Passing the time??

[KCheatle]

I'll admit, I got a little burned out of WDW after our last trip a few years ago in July. Not sure if it was the heat, the crowds, the expense, or what? But, after that trip, I lost my craving for WDW. In fact, I haven't really hard-core craved WDW since. After much discussion, though, my DH and I decided that we should go back, but this time go in September when crowds and costs are low and temps are manageable. So, we booked, but suprisingly, even after booking I still didn't feel that intense craving I'd always had before?? Well, that is, until recently.

After making ADRs a couple weeks ago, all I can think about is WDW! . The problem I'm having is that it's been so long since I felt this way, that I kinda forgot how I passed the time waiting for my next trip! Any suggestions???

 

[belledream]

Well, everyone is different, and I'm personally just obsessed () but here's how I pass the time...
Watch a different Disney movie every week, especially ones that you haven't seen in a while or that may play a role in your upcoming trip.
Plan your outfits for the trip. I like to match the style/colors of our outfits to the park/restaurants we'll be visiting that day.
Comb the WDW website for under-the-radar shows/events/extracurriculars that you may never have noticed before or just never done.
Keep an eye out at the Disney Store (online or otherwise) for sales and park merchandise to get yourself hyped for that Disney shopping!
Fantasize about that moment you step onto your favorite ride, or when you find your happy place at the resort.

Welcome back!!

 

[Zipadeelady]

Our trip is in July! Yep were going during high cost, high temps, and high crowds. I hope we don't get burned out of WDW, because i know what your talking about. Some times I worry that I build it up too much while I'm planning and waiting and then it doesn't meet up to my expectations.... But we always come back.

My daughter and I are trying to pass the time too. She wanted to try making her own Mickey ears so we went to the local Hobby Lobby and got some supplies and they turned out great. Especially since it was her first time. I'm trying to convince her to make more and sell them. Next week she wants to make Mickey pretzels. Then of course we do a weekly movie night and since our trip is coming up it's always a Disney movie. Plus soon the Jungle Book and the new Alice movie will be coming out so I'm sure we'll go see those.

 

[KCheatle]

Thanks belledream and Zipitidoda! I found something you both might enjoy:

 

[belledream]

Thanks belledream and Zipitidoda! I found something you both might enjoy:

I loooove this guy's work! He has so many awesome videos! Music to my ears.

 

[Zipadeelady]

Ohhhhh that's a good find!! I'm going to have to show my daughter!

 

[zeebs758]

I tend to listen to Disney Podcasts and go to d-cot.com to listen to WDW area loops. My favorite podcast is Window to the Magic. The host walks around Disneyland with bi-naural microphones in his ears and records the sounds. It's really cool. There are a lot of episodes and while most take place in Disneyland, there are a lot of recordings from WDW.

 

[bub72ck]

Watch ride-along videos of attractions on YouTube or surf GoogleEarth over the parks. It's amazing what you can learn about how things are situated and laid out with GoogleEarth.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Where did you hear that temps are manageable in September? Crowds are, but it's every bit as hot as July! Summer heat is relentless from about May 1 through October 1.

Hope you find your Disney happy!

 

[KCheatle]

Where did you hear that temps are manageable in September? Crowds are, but it's every bit as hot as July! Summer heat is relentless from about May 1 through October 1.

Hope you find your Disney happy!

"Manageable" in the sense that we're from Nebraska, so the temps here in the summer are exactly the same as they are in September in Florida - crazy hot and humid. And, in all fairness, the temps do drop a bit between July and September. You go from mid-90s, to around 90.

Also, I'm saying they are manageable in light of the lesser crowds. My personal observations have taught me that when you combine heat and crowds, nothing good comes from it. So, my rule now is that if we are going to go when it's hot, we will not go when it is also crowded, and if we are going to go when it's crowded, it cannot also be hot (i.e., we will not go from June-August).

 

[mr_braver23]

"Manageable" in the sense that we're from Nebraska, so the temps here in the summer are exactly the same as they are in September in Florida - crazy hot and humid. And, in all fairness, the temps do drop a bit between July and September. You go from mid-90s, to around 90.

Also, I'm saying they are manageable in light of the lesser crowds. My personal observations have taught me that when you combine heat and crowds, nothing good comes from it. So, my rule now is that if we are going to go when it's hot, we will not go when it is also crowded, and if we are going to go when it's crowded, it cannot also be hot (i.e., we will not go from June-August).

