Going During The 4th Of July Week! Am I Nuts?!?!?

[mcr5298]

This was a last minute trip. I'm actually going down to meet up with a few girls that I've met through an online playgroup. I know that it will be hot, and VERY crowded. But we've been down so many times that we don't need to be there to do the rides. We will probably spend most of our time at the pool or water parks anyway!

We are staying at Saratoga Springs for the first time. We are on waitlist for Beach Club and Boardwalk. But we won't be upset if we wind up staying at Saratoga Springs. It might be nice being close to Downtown Disney! We will be driving down, so we will have a car with us. That will be a plus, since we don't really want to battle the crowded busses with a 3 1/2 year old, a 2 year old and a double stroller!

Anyone have any feedback on Saratoga Springs? How is the pool? The food?

 

[mapny90]

We have never been in July (although we will be going in 2007). We have, however, gone during the last two weeks in August. The weather is hot, so be prepared. We kept ourