Are We Crazy to Go in July?

[patman]

Can you tolerate the heat? If you can it is a great time to visit as the parks close late. Just bring a lot of frozen water bottles with you and buy clothing designed for the heat

 

[Schneewittchen37]

I'd go for it.

My family visited in mid-July last year for about 5 days. I didn't think the crowds were too bad (we frequently visit during Easter week, so we know bad).

Bring a poncho or a light rain jacket. Bring gatorade. Go to the pool every day from about 1 - 4 pm if it's not stormy out.

 

[Klayfish]

Are the 15s really that bad? If so whats the best way to avoid them?

Guess it depends. I've heard they're a nightmare in the hotels, but I've never experienced it (we stay offsite). In the parks, they have a pack mentality and that can get annoying, especially when they chant.

 

[CastAStone]

Going to Disney World in July is better than not going to Disney World. So no, not crazy.

 

[emmabelle]

we're going July 4th week because my DIL is a teacher. It'll be fine! We've done it quite a few times.

 

[FastPasser.]

Count me out because not going to Disney World is better than going to Disney World in July.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

Right now the park hours show Magic Kingdom closing at 10 and Epcot/DHS at 9 (aside from nights with EMH). Will they extend those hours as it gets closer to the summer? I assumed MK at least would be open later.

 

[CastAStone]

Right now the park hours show Magic Kingdom closing at 10 and Epcot/DHS at 9 (aside from nights with EMH). Will they extend those hours as it gets closer to the summer? I assumed MK at least would be open later.

They will update hours on a rolling 180 days before each day. They may or may not change anything at that time but they do a check right before dining opens.

Then they typically do another times update approximately 45 days before the 1st of the month (so like May 15ish) and another 15 days before (about June 15th) where they update the entire month (they may also update things randomly if demand for a specific park on a specific day [as measured by ticket sales and FP bookings] unexpectedly picks up).

I wouldn't count on those times to go later on weeknights, but it wouldn't surprise me if they extend the hours on Friday or Saturday.

 

[AKBrewer84]

We went in July of 2019 and it was one of our best trips of the year! It was hot, but we took midday breaks at the pool at our resort. Just be prepared for daily rain. However, the crowds were lower than they were at any of my other trips last year.

 

[Vickie1016]

We always go in mid - July (I will not pull DD13 out of school & I do not fly) Is it hot - yes, hot & humid. But plan accordingly (early morning rope drop, mid day breaks, drink plenty of water-more than you think you need, use sunscreen!, take advantage of late night hours.) Use FP for your must do rides. The past 2 years, the teen tour groups have not been as bad as years prior. Will it rain every day - no, but have ponchos and if possible pack an extra pair of shoes. Some memories we have are walking thru AK & the HUGE puddles after a full on downpour or seeing the beautiful rainbows over Bay Lake, after a storm. Go prepare for the heat & rain & ENJOY!

 

[Mome Rath]

No, you're not crazy.

Good time to go, only crowd impact is the 15s at specific hotels.

 

[parasail_of_congress]

The good thing is, if you got free dining, it's because Disney is having trouble selling hotel rooms that week, so they apparently expect low crowds then.

I'm not an insider or anything, but it wouldn't surprise me if they are offering free dining in July to encourage people to visit this summer versus waiting until the following year (for the 50th anniversary). From what I understand, the offer is limited to a certain number of bookings, and it's far enough in advance that they can pull in a few more reservations without really giving up much.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

I'm not an insider or anything, but it wouldn't surprise me if they are offering free dining in July to encourage people to visit this summer versus waiting until the following year (for the 50th anniversary). From what I understand, the offer is limited to a certain number of bookings, and it's far enough in advance that they can pull in a few more reservations without really giving up much.

It's certainly a very limited number of days for free dining. Worked out for us that the last day it was offered is July 7, and we were planning on going July 9 so just moved up a couple of days and got free dining.

 

[Praying Colonel]

IF FD gives you a financial advantage, I'd go. Crowds are projected to be moderate during your July dates, and having been in both July and August, the weather's basically the same.

 

[Remy is Up]

Here is the thing about July, post July 4th. All Silver Ap members are blacked out so a lot of our locals wont be there. Your crowds will be heavy, but, not unmanageable and since the only locals there will be gold or platinum holders, the amount of people who understand FP+ is much lower. I would advise, know the EMH schedules if staying on or off property, plan for it to be very hot and humid, afternoon shower is typical but it comes in and out quickly, have a daytime break and hit dual parks in a day, and most importantly, learn to refresh because most people dont know how to use FP+. That will be your biggest help regardless of crowd sizes.

 

[tguz]

Are the 15s really that bad? If so whats the best way to avoid them?

We have went the last week in July (spilling into the first couple days of Aug) for the last 3 Summers and have never ran into "the 15s" at the resort or at any parks. We stayed at ASM and Pop twice. Maybe we have just been lucky.

 

[m3000]

I'm in the same boat. July are the only dates that work due to school and custody schedules, so July it is!

We're planning on doing rope drops, hiding in a pool/hotel room/long lunch for the afternoon, and always have ponchos on us. I have read a lot of good things about the crowds at least, and Touring Plans has some days at Epcot and HS as level 2's, so hopefully that makes things easier.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

We were able to do past trips in spring/fall because we'd take the kids out of school. Now my wife's work schedule makes the fall really tough, and the kids are in college (so not really "kids" I guess), making spring/fall difficult for them. So July it is. We are excited about the trip, at the same time know that it's going to be hot, humid and might rain.

 

[cobright]

So we jumped on the free dining bandwagon (July 7-15) since my DH has his vacation time in July this year. We usually go around the last two weeks in August and have also gone the 1st week in December, early to mid March and once in May so don't have any experience with July crowds. How bad are the crowds in July?

We did a mid July trip in '18 and I hated it. Like, holy cow. Much worse than late August and strangely far more crowded.

But with a dining plan, plan a lot of sit down meals to get you out of the heat (and the regular storms). Plan a lot of shows and longer form indoor entertainment. Don't do anything without a FP or reservation.

We still had a magical trip.

 

[tinkerhon]

We go every July did to kids and school - can't take them out anymore in November - we.love.it ! They love the pool time - as far as the heat - when we left NYC last July , it was hotter there than Orlando !