June or August

[SarahG]

We have gone to Disney many times but have never gone during the summer months. We're thinking of going in either June after the kids get out of school (so middle June) or mid-late August, before they go back to school.
Which is a better time to go? What are the crowds typically like? Is the weather really that hot?

 

[DrummerAlly]

I'm a high school teacher, so I'm confined to the summer months and school breaks as well. Our favorite month for WDW is July. The crowds in July are not quite as bad as during break weeks in Feb and April. There are lots of people but the crowds are manageable if you tour the parks smartly (use FP, get there early, visit in evening, etc.) The weather is hot, but again - manageable if you take breaks.

We won't be going in April any more - way too crowded. July it is for us! I've never been in June or August I would assume that they are comparable to July.

 

[dixiegirl]

I'd have to agree about April, we did it for a couple of days that we added on after we went on a Disney Cruise....Yeah the ship was great , even though it was april vacation it was'nt that crowded feeling...Disney World, I started taking pics of the crowds to remind myself never ever again in April! Now back to August in WDW, we went the 3rd week this past year and found it fine...Yes its hot, but to me its easier to deal with the heat then crowds!!
We also have to go during School vacation cause of our two girls , not so much our youngest, but our oldest is in middle school and way to much work to make up!(god I do miss the years when we couldjust take them out!)

 

[Jeff456]

I have never been in the middle of June so can't comment on that, however I have been in August. We went last August in the second half of the month, the 21st to the 31st I believe and we had a great time, I am used to quiet October crowds and although it was much busier it was by no means very busy and we didn't wait long for anything at all (get up early). Yes it is hot, but take breaks and it is quite manageable!

 

[mickeysshoes]

Between June and August I would vote for August. For the past 3 years we have been the 3rd week in August. As long as you can deal with the HEAT the crowds are very doable and I think would be much better than June (we have never been in June). We have been for all the major school holidays and for Christmas and August is not bad at all compared to major school breaks. See most of the South is back in school by the 2nd week in August so that is why the 3rd week is pretty good for crowd levels. Good luck and hope you all have a great trip!

 

[Master Yoda]

Go as late into august as possible. The bulk of the tour groups are gone by mid August and school will start between mid and late August resulting in the lowest crowds of your June-August time frame. The heat will still be oppressive, but that will be true for any day between June and August. If you need some help planning or booking feel free to drop me an email a richard@kingdomkonsultant.com

 

[TheAmazingBobbo]

I'm a high school teacher, so I'm confined to the summer months and school breaks as well. Our favorite month for WDW is July. The crowds in July are not quite as bad as during break weeks in Feb and April.

I am also a high school teacher and this is the one major thing that stinks when it comes to being able to go to WDW... I've been there twice in June and once in August, and the crowds were fairly similar both times. Next summer, we're going from July 29-August 5 and staying off-site (my cousin and I are flying down and staying at ASM the first and last night) and I'm hoping its not unbelievably packed where they can't enjoy everything.

 

[JiminyandTink]

You're going to melt either way (which isn't an issue for everyone anyway), but I would say late August for a slightly lighter crowd.

 

[GOT2SAMMIES]

My vote is late august... The crowds will be a little smaller, but managable. We always go late august since we dont start school unitl after labor day and summer school is in july and June..well you will not catch me there in June. Also they normally offer free dining at the end of august and sometimes they hotel rates are a little cheaper...

 

[coltow]

My kids don't start school until after Labor Day so we have gone the last week in August and been plenty happy, in fast we're doing that week again in 2012. Yes it's hot, but that's what afternoon pool breaks are for lol.

 

[disneygirl1]

I have gone in both June and August and if I had to chose between the 2 months, I would definitely go with August. Crowds start to thin in August as many schools in the south go back to school... Weather wise I think it might be a tab cooler too but not by much! Also, Disney typically offers discounts in August to intice people to come that time of year, so you could have the potential of saving a few $$$ by going in August.

 

[nepalostparks]

Go as late into august as possible. The bulk of the tour groups are gone by mid August and school will start between mid and late August resulting in the lowest crowds of your June-August time frame. The heat will still be oppressive, but that will be true for any day between June and August. If you need some help planning or booking feel free to drop me an email a richard@kingdomkonsultant.com

^
What he said. Also, once you get past the mid-point of August, you run back into value season, where you might be able to score discount for an on-site stay.

And having booked my last trip through Richard, I can say its worth dropping him a line to help

 

[Frenchi]

I personally prefer Mid July, my wife is a teacher so we can only go during the breaks.
Based on crowd history, the best time to go during the summer (for lower crowds) is the last 2 weeks of August. WDW normally runs promotion during this time to increase attends. I was registered with touringplans.com last year and check out all the summer weeks.

 

[Disnee4Me]

When my kids were younger, all summer camps ended mid-August, so we were forced to go the last two weeks because school started right after Labor Day. The first week we were there, it was still pretty crowded, but the last week of August, the crowds definitely lightened up. And we dealt with the heat by making reservations at the sit down restaurants around 1:30 for lunch, so we were out of the heat at the hottest time of the day. And then after lunch, we'd shop in the stores and by 4:30-5:00, while everyone else was heading off to eat dinner (we were still full from the late lunch), we were back on the rides, with the crowd level not too bad. Hey but I shouldn't be given away my secrets!! LOL