Who visited WDW last summer?

[amykissangel]

We're going in June (13-23, group of 17 :~) at POP) and we've never been in the summer b4. We've been spoiled in Sept. and Oct. and we've done the crowds over Spring Break and Thanksgiving...fill me in on summer! We know the heat'll be bad, and the crowds will be nasty...but I'd love to hear about trips people took last summer.

Did you wilt in the heat?

Could you ride all the rides you wanted if you utilized FastPass?

Was it a necessity to go back to the hotel after lunch and nap and swim?

We've got 3 kids under 8, 6 people 16-25, and the rest are adults ages 30-55. Got any tips to keep us all cool and less cranky? :~) Thanks!!:wave:

 

[coltow]

Be at the parks right at opening. Utilize fast passes best you can. We absolutely take breaks because we get up early and it get hotter than you can imagine in the afternoon. We then head back and stay close to closing. The break helps to refresh everyone especially little ones.

 

[1DisneyDad]

We are going for the first time in the summer (July). Been in Oct/Jan/Feb (Spoiled). Interested in what tips everyone has. Thanks!

 

[cabihler]

was there last june and again this june

june is actually a pretty good time to go in that it does get hot in the afternoons but then again not like july or august and it can rain since it gets to be the beginning of the humidity time of year but still not the big thunderstorms of july and august.

crowds start being a problem so have a good idea of what you want to go each day, have a plan, then do as suggested earlier get fast passes and get to teh parks early. drink a lot of water to stay hydrated and something we always did was take a wash cloth in a plastic bag and say like at ciderella's fountain etc. sit down with the kids and put the damp wash cloth on them to cool them down.

bus service to the POP is really pretty good, much much better then the other all-stars, and of course the pools are really good there and surprising not that busy in the after noons but they are later in the day so maybe take a mid-afternoon break and so back tot he rooms to take a swim and get changed.

have learned over the years with the increasing crowds that patience is something that pays dividends. we view the crowds as park of the disney experience now. perhaps for me it always brings back so many memories of when my kids where 3, 4, 5 etc ... now its my grandkids. remember its not just the rides it is the magic ... look at it like you were a child experiencing it for the first time even if it is your 100th trip LOL and you will enjoy it so MUCK MORE BETTER...

 

[JustPlainBill]

We went last year, 2nd and 3rd week of June, I have two kids ages 7 & 9,
it was hot but nothing out of the ordinary average temp was 90-95 degrees. It rained at least once a day for about ten minutes in the late afternoon. We got to the parks later and kept the kids out late into the night when it was a bit cooler, allowing them to sleep later the next morning. We didn't plan it this way, it just sort of happened. It was our kids first trip to WDW, mine and my wife's first trip in 17 years. We let our kids stamina determine our day, what they could tolerate. They seemed to like staying up late and spending more time at the park when it was lit up at night than be early risers waiting for the park to open. The crowds weren't really all that bad, I remember them being incredibly worse 20 years ago when there was less to see, at least it seemed worse. I know reading the several posts I have on this board some people can't tolerate waiting more than 15 minutes for a ride. For us anything under 45 minutes was tolerable and it seemed to be the norm on our trip last summer. On the big ticket rides like Soarin', ToT and such the waits were over 75 minutes, but we were able to use the fast passes quite successfully. The guide books tell you to hit fantasyland as the rope drops to avoid long waits for the attractions to get them out of the way, so to speak. We visited them during spectromagic and wishes, fantasyland was practically deserted. We saw the parade and fireworks the previous day. We took advantage of EMH the parks with the late hours instead of the early ones. One thing to remember is to be flexible.

 

[lpet11984]

Aww, we'll just be missing you-- going June 24-July 2nd! Going in the summer isn't as bad as some may make it out to be, especially if you stay flexible and cool

Did you wilt in the heat?

The heat can be, well, hot. But if you have a hat, bring some bandanas to get wet and tie around your neck, and take advantage of the air conditioning in the hotels and stores, you'll be fine. Taking breaks at the resort is also really, really nice...come back for a swim and a shower, head back after the sun starts setting.

Could you ride all the rides you wanted if you utilized FastPass?

Yup. Get to the parks early, use fastpass as much as possible, and it is possible to ride most everything. Also, definitely take advantage of Extra Magic Hours-- less people, cooler temps.

Was it a necessity to go back to the hotel after lunch and nap and swim?

Necessity? Not really, but when I go in the summer, there's usually only me and a friend of mine (we do our annual reunion at WDW). With more people, involved, I'm you'll have to gauge how everyone feels and go from there.

Got any tips to keep us all cool and less cranky? :~) Thanks!!:wave:

Prioritize what everyone wants to do and perhaps split up if different groups want to do a few different things...stay flexible and enjoy your stay at the most magical place on earth! :wave:

 

[MIDisneyFamily]

I love the summer evenings at the parks. Right after the sun goes down till close, is beautifull weather. The MK is usually opened later, and the evening EMH are great. The more you go in and out of really cold buildings , back into the heat does bother some people. Main Street is a cool place to be in the heat of the day because the doors are left open, and the cooling effect is noticable. Just drink alot of water, and re-apply sunscreen (and dont forget your neck and ears). Be prepared for summer rain storms that just pop out in the afternoon too.

