bethany102399
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Post by bethany102399 on Jul 10, 2017 16:24:22 GMT
I've posted here before about the dream trip we're taking to Orlando next year.
The current plan (version E of it as we've gone through plans A-D) is to pull the kids from the last day and a half of school and scoot in before memorial day weekend. Flying home on Memorial day. We're locked into dates as we're doing Universal then getting on the Disney boat.
DD will be finishing 6th grade, and is really upset that she'll miss signing yearbooks on the last day. The compromise is we will get her a yearbook (STARTS at 40 bucks for middle school!) and ask a friend to have it signed on the last day.
This came up at lunch with my mom this past weekend so now I have 2 voices on me about the scheduling. Background: Both DD and my mom are VERY social. I am not. It would not bother me in the least to miss the last 2 days of 6th grade to be able to travel. While mom isn't coming on the trip she's advocating for DD as she knows I don't tend to see things the same way DD does.
DS is like me, he'd rather be on the boat.
In the interest of being able to say it's more expensive I looked up possible alternative dates further into the summer. The next date that works is the week after the 4th of July. We could work it so we'd take the full week, get time at Universal then hit the boat and fly home on a Saturday giving everyone a day to regroup before re-entry. Is it more expensive? yes, but not by that much.
My concerns are heat, and universal crowds. July is prime time for them and while we'll stay on site to get the express pass, DH hates both heat and crowds. I have no desire to be standing in the middle of the Wizarding World screaming we're supposed to be having fun dammit.
Anyone have thoughts on either heat the second week in July in Orlando or crowds (even with EP?)
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Kerri W
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Location: Kentucky
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Post by Kerri W on Jul 10, 2017 16:31:21 GMT
We've done Disney several times. Once, 23 years ago, was the second week in July. Or the week we thought we were living in hell. It was SO freaking hot. I have no idea if that is typical for that time of year, but I can tell you I would never do it again. It wasn't fun and who wants to go on vacation and be miserable? Hopefully some FL peas will chime in and give an opinion  |
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Rhondito
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MississipPea
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Post by Rhondito on Jul 10, 2017 16:31:21 GMT
All you have to do is look at the current weather in Orlando and you'll see what to expect.
Basically, it's hot. Very hot. I was at SeaWorld a few years ago over the 4th and we melted. The only reason I went was because I had friends who got married that weekend and one worked for SW, so we all got free passes. Otherwise, if I would never pick this time of year to go to any of the parks in FL.
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Post by JustCallMeMommy on Jul 10, 2017 16:31:23 GMT
It is really hot, but not as hot as August or even September. Almost all of the ride queues are inside now and that has made the heat much more bearable. As long as you have Express Pass - which has now been expanded to work at the main Wizarding World attractions - the lines won't be too much of a concern. We've been there on the busiest of Christmas days and been able to get through everything we wanted to visit using Express Pass.
As a side note, do your yearbooks actually arrive the last day? DD got hers at least 2 weeks before the end of school. The whole signing thing is over by the last day, and tons of students miss those days.
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Post by bunnyhug on Jul 10, 2017 16:33:24 GMT
We visited friends over the Independence Day holiday when I was pregnant with my first kid. Luckily (🙄), Florida was setting heat records that year, so it was 100-and-some-odd degrees every single day. And stupid humid. Even their pool was too warm to be refreshing! I still say that I would love to see Key West, because even though we drove down for an overnight, all we saw was a succession of air conditioned bars, restaurants, and shops. We were back in Orlando for spring break a couple years ago, and I actually enjoyed Florida when I discovered it's not always like living in a steam room 😄
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mallie
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Posts: 3,253
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Post by mallie on Jul 10, 2017 16:33:59 GMT
If someone hAtes heat and crowds, do not go to an Orlando theme park in July. Period.
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Post by bunnyhug on Jul 10, 2017 16:35:52 GMT
P.S. If your dh hates heat and crowds, you should probably just prepare for dealing with a miserable man living through his own personal hell before you go 😝
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Post by Darcy Collins on Jul 10, 2017 16:35:53 GMT
Crowds will be significantly higher in July versus before Memorial Day weekend. Weather is a bit more of a mixed bag - it will probably be hot either time, but you might get a big lucky end of May with it being a bit better. We went at the end of June and I said never again - it was hot and humid and miserable and the crowds were unavoidable. We go to Florida between Nov and Feb.
