Best Advice for someone who's NEVER been in JULY?

[mt mommy]

I am planning to visit the end of July with my DD 13 and DS 11 in July. We have ALWAYS visited in Off season. I did read Hydro Guys tips, which are very helpful!! Any heads up, or things to really brace for in the Summer crowds at DLR??

Thanks so much!!

 

[Imdboss]

I think the main thing would be just don't try to plan too much for one day. Start with maybe 4-5 things you want to do each day, then anything else will be extra. I feel like if we don't get things done on a list it's just disappointing so if you keep it reasonable you will feel happy with how much you did in a day. Also plan for afternoon breaks when the temps peak, maybe a later lunch or a break back in the room to cool off. Have a great time!

 

[Butterfly123]

Probably what you've already read...start early when the parks open, take a break mid day to rest and get a break from the heat, and enjoy the extended evening hours. Do as many of the big ticket rides as early as you can, and make use of the FP. Make sure you hydrate well if it's hot. And have a great time!

 

[agamble]

Your kids are a good age for a busy summer trip, it'll be alright. Get there at least 15 minutes before the park opens, more if you can handle it. Use your MM as soon as possible during your trip.

Use FP for those rides and ride other popular rides that don't have FP during the morning (Toy Story, Peter Pan, etc.)

Bring lots of water, and maybe one of those spray fans.

Make sure to have some easy snacks on hand and eat regularly to prevent crankiness of all.

Take a break if possible during the middle of the day. Naps if you're tired, or swim time at the hotel pool. The middle of the day is the hottest and most crowded.

Plan your night time entertainment and which park you will start the day at ahead of time, pay attention to things like EMH days that you can't attend, try to go to the other park if possible (except on your own MM day of course.

Have Fun!

 

[SMD]

Sunscreen. I've gotten burned from the sun reflecting back up off the ground. Reapply every few hours.

 

[Butterfly123]

Yes...and hats!

 

[NannyBeBe]

Speaking of sunscreen, don't forget your ears. I once got a bad sunburn on the backs of my ears while I sat watching my daughter feeding the rays at Sea World.

 

[lalasmama]

Don't think you are too cool for those spray water bottle fans. Best.thing.ever in the July heat!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Depending on where you are from, be prepared to pace yourself and your kids in the heat. If you aren't used to high temps, even your normal routine or pace can tire you more quickly, especially when you are outside for most of the day. If you start to feel tired, make sure to take a break. This was hard to teach our kids. They never wanted to stop, even when it was clear they needed to rest and hydate. (Dole Whip, cold water, and the Tiki Room were a good solution for this.) When in July is your trip? If you will be there for the 4th or the 17th, expect very high crowds.

 

[taniahappy]

Get there early, relax... dont plan too much, sunscreen, hats and drink a lot of water.

 

[mt mommy]

I am planning to visit the end of July with my DD 13 and DS 11 in July. We have ALWAYS visited in Off season. I did read Hydro Guys tips, which are very helpful!! Any heads up, or things to really brace for in the Summer crowds at DLR??

Thanks so much!!

I think the main thing would be just don't try to plan too much for one day. Start with maybe 4-5 things you want to do each day, then anything else will be extra. I feel like if we don't get things done on a list it's just disappointing so if you keep it reasonable you will feel happy with how much you did in a day. Also plan for afternoon breaks when the temps peak, maybe a later lunch or a break back in the room to cool off. Have a great time!

THat is great advice, if I prepare the kids before hand that we won't be riding 10 or more rides, then they will be prepared!! Afternoon breaks will be happening for sure! Thanks for the advice!

Probably what you've already read...start early when the parks open, take a break mid day to rest and get a break from the heat, and enjoy the extended evening hours. Do as many of the big ticket rides as early as you can, and make use of the FP. Make sure you hydrate well if it's hot. And have a great time!

Mid day breaks for sure!! We plan on getting up early. I will bring water bottles and prepare for ice cream breaks too!! Thanks!

Your kids are a good age for a busy summer trip, it'll be alright. Get there at least 15 minutes before the park opens, more if you can handle it. Use your MM as soon as possible during your trip.

Use FP for those rides and ride other popular rides that don't have FP during the morning (Toy Story, Peter Pan, etc.)

Bring lots of water, and maybe one of those spray fans.

Make sure to have some easy snacks on hand and eat regularly to prevent crankiness of all.

