mom

We are thinking about a family vacation to Disney (FL) in July. My kids are 24 and 21 and it's been years since we were able to do a family thing. My daughter's "summer vacation" is 3 weeks in July. We're from upstate NY, have never been that far south in the summer -- are we crazy to even consider it??

I'd appreciate your thoughts!

Nicki

Yes, I think it's a mistake. Go to Disneyland in California instead, much better, especially in July! We were at DW in June and thought we'd die! It's so humid you can't breathe and it zaps all your energy. California DL is better in my opinion, not so spread out and more doable in a day or 2.

Lois

Hi Mom, Personally, i dont think you are crazy for doing Disney in the summer-It does get hot here ( I live about 2 hours from Orlando)and yes it does get humid but there are also other factors. Florida is on the same coast as NY..it might be less $ for you to get here than to fly to CALIF.
Also, if you are staying inside one of the parks then if it gets too hot for you during the middle of the day, you can always go back to the hotel and sit around the pool and then go back to the park in the evening.
I have been many times over the years and yes, it is spread out. But if your planning to stay for awhile, Then take it at your own pace.
The one suggestion I will give you is to drink lots of water, even if you dont feel thirty--Drink anyway! and.. of course Have a Wonderful time!!!
One Suggestion .... just keep water with you.. and drink it! Even if you dont think your thirsty...drink it anyway
Have a great time -- whatever you decide to do!

Lois

Mom...didnt realize I had transmitted that last line about the water twice...
sorry about that!

E.

I'd say it depends how "into" Disney you are...it will be close to 100F inside the park on a sunny day, and it will be very likely to t-storm in the afternoons. On the other hand, Disney now includes an African safari park, a water park, Pleasure Island, which is a complex of bars, retaurants and shops catering more to the adult crowd, and Downtown Disney, which is also restaurants, etc., and I'm sure I'm leaving out a bunch of stuff. SO: my point is that there are plenty of things to do besides roast in the park. You could spend the am at the main park, then cruise over and browse in air conditioned shops in the heat of the day, etc. BUT: if you really aren't that excited about Disney, choose a different destination, b/c the weather will be an obstacle for you.

Frank Stefanec

Hi,
We've gone to Disney the last week in July since about 1985. I have a conference I attend. Central Florida in the middle of summer is brutal-no joke. If you want to go to the parks, you better go early. Problem is that Disney got rid of their early opening for on site guests, so the hour up on the rest of the crowd is gone. We used to go in the evening, but with the advent of "Fast Pass," people have "reservations" for rides in the evening and walk ons are in the back of the line. We used to go over to a park and catch a ride or two then head back. Can't do that anymore. Another problem is that the parks aren't open as long as they used to, so it shortens the day considerably. I remember when the Magic Kingdom was open until midnite, and on special nites, around the 4th of July, until 2am. this was around '88-anyway! The heat is intense, but the humidity is worse. You almost have to wear very light color clothing. I wore blue shorts golfing one summer and they were ruined with the salt from sweating. Then the storms. Not rain---but storms. It will happen almost every afternoon---and sometimes into the evening. Sometimes all evening. You will get wet, and you may get soaked--as the saying goes. We were even there for Hurricaine Erin a few August's ago (conference got changed that year<g>). That's another story in itself<g>. I still go because I get tons of continuing ed points and we lay around the pool for a few days and hit our favorite restaurants. Also, we go with our 23 yr daughter. We don't get to see her that often, and it is nice to catch up--I'm sure you know what I mean having kids in the same age range. We will do the evening things like Pleasure Island, Cirque Du Solil, etc, which is very, very nice. This past year we took her to Maui on her time off, and we all agreed that it was a marvelous trip. Sun, fun, and eat!! it all depends on your wants though. Good luck with the decision.
Frank

x

You will be in central Florida, in the middle of summer, on a concrete slab with 100,000 other people, humidity at 100% and temps near 100 degrees. I would say yes, it will be miserable but doable.

Go the the parks as early as possible in the morning, leave by 11AM and go to a waterpark or hotel pool, and come back after 3pm.

mom

Thanks so much -- these are just the kind of honest opinions I wanted. Maybe it's time to bring it back to a family vote!

x

Good God, why would anyone even consider it. It's like going south of Hell. HOW could you even enjoy that unless you are a family of scorpions? And aren't your kids a wee bit old for Disney? Weird.

rob

stay home.....and yes, i live in orlando.

x

Ok, "family of scorpions" made me laugh. Very funny.

Lois

Hey Rob, I live in Jacksonville and yes it gets hot.. but maybe they want to see EPCOT...and SeaWorld.. I am 44.. and I LOVE EPCOT...what is so weird about that?
Guess that saying "different strokes for different folks" pertains to all of us...

linda

I must go against popular opinion . My family went every summer when kids were older. We did Disney,Universal, Wet and Wild,Sea World, just use common sense about warm weather I say go and have fun. And there is nothing like those tropical nights for the parks,especially fireworks

Sara

Hey Mom,
I live in Wisconsin and took my 2 kids ages 5 & 7 at the time to WDW in July of 2000. We specifically chose that time because we had a family member playing in tournament at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex, otherwise I wouldn't have even thought of trying it in July. BUT it wasn't that bad. It was hot and humid - I remember feeling my feet burning through the bottom of my shoes while we were sitting on a curb with our feet on blacktop waiting for the midday parade. We just took our time and tried to get out of the sun in a cooling off activity like a show with A/C or a water-ride when we got hot. If you do that tho wear clothes that will dry quickly...I got soaked in jean short and that was very uncomfortable. Don't think it won't be crowded because it's hot though. It will still be crowded so use the FASTPASS option wherever possible to avoid standing in lines as much as you can.

Vince

We (2 people in our upper 20's) went to WDW last March and thought we would burn alive. One day we paid for tickets into Magic Kingdom and almost left it after 20 minutes. If you have other choices, I wouldn't go to Orlando in July. If you do, I would probably spend all my time in water parks. Enjoy whatever you decide.

Stephanie P.

Mom@mom:

I'd highly avoid staying in mid-Florida in July because at least if you stay at the ocean you have a breeze to cool you off a little. I went to Ft. Lauderdale in May and thought I was going to melt. The only time I felt somewhat comfortable is when I was in my bikini on the beach. When I went inland all the cement and asphalt helps increase the temperature. If you do decide to stay in Orlando, I would suggest Wet n' Wild, a big water park in Kissimmee, FL on International Drive along with Disney's River Country to cool off.

Sue

I ,too, am planning a trip in late June early July. Been before at the same time and it is very hot and humid. You will be drenched from your own sweat and wet from the water rides so it can get uncomfortable. Bring a change of clothes if you are planning to stay late. Use the lockers and load it up with clothes, snacks, frozen bottles of water, etc.- but get there early... sometimes the lockers go bery quickly. I was wondering if anyone has ever been for July 4th celebrations? What are the crowds like and is it worth it? Thanks!

fl res

There is something worse than hot weather -- being surrounded by thousands of people from other countries that don't bathe as often as we do. It's a small world after all.

Jen

If it is Florida you want, maybe consider going to one of the coasts to enjoy the water during the hot as hell weather. You could go to the gulf coast to Clearwater/St. Pete and trek to Busch Gardens if you really want a theme park or the other coast and stay in Daytona.

I have worked at theme parks and I live in Florida. July can be very brutal. Good luck on the decision.

holly

Yes, you are insane. It's too hot and humid. Go in late fall instead.