If 6th is middle school, I wouldn't stick around to sign yearbooks - she'll be with the same kids for 2 more years. If 6th grade was "graduation" of elementary school and they wanted to go, it'd be a different story.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Jul 10, 2017 16:40:50 GMT
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bethany102399
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Posts: 3,520
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Post by bethany102399 on Jul 10, 2017 16:43:26 GMT
As a side note, do your yearbooks actually arrive the last day? Good question, I will ask. I'm still picking myself up off the floor after the 40 bucks. Before we moved we lived in a blue collar neighborhood and the elementary school not only covered lunch during the summer for those kids doing summer school (I'm sure they got grant money for it) , part of the PTA funds went for yearbooks. Now that we're in a more white collar neighborhood I shelled out 12 bucks each this past spring. If someone hAtes heat and crowds, do not go to an Orlando theme park in July. Period. Yeah, that's what concerns me. P.S. If your dh hates heat and crowds, you should probably just prepare for dealing with a miserable man living through his own personal hell before you go 😝 Indeed. it's one of the reasons I'm fighting for keeping us going in May as well as staying on property. I'm happy to say to him, go back to the room we'll be fine. If 6th is middle school, I wouldn't stick around to sign yearbooks - she'll be with the same kids for 2 more years. If 6th grade was "graduation" of elementary school and they wanted to go, it'd be a different story. Yes, we had intended to do the trip this year, and I was SO grateful we didn't when I saw the fanfare they had for their "graduating" 5th graders. She would have been crushed to miss it. Plus, She's had playdates all over the place this summer. It's 2 freaking days. |
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bethany102399
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Post by bethany102399 on Jul 10, 2017 16:44:39 GMT
thank you. I knew but needed someone else to tell me yes, you're right.
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Post by walkerdill on Jul 10, 2017 16:45:40 GMT
I wouldn't go in July and I live here & have passed. It's unbearable & you will be grumpy just because of the heat.
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Post by JustCallMeMommy on Jul 10, 2017 16:51:32 GMT
To make you feel better, our yearbooks are $60. And it has the entire district - K-12. With an average of 400 kids per grade, that is about 5,200 kids. Alison was in her individual picture and pictures for each club or activity (in her case, there were 4 or 5, but not all kids are that involved). Plus, they left out her academic team (Science Olympiad), even though they took a picture on the group picture day.
If you go in July, just be prepared for the heat. Have water bottles for everyone (bring your own or purchase frequently), make sure you partake of ice cream from Florean Fortescue's, and plan for some sit-down meals to cool down.
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927
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Post by freebird on Jul 10, 2017 16:56:21 GMT
We went to universal in August '15. (wanted to take granddaughter for her 11th birthday to HPworld).
We had to leave in the middle of the day (we stayed on site) because of the heat. We could have just kept going but it sure wears you out, then sweating or wet rides makes your clothes all wet and it's just miserable. If I were to go again, I'd wait until fall or go in the spring. We could have done a lot more on cooler days and saved money by not needing as much time. It was ok, our hotel was a water resort too so we'd go back and swim then nap, then go back to the park again in the eve.
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Post by littlemama on Jul 10, 2017 18:08:44 GMT
We have gone twice, in May. It was no hotter then than when we have been in FL in July or late August. Also, remember that many schools in the south will already be out for the summer even if you go in late May.
In summary, it's Florida, it's hot in the summer. It's humid. Everything is crowded all summer long!
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Post by Linda on Jul 10, 2017 21:44:53 GMT
I LIVE in Florida -we just did a daytrip to Legoland (near Orlando) last Friday - it was MISERABLY hot and humid (97).
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Post by SabrinaM on Jul 11, 2017 0:27:00 GMT
I grew up in Orlando.
Imagine how hot Hell is and add 15 degrees and a kajillion people, some covered in traditional head-to-toe clothing. Deodorant optional.