Take a break if possible during the middle of the day. Naps if you're tired, or swim time at the hotel pool. The middle of the day is the hottest and most crowded.

Plan your night time entertainment and which park you will start the day at ahead of time, pay attention to things like EMH days that you can't attend, try to go to the other park if possible (except on your own MM day of course.

Have Fun!

WATER, yes planning on that! Snacks are always a great idea during the day! Spray fan is a great idea too! I'm planning to get us there early, and then swim!

Sunscreen. I've gotten burned from the sun reflecting back up off the ground. Reapply every few hours.

Oh, yes sunscreen for sure! Thanks!

Yes...and hats!

Speaking of sunscreen, don't forget your ears. I once got a bad sunburn on the backs of my ears while I sat watching my daughter feeding the rays at Sea World.

We know all about sunburned ears, ouch!!

Don't think you are too cool for those spray water bottle fans. Best.thing.ever in the July heat!

Planning on searching for spray bottle fans!! Great idea, thanks!

Depending on where you are from, be prepared to pace yourself and your kids in the heat. If you aren't used to high temps, even your normal routine or pace can tire you more quickly, especially when you are outside for most of the day. If you start to feel tired, make sure to take a break. This was hard to teach our kids. They never wanted to stop, even when it was clear they needed to rest and hydate. (Dole Whip, cold water, and the Tiki Room were a good solution for this.) When in July is your trip? If you will be there for the 4th or the 17th, expect very high crowds.

We will be there the 23rd. I'm sure it will be high crowds, hopefully a little less than the 4th!!

 

[mt mommy]

Get there early, relax... dont plan too much, sunscreen, hats and drink a lot of water.

Hats are something I need to add to my list!! Thanks

 

[CAmommy]

Maybe we are crazy (ok, yes, we are crazy!), but we went last July for two days with my (at the time) 3 year old and 7 year old. We went balls to the wall and dove right in. We hit Disneyland one day and CA the next. We rode almost every ride, with the exception of Alice in Wonderland. We also didn't get over to Tom Sawyer's Island or see Fantasmic or WOC. That's all we missed, though. My kids weren't willing to give up ride time for show time. Anyway, it was HOT. My biggest advice is to bring lots of water and refill often. Drink, drink, drink! Tons of sunscreen, too. Be sure to hit Flo's for the amazing AC when you're at CA. Carsland was extremely hot. I would avoid that place during the hottest parts of the day. Aside from that, have a blast! We didn't take a break at our hotel or anything. For us, breaking for lunch in an AC restaurant was good enough.

 

[Congo Queen]

My family has visited every summer for about 10 years straight, often in July. This thread has already offered up excellent advice so I won't repeat. The only thing I will underscore is that one of the best things about visiting in summer is that you have long park operating hours. With EMH/MM you can start at 7am, and at night the park is typically open until midnight. Plus the evening will be pleasantly summer cool, but never really cold, so it is nice to be outside at 11pm or later. Thus you can really clear out of the parks for a good long midday break. We are in the parks from 7am to about 1pm. Then back at the hotel from 1pm-6pm. Then back in the parks until midnight. Avoid the temptation to return to the parks at 4pm as it is still really hot then. Wait until the sun is starting to go down, it will be a much happier reentry.

 

[jerseygal]

ENJOY SWIMMING in the afternoon! We traveled mid August for MANY YEARS since our boys were involved in sports, summer camps.
We utilized mornings and evenings in the parks and enjoyed swimming and relaxing in the afternoon.
ENJOY your trip and look forward to WDW in non summer one day!

 

[agamble]

My family has visited every summer for about 10 years straight, often in July. This thread has already offered up excellent advice so I won't repeat. The only thing I will underscore is that one of the best things about visiting in summer is that you have long park operating hours. With EMH/MM you can start at 7am, and at night the park is typically open until midnight. Plus the evening will be pleasantly summer cool, but never really cold, so it is nice to be outside at 11pm or later. Thus you can really clear out of the parks for a good long midday break. We are in the parks from 7am to about 1pm. Then back at the hotel from 1pm-6pm. Then back in the parks until midnight. Avoid the temptation to return to the parks at 4pm as it is still really hot then. Wait until the sun is starting to go down, it will be a much happier reentry.

I so agree, that's why I said your kids (OP) were a good age. My kids are too young to stay out until midnight, even with a nap. LOL! But your kids are a good age, and may love that on vacation they can stay out until midnight. It may be hard to get up early if you stay up too many nights though. That's why the naps are nice.