Am I crazy to go to DL during 4th of July week?

[boosmom96]

My DH and I were planning to take a secret, grown-ups only trip to DL when DD (9) was at summer camp. The camp is generally the last week of June, so I thought we'd be okay. We just got the camp info and it's going to be July 3rd - 8th (Mon-Sat). We were in DL last summer at the end of July and it was a madhouse!! I vowed never to go back when it was so crowded! (I was even debating the last of June.) I really want to go, but I don't know if I can handle the crowds. This is the only chance we're going to have to sneak off. DD has cerebral palsy, so a babysitter over night is out of the question.
What do you guys think? I really want to go!!

 

[hlbtimes2]

If you dont like crowds I wouldnt go that week. The days around July 4th and Christmas are the two busiest times of the year. It's going to be hot and crowded!

 

[Ella1]

We will be there from 30th June till 18th July, we were at WDW at the same time last year and I don't expect it to be as busy as it is there.
We went in 2004 to DL for the whole of August and didn't find the queues a problem then so hoping July will be alright.
If thats the only time you can go for your adults only break, then go for it!!!
Love Ella

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I would say to either go with the expectation that it will be very crowded (with the drawbacks and benefits of that, including nightly fireworks and parades), or consider going somewhere else for some R&R.

I have two small children, and if I had the opportunity to have them cared for while DH and I had a romantic getaway, you can bet I would take advantage of it!

 

[ZeusNike]

I can usually plan around the crowds fairly well but the very busiest time I have ever spent in DL was the days around the 4th of July . My DH actually left the park because he couldn't stand it. Of course, a crowded day in DL is better than no day at all!

 

[jennilouwho]

My hubby and I went last year, 4th of July week. It wasn't as bad as I expected. It was BAD, just not how I envisioned it. We got there at opening which made a big difference. We spent 3 days and went back to the hotel for swimming/naps every day too. We'd stay until it started getting to madhouse status and then returned for the nightly entertainment. Utilizing fastpass and getting there at opening helped us to not have any waits more than 15 minutes!

 

[RIFamily]

And you never had trouble getting back in to the park???

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I'm guessing they stayed at one of the onsite hotels; these guests are guaranteed re-entry into the park.

 

[jennilouwho]

We didn't stay onsite, but we didn't go ON the 4th of July, I imagine that would be hard to get back in on the actual day. We went the week of the 4th of July. I believe we went on Wed, Fri and Sat last year. The 4th was a Tuesday (I think). We did a VERY stupid harbor cruise at Newport Beach instead of the 4th and saw about the worst fireworks show we had ever seen in our lives.