Bad times at Disney.

[1littleladyplus3]

After reading some of the posts I am starting to get worried -- my husband is a stickler for our kids not missing school so there is no way we can go to disney any time but over the summer. His vacation day oppurtunities are VERY limited because of his job, especially any kind of week or more oppurtunity. We will be (tenatively at this point) in Disney July 2- July 9 2008. Clearly it is going to be incredibly hot but I read a post somewere on here that MK was closed by 10 am -- are we not going to be able to do some of the parks ? Or at least be at risk of not being able to do them?

 

[Bob P]

Hi,

Yes there is that risk if you go over Christmas Week and July 4 Week, two of the busiest weeks of the year.

But it is unlikely that the MK will close more than once or twice (if at all) while you are there. The parking lot at the Studios has been closed due to crowds on occasion (most recently Christmas Week 2006 once or twice) but the park stayed open. I have never heard of Epcot or AK closing due to crowds.

If you go any other week during the summer, crowds will still be substantial, but nowhere near as overwhelming. The best time to go in summer is the end of August, when many schools are back in session and crowds are the lightest of the summer.

 

[Red Wings Fan]

I believe what you are referring to is July 4th specifically although it could apply to almost any day during that time period. Personally, i have never experienced it, but what I have read is to tbe very dilligent about getting to the park at the earliest opening time available to you. Once they reach maximum capacity, they will not let anyone else in. Having 2 little ones this would be impossible for me, but you'll have to evaluate your own kids habits about getting up and out. Hope this helps a little.

 

[Princess Roo]

We were in the parks July 1,2,3 last year (which was a Sat,Sun,Mon) and didn't find them to be crazy-crowded at all. AK was a little hot and crowded for our comfort, but we also found AK to be crowded the first week of December, which is supposed to be one of the lowest times! We did get there right when things opened, but it was pretty empty then...we got through an amazing number of rides in the first two hours every day. Then, when we came back to MK mid-afternoon after DS' nap it was more crowded, but not at all crazy...could still get fast passes for everything at Disney and everything except Test Track and Soarin' at Epcot. We would definitely go again over July 4th. I have heard that the actual 4th is really crowded with FL residents, but you could just realize you'll get less done that day or have it be a resort/DTD day instead.

 

[1littleladyplus3]

That makes me feel a little better -- my kids are pretty little and we will be their a week so I am not worried about getting just a little done everyday -- I figure that is how it will be, and we are early risers so I am sure we could get there right when they open up.

 

[badblackpug]

I may be wrong, and please correct me if I am, but don't they still allow WDW resort guests to enter even if the park is "closed?"

 

[crisi]

There are closing "stages"

As I recall:

Stage one is that the close the parking lot - but the internal Disney transportation keeps running. This effectively "closes" the park to offsite guests.

Disney has, in the past (not sure what the policy is now) guarenteed that onsite guests will get park admission - but, not to any park they want. They will close MK (which often closes first) and redirect you to one of the other parks. So if you want to see Spectro on July 4th, your best bet is to arrive before ten and not leave until after the fireworks.

 

[maxiesmom]

If you get to the parks at open you should be able to do a few rides. Remember that if you leave during the day for a break, you might not get back in. So if you plan on going to the MK for fireworks, depending on how busy the parks are, you may have to stay all day.

Don't forget that if you want any table service meals, you will need to plan those in advance too! It is incredibly hard to just walk up to a restaurant when the parks are so busy, and be seated.

 

[Princess Roo]

I forgot to say that the day of the 4th of July *may* (I don't know) be one of the busiest days, but 4th of July week must not be that busy or Disney would charge peak or holiday pricing for their hotels that week instead of the regular summer rate.
I really think the heat keeps it a lot less crowded than spring break weeks and other school vacations. That, and many people prefer the beach for 4th of July.

 

[webshark3]

I may be wrong, and please correct me if I am, but don't they still allow WDW resort guests to enter even if the park is "closed?"

Yes, I was there on July 4, 2005. The park was closed due to capacity, but we were still allowed in with no issues since we were Disney Resort guests.

