Crowds and Heat During July?

[AndreaA]

We may be planning a trip for next July, the week after the 4th. Trying to decide if it’s worth the expense or if it’s just going to be crazy crowded and hot.

 

[V.I.N.CENT.]

September is historically hotter than July. Don't worry too much about the heat. Bring cooling towels/hats.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

It won't necessarily be miserably hot, but it will probably be humid, which can be worse than the dry heat you get later in the year. Bring cooling towels and plan to either get a TS meal during the peak heat (around 1-4PM) or go back to your hotel for a break.

I would be more concerned with crowds. Traditionally, the time around July 4 is very busy in my experience. Things have been different with covid and the reservation system and no APs, but depending on how things go with the keys reservation limits and depending on if things are going better next year in terms of work force and illnesses, I could see it being much more crowded.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

We've been many times in July. The heat isn't bad. It's definitely nowhere near as miserable as Florida in July! Just plan to stay hydrated and perhaps take an afternoon break. As for crowds, the few days around the 4th of July have been pretty crowded in the past. It's hard to say what next year will look like and whether they'll still have capacity limits and the reservation system. It will also be interesting to see how the new Genie/Lightening Lane system affects wait times.

 

[smeg3030]

We were just there in mid-July. High 80s to mid 90s. I can confirm it was indeed humid. Had our cooling towels and fans with us.

 

[DLgal]

Early July is usually pretty mild. We were there July 2-5 this year and it was never miserably hot. We were miserably hot 2 Saturdays ago. Late summer into early fall is the hottest time of the year in So Cal. July is good.

 

[AndreaA]

We've been many times in July. The heat isn't bad. It's definitely nowhere near as miserable as Florida in July! Just plan to stay hydrated and perhaps take an afternoon break. As for crowds, the few days around the 4th of July have been pretty crowded in the past. It's hard to say what next year will look like and whether they'll still have capacity limits and the reservation system. It will also be interesting to see how the new Genie/Lightening Lane system affects wait times.

We’re super familiar with Florida heat - our last trip was in August! - so that’s good to hear about the CA heat. It’s a family wedding that’s bringing us to the west coast, so we don’t have any say in the timing, or July crowds is not what I’d choose.

 

[DLgal]

We’re super familiar with Florida heat - our last trip was in August! - so that’s good to hear about the CA heat. It’s a family wedding that’s bringing us to the west coast, so we don’t have any say in the timing, or July crowds is not what I’d choose.

"July crowds" is not a thing. It's not that crowded in July. It sounds like a paradox, but that's how it is. With the new magic keys only allowing the higher tiers in during July, the summer crowds will remain low-ish, as they were before the pandemic.

Early July is, IMO, one of the best times to visit the parks.

 

[AndreaA]

"July crowds" is not a thing. It's not that crowded in July. It sounds like a paradox, but that's how it is. With the new magic keys only allowing the higher tiers in during July, the summer crowds will remain low-ish, as they were before the pandemic.

Early July is, IMO, one of the best times to visit the parks.

Wow, that is really encouraging. We’d be there the week after the 4th, so 11-15 I believe, although we might venture to Universal Hollywood as well.

 

[DLgal]

Wow, that is really encouraging. We’d be there the week after the 4th, so 11-15 I believe, although we might venture to Universal Hollywood as well.

My son's birthday falls in that window and we literally go every year on his birthday (he's 17) and it's always been perfect.

I am a local who visits once or twice a month and July is one of my favorite times to go to the parks.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Honestly, it's really hard to predict. We've gone in late June multiple times and never had too much trouble with the heat. However this past year, they had a heat wave and we had 3 triple digit days and they were miserable.

That said, I agree with the rest that late summer/early Fall are almost always worse heat wise. July is actually usually pretty nice.

 

[Didi8367]

We went to DLR the week following the July 4th holiday in both 2017 and 2019 and I found it an ideal time to go! I will echo what others have said here: the crowds weren’t that bad at all. We rope dropped both days and easily did everything we wanted (we spent a full day at each park and didn’t hop at all) and didn’t feel rushed, etc. I have zero memory of what the weather was like—which tells me it must not have been too hot, too cool, too humid, etc. because I am someone who’s sensitive to weather. Meaning, if I’m even a *little* uncomfortable (hot, cold, etc.), I’ll remember it, LOL!

 

[ktlm]

With my DD's summer activity schedule, we went every July from 2014-2018. We have never thought the crowds were that bad. We went to WDW in October too most of those years, and found it more crowded. Heat is relative- depends on where you are from. We have never found it to be miserably hot in July at DLR. The mornings and evenings are really nice, and the afternoons are on the hot side. We have been there when the locals are complaining about how horribly hot it is and we have found it to be nice. Being from the southern midwest- it is generally cooler at DLR than at home, and it certainly isn't as humid at DLR. Looks like you have been to WDW in September--- that is typically going to be hotter and more humid than DLR in July.