Going back to the room in July

Disneygrl71

Mouseketeer
Joined
Feb 2, 2014
Messages
338
Hello...we are coming down the end of July. Myself and 18 year old son, for his graduation and birthday. We are not 'go hard' type of people, we like to take our time and enjoy.

My understating is the worse UV Index is between 11-3?

We've never been in July, due to the heat and UV index and with us being very fair skinned/sunburn easily (even with sunscreen, I'm on medicine that makes this worse) I'm trying to work a different game plan.

I'm curious, if returning to the room around 11am and then heading back out around 2/3 pm (with late lunch/dinner as soon as we hit the park to kill another 45 mins) will work with the parks that stay open till 9 pm? We mainly hit the main attractions.

Also do the rides in Epcot run until 9 (seems like I remember something different with this parks hours, from the past when we went 6 years ago)

Only day I have us staying all day at the park is AK day since it closes at 6, I have a lunch scheduled at noon and figured we could rest and find shade frequently during 1-3 pm.

Thoughts?
 
This is very doable. Until we retired, my husband and I were in education, and so all of our Disney trips were during July. It is usually hot and humid. So, we hit the parks when they opened (great for getting on rides with little or no wait), went back to the hotel around 11/12, and swam with the kids, napped, and then headed out to the parks again around 4/5. Our morning routine was hustle, hustle, hustle. Our late afternoon routine was more laid back.
 
Sounds doable to me. Side note: I highly recommend that you purchase a UV blocking umbrella. I burn easily and am on meds where I’m supposed to limit sun exposure too. The UV blocking umbrella works way better than sunscreen (although I still use both of course) and it makes the temp feel slightly cooler too.
 
We always leave parks before noon and return around 5 - during which time we eat at resort/pool/ relax (used be be nap when DD11 was younger). You don't have to leave a park the moment of its closing time. I'd suggesting getting in line for a headliner right before the closing time and as long as you are already in line you can stay and ride it - posted wait times around then are often inflated, presumably to help discourage others from getting in that line. You likely will spend 30 minutes in a line from 9-9:30 that would have been 75 minutes at 1pm.
 

I always allow 4 hours for a break, two of those being transportation back and forth. If it takes less time than that, that's a bonus. Be aware it usually rains for a short time sometimes between 2-4, and afterwards, about 4 or 5, is actually when we felt the worst humidity. We try to schedule a sit down lunch about 11 or 1130 in the parks before we leave, get a snack at the resort as we head back, then get a quick service dinner later in the day. We have found the quick service locations mobbed at lunch more so than dinner.
 
I always allow 4 hours for a break, two of those being transportation back and forth. If it takes less time than that, that's a bonus. Be aware it usually rains for a short time sometimes between 2-4, and afterwards, about 4 or 5, is actually when we felt the worst humidity. We try to schedule a sit down lunch about 11 or 1130 in the parks before we leave, get a snack at the resort as we head back, then get a quick service dinner later in the day. We have found the quick service locations mobbed at lunch more so than dinner.
I was going to say the same thing. You’d be returning to the parks just in time to get soaked and shut out of outdoor attractions that close when there is lightning. We do midday breaks too but time them from 1-4 to skip the rain.
 
I usually do something like that, just don't schedule it. I tend to go back to the resort either when I've done everything I've wanted to do for that morning or am tired of the crowds. I either go to the pool or to my room to rest. I just take it easy for how ever long I want to, or if my adult son is with me, for however long he wants to. We always have park hoppers so after the rest we usually go to a different park. I don't make ADRs in advance so a lot of time the park or time we leave the room might be determined by where and when I got an ADR for that night.
 
We are rope drop folks, especially in the heat. Then we usually enjoy the park until an early sit-down lunch in the park from 11:30-12:30pm. If there is something with a short line on our way out of the park we might get in line. Always back to our room by 1/1:30, to swim and/or relax. We tend to head back to the parks around 5pm.
 
You should definitely wear a sun hat and possibly a sun shirt if you don't want to carry an umbrella. I am fair too, and we go in the summer often. Usually, we are not out in the sun that much, since much of the queues are indoors or shaded. However, I don't know what it will be like physical distancing-wise. I think that is going away some, but I still suspect there will still be more queues out in the sun than normal. Here are some examples of sun shirts. They are very thin and not hot. I like the hoodies, because you can bunch up the hood on the back of your neck where your hat may not fully cover it.

https://www.titlenine.com/p/womens-sun-shirt-sunbuster-zip-up/400915.htmlhttps://www.titlenine.com/p/prana-sun-protection-hoodie-cipher/445282.htmlhttps://athleta.gap.com/browse/prod...d=res21053009664824655589100#pdp-page-contenthttps://www.rei.com/product/184879/rei-co-op-sahara-shade-hoodie-womenshttps://www.rei.com/product/144070/patagonia-capilene-cool-daily-long-sleeve-shirt-womens
 
We were always park all day people, never take a break and all that….until one day we took a 3-4 hour break, and it changed everything lol. I think the mid day break is great, but I would more so recommend it if you have your own vehicle or a rental, or use ride share as I have found Disney transportation to really eat into that time. Up to you either way, but I have started to love the mid day break. It makes the evenings so much better
 
Don’t forget ears, ankles or anything sticking out. I’m very fair too and had burns of all kinds in FL happen in just a couple hours. I’ve even burnt the part of my hair lol.