A little tip though; If a park is closed due to capacity, it's best to stay away.

It was a lot of fun, but didn't get on any rides on the 4th (long waits). moving around was hard. On the plus side, all the other days around the 4th were crowded, but easily manageable.

 

[diz8297]

I used to go July 4th week back in the 80's. The fireworks are kicked up a notch and it's great to see them from one of the MK resorts. So, plan an ADR accordingly and then watch the fireworks. The parks are crowded and yes it is hot, but plan, plan and then plan some more and you will be fine!!!!

 

[Stephres]

I think as long as you realize you won't be able to do absolutely everything and the kids will have fun regardless, you'll be fine. When we go, we are there when the park opens and we always cut out after lunch and play in the pool for the afternoon. Sometimes it seems the kids enjoy the pool time more than the crowded park!

 

[msgrimm23]

im going this year july 3- 10 it is very hot but ill let you know how it goes

 

[DisneyAllison]

We"ll be there Sun, July 8-Saturday, July 14. I hope will be a little less crowded by then. We are also restricted on what time of the year we can go. I am looking forward to it, and praying the crowds won't be too awful.
We have always gone around the 3rd week in June until this year. Has anyone gone the week afer the 4th, and have any experiences to share?

 

[TheDizMom]

Go when you can and just know you will deal with crowds. We went the week before Easter. Talk about crowded , but you know what we still had an awesome time. I have never been during the "off" seaon so I don't know anything else. If this is your first trip you won't either so you won't be disappointed. Just remember that WDW resort guests get in regardless and take advantage of the fast passes. Get them for the busiest rides first thing in the morning, they can run out for the day on some of them like Everest, Soarin, TT, SM and RR. The fast pass stuff that isn't so busy you can get later in the day. If you go in July and it's hot don't "sweat" it . I have been is June and August and though hot it hardly ruined our fun. If you want to do the water parks hit them first thing in the morning, and leave by noon or 1 when they have closed it down due to capacity. You just have to plan accordingly. Though EMH are great they make the park busier, so I prefer to go on the other days. We did do EMH when MK was open til 3a.m., but we didn't go until about 11 p.m. Even then some of the good rides had long lines and they don't use fast passes that late. No matter when you go you are going to have a great time, because it's impossible not to . What's important is you are there as a family experiencing it together.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I think you'll be ok with all the good advice.

When we were there last June I found a schedule that worked for us, here it is in case you might find it useful.
We woke up early, gave the kids a bag of Cheerios each and then got to the parks 1st thing. We had a list of favorites and got to all of those first. By 11am it was crazy hot and busy so we would squeeze in a favorite Air Conditioned Show (Philharmagic at MK, Ariel at MGM, Nemo this time around at AK and the Epcot Ball at Epcot) then we'd get a big lunch to make up for the skimpy breakfast and head back to the hotel. Once at the hotel we'd decompress for a little in the AC with TV and then head to the pool from about 12:30-4 or so. After the pool we'd rest in the AC some more (sometimes we'd hit the hotel's game room) and at 5 or so we'd head back out to a park for an early Priority Seating while it was still hot out. After dinner it was a bit cooler and we'd hit some more rides and then find a nice spot to chat with the kids waiting for Fireworks.

Good luck to you

 

[eliza61]

After reading some of the posts I am starting to get worried -- my husband is a stickler for our kids not missing school so there is no way we can go to disney any time but over the summer. His vacation day oppurtunities are VERY limited because of his job, especially any kind of week or more oppurtunity. We will be (tenatively at this point) in Disney July 2- July 9 2008. Clearly it is going to be incredibly hot but I read a post somewere on here that MK was closed by 10 am -- are we not going to be able to do some of the parks ? Or at least be at risk of not being able to do them?

You've got to read these post with a grain of salt. Yes it is going to be very hot but there are a million of ways to stay cool. I woud invest in a tour book.
then you'll have an idea what your in for. July 4th and Christmas are the busiest days there but we've always had a great time.

P.S. I'm very much like your Dh, I don't pull my kids out of school for play so we always go during the busy times.