Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Crowds and Weather

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Crowds and Weather

I'm going to the following parks between June 30th and July 7th: Sea World Magic Kingdom Epcot Universal Studios Clearwater Beach Busch Gardens Questions? What will the crowds be like at these parks? Will one park be less crowded than another? What time of day does it rain and and how long will it last? One of the busiest days of the year will July 4th. Which park would be the least crowded? I promise this will be the last posting of questions for my Florida vacation. It's just that I've not been on a vacation in almost 20 years and I want to make sure I do it right. Thanks everyone.

It will be very hot, and very crowded. I'd say that the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Universal Studios would be the most crowded. The thunderstorms are usually in the early-late afternoon.

Is there a specific reason you are going to Clearwater Beach, it seems out of the way and doesn't fit with the others. Also Sea World is fun for the day and is rarely rowded (comparatively) I would definitely make this my pick for July 4th however make your way back to Magic Kingdom that night it will be crowded but the fireworks display is amazing and worth any amount of crowd. I also see that you have listed Busch Gardens, just my opinipn but I would drop this too in favor of either the new Islands of Adventure (haven't been yet but heard great things) the new universal Studios theme park. It is completely separate from Universal and each park takes a full day. If its roller coasters and rides you are after Islands of Adventure has it over Busch gardens. if you are looking for relaxation one day (is that why you are going to Clearwater?) I would instead choose and all day waterpark such as Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon and save yourself the drive (isn't Clearwater at least 2 hours away?) I apologize if you weren't wanting comments on your itinerary, just trying to help. The Magic Kingdom and Epcot are always the busiest, I would also suggest doing them on a weekday (not July 4th) rather than on the weekend to avoid some of the crowds. As far as weather goes, I have no idea what weather you are used to, coming from nashville, TN I am used to heat and humidity, these things don't bother me. I can understand though to some it is oppressing, my husband is from Indianapolis and still hasn't grown accustomed to the heat! A good suggestion and advantage of staying within WDW is you can head back to your room after lunch cool down with a swim and go back to the park at 3 or 4 in the afternoon, everyone else is sweltering by this time and is heading out or it has just rained and people have left becaue of that. Hope you have a great vavation, sounds like you haven't had one in a while and need it!

The best tips I can give you is GET THERE AT OPENING TIME! You will be able to see lots of attractions before the park fills up! I would also recommend Sea World for July 4th, they also have nighttime fireworks. From Deb Wills' unofficial guide site at wdwig.com "A recent inquiry of Disney regarding which days to visit which parks had the following response. "our parks tend to be the busiest on the following days: Magic Kingdom: Monday, Thursday, and Saturday Epcot: Tuesday and Friday Disney-MGM Studios: Sunday and Wednesday Disney's Animal Kingdom: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday" So a good plan might be Sunday July 1 MK, Monday July 2 Epcot, WEd the 4th Sea World. Are you doing ONLY Universal Studios or also islands of Adventure? If you do both, you really need 2 days and thur-Fri might be good. If you want to ride Men in Black ride at Studios (VERY FUN!) go there FIRST because lines for this ride get to be over 2 hours quickly & it is NOT worth waiting for that long no matter how cute! Have fun! You will be an official Theme Park Commando (TM) when you return! Check this link: http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Paradise/6357/ Let us have a trip report!

Abe and Joy, We are going to Clearwater Beach because my wife has never seen the ocean. Also we are going to Busch Gardens not for the Roller coaster but for the animal adventure. I realize we could go to Animal Kingdom but from what I've heard it's not worth it. As far as the heat and humidity we get quite a bit of that in Wisconsin but not quite as severe as Florida I'm sure. I would love to go to MK on the 4th and see the spectacular fireworks, but I'm afraid the crowd might be too intense. Also I would love to spend 2 days at Universal but time is limited to what I've listed I don't want to give up SW or BG and we will need 2 days for MK and Epcot. Our final day will be spent relaxing on the beach. I picked Clearwater because I don't know of a better one on the Gulf side. Thanks for the advice!

To Tom: I apologize again if your agenda is already set in stone but you said you chose Clearwater for no particular reason. In that area, Clearwater is a little north of Tampa, I would suggest some beaches a little south of Tampa. Anything in the Sarasota area is nice (ihr. from Tampa) Either Bradenton Beach or my favorite Lonboat Key, an island connected by bridge to sarasota. Longboat is a little pricey but there is a nice Holiday Inn on the island which is not as expensive and in a great location!

Abe, Tell me more about these beaches you are talking about I'm open for suggestions on the beach part of our itinerary.

I think in general the further south you go the better the beaches are IMHO. the water is clearer, better sand, etc. Clearwater beach is just north of St.Pete/Tampa and is fine. the city of Clearwater is not too nice, but Clearwater Beach is atually on an island. In reent years, this area has begun to be overrun with springbreakers in March and April and is very crowed in the summer with kids. Sarasota which is south of Tampa ia more residential and laid back, not as crowded. The city of sarasota is actually has one of the largest oncentration of retired folks! Longboat Key is an island out from Sarasota and is a well known destination. If you do a board search you will find MANY posts on it. It is kind of a upscale resort area with beautiful beaches, lots of golf, and lots of tennis. In my oipinion it is not nearly as tacky as the spring break areas (Clearwater, Dayona, Panama City etc.) s I said it is upscale and more pricey, but Istayed at the Holiday Inn last time for a nice price and loved the atmosphere.

Thanks Abe! It sounds like LongBeach Island is a good place to go!

Tom, I live in Orlando and can just add that during the 4th of july week all parks will be crowded. Magic Kingdom will be the worst by far as it seems to always be crowded. Epcot will not seem so bad because of its size and is usually more relaxing. If it gets hot just pop into the pub in England and have a pint for me. As for the Gulf Coast I must say that Clearwater Beach is my favorite place to stay on the beach. Also it is a lot closer to Busch Gardens (30 -45 minute drive) than South of Tampa. You can take the Courtney Cambell Causway (Route 60 I think) straight into and out of Clearwater. Go to Adams Mark Hotel Pool deck for good music, drinks and Sunset. Have Fun

If you do want to pop into the English pub in Epcot, make sure you have ID. We took friends from Ireland to Epcot (and MK, which doesn't sell beer at all), and they of course didn't want to carry their passports around. We were all refused service (all in our late 20s) because our friends didn't have ID.

Greg, Tough decisions to make, I'll look up the Adams Mark Hotel and check it out. Thanks for the help!