A Walt Disney World vacation comes with its share of aggravations and stress. The people who join the Disney Vacation Club visit so often that they’ve learned all the tips and tricks that can save the day. Some of them even get to live near Walt Disney World all year long. What follows is a roundtable of suggestions and thoughts on visiting Disney during the summer from industry experts who rent and sell Disney vacations for a living.
What are your favorite and least favorite things about Disney theme parks during the summer?
Kristen Tutas, ResalesDVC: As a local, I traditionally avoid the parks during the summer months since they tend to be much more crowded and hot compared to the off-season months. When I do venture out in the summer months, I enjoy that the parks are open later and it doesn’t get dark outside until late — more time in the parks!
Nick Cotton, DVC Resale Market: My favorite thing is the water park experience is so much better. For example, October and November in Orlando has great walking around weather, but it’s a little cold for getting in and out of the water. My least favorite thing is you need to plan for rain. You can work around it, so it shouldn’t be a deal breaker, but you definitely need to plan for it.
Paul Little, DVC Rental Store: My favorite things about Disney in the summer are the water parks. Disney’s water parks are so immersive in their theming. This allows me to enjoy the magic that makes me love Disney while being able to beat the heat. What is my least favorite thing about Disney in the summer? The heat. The heat! The heat!!!
Scott Ferraioli, Buy and Sell DVC: During the summer the waterparks really shine for Disney. It’s hard to find a better themed water park anywhere in the US. Plus, EPCOT has the summer concert series, which can always be fun. However, during the summer you’re going to run into some larger crowds and much higher heat, humidity, and percentages of rain.
What are some suggestions and tips you can offer to the readers about visiting Walt Disney World or Disneyland during the summer?
Nick Cotton: My strategy is to enjoy the resort or a water park until the afternoon thunderstorm arrives. Then, take a nap and enjoy some down time with family during the afternoon storm. After the rain, hit the parks as just after the rain leaves the weather typically cools down enough to almost remind you of the fall.
Paul Little: Pace yourself. Visit the parks early in the day, take a break midday and return in the evening. The midday heat can be oppressive. Also, be sure to wear sunscreen and drink plenty of fluids. A sunburn or dehydration will ruin your entire vacation.
Scott Ferraioli: The number one tip is to stay hydrated. Obviously, use plenty of sunscreen and always check the weather as it changes constantly in Florida. Be prepared that it’s going to rain almost every day in the afternoon and clears up typically within an hour or two.
The best plan is to hit a park early in the morning and then head back to your resort midday for possibly lunch, hang out in the pool, or even a nap (works best with children but sometimes adult naps are a luxury). Then, go to the park (preferably a different park) at night. At night, the parks are cooler and typically much less crowded. Plus, the parks take on a completely different personality at night with the lighting and music.
Kristen Tutas: Be prepared for the heat — drink lots of water and take breaks indoors when you can. The People Mover and Carousel of Progress are two great options for rest and shade at Magic Kingdom. Try to get to the parks early to beat the crowds, the heat and afternoon rainstorms. Pack a poncho!
Have you visited Pandora – The World of Avatar yet? What are your thoughts? Is there any advice that you’d give for first-time visitors to make their visit more enjoyable?
Image: Disney
Paul Little: I have visited Pandora. It is not to be missed. The Avatar Flight of Passage ride is one of the best rides on property. Think Soarin’ on steroids. When visiting, I would suggest heading to Pandora at park opening. As ThemeParkTourist.com has reported, the wait times have started to get more bearable but can still push close to two hours.
Scott Ferraioli: We’ve been lucky enough to visit Pandora a few times now and it’s truly a beautiful land. As this is going to be the busiest area in Disney World for at least another year, FastPasses are highly recommended and should be booked as soon as you hit your reservation window. It’s been much less crowded at night, and that’s exactly when Pandora stands out with it’s lighting.
