summer blogtastic
I know this news is practically old news now. But I can't help but write about it. This summer a new event is taking over the Walt Disney World Resort and its called the Summer Nightastic! I want to tell you a bit about it and squeal about how excited I am but I actually want to focus this blog on something else.
And thats summer. In Disney.
Yup. July in Disney.
I know you are having a panic attack. You are hot just talking about this. You are already annoyed at the crowds. But grab some lemonade and cool down. And hear me out.
I love summer in Disney. There I said it. And this Summer Nightastic is the icing on my german chocolate cookie.
Summer Nightastic will be held from early June until late August at the Walt Disney World Resort. It will feature:
The return of the Main Street Electrical Parade (squeal!) Not seen since 2001, and something I personally have never seen, it will feature new floats and new technology.
A new fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom. I hear this will be Magic, Music & Mayhem from the Pirate and Princess Party. AGAIN something I have never seen.
New light effects and drop sequences at the Tower of Terror. I didn't think ToT could get better and here goes Disney proving me wrong again!
Extended late night hours at Animal Kingdom. This park gets a lot of flack but if you have never been at night, do it! Its a must do, truly magical.
This all being said, is Summer Nightastic a reason to brave the heat and crowds and go to Disney in the summer?
YES!
(Taken at 11am on July 21st, 2006. Doesn't look so awful, huh?)
Summer at Disney can be just as fun, memorable and magical as any other time of year. Yes its warm and yes you will have afternoon showers but the park hours are long and the rain lasts mere minutes. So grab a poncho and a bottle of water and here are some tips.
- Get up early and tour with Touring Plans. Do not try Disney in the summer without these Touring Plans, please. You will see everything and not feel overwhelmed.
- Leave for lunch and an afternoon by the pool! Let the kids AND adults swim. Take a nap and sleep through the afternoon rain. Let the kids hang out in the community hall. This is vacation, have fun! You don't need to see everything.
- Do something different in the afternoon. Go to a deluxe resort and see the sights. If you are a DVC member-pool hop!
- Make lunch ADRs. Don't want to head back to the resort? Head to a restaurant for some yummy food and a cool down. Bonus! Make a character lunch ADR. Knock out seeing the characters in the air conditioning.
- Cold washcloths. Keep them in ziplocks. And use them to wipe down your face and neck. Great for a cool down and easy to carry in your park bag.
- Water! Drink a ton of it. Counter service stations will give it to you for free. So drink!
- Stay late. It cools off (a little) at night. And the parks are open so late in the summer! Take advantage of that and stay late. Sleep in and hit the pool the next morning. Remember-its your vacation!
- Enjoy! Not everyone has the ability to go during any time of the year. So accept that you are going in the summer and plan your best. Don't fret. If it was so awful no one would go!
What is your favorite time to go to Disney? Would you ever attempt it in the summer? Leave a comment here or catch me on Twitter and let me know!
Friday, February 12, 2010 at 08:14AM kidanikatie | tagged summer_nightastic 7 Comments Trend This Topic
Reader Comments (7)
I did WDW mid-hurricane Fay, and lived. I've also done elsewhere in Orlando (cough) twice in July, it wasn't as bad as I thought. That said, I've become an October trip convert.
We tried Sept/Oct last year and had wonderful weather and low crowds. I agree that fall is a fantastic time for Disney!
I love Disney anytime of year! The Main Street Electrical Parade is actually my favorite parade. I'm seriously planning a summer trip just for that! (Well, not really, but that's my excuse. =])
After a particularly horrific trip when Spring Break and Easter coincided back in 2004, I vowed that I'd never go at a busy time of year again. However, now that I'm booked on the BOGP cruise, I'm going to have to brave it - no way I'm travelling all that way and not going into the parks! That picture has really given me hope that with the right planning, I won't have to break my rule of no lines over an hour long!
We did a trip last year in late June. And this year we're actually going with another family (2 bedroom Beach Club Villas!!!) over July 4th. It's all about getting to the park early, using your Touring Plan, then taking a break in the afternoon. It's busy, but I never felt overwhelmed.
Did a trip in June one year for SWW and it was hot, but we broke in the afternoons to chill at the resorts. If I didn't go so often I would probably be frazzled about "getting it all done". All that being said I much prefer our Sept/Oct trips, but this Summer Nightasmic thing has me thinking. Only problem is the second weekend of June (last SWW) is a peak DVC season :( and being an accountant my wife cannot take time off for the first 5 weekdays of the month.
I agree, Touring Plans is the #1 key to enjoying the parks should you visit during any of the busy seasons. And the rest of the ideas were excellent, too! Our warm-weather/busy season vacations have gone much more smoothly when we follow your advice and fight the urge to stay in the parks from open until close.
You're in for a real treat reagarding the Main Street Electrical Parade and should the 'new' fireworks show turn out to be MM&M, well, that was a real treat, too. I got to see it once at a P&P Party.
Best wishes on all of your Disney vacations!