View Full Version : Orlando in July/ August
Simpsons_fan
27-05-2005, 01:35
Hi all. I will be visiting Orlando on the 22nd of July for two weeks. I have heard that it is a bad time to visit because of the rain, humidity and busy theme parks.
This will be my families first visit to the US and we really don't want anything to spoil what we hope will be the trip of a lifetime. Is it possible for a family of four to have a great holiday in Orlando at this time of year?
Please reply with your opinions/experiences as it would really help me.
Thanks in advance,
Adam
DiannaUK
27-05-2005, 01:42
Absolutely :)
In previous years we have always gone July or August because of school holidays. The parks can be busy, but Orlando is a popular place and often busy year round - if you organise your time, it works out fine. We always found getting to the parks really early was best, parking is easier, you get on the rides earlier and then back to your accommodation for time round the pool or shopping etc.
Yes, it will rain, but the rain showers are mostly very short and everything dries out really quickly, and at times it can be welcome as a way to cool down :) Buy yourselves a Mickey Cape - the height of fashion and great in photos !!
Whenever you go to Orlando, you will have a holiday of a lifetime.
Enjoy :):):)
Dianna
Simpsons_fan
27-05-2005, 01:49
Thanks for the reply Dianna, you really have cheered me up! When I have told people about my impending trip to Florida I have been given a lot of negative responses, which really has made me feel low. I can't wait to go now! [msnsmile2]
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Simpsons_fan
Is it possible for a family of four to have a great holiday in Orlando at this time of year?[/quote]
Oh yes, yes and thrice yes.
Without a doubt you will likely get some rain, but it will mostly be thunder showers in the late afternoon. They are usually quite short lived and the sun should be straight back out as soon as the rain stops. The showers can be quite refreshing and they help to keep everywhere very lush and green.
The theme parks will be busy, but they are busy all year round. In the summer they are usually open for longer hours. If you are wanting to ride all the rides the queues will be way shorter in the long, warm evenings. You also have the option of hitting the theme park in the morning, heading back to the villa for lunch, have a couple of hours relaxing by the pool and then head back into the theme park for a full evening's entertainment.
We were out there last August and had a fantastic time. Use heaps of sunscreen and make sure you drink lots and lots of water all through the day.
When it's hot out during the day the best way to cool off is with an ice cold beer or glass of chilled white wine out by the pool. Life doesn't get any better.
Likewise the water parks, if it rains lot's of people up and leave. Unless it's a thunderstorm, when the owners will shut the park, just stay in the water. Soon be a lot less busy:)
Simpsons_fan
27-05-2005, 01:52
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Snapper
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Simpsons_fan
Is it possible for a family of four to have a great holiday in Orlando at this time of year?[/quote]
You also have the option of hitting the theme park in the morning, heading back to the villa for lunch, have a couple of hours relaxing by the pool and then head back into the theme park for a full evening's entertainment.
[/quote]
Sounds great to me Steve! Thanks for the positive response [msnsmile2]
DiannaUK
27-05-2005, 02:01
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Simpsons_fan
Thanks for the reply Dianna, you really have cheered me up! When I have told people about my impending trip to Florida I have been given a lot of negative responses, which really has made me feel low. I can't wait to go now! [msnsmile2]
[/quote]
You're welcome, have a fantastic time. We were worried like you the first year we went, but the longest we ever queued for a ride was 10 minutes and that wasn't often - go with a plan of the rides you want to go on, plenty of sunscreen and water, and you won't ever want to holiday anywhere else ever again.
Let us know how it goes :)
Dianna
We have been going in July/August since 1983 and always had a ball[clap][clap][clap][clap]
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Simpsons_fan
When I have told people about my impending trip to Florida I have been given a lot of negative responses, which really has made me feel low.
[/quote]
That's just a bit of jealousy creeping in Adam. [msnsmile2]
You'll come back with a great suntan, hundreds of photos of everyone having a wonderful time and so many good memories that you won't know which to talk about first.
lizmcg100
27-05-2005, 03:39
You will love it, there is never a bad time to go to florida, its great all year round.
the parks etc are open longer in summer to allow for the amount of visitors and as already said although it rains it does dry very quickly indeed.
oh and the mickey capes or ponchos are really the height of fashion[msntongue]
We have been travelling to Florida since 1991 - always in July and again at Christmas.
