sojo

Hi, I could use some help, please! We're thinking about going to Orlando for a week in June (w/kids, ages 16 & 11). How bad are the crowds at Universal and Disney in June, and how bad (hot & humid) is the weather? I know the crowds and weather won't be as bad as it would be in July, but what is June generally like? Thanks!!!

antmaril

With regard to crowds, it depends on when in June you go. Early June will probably result in less crowds. The later you go, the busier it will be (as schools let out for the summer).

It will be very hot and humid. You have to pace yourself. Go to the parks early in the day, take a lunch break, go back to the hotel and relax or go to the pool, then back to the parks in the evening. Drink lots of water. It is still fun, but you have to be prepared for the heat.

sojo

Thanks, antmaril. I was hoping maybe in June (early June) it wouldn't yet be very hot and humid. We can't decide if this vacation is a good idea or not!

GoTravel

June will be very hot, very humid, and very sticky.

antmaril

Sojo:

One way to beat the heat is to stay onsite at Universal Orlando. I don't know how familiar you are with Universal, but there are three hotels: Portofino Bay, The Hard Rock Hotel and the Royal Pacific Resort. If you stay at one of these three hotels, you can go into the Express Line in the parks all day, as many times as you want. It's like going to the front of the line - EVERYTIME! It is fabulous. We have done this many times. There can be a line 90 minutes long for one of the favorite rides like Shrek in 4D or Spiderman and you are on in ten minutes (or less). This really helps when it's so hot and humid. Your children are at perfect ages for Universal. Also, if you decide to do Disney and Universal, be sure to do Disney first. That way you have the front of the line to look forward to. If you do Universal first, you will be spoiled and will not want to stand in line at Disneyworld.

Hope this is helpful. We've gone three times in the summer. It can be done, but you have to be ready for it.

Tnd

i TOTALLY agree with antmaril. universal is not that big but has alot better rides than disney.it is defintely worth staying on site.sent friend, lines were over 2 hours she never waited more than 13minutes.No ride worth 2 hour wait.also nice onsite you can walk over go on water rides come back & sit by pool.my kids like hard rock, slide at pool,basketball,at nite movies in pool with rafts. & can walk in 5 mins to park.check out their website are offering 2 free tix or brkfst.and yes in june it will be hot & crowded.

Samsaf

If you decide to stay onsite at Universal, check out an Entertainment book for coupons. We (our family of 5) stayed at the Royal Pacific Resort in July 2003 and loved it. With the Entertainment book, our rate was $125 for a pool/park view room, and it would have been $99 for a standard room with the coupon. It was very hot that time of year, but with our express passes we just went through a different line and never waited more than 5 minutes. We would hop off a ride and run back through the line, passing up people in the regular line who had also been waiting in line the first time we came through.

Be aware that thunderstorms develop quickly; our son was on a water ride when it started storming with intense lightning. We ended up running back to the hotel in the pouring rain and storm. At the time it was a little scary, but now it's a funny memory.

antmaril

With regard to the Entertainment Book, you do not have to have the Orlando Entertainment Book, your local Entertainment Book is all you need. Unfortunately, the Entertainment rates are not as good this year as they have been in the past. You do not have to have the Ent. book to make the reservation, but you will need your card at check-in if you get an Ent. rate. I have also found good rates for the Universal hotels at hotelkingdom.com

Good luck and have fun!

missypie

If you have more questions on Universal or Disney, try the boards at disboards.com.