Image: DisneyAvatar Flight of Passage has quickly become the most popular ride on Disney property (shown by its wait times) and truly is an amazing experience. Na’Vi River Journey is a slow moving boat ride that Disney seemed to miss on. The ride is too short and with only one animatronic (although fantastic) the ride seems to be missing something. The land also has just one restaurant, a gift shop, and a beverage cart. It really needs something else. The original impression when you walk in is pure awe, after doing everything you can’t help to want more (especially when you consider that this was the answer to Universal creating “Potter World.”
Kristen Tutas: I’ve not visited yet myself but I hear that the queue line for Flight of Passage is not to be missed and well worth the wait time.
Nick Cotton: I have visited Pandora multiple times, and it is a must see at night! Disney really set a new bar with Pandora. Generally, I don’t do lines over 30 minutes, but I made an exception for the Flight of Passage and so should you. In my opinion, it is the best ride at WDW! The Na’vi River Journey is excellent as well, but nothing as revolutionary as the Flight of Passage. Also, don’t forget to visit the gift shop where you can even have your own Avatar made! If you decide to have them make an Avatar of you, prepare for about five minutes of them scanning you and then about an additional hour of creation time. And don’t worry about the shipping. The Avatar they make is not the life-size nine-foot model, but rather one that can easily fit on a bookshelf.
Let’s say that someone wants to book a DVC room for next summer, presumably when Toy Story Land debuts. When would suggest that they start the points purchase or points rental process? What other advice would you like to give about the experience?
Image: DisneyScott Ferraioli: While I don’t personally think Toy Story Land is going to have the draw that Pandora did, booking as far out as possible is always recommended. I don’t predict a huge push for people to make a special trip for Toy Story Land. I know we’ll be there right away reporting on the opening or hopefully in preview stages like we did for Pandora. The real question will be how insane will Star Wars Land be? I’m sure it’s going to be MUCH busier than Pandora.
Kristen Tutas: I always suggest to utilize the 11-month booking windows for DVC if you have very specific travel plans. Purchasing a resale ownership takes about two to three months from offer acceptance to having the points in your account ready to book a trip. If you’re planning for next summer, now is really the time to start actively looking for a contract so you can hit the seven to 11 month priority booking at your home resort for summer 2018 reservations.
Image: DisneyNick Cotton: I would start the purchase process as soon as possible. Keep in mind your home resort priority window to book starts at 11 months, and the booking window for resorts that are not your home resort starts at seven months. Additionally, the closing process to purchase a DVC resale contract is typically 50-80 days. So, if someone were to start a purchase today, they would already very likely miss the beginning of the 11-month window, however, if they act quickly they could be ready to book prior to the seven-month booking window for next Summer.
Paul Little: I would suggest booking as soon as the booking windows allow. I expect Saratoga Springs and Old Key West to maintain good availability as always, but other resorts will lose availability more quickly. A guest will want to send in their booking request as close to the 11-month before arrival window as possible.
Finally, do you have any favorite summer treats at Disney that you’d recommend that people try? (Don’t everyone say Dole Whips.)
Image: DisneyKristen Tutas: The Macaroon Ice Cream Sandwich from L’Artisan des Glaces in Epcot’s France pavilion. Delicious all times of the year!
Nick Cotton: It’s hard to beat a Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Bar anytime of the year, but especially in the summer. It’s the perfect treat to cool you down and give you that sugar rush to continue on with your Disney day.
Paul Little: I am a huge funnel cake fan. Liberty Square’s Sleepy Hollow has the best. I am strictly a powdered sugar guy. No fruit toppings or chocolate sauce for me. Here’s a tip…do not wear dark colored clothing if you intend on enjoying a funnel cake. Everyone in the park will know where you’ve been and what you ate by the tell-tale powder sugar residue that you’ll be wearing afterward. Oh…did I mention I also love Dole Whip Floats!?!
Scott Ferraioli: One of the treats that my family personally likes is the Minute Maid ices (lemonade and strawberry lemonade). If you’re starting to feel overheated, we find that these last a long time (instead of an ice cream that’s just going to melt) and really help cool you down. It’s become a joke in my family that they’re a bit magical because if anyone has ever been hot and cranky these treats have managed to turn them around almost instantly.
