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Disneyworld Florida
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Hi, we are hoping to go to Florida in 2012 - 4 adults & 2 children. Originally, the plan was to go in Aug during summer holidays, but according to brochures it's really hot. I've also read that it's a very wet month. Can anyone advise when would be the best time to go, bearing in mind we need to go during a half term as children school age? Thanks in advance.
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We went in February 1996 and it was cold and windy on several days. If you check the historical records the temperature went below freezing on some days.
Therefore you cannot rely upon it being hot and sunny in February and should take some warm clothes with you. You should also have some plans of what you could do if it is cold.
Finally, do not try to do too much in the early days of the holiday when you and the kids will be suffering from jet lag. One of the benefits of going to Florida is that you will wake up early. Take advantage and hit the theme parks in the morning, but go back to your hotel for an afternoon nap and then out to the parks again in the evening.
Therefore you cannot rely upon it being hot and sunny in February and should take some warm clothes with you. You should also have some plans of what you could do if it is cold.
Finally, do not try to do too much in the early days of the holiday when you and the kids will be suffering from jet lag. One of the benefits of going to Florida is that you will wake up early. Take advantage and hit the theme parks in the morning, but go back to your hotel for an afternoon nap and then out to the parks again in the evening.
I've been in June and easter.
Easter was better by a mile - esp if you can get the kids out of school for a few days either side. we did that and the first week was busy, 2nd pretty quiet - my daughter went on the Everest ride 3 times in under an hour - and q's can be that long some days.
weather at easter was excellent. In June we had some storms....over very quickly though, and it does clear the air.
for easter, I'd recommend booking 1 year in advance as flights go very quickly.
and as a tip, buy The Brits Guide to Orlando....some great tips....best days to visit the different parks etc...I found it really usefull
Easter was better by a mile - esp if you can get the kids out of school for a few days either side. we did that and the first week was busy, 2nd pretty quiet - my daughter went on the Everest ride 3 times in under an hour - and q's can be that long some days.
weather at easter was excellent. In June we had some storms....over very quickly though, and it does clear the air.
for easter, I'd recommend booking 1 year in advance as flights go very quickly.
and as a tip, buy The Brits Guide to Orlando....some great tips....best days to visit the different parks etc...I found it really usefull
Been three times twice around the end of October gorgeous weather and once begiining of May also gorgeous as others have said plan your days well we alternate between theme parks and lazy days at the water parks so much to do and see you,ll have a great time I,m sure the worst bit is coming home its a proper downer and very depressing
We went in early June 2004 and it was pretty hot then but we also got a few thunderstorms and a bit of heavy rain on some afternoons.
One good tip is to make full use of the fastpass systems they have, we did and never waited more than 15 minutes for any rides.
If you go to Blizzard Beach (a waterpark) I wouldn't bother going on summit plummet if the queue is very long. I waited an hour (which, admittedly, the signs did warn, "1 hour from this point") and the ride lasted about 3 seconds! What a waste of time, I could have done umpteen other rides in that time!
One good tip is to make full use of the fastpass systems they have, we did and never waited more than 15 minutes for any rides.
If you go to Blizzard Beach (a waterpark) I wouldn't bother going on summit plummet if the queue is very long. I waited an hour (which, admittedly, the signs did warn, "1 hour from this point") and the ride lasted about 3 seconds! What a waste of time, I could have done umpteen other rides in that time!
'' BertiWooster - the 2 main things we know we want to do are - seeing disney characters / parades & my mum in law wants to swim with dolphins. Not sure where that is? ''
Yes - dont miss the parades - they are fantastic
My daughter on one occasion got plucked out of the crowd , to take part in one of the parades - the delight on her face afterwards was magical .
Yes - dont miss the parades - they are fantastic
My daughter on one occasion got plucked out of the crowd , to take part in one of the parades - the delight on her face afterwards was magical .
'' If you go to Blizzard Beach (a waterpark) I wouldn't bother going on summit plummet if the queue is very long. I waited an hour (which, admittedly, the signs did warn, "1 hour from this point") and the ride lasted about 3 seconds! What a waste of time, I could have done umpteen other rides in that time! ''
Might only last a short while , but worth it in my opinion .
I remember sitting there, waiting for my turn to go down , staring down into the blackness / hearing the sound of the water running inside , my heart beat raised and feeling it thumping away - and thinking my god , what have i let myself in for .
Might only last a short while , but worth it in my opinion .
I remember sitting there, waiting for my turn to go down , staring down into the blackness / hearing the sound of the water running inside , my heart beat raised and feeling it thumping away - and thinking my god , what have i let myself in for .
It is entirely up to you , but i wouldn't spend a loads of money booking an expensive package to get a top hotel . Your'e not going to be spending a lot of time in the hotel - or let me put it another way - you should't be going all the way to Orlando , to spend a lot of time in your hotel .
