Advice needed, WDW in July

[nluvwithmickey]

I would like to know your experience on touring in JUly.... Mostly from those that do EMH morning -back to hotel for afternoon swim-back to park for the evening.

What I was wondering is this, how much do you get to see and do during those evenings in the parks. Aside from the fireworks and spectro,Fantasmic, aren't the attraction lines jammed and the FP return times crazy?

I am planning on taking things easier this year and I have never done this type of touring so I was wondering how it all works out. I just don't loke the idea of missing an afternoon parade at MK. I know those at MGM and Ak run at later times so that shouldn't be a problem. I promised I wouldn't wear my kids out this year, so if I want them to come back soon I was thinking this plan could be successful.

I'm waiting for your advice on this....Big thanks!

 

[disneymom99]

We did the exact type of touring you're talking about 2 years ago. We got up at the crack of dawn and were at the parks in time for 8 am opening.

In MK, we were able to ride just about everything in Fantasyland within an hour or so. Then we hit Adventureland. We then hung out on Main Street for a while, before we went back to the resort. When we came back in the evening (it was E Ride night back then), we went to the Haunted Mansion, Space Mtn, Buzz Lightyear, Big Thunder Mtn, Splash Mtn. (were able to ride a few times each). We got back in the evening just as the parade was starting.

The same is true in the other parks. We were able to ride just about everything using EMH and fast pass; and not staying in the parks in the heat of the afternoon.
Needless to say, it wasn't a very relaxing vacation, because we were up very early every morning.
This year, we're taking it a bit easier and are stopping to enjoy the small things!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We only do EMH at MK since it's so close to where we stay (GF). It's fabulous when you have small kids - there are just about no lines in Fantasyland. We've just about finished up Fantasyland and are usually the first ones in line when ToonTown opens. We always take the afternoon swim/nap break - we couldn't survive without it.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

I've visited the parks many time during July. The two things that are absolutely certain are that it will be very hot and very humid. You will need breaks from the heat. During the summer months, I like to visit the parks early. In the afternoons, I take the kids back to the pool to swim or visit a water park. We generally have a sit down dinner to avoid the hot, tired, cranky masses lining up at the counter service restaurants. I have found that by about 8 pm, you can avoid the long lines. As the evening progresses, this just gets better and better.

 

[wildernessfamily]

You do need that break in the middle of the day because of crowds and heat. We have done July many times. We also took advantage of E ride nights in MK. We would go early and come back, swim and rest. The only park you may have problems with is AK because it still does close earlier than the other parks. You just have to know ahead of time it will be hot, breaks make everyone happier. It is nice to get in the pool when your legs are tired from walking/waiting around the parks.

 

[nluvwithmickey]

Thank you for your comments so far.

Having been to WDW in july 2 times already, I know about the heat and the crowds. I hope more people can tell me how busy the attractions are when you get back in the parks to continue touring before a parade or fireworks.

we have 2 days planned for MK so I was thinking that one evening I could skip the parade and wishes and concentrate on attractions in a specific land. I know that at a certain time you can no longer cross to get from tommorrowland across to adventureland.

Have any of you skipped the night shows just to do attractions? If so were the lines bearable?

 

[bobcat]

One thing we like to do before heading back to the hotel for the afternoon is to get a fastpass for one of the e-ride attractions. Many times we can get a FP that is good for early evening and then we can get right on the ride when we re-enter the park. Since the parks are open later we never have a problem getting on rides when we come back. However if there is a ride we must do I make sure we ride in the morning just in case we can't ride in the evening. Then if we run into longer lines no one is too disapointed.

 

[tomerin]

we always travel in july due to schedules. our 2002 trip was a bit horrible in places due to the getting up early and going all out to do as much as possible. by the late afternoon nerves were fried and frazzled so on our next trip we rralized we had to do things differently. we decided to go with getting fastpasses for our first "must do attraction", then just tour leisurely until the FP time was available. next FP must do and then the afternoon breaks and go back to hotel to recharge our batteries and return to the parks later. this strategy worked better then any planning i could do.

this worked best for our family and this is what we are plannig to do this upcoming july


89 days and counting!!!!!

 

[nluvwithmickey]

tomerin,

I would like to know if you have kids, and if you hopped from one park to another, or if you stuck with the same park when you returned during the evening.

We did not take the hopper option YET, we are thinking about this and haven't decided if we want it. So what I was wondering is should I stick with EMH mornings park and drag my kids in the early morning? Or should I avoid these parks and show up at a non-emh park and arrive before opening in order to do as much as I can before leaving for the hotel?

TIA!