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Post by iteach3rdgrade on Jul 11, 2017 0:30:07 GMT
We just got back and we always end up in Florida at the end of June and through at least the 4th. It's hot. I think it was a bit mild this year compared to last year, but I'll say it was luck.
We went to Magic Kingdom on the 7th and the crowds weren't bad at all. We didn't use one of the fast passes because the wait was less than waiting around for our fast pass time.
Last year we did Universal. We arrived early to beat the crowds. It was so hot last year. It zaps some of the fun.
This year we purchased Yeti's with a twist top to carry. My only complaint was I ran out of water because it wasn't large enough, so I crunched on my ice. Amazing to have at the end of a hot day. They were worth every dollar!
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Post by Delta Dawn on Jul 11, 2017 0:36:01 GMT
I went in March a while ago. It was hot. I mean hot, hot. We all got sunburned, the ground was hot, waiting in line was hot, there wasn't anything fun about being that hot.
That was March. It was cooler then because it was March and was still super hot. You are thinking July?
If your husband doesn't do heat well I have no suggestions. I don't do heat well. At all.
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Post by dawncpa on Jul 11, 2017 1:46:10 GMT
I live here now.
I'd go in May.
By the way, at all Disney properties, just ask for ice water at any counter service venue. They will hand it to you. It's free. Walt wants you to stay hydrated (and spending money).
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Post by scrappychick on Jul 11, 2017 4:15:11 GMT
I'm not a fan of yanking kids out of school on the last days, but I've been to Orlando in July and August, and I'll never do it again. The "real feel" temps on most of our days was 110 degrees and up. You will sweat out of every pore of your body. It's miserable. That said, Disney and Universal do a nice job of making the ride lines as cool as they can. Most waits are indoors, and the ones that aren't are shaded with misting fans. Using crowd calendars/fast passes and wait time apps will help you keep the time you spend in lines to a minimum too.
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courtney
Shy Member
Posts: 36
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Post by courtney on Jul 11, 2017 7:30:23 GMT
Absolutely get the fast passes
I go to Universal in LA frequently and can't imagine having front of the line passes
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Post by disneypal on Jul 11, 2017 13:02:33 GMT
It is VERY hot and humid in FL in July and August and July is the most crowded month at the parks. Do your kids get fall break? If so, October is a great time to go!
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styxgirl
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Jun 27, 2014 4:51:44 GMT
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Post by styxgirl on Jul 11, 2017 13:19:33 GMT
Wow! That's cool! I wish they made this kind of chart for my local grocery store! LOLOL ;-) |
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Post by kitkath on Jul 11, 2017 13:44:31 GMT
We've been to Orlando twice in July, (to participate in the AAU Volleyball Nationals.) DD likes to say it must be how it feels in Hell.
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Deleted
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May 2, 2024 20:33:55 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2017 16:36:57 GMT
If it were just hot it would not be bad, the humidity will kill you.
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Post by beepdave on Jul 11, 2017 17:26:56 GMT
After dealing with the heat at WDW this year the first week in April, I can't imagine there being a time before October that would be doable! It was so hot it was hard to enjoy it as much as I wanted to. Can you do a fall break vacation instead??
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bethany102399
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Post by bethany102399 on Jul 11, 2017 18:08:30 GMT
Can you do a fall break vacation instead?? We don't have a fall break per say. We have an extended weekend in October but that would involve pulling the kids out of school to even make the cruise. The purpose of even committing as much as we are to Orlando is so we can all see WWOHP, otherwise I'd say lets look at going out of a different port. It's just a house of cards, and I keep trying to move one or 2 cards and hitting my head when the whole thing falls apart. What was it Einstein said, doing the same thing over and over again but expecting a different result? |
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Dani-Mani
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Post by Dani-Mani on Jul 11, 2017 18:41:01 GMT
It isn't just hot and humid here. It storms nearly every day until September. I live 45 minutes from Orlando. It's currently storming at 2:40 and has been since 1:30, with no real end in sight...
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melissa
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Post by melissa on Jul 11, 2017 19:36:01 GMT
It will be fine... indoors!
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