Yes you will see rain in the afternoon - but it stops quickly, and everywhere dries out in minutes.
It is a beautiful time to visit - long sunny days....oh I have to stop, I am depressing myself[msncry]
Ray&Sarah
27-05-2005, 11:58
We usually go in August, as we are a bit stuck with school holidays, it may rain for a short time but hey its warm rain, it soon clears up. We are going for three weeks again this August, can't wait and a few shower storms have never spoiled our enjoyment of Florida, you will have a great time and have loads of happy memories.[msnsmile2]
I love August - 5 weeks this year:D We use the rainy times to do a bit of shopping - and everywhere is air conditioned. You'll have a fab time
Ray&Sarah
27-05-2005, 12:07
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by dawn
I love August - 5 weeks this year:D We use the rainy times to do a bit of shopping - and everywhere is air conditioned. You'll have a fab time
[/quote]
Lucky you, 5 weeks, lovely.[msnsmile2]
As others have said there is no bad time to visit Florida. It is lovely all year and there is so much to do. We always visit in July/August. The theme parks are open for longer hours and all the shops and restaurants are aircondtioned.
The only time you are going to feel sad is when you are leaving :)
I love July in Florida - its so hot and tropical, and the rain clears the humidity, and makes everything smell so fresh. The air is so clear, and those long balmy evenings - and the theme parks stay open longer, so you get more chance of getting on the rides, twice if you want!
We always go late afternoon, usually arriving as it stops rainging, when hundreds flee the parks, then we stay until closing and watch all the fireworks. Either that or we arrive very early, and nip back to our villa for pool and lunch, and head back for fireworks and fun.
You will love it!!
Simpsons_fan
27-05-2005, 15:47
Thanks very much for the great replies. As we've never been to the US before all your advice and tips will certainly come in useful. I'll definitely let you know how it goes when we come back [msnsmile]
We always go in July/August never really found it an inconvenience. We go shopping when it rains that way you don'y miss out on the sun.
wrightbuxton
27-05-2005, 17:42
We too have always had to go in July/August because of school and work commitments and its always been great. If you are staying in a villa you can sit out by the pool until after midnight and it's still lovely and warm, many a time our kids have been swimming until 12(ish).
You will have a wonderful holiday[msnsmile2]
CERICROWLEY
27-05-2005, 19:56
We have been out practically every month of the year at some time or other.
July/August last year, Beautifull warm, sunny, temps 85 plus, evenings are a lot warmer than any other time of year. Hence we stay out poolside till late sometimes past midnight in the spa. Yes you will get rain, usually anytime from 2-4pm. I was always grateful of the rain in the afternoon, as we didn't to stand wait for the parades in the park and it can get very hot in the open, so a thunderstorm was really refreshing. We didn't have rain everyday. You will need to manage your time effectively to try and see all you want in the time, but that is true and almost anytime, The quietest we found the parks has been MAY.
Aiminghigh
27-05-2005, 22:19
We often now go out in August. Always have a FANTASTIC time. Yes, the parks can be busy, but as others have said, the parks are open longer. Don't worry about the weather, we've never minded the thunderstorms, they never last long and dry up so quickly. We have been at various other times of the year and when we first went in August due to school holidays, it was with some trepidation. However, we enjoyed it just as much as other times of year.
You will have a fantastic time!
E. Cosgrove
27-05-2005, 23:33
If it rains it's a great excuse to buy one of these!!!!
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/E. Cosgrove/200552719333_2003_0223FL20050005.JPG
Florida3883
28-05-2005, 02:13
Have I been their before, and I have the yellow macks!!![msnembarrased][msnembarrased]
Ray&Sarah
28-05-2005, 02:44
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by E. Cosgrove
If it rains it's a great excuse to buy one of these!!!!
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/E. Cosgrove/200552719333_2003_0223FL20050005.JPG
[/quote]
What a wonderful fashion accessory Liz.:D[msnwink]:D
We had our honeymoon in July and the weather was very hot and humid. It does rain but these are mainly downpours for a few hours then it all clears up.
The parks are busy, but they can cope with huge amounts of people and you will not have to queue for too long. Just make sure you register for some rides using their new ticket system, and you don't have to queue.
have a great trip.:)