 

[amykissangel]

Thank you all SO much for your suggestions - you're making me feel better about going in June :~)))))!!!

 

[Jay & Sue]

We have made several trips to WDW in the fall and early spring when the weather can be quite warm - but much cooler and less humid than June or July. A trick that we learned was to bring along shorts and other hot weather clothes in our carry-on. When we arrive at MCO, we head for the nearest restroom and change out of our jeans into our hot weather clothes. Try it. It only takes a minute or two but makes for a much more comfortable ride to the motel and goes a long way in helping you acclimate to the heat and humidity.

 

[Eyekimore]

We go to WDW every summer. We used to only go in August. Taking a rest/swim/nap in the afternoon is almost a necessity in August. You immediately begin to drip sweat when you walk outside in August.

June is quite comfortable in comparison. It is hot- but not as awfully humid. I agree with the rain in the pm comment. I would buy the cheapie rain ponchos at the dollar store. They are lighter an easier to fold small in a bag.

Additionally- I would suggest buying the water spritzers with the fan at home. They sell them for $15 a pop at WDW and they are quite refreshing- especially if you put some ice in them at the hotel. You can get them at Wal-Mart for around $5.

Drink lots of bottled water to keep hydrated and you'll be fine! It won't be crazy busy until closer to 4th of July.

Have a great time!

 

[xsupaxmanxsfnex]

Stay most of the day, as it has already been said, and deffinitely use Fast Pass. We go in august and we NEED the mid day break for a swim. Not really sure about June though, sorry.

 

[slappy magoo]

Crowdwise, it might not be too bad. While some schools finish their year in early June and go back Mid August, other schools (like in NJ) finish late June and don't re-open until after Labor Day. So early June & late August (minus Labor Day weekend if Labor Day is one of the first few days in September) isn't as busy as the rest of the summer tends to be, when ALL of the school are out. You'll be leaving just as the second wave of school closings begins.

Other than that, there's nothing I can tell you others haven't: If you can, take advantage of early EMH, leave before the afternoon heat wave, swim or nap, then go back.

 

[WTBAD]

we've been going the middle of June for several years. It gets pretty crowded. Last couple of years they have stopped letting non-resort guest in to MK for a few hours. Can't remember DHS, AK or Epcot ever reaching capacity. Temp wise, you can expect highs 82 - 90, hotter on clear days. Wear a hat, drink plenty of liquids and use a high SPF sunscreen. Take several breaks in the shops or the pool. Take advantage of EMH in mornings & at night. MK is the best and after mid-night there is hardly anyone in the park.

We'll be at POP June 14-21. See you there. Probably won't know who you are but we could still see you there.

 

[MicheleK]

We go in the summer ever year. It's hot, no doubt. As said, utilize air-conditioned stores and attractions. Buy a fan with water sprayer at Wal-Mart, also we freeze our water and by the time an hour or two goes by, it's melted enough to drink and refill and keeps the water cool for a few hours anyway. Use fast pass, try to get to the park for opening (much smaller crowds). Another thing we do is get an early ADR at, say, Crystal Palace, before park opens (8:00 a.m.) This way you're already in the park before the general public. Take that afternoon break and go back refreshed and stay until park closing. Also, with a group of 17, you don't all have to go back at the same time. If the kids are dragging, maybe a few could go back for an hour or two and then switch off with other adults. This accomplishes a few things. Adults get some alone time in the parks and kids can spend more time at the pool or napping. This way everybody gets to enjoy. But most of all, have a BLAST!!! Take lots of picture and video and then write us a wonderful trip report. :wave:

 

[Jellyfish]

We went on my 16th (12th Agust) for 2 weeks. The heat did get to us in the queue's but we did get all the rides we wanted to go on done and more. The best thing to do is get a fastpass for a ride (which can sometimes take a couple of hours untill its your time to go in) then go do other stuff. But your fastpass does come in handy

 

[DizneyPryncess]

I went last year in August, but it was late August so most of the schools were back in and crowds weren't an issue at all. The heat however, was insane. It had to be late 90's, we were all melting.

You might be okay the week you're going. I know where I'm from (Pennsylvania), a lot of grade schools are just getting out of school that week, so families probably won't plan until at least the week after to take a vacation.

My advice is to go early, hit a few of the most popular rides before lines get bad, and then get some fast passes. From there, go get lunch & do some shopping, maybe go back to the hotel & relax for a little bit. Come back when your fass passes are for, and then do the rest of the park in the evening/night.

Also, find out the Extra Magic Hours for when you're there and for sure use those as they are going to be less crowded then when the general public is allowed in. Have a good trip!

Jamie