From May through August, generally considered Orlando's peak tourist season, the cost of airfare and theme park admission is typically higher, the weather is hot and humid, the area is crowded and you can expect long waits for attractions.
That begs the question, is it possible to enjoy an Orlando vacation during the peak season?
The answer, of course, is yes. But it requires careful preparation, as well as flexibility. There are a number of things you can do that make it possible for you and your family to enjoy your stay in Orlando during the bustling summer months. Take advantage of any or all of these suggestions and you will have a more comfortable experience getting around.
Visit the theme parks early in the morning. The first two or three hours the parks are open typically are the least crowd-heavy because most people are just getting ready for their day or sitting down to their morning coffee or breakfast. Use that to your advantage and arrive early so you can reap the benefits.
In planning your theme park itinerary, there are two ways you can beat the crowds and shorten your wait in the queues. The first way is to visit the most popular attractions before doing anything else, that way you can enjoy speedy access into rides and shows with the busiest lines before the huge crowds roll in and then take your time experiencing the remainder of the attractions. For Disney World visitors, Dad's Guide to WDW has a list of "long line attractions" it recommends you take advantage of first if you arrive early.
The other option is to navigate the park in reverse as a means of countering the majority of tourists' itineraries. Most people will start with the first or second attraction they see at the park and take it from there, but you can make your experience more enjoyable by pacing yourself, starting off with an attraction farther off from the crowds and working your way back as the tourists move onward through where you began.
Skip theme park lines with front-of-the-park access. Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando all offer ways to skip the endless waits for rides and attractions; each one, however, has a different system, so you must definitely be aware of how each service operates.
Disney World's FASTPASS is available as a form of reservation for many attractions. A guest can attain a FASTPASS by inserting his or her admission ticket inside the dispensing machine located outside any of the rides and shows designated with FASTPASS. The pass lists a timeframe for the guest to return to the attraction, at which point he or she will queue in the FASTPASS line, where the wait is short or in some cases there is no wait at all. FASTPASS is free to use, but they tend to run out quickly in the busy season. Also, in most cases you may only carry one FASTPASS at a time.
Guests at Universal Orlando can take advantage of their Universal Express system to bypass long lines at participating attractions. Guests at any of Universal Orlando's three on-site hotels receive free unlimited Universal Express access at no additional cost. Express privileges can also be purchased at a variable cost between $19.99 to $55.99 plus tax per person.
SeaWorld Orlando is the latest theme park to offer front-of-the-line access to attractions with its Quick Queue service. Among its features, Quick Queue gives guests a one-time pass on its latest roller coaster, Manta, as well as free access to the Skytower and Flamingo Paddle Boats, two of the park's extra-charge attractions. Unlike Disney's FASTPASS (free to all visitors) and Universal Express (free to on-site hotel guests), all SeaWorld guests must pay an additional charge for Quick Queue, which varies by the season. SeaWorld Orlando's web site says prices currently start at $29.95 per person.
Have a backup plan ready in case of storms. Because Central Florida lies between two coasts, storm activity is heavy during the summer months. The stormy weather patterns are only further accelerated by the Atlantic hurricane season which runs from June to November. Simply put, it storms during Florida summers and it storms a lot. So prepare to plan your activities accordingly to avoid thunder and lightning whenever possible.
Storm activity in Central Florida is most common during mid-to-late afternoons and can last as short as fifteen minutes or as long as two hours. This is why most Florida beachgoers begin a day at the beach early in the morning, to spend as much time out in the sun as possible before the dawn of storm clouds. If you're visiting one of the theme parks, try to begin your visit as early as possible to experience as much as you can before thunder strikes and plan for an indoor activity in case the weather doesn't clear up. If storms pass through quickly, or if it rains without thunder and lightning, try to stick it out. Rain works as a deterrent on crowds, which leads to shorter waits on lines, so continue navigating through the parks if you're able to handle it. Tips on visiting the parks on a rainy day are available here.
DRINK LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER. It's not only vital to keep yourself hydrated to beat the scorching Florida temperatures as you journey through crowded tourist spots, but as the temperature and humidity levels increase, so does your susceptibility to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The body overheats at 100 degrees Fahrenheit and 90 percent humidity, causing nausea and tiredness. If the body's temperature is not cooled immediately, it can lead to serious illness or even death.
Travelers visiting from the northern states, where the weather is cooler and the elevation above sea level is higher, are especially vulnerable to heat exhaustion and heat stroke because their bodies are not used to Florida's tropical climate.
If you feel any symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, the best way to cool the body down in the outdoors is to find a shaded area to take a short break to rehydrate and drink a cool bottle of water, which helps to replenish the body's fluids. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends drinking about one cup of water every 15 minutes to stay safe in the heat. I recommend carrying a water bottle or two on you while walking through the theme parks, but if you absolutely must, buy a water bottle from one of their many shops or concession stands.
If anyone in your party becomes dizzy, confused or unconscious due to the heat, IMMEDIATELY CALL 911.
Comments
I hate the crowds....love the parks.
Good to know Thanks
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