OT - Anyone familiar with Florida here?

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Registered: 07-19-2003
OT - Anyone familiar with Florida here?
8
Sat, 05-26-2007 - 3:04pm

So I'm looking to plan a family vacation and my kids have been begging me to take them to Disney World in Florida.

I just researched some pricing and it looks like a not too expensive option (lots of good deals out there). But I know nothing about Florida and the weather etc.

Can anyone here tell me what is Florida like in July or August? Is it really too hot? What about hurricane season? I'd hate to spend three grand or so and have to get stuck in a hotel due to an incoming hurricane. I'm Canadian and all I know about is snow and ice storms..lol!

Can anyone give me some insight?

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-14-2006
Sat, 05-26-2007 - 5:41pm

It's pretty hot and humid in Florida in the summer. If you go to weather.com you can type in any US city and get average temps and precip for each month. OTOH, it's cheaper to travel there in the summer, and probably less crowded.

Funny about family vacation - two of our most successful vacations were to Canada - we had a great trip to Montreal and Quebec, and an awesome camping vacation in Nova Scotia, including Cape Breton.

We're looking at the San Francisco area for our vacation - not as hot as other US destinations.

HTH

Sue

Avatar for weberdns0
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-25-2000
Sat, 05-26-2007 - 9:58pm

Florida in July and August is HOT AND HUMID!!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2007
Sun, 05-27-2007 - 2:54am
I would not recommend going this year during hurricane season. I have heard from family members who live there that it is going to be BAD this year with hurricanes.
As far as the hot weather in July and August...well, it is quite warm. I rather enjoyed it that time of year myself, but I am from a northern state. Just do not visit the beaches between 10 and 2 during those hot summer days.
Avatar for weberdns0
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-25-2000
Sun, 05-27-2007 - 12:12pm
We are supposed to go to Florida in Mid June (Northern part along the Atlantic coast) and was wondering what the situation was with the Georgia Florida
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-28-2007
Mon, 05-28-2007 - 1:22pm

I have lived in Florida for about 8 yrs, about a 2 hr drive from Orlando. Orlando has a lot to offer, and is a great town! The weather, though, is often AWFUL in the summer!! The heat and humidity can be pretty bad. Also, we are the lightening capital of the world. Summer is typically our rainy season, with thunderstorms every afternoon. Because of the weather, Orlando resorts offer Florida residents a discount. Lines are usually shorter, as people tend not to come here in the summer, unless they go to the beaches.
Also, as you know, hurricane season is June 1-November 1. They are predicitng a bad year...make sure you get travelers insurance!

I don't mean to discourage you, but I do want to be honest! Spring break, or fall is your best bet. Winter can be quite cool; not Canada cold, but sometimes too cold to enjoy the rides and events. Best of luck! Laura

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-17-2005
Mon, 05-28-2007 - 5:56pm

Just to let you know--we took a vacation to Orlando/Disney at the end of July a few years ago and we had a great time! It was a little hot and yes, we got rained on a couple of afternoons but we still had fun! Also, they ALWAYS predict a lot of hurricanes before the season starts, but personally, I don't think they are always right. JMHO.

Karin

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-24-2005
Tue, 05-29-2007 - 1:22am
We go to FL in July/August just about every other year. Coming from Phila PA, I've found temps to be basically the same as Phila's summer temps (yes, hot) but because the lines are shorter than March/April/May etc so it's not too bad.
We'll typically buy annual passes in Spring then go one week spring, one week summer, and one last week the following spring before the 12 month passes expire. Each time has it's ups and downs. Obviously the temps and storms in the summer, the crowds and lines in the spring or fall, winter once again will bring cooler temps and we've been at Disney wearing winter coats with hats and gloves (not my idea of a vacation, but we wanted to experience Christmas at Disney one year).
If you go in July or August expect to get to the parks when they open, enjoy a few hours then return to your home (home rental are cheapest for large families) or hotel for a swim and afternoon nap (great for parents and kids), then return to the parks late afternoon as the temps decline and stay until closing. If you do get caught in a summer thunderstorm, they usually only last 15 to 30 mins at most in my experience (only once in all the years I've gone as the kid or parent did I spend a whole day stuck inside which was caused by a predicted hurricane in the gulf). Also, the parks do make efforts to reduce your stress from heat, most or all lines at Disney have AC blowing close by, or watering misting if ac isn't close, and all lines wind up in a heavily ac'ed building.
I suggest you try it, if you wait until fall you'll be stuck in the mega lines at the parks and that might be more stress than the heat of summer.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-22-2006
Tue, 05-29-2007 - 2:37pm

Hi - I lived in South Florida for eight years. July and August are hot and very humid and are generally considered the "off-season" for Disney, which is why you'll see some good deals. Take lots of sunscreen, a good hat and carry lots of water. Most importantly, take it slow. Take a lot of little breaks and don't try to do all of Disney in one day, lol. It's pretty rare that it rains an entire day in Florida in the summer; it's mostly off-and-on rain. Definitely pack some lightweight rain ponchos. Hurricanes aren't usually a threat until late August and then into September and beyond.

Disney can be done in the summer but you will definitely be feeling the heat and humidity! Good luck!