If you HAD to go during summer peak season...

[Ohboy!]

Hi everyone...I'm looking for a little advice. I know that many of you attempt to avoid taking a trip to WDW during summer vacation, or are able to also travel at other times of the year, but unfortunately I don't have that luxury. There's a group of 5 of us planning a trip, 3 of whom are teachers...and we're not usually able to go more than every 3-5 years.

So...here's my question. If you could only go once every few years, and you had to go during the hottest, stickiest, near-busiest, turismo-iest time of year, when would you plan your trip?

We tentatively have a 10-day trip planned for the end of the 1st week and all of the 2nd week of August. However, I just read that the 1st week of August is the second busiest travel week in the US (second only to Christmas week). Thoughts?

 

[wm49rs]

I'd try to plan my trip for when the bathrooms were relatively quiet....







Sorry, couldn't resist.....:drevil:

 

[CP_alum08]

Avoid July 4th and you'll be alright. Yes, it's going to be super busy and hot, but it sounds like you already know that and are prepared for it and that's half the battle. The people who complain the most are the ones who think they will be the only ones vacationing during summer holidays and it will be 70 degrees in Florida.

And yes, there really are people that ignorant!

 

[3WaltFans]

I have been there in June, July and August. I personally thought June was the busiest of the three. The heat is unbelievable all three months so that makes no difference.

I have heard that June and July are their rainy months in Florida but August starts Hurricane season.

We are going in August this year because we enjoy it the week before school starts.

Have a great time.

 

[wvdisneyfamily]

We have to travel during the summer. It's hot and crowded but planning makes it enjoyable.

 

[Victoria]

I've gone many times in August. Two years ago I went at the end of July. Insanely busy. Late August isn't bad though. It used to be a very slow time of year but Disney fixed that by offering free dining pretty much every year. Not so dead anymore...but manageable. The heat = :dazzle: but there is no way to avoid that after May really.

 

[Ohboy!]

Yeah, I'm not even thinking about the weather because I know it's going to be oppressively hot and humid no matter when we go.
Unfortunately, late August is out...have to be back to work the third week...and I know from experience to never go back during the week of the 4th of July (thanks to my parents' poor planning back when I was a kid)...so I pretty much have a window of the 2nd week of July through the 2nd week of August. Yuck! I'm jealous of all of you non-peak visitors!

 

[SpoonOfSugar]

Never been during the summer but we are also planning a trip for August. August 14th(3rd week) starts the beginning of the "value season". The Week before will probably still be busy but I think it will be a lot better then July when summer is at its prime.

 

[Disney_Belle]

I have been in June, July and August, and found August to be busy, but not as busy as July, or even June. I would say second week of August if you can go then.

 

[Dad 2 M & M]

Yeah, I'm not even thinking about the weather because I know it's going to be oppressively hot and humid no matter when we go.
Unfortunately, late August is out...have to be back to work the third week...and I know from experience to never go back during the week of the 4th of July (thanks to my parents' poor planning back when I was a kid)...so I pretty much have a window of the 2nd week of July through the 2nd week of August. Yuck! I'm jealous of all of you non-peak visitors!

It sounds like you are going at the best time your window allows. Get up and go to the parks early...rest during the middle of some days ...and stay out as late as possible! Use your Extra Magic Mornings and Evenings...MK will be open past midnight on at least one of the weekend nights and Epcot should be open at least once until midnight. The crowds in the parks with EME really thin out at around 10:30 at night and much can be accomplished.

 

[Erin_Akey]

We usually avoid going durng summer due to crowds, but last summer we were there the week of July 17th and it really wasn't that bad. The only ride I recall an issue with getting a FastPass for was Toy Story Mania.

Sure it was warm, but we live on the Gulf Coast so that is nothing new for us. When it is getting hot, slip into Carousel of Progress or another ride to cool off.

I was pleasantly surprised at how little of a factor crowds were that week.

Have fun!!!

 

[GOT2SAMMIES]

We have been in August but we normally goes towards the end since we dont start school until after labor day..It's hot, it rains, BUT I have to say it wasn;t that bad until they started offering free dining for that time period because it was a slower time... I would sugguest go, make sure you have trip insurance i.e. hurricanes and plan, plan and plan..use fastpasses wisely, emh and have an idea what park you want to visit! Have fun!

 

[Ohboy!]

Thanks for all the responses...sounds like I've already picked the best time available to us.

 

[C.FERNIE]

we have been in july lots of times and it is super busy but we still enjoyed it 4th of july events are always amazing! :wave:

 

[epcotWSC]

I normally do the middle-end of July. August starts getting into the peak of hurricane season, so I'd rather avoid it if I can. Early July you get the 4th which is another time that's packed. So I'd pick June or middle-end July.

 

[CamiLyn227]

We ALWAYS go the last week in July. We love it. Just have to plan in advance...things like early dinners, lunch time nap/pool breaks, and something relaxing each day.

 

[plaz10]

We went the first week of June a few years ago and it was not bad at all (my sister is a teacher so I feel ya on that one) We went the day after her last day of school. If you get there when the parks open and use your fastpass wisely...we had no trouble hitting all the rides with minimal wait. Take the time to go back to the resort and use the pool when the heat is really getting to you. Super early and super late you should have no problem. I'd say early June or late august.

 

[Dwarful]

We have 2 teachers in our family..one in Illinois and one in Missouri...five kids in three different school districts so we are pretty limited on travel dates as well. Knowing that it will be hot and crowded you will be fine with any of your dates. Like others have said...getting up early is the key to a great summer trip. Hit those big rides early and make sure you have a designated Fast Pass 'runner' or two so you always have those FP's ready.

 

[kashmir]

We went the last week of July - it did not seem overcrowded or oppressively hot, as we were prepared to duck into cooler places as needed.
Good luck and have fun!

 

[pumpkin7]

we went august 14th - august 31st 2010 and it wasn't as packed as i thought it would be. i thought it would be awful, but queues were quite small, and the parks generally not too crowded.

o, and it rained a lot. lol