It's summertime! At Walt Disney World, that means things are a bit different and your planning needs to be a bit different. The big things to remember at Disney in the summer:
This post will discuss how to handle these issues and have a terrific time at Disney World in the summer!
- It's crowded
- It's super hot and sticky
- It's going to rain
- The nighttime shows are late
This post will discuss how to handle these issues and have a terrific time at Disney World in the summer!
It's going to be crowded
Simplest rule of Disney - the more people have off from school and/or work, the busier it'll be. So yes, the summer is busy. Fourth of July week is busiest, but the entire summer is one of the busier times of year.
But the good news is it's still "beatable" - you can avoid the big lines with proper planning! So be sure to do so!
But the good news is it's still "beatable" - you can avoid the big lines with proper planning! So be sure to do so!
It's hot. Like super freaking hot. Every day.
If you're from the south, you know what I'm talking about. If you're a northerner, you have no clue how hot it is. You may say "it's 90 degrees - we get 90 degree days all the time in Chicago/New York/Pittsburgh/Detroit/whereever". But it's a different kind of 90 degrees in Orlando:
So how do you adjust?
First, I know you hear this a lot, but arrive before the park opens. Even more so this time of year. You not only avoid the crowds, but you avoid the worst of the heat.
Second, if you're staying on Disney property, consider using the morning Extra Magic Hours - I'm usually not a huge fan of Extra Magic Hours (you have to get up an hour earlier for them, and eventually it means larger crowds at that park), but I like them more in the summer - it means another cooler, morning hour of park time instead of a hot mid-day hour.
- The sun is much higher in the sky than you're used to. It just burns. (Speaking of burns - wear suncreen, hats, and sunglasses).
- The humidity. Oh my goodness, the humidity. You are just dripping in sweat.
So how do you adjust?
First, I know you hear this a lot, but arrive before the park opens. Even more so this time of year. You not only avoid the crowds, but you avoid the worst of the heat.
Second, if you're staying on Disney property, consider using the morning Extra Magic Hours - I'm usually not a huge fan of Extra Magic Hours (you have to get up an hour earlier for them, and eventually it means larger crowds at that park), but I like them more in the summer - it means another cooler, morning hour of park time instead of a hot mid-day hour.
Smart kids swim in the PM Third, leave in the afternoon. Take that time that's wiping everyone else out, and either go cool off at the pool or take a mid-day nap.
Note the water. Note also how the camera is already streaking due to the humidity - and this is at park opening! Finally, bring lots of water. Bring a backpack and fill it with bottles of water. You're going to want water, so bring it so save money.
It's gonna rain
It's the rainy season in central Florida. At least half the days you're there, you'll get rain. The good news is that most rains in the summer months in Florida are short. Usually you'll see an intense thunderstorm in the early-mid afternoon.
Even better news, it cools things off briefly! The 30 minutes or so after a rain feels like a blast of air conditioning.
So what should you do during the thunderstorms? Good news is that all Disney parks have many great indoor attractions - in fact, most attractions are indoors at most of the parks (except Animal Kingdom, though even it has some great indoor shows). So don't run for the exits - run for the indoor attractions!
In addition, since the storms usually hit in the afternoon, there's a good chance, if you follow advice to arrive early, that it'll be naptime. So who cares if it rains!
Even better news, it cools things off briefly! The 30 minutes or so after a rain feels like a blast of air conditioning.
So what should you do during the thunderstorms? Good news is that all Disney parks have many great indoor attractions - in fact, most attractions are indoors at most of the parks (except Animal Kingdom, though even it has some great indoor shows). So don't run for the exits - run for the indoor attractions!
In addition, since the storms usually hit in the afternoon, there's a good chance, if you follow advice to arrive early, that it'll be naptime. So who cares if it rains!
Nighttime shows are late!
Nighttime shows, like the Main Street Electrical Parade, the Magic Kingdom Fireworks, and Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios are often highlights of a Disney trip. One issue in the summer, however, is the late sunset means these occur much later than in the winter. The Main Street Electrical Parade is usually around 9:00pm and the Fireworks an hour later.
Unfortunately, these late nights, along with early mornings, lead to exhaustion. How can you manage?
Unfortunately, these late nights, along with early mornings, lead to exhaustion. How can you manage?
- Take that afternoon break. There is no need to be sitting in huge lines in 90 degree humid heat in the afternoons. Instead, take a nap. You'll feel much better for the evenings.
- Consider timing your "big evenings out" with a slow day the next day. Want a day at Downtown Disney for shopping? Schedule it for the day after a late night event.
Conclusion - summer can be great fun at Disney!
While heat, storms, and crowds may sound like a turnoff, with the proper planning, you can have a great time at Disney in the summer. You can avoid the worst of the heat and the crowds, and have a terrific trip!
That being said, if you don't plan, then summer is a terrible time to be at Disney World. The heat and crowds can wear you down like you wouldn't believe. So if you're going to go in the summer, make sure you plan accordingly!
That being said, if you don't plan, then summer is a terrible time to be at Disney World. The heat and crowds can wear you down like you wouldn't believe. So if you're going to go in the summer, make sure you plan accordingly!
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