First week of July?

[LittleFlounder]

We will be in Southern California for the first week of July and a few days the next week. I'd like to try to get one day at DL in, but I'm having trouble deciding what day to go. How busy is the 1st week of July usually? I assume the 4th of July(Wednesday) will be crazy busy, but are there there any safer, quieter days that week? What about Monday(July 9) of the following week? Since we will only be able to do one DL day, I want to choose the best, least busy day.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

There really aren't any predictably low crowd days anymore. Pixar Pier in DCA will have opened less than two weeks before July 4th, so that will bring in crowds even without the holiday. If you will be visiting for only one day, choose whichever day works best for your schedule, then plan from there. Do your research, make your plans and reservations (and have your back up plans ready), get MaxPass if the budget allows (it will really help you make the most efficient use of your time for one day -- and the free PhotoPass is a nice perk!), and go have fun!
Have you read this thread (A DLR Guide for WDW Vets)? It has lots of good info!

 

[LittleFlounder]

Thank you for your tips. We have been to DL before...this will be our 3rd visit, but first time going for just a day trip.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

If you don't already have it, download the free DLR app. Choose one or two days that will work best for your itinerary to visit DLR. Then, starting the last week of June, begin monitoring the wait times on your favorite rides. Keep checking throughout the day -- Are mornings already crowded? Are there a few good hours before things start ramping up? Do both parks look good/bad or is one park significantly better than the other? (This will show you how the opening of Pixar Pier is affecting crowds.) How do the lines increase throughout the afternoon and evening? Are weekdays better/no better than weekends? What you see in real life on the app and what you read here on the boards at the end of June will help you know what to expect the first week of July. Then, no matter what, be there for rope drop, get MaxPass (and know how to use it ahead of time) or at least have a free FP strategy ready to go, and have fun!