As as has been said , there is so much to see and do that all you need is somewhere clean and tidy to lay your head down at nights
As as has been said , there is so much to see and do that all you need is somewhere clean and tidy to lay your head down at nights
We've been every 4 years so are Disney veterans (we live in the US). I heartily agree with all that has been said especially the need to plan this thing like it is a military campaign and to schedule breaks from the theme parks. Make sure you read up on the Fast Pass system for rides at Disney World and work that for all it is worth. If you plan well you should be able to get on all the rides you want to before lunch, leaving the hot afternoons for relaxing by the pool and laughing at all the folks who are waiting in line for 2 hours for a ride you did twice that morning.
If it is in the budget, there is one big advantage to staying in a hotel on Disney World property, which is that every day there is one park that opens early for Disney "guests." If you queue up early you can do 4 or 5 of the "big attraction" rides before the hoi polloi are even allowed to enter! That said, the "if it's in the budget part" is important.
If it is in the budget, there is one big advantage to staying in a hotel on Disney World property, which is that every day there is one park that opens early for Disney "guests." If you queue up early you can do 4 or 5 of the "big attraction" rides before the hoi polloi are even allowed to enter! That said, the "if it's in the budget part" is important.
one other quick thought - seeing the characters is great for smaller kids but be aware that it is a huge time sink - you can stand there for 45 minutes (in the sun) waiting to get Snow White's autograph. A better bet might be to book dinner at Chef Mickey's restaurant in the Contemporary Resort. They have many of the characters working the room as you eat, so you can get fed, get lots of pix, and be sitting down on a cool place while you are at it. The food is also surprisingly good given that it's cooked by a rodent. Make reservations AT LEAST 6 months in advance (no kidding).
Yes it's humid in Florida during the summer months and yes it usually rains in the afternoon but only for 30 minutes or so. You may have been to places that are hotter, but it's the humidity that makes it feel hotter. I think Easter is probably your best bet, and to those people who think Florida is always hot, this is the second year we have lost plants in our garden due to FROST !
Please note that Spring Break is about/around 10th March, so lots of young people everywhere !
Please note that Spring Break is about/around 10th March, so lots of young people everywhere !
two other tips:
fast passes - it's been 2 years since I went, but I believe this still applies...
to get a fast pass, you simply put your entry ticket into the machine at the ride, and your fast pass tickets issued, with a pre-arranged slot to return - say 2pm.
I went with my wife and 2 kids. My daughter and wife wanted to do the fater rides, my younger son wanted slower rides and shows. So, we were using the girls 2 entry tickets to get fast passes for the big rides, and the boys tickets to get another 2 for a 2nd big ride......then the girls were using those while my son and I went to see a show etc.
It meant we split up for around 20mins a time, but the girls could do 2 popular rides inside an hour, saving loads of time.
Also, once it hits your pre-alloted time, you can get another fast pass ticket - so, if you're fast pass time is 2pm, go to another ride just after 2pm, get a fast pass for that, THEN go and use your first ones.
It's a very savvy way of doing the rides. Hope it makes sense, hard to explain on here.
2ndly...for Disney parks - once you've had a picture taken with a character by a disney photographer they'll give you a small card with a barcode on it. Keep it!!
after that, every time you have an 'official' pic taken, give them the card to scan and it stores all your pics on the disney site. You can then enter your barcode number, and view the photo's whenever you want at the booths, or even wait until you get home and view/order on the internet in the UK. They stay on the site for a month I believe.
The same card can also be used in the disney water parks, which means you don't have to get your camera wet round the slides/pool etc.
fast passes - it's been 2 years since I went, but I believe this still applies...
to get a fast pass, you simply put your entry ticket into the machine at the ride, and your fast pass tickets issued, with a pre-arranged slot to return - say 2pm.
I went with my wife and 2 kids. My daughter and wife wanted to do the fater rides, my younger son wanted slower rides and shows. So, we were using the girls 2 entry tickets to get fast passes for the big rides, and the boys tickets to get another 2 for a 2nd big ride......then the girls were using those while my son and I went to see a show etc.
It meant we split up for around 20mins a time, but the girls could do 2 popular rides inside an hour, saving loads of time.
Also, once it hits your pre-alloted time, you can get another fast pass ticket - so, if you're fast pass time is 2pm, go to another ride just after 2pm, get a fast pass for that, THEN go and use your first ones.
It's a very savvy way of doing the rides. Hope it makes sense, hard to explain on here.
2ndly...for Disney parks - once you've had a picture taken with a character by a disney photographer they'll give you a small card with a barcode on it. Keep it!!
after that, every time you have an 'official' pic taken, give them the card to scan and it stores all your pics on the disney site. You can then enter your barcode number, and view the photo's whenever you want at the booths, or even wait until you get home and view/order on the internet in the UK. They stay on the site for a month I believe.
The same card can also be used in the disney water parks, which means you don't have to get your camera wet round the slides/pool etc.
