Disneyland July 4-8 - great time or terrible idea?

[mouschievous]

We have a DVC rental credit to use, and there's a confirmed booking at VGC July 4-8 that I've been considering. H is not on board (yet) because he's worried that it will be too hot and too crowded. I know that some Magic Key holders are blocked out at that time, but obviously summer is a big travel time. Any thoughts on this? If not, we have to wait and hope another confirmed rental that fits our schedule pops up or that someone wants to rent to us at a different time. We tried for Thanksgiving but that didn't pan out.

 

[cruisehopeful]

July is one of my favorite times to go. Usually, literally everything is open and operating. I haven't had the same types of crowds in July as I have for October or even spring break. Don't think I've ever gone on the 4th, but there's no reason why I wouldn't go on that day.

 

[Becca1007]

Honestly ... if you are at the Grand, it is easy to take breaks from the parks if it is hot. I have been on the 4th (pre-covid) and it was busy but the only time that felt crowded was for fireworks. The poster above is right, Disney does its best to have EVERYTHING up and running for those peak holidays.

 

[mouschievous]

Honestly ... if you are at the Grand, it is easy to take breaks from the parks if it is hot. I have been on the 4th (pre-covid) and it was busy but the only time that felt crowded was for fireworks. The poster above is right, Disney does its best to have EVERYTHING up and running for those peak holidays.

You know, that's a good point. We just got back from WDW and our strategy was mid-day breaks every day , and this would be even easier.

 

[MouseOfCards]

We were there this past July 4th weekend. The day of the 4th the parks were surprisingly light - many walk-ons or short waits for rides. Several cast members mentioned to us how they were expecting much larger crowds - this may have scared off many folks. Of course, the July 4th evening fireworks show was packed, but so enjoyable.

The few days after the 4th saw heavier crowds in the parks, but still manageable. If you go, hope you have a great trip!

 

[MouseOfCards]

Honestly ... if you are at the Grand, it is easy to take breaks from the parks if it is hot. I have been on the 4th (pre-covid) and it was busy but the only time that felt crowded was for fireworks. The poster above is right, Disney does its best to have EVERYTHING up and running for those peak holidays.

That's exactly what it was like for us on the 4th - only felt crowded during the fireworks.

 

[DLgal]

Great time. We are locals who are at the parks every weekend and we choose July 2-5 for our annual GCH stay. It's a perfect time to go.

 

[SherylLC]

And I think with July 4th being a Monday any crowds will likely be headed home after the 4th and the remainder of your stay will be perfect!

 

[mouschievous]

All right, he's convinced! We put in the request.

 

[disneylover102]

Crowds are there but there’s never a bad time to go to Disney… except during Christmas break. Never go to Disney during Christmas break

 

[mouschievous]

Well, we booked it! Now I have to unlearn the WDW Genie+ strategies and learn all the DL stuff.

 

[disneylover102]

Well, we booked it! Now I have to unlearn the WDW Genie+ strategies and learn all the DL stuff.

Disneyland is way easier. I typed up a long post about differences between DL and WDW the other day. I can send it here if you want

 

[Wesley815]

Well, we booked it! Now I have to unlearn the WDW Genie+ strategies and learn all the DL stuff.

Honestly no stress about DL. Due to the much, much smaller size you can accomplish just about everything even without crazy pre-planning like WDW.

 

[mouschievous]

Disneyland is way easier. I typed up a long post about differences between DL and WDW the other day. I can send it here if you want

Differences specific to G+? I'll look for it! I think the only major difference is when you can book your first LL, is that right? At WDW it was 7am, but I think I read that at DL it's once you've scanned in, like MaxPass was.

Honestly no stress about DL. Due to the much, much smaller size you can accomplish just about everything even without crazy pre-planning like WDW.

We're DL people, so I'm very much looking forward to this. Honestly, WDW was a one and done for us I think. We like the ease of DL!

Random - it's there any indication of when Magic Bands will start being used at DL?

 

[disneylover102]

Differences specific to G+? I'll look for it! I think the only major difference is when you can book your first LL, is that right? At WDW it was 7am, but I think I read that at DL it's once you've scanned in, like MaxPass was.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/dl-vs-wdw-lines.3867865/#post-63697286
It’s more than just that. My long explanation is in the thread I linked but resort guests don’t get to book the ILL rides any earlier than everyone else because there’s no early entry and you have to enter a park to book them. Return times are also way way sooner and you can get a lot of bonus passes for rides breaking down when you book those rides on purpose

 

[Wesley815]

Random - it's there any indication of when Magic Bands will start being used at DL?

Nothing yet, I'm also looking forward to it. I'd love to have my Magic Key and any passes linked to band to easily scan vs keeping phone out and wait for app loading. Hopefully they set it up that way at DL too. I even miss old plastic card AP.

Side topic- Disney really needs to improve Main Gate system for DL.... I feel bad for CM's all using iPhone cameras to line up and scan every single bar code and take picture on top of that. There's a million better industry type scanners that seems like it would be so much easier/faster (even build in camera into gate, tell guest "look here" and done.) Can only hope they put the Magic Band touch points like WDW has.

First world problem I know- but why not improve it? Old scanner built into turnstile even seemed to be faster before they switched to hand held.

 

[DLgal]

Crowds are there but there’s never a bad time to go to Disney… except during Christmas break. Never go to Disney during Christmas break

We did it this year for the first time because our magic keys were not blacked out. It was no worse than a crowded Saturday any other time of year.

 

[DLgal]

Nothing yet, I'm also looking forward to it. I'd love to have my Magic Key and any passes linked to band to easily scan vs keeping phone out and wait for app loading. Hopefully they set it up that way at DL too. I even miss old plastic card AP.

Side topic- Disney really needs to improve Main Gate system for DL.... I feel bad for the CM's all using iPhone cameras to line up and scan every single bar code (and take picture on top of that) There's a million better industry type scanners that seems like it would be so much easier/faster. Can only hope they put the Magic Band 'touch points' like WDW has.

First world problem I know- but why not improve it? Old scanner built into turnstile seemed to be faster before they switched to hand held.

I don't get why they don't simply install the same readers they have for the Lightning Lanes? Insert your phone, scan, go. Have the CM take the photo when indicated.

They used to use handheld scanners like at supermarkets. Worked fine. Not sure why they transitioned to the iPhone's, but yeah, they are so slow.

 

[disneylover102]

We did it this year for the first time because our magic keys were not blacked out. It was no worse than a crowded Saturday any other time of year.

Must be because of the limited capacity. When we went during Christmas break a few years ago it was packed shoulder to shoulder everywhere especially by the most popular rides where the extended queue took up half the walkway

 

[DLgal]

Must be because of the limited capacity. When we went during Christmas break a few years ago it was packed shoulder to shoulder everywhere especially by the most popular rides where the extended queue took up half the walkway

Yeah, the reservation system has really evened things out. We went on Dec 19, 21, and 28, and almost went back on Dec 31 (same day reservations were available). It was fine.