We are thinking of going back this July. We have never done this month before, March every year for us. Is July THAT bad for heat and crowds? We may rethink our planning if so.

 

[Tuvalu]

We are thinking of going back this July. We have never done this month before, March every year for us. Is July THAT bad for heat and crowds? We may rethink our planning if so.

As a veteran of many July vacations, it is indeed very hot (in the 90s) humid (which accounts for daily afternoon thunderstorms) and crowded (not just families with school-aged children, but teen-aged South American tour groups...lots of them.) That said, we always had fun. We didn't push ourselves and learned patience. If July works best for your schedule, go...but if you have other options, you may want to reconsider.

 

[DiSnEyF@n]

I watch old Disney vacation videos (we have about 5!!!) at least once a month. Lol

 

[KCheatle]

We are thinking of going back this July. We have never done this month before, March every year for us. Is July THAT bad for heat and crowds? We may rethink our planning if so.

I'll start by saying, "To Each His Own." And, in that sense, don't assume that just because I had a bad experience means you will?? However, I have to admit that even I, as a complete and unapologetic Disney freak, was home sick during our July trip. We had planned extra days (usually go 8 days, and this time went 10), because we knew the crowds would keep us from doing everything we wanted to in 8 days. By day 6 my kids, my DH, and even admittedly I, were ready to go home. We stayed concierge level at WL, so it's not like our accommodations were uncomfortable. It was just a combination of being way too crowded (even the pool was hot because there were too many people in it), and every little thing you wanted to do was overwhelming because of how many people were there. And, it was really hot. Normally when it's hot, you can duck into the CoP or IASW and get on the ride to escape, but not only was there waits for those rides, we had difficulty even getting to a restaurant or shop to escape the heat because there were just so many bodies and strollers and scooters everywhere.

I used to say to people all the time that if this is your one shot at Disney and the only time you can go is in July, then take the opportunity. But, honestly, I don't tell them that anymore because I feel like they will come away hating a great place, and will have paid more money to have a more miserable experience. July was crazy expensive compared to September to have a way less-fun time. Although we usually go yearly to WDW, we've not been back after that trip because we all needed a break from WDW. It really put a dent in the experience for us.

So, in sum, if you have the option to not go in July, my recommendation would be to go some other time.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

It would be a mistake to move a trip from July to September due to the weather. You're talking about the difference between 92 degrees and 90 degrees, which is completely negligible.

https://www.currentresults.com/Weather/Florida/Places/orlando-temperatures-by-month-average.php

In terms of crowds, I don't consider July to be that bad other than the July 4 holiday week. With the parks open late, you can get a lot done by arriving early, taking a break in the midafternoon during peak crowds and peak heat, then returning to the parks in the evenings once people have left for the day. I think a big mistake people make is that they take days off to rest. It's much more efficient and effective to take breaks every day in the afternoon rather than try to go open-to-close some days with other days completely off in between.

 

[Zipadeelady]

It would be a mistake to move a trip from July to September due to the weather. You're talking about the difference between 92 degrees and 90 degrees, which is completely negligible.

https://www.currentresults.com/Weather/Florida/Places/orlando-temperatures-by-month-average.php

In terms of crowds, I don't consider July to be that bad other than the July 4 holiday week. With the parks open late, you can get a lot done by arriving early, taking a break in the midafternoon during peak crowds and peak heat, then returning to the parks in the evenings once people have left for the day. I think a big mistake people make is that they take days off to rest. It's much more efficient and effective to take breaks every day in the afternoon rather than try to go open-to-close some days with other days completely off in between.

Loving your reply. We have a trip planned at the end of July!! thanks for keeping the doubts away!

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Loving your reply. We have a trip planned at the end of July!! thanks for keeping the doubts away!

Don't get me wrong, it will be hot and crowded. But there are effective ways to manage that, and there are very few times of the year when it's not one or the other (or both).

 

[Zipadeelady]

Don't get me wrong, it will be hot and crowded. But there are effective ways to manage that, and there are very few times of the year when it's not one or the other (or both).

Our first two trips (2006 & 2008) were in July and I don't recall having any issues then. Although the parks didn't seem to have the crowds back then like I'm hearing about now and my children were too young to want to ride the "mountains" and other "extreme rides" that they will want to ride now that have longer waits. I guess we'll give it a try. Our last trips were in December and September and the crowds were fairly light. Like you suggested we have always went back for a mid day nap or pool time and that won't change this time around either. Can't wait!!!