resort, swim relax in the room, go to the arcade, then we shower and about 5 or 6 head back out refreshed and stay as late as we feel like staying. Using that strategy we have no problem going all week, we normally don't even have a no park day.

 

[Magalex]

I have read the posts and I can say been there done that. We do have to stick with June touring at WDW. I agree with RD then until maybe 1:00..head back between 5 or 6. Those power naps help. we have different trip coming up. We usually stay on site. This time we are staying at a DTD resort and have few days at SW/ Aquatica. Our DS is now 13. So we are including the water park experience more so. We have 5 day WDW pass. On arrival day we may head to DHS just to do RNR and TSMM and hang out then in bed early. I am always sure not to over do our vacations at WDW even when your mind says go and go. Getting so excited to be in our favorite happy place again.

 

[Luvchefmic]

FWIW starting/past week or so from noon until 4 pm my dogs will NOT go out of the house, during this same time period the horse hides in her shaded area I'm no Dr Doolittle but hey Listen to common sense you'll see the same behavior in AK