Like many have posted, we like to break between lunch and dinner, 4 or 5 hours sometimes. After ropedropping and closing parks a 2 hr nap in the AC is mighty fine. So refreshed going back and we’re not exhausted watching fireworks.
 
Wow! Thank you everyone who responded with the great tips and for the links, I will definitely be purchasing some of those items! I love the uv umbrella idea also.

I went ahead and made our lunch reservations around 11:30/noon and we will head to the room after that until around 4/5 pm.

I hope they do decide to extend the park hours so we can have a little extra time in the evenings 🤞🏻
 
Yeah, we like to take breaks mid-day too. However, we don't typically go back to our resort. We'll use the time to go tour other resorts, eat, have a drink, shop etc. It's another nice way to cool off and re-charge. A Dole Whip in the Magic Kingdom is nice but going over to the Pineapple Lanai at the Poly is so much more relaxing. :)
 
Everyone gave great advice, I am definitely Team Afternoon Break, so I will just add to shower and change your clothes and shoes before you head back to the parks. You will feel like a new person and your feet especially will thank you.
 
We've been in June, August, September and this year planning for July. When we go in the summer months we usually spent the majority of our day at the pool and leave the parks for the evening - if we do them at all. Currently we have a one day ticket for July.
 
We go in August. My family is also fair, especially my daughter, and we have never burned (though none of us are on medication that increases burning). We reapply 50 spf sunscreen every few hours. She spends a lot of time in her stroller with the sun shade down, so I think the umbrella idea someone mentioned would work similarly for you. I also think having a table service lunch indoors every day would help.
 
Ohhh, I love the shower, fresh clothes and shoes idea!

yes, we will definitely be getting the umbrella and wearing hats and SPF clothing.

Can anyone recommend a good, non sticky sunscreen?
 
Ohhh, I love the shower, fresh clothes and shoes idea!

yes, we will definitely be getting the umbrella and wearing hats and SPF clothing.

Can anyone recommend a good, non sticky sunscreen?

My favorite sunscreen is Aveeno Hydrate + Protect, I like it because I am Black and dark skinned and it doesn’t leave a white cast, but it’s great for anyone really. Not sticky at all and good if you have dry or sensitive skin.
 
Don’t forget ears, ankles or anything sticking out. I’m very fair too and had burns of all kinds in FL happen in just a couple hours. I’ve even burnt the part of my hair lol.

The strangest places can get burnt. I got burnt inside my ear once driving my convertible with the top down :confused3 I had put sunscreen on the top and outer edges of my ears, because I have burnt them to a blister before. However, I didn't think I needed to put it inside near my ear canal. I wear Keens sandals to the parks. They have these triangular openings that sometimes leave a zebra looking pattern on the tops of my feet. I have also burnt the part in my hair. I usually wear a hat, because it covers my face too. I have also burnt my forehead. Not my face, because I put sunscreen on it. I didn't put it on my forehead, because I thought my bangs were covering it. Back of the hands too. That's the place I have to reapply the most, especially with the increase of handwashing and hand sanitizer lately.
 
Hello...we are coming down the end of July. Myself and 18 year old son, for his graduation and birthday. We are not 'go hard' type of people, we like to take our time and enjoy.

My understating is the worse UV Index is between 11-3?

We've never been in July, due to the heat and UV index and with us being very fair skinned/sunburn easily (even with sunscreen, I'm on medicine that makes this worse) I'm trying to work a different game plan.

I'm curious, if returning to the room around 11am and then heading back out around 2/3 pm (with late lunch/dinner as soon as we hit the park to kill another 45 mins) will work with the parks that stay open till 9 pm? We mainly hit the main attractions.

Also do the rides in Epcot run until 9 (seems like I remember something different with this parks hours, from the past when we went 6 years ago)

Only day I have us staying all day at the park is AK day since it closes at 6, I have a lunch scheduled at noon and figured we could rest and find shade frequently during 1-3 pm.

Thoughts?
This has been my strategy every time I've been down since having kids...it works well...the closer to the park you stay the better....im going in july too and doing it again
 








Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE








DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top Bottom