June, July or August?

[Canuck Park Hopper]

DD is graduating from HS in 2016 and we wanted to do one last fam vacation to WDW before we pack her up and send her off to University in the fall.

Choices for dates then range from the end of June thru to the end of August. Aside from the heat and humidity of the summer, are there any other other special concerns for a summer visit? Normally we have gone in the fall (very nice), Christmas (fun but a bit crazy), or spring (wet!).

Is early summer better or late summer? Crowd levels would be our biggest variable to try and mitigate, but I suppose its going to be summer so just assume its going to be crazy regardless. Any other thoughts? Special events?

Thanks!

[BrerGnat]

You might see a slight dip in crowds in the last week of August due to school starting up. Of course, the humidity in August tends to be completely brutal. It's a trade off. I would probably go in June over August. We went in August of 2013 and it was terrible. The heat and humidity really made us miserable and no one had a good time.

[baldburke]

It's been a long time since we've done June so I can't say how the crowds or heat might be. We've done late August a few times. It is hot so afternoon breaks are necessary. I agree with Nat that crowds may be lower, bu I know that last week or two before headed off to the first year of college can be tough with lots of anxiety and trips to Target. Good luck and enjoy!

[droopy d.]

I know a few years ago we went the day after the kids got out of school so it was the first weekend of June. We were there a week and the crowds were very manageable but we did notice the crowds growing everyday.

[SBETigg]

The last two weeks of August tend to be moderate to lower crowds, to my experience. The heat/humidity is pretty brutal then though I'm not sure it's that much worse than June or July. If low crowds are your goal, later in August is good. However, having done the packing up for college thing a few times now, it's really good to have some time and not be rushed with the pack-and-go. So as long as you give yourself a week or so at home before the big college move, I think you'll be fine.

[sassafras]

We were there mid to late August of this year. It was incredibly hot and humid. What was even worse was the number of people in the parks. Lines were LONG (never had a line to Space Mountain for the People Mover before) and you could barely move or breathe. Needless to say, we spent quite a bit of time at Saratoga Springs, in the pool. I'd personally go earlier in the summer if I ever went in the summer again.

[Strmchsr]

If it were early June I'd say go then, but late June starts getting crazy crowds with the 4th of July holiday. So, in that case, I'd recommend August. Yes, heat and humidity are brutal if you're not used to it (and it's still no fun for those of us who are) but crowds are more manageable.

[busterthebronco]

when does school get out?
We live in Atlanta and because of the lack of make-up days, we get out earlier than school systems in the north. We have hurried down and "beat the crowds" but if your break is the same as the rest of the northeast, it won't really help to get there early.

[Canuck Park Hopper]

Thanks for the input all. We may try and see if we can sneak it in for early June. Her actual grad ceremony is early June then they write finals and usually wrap up by mid June. My wife and I grew up on the east coast and know high heat and humidity well but we have been living on the prairies for the last 10 years, so it has been a while since we had to endure it and DD would have virtually no recollection of it or how to handle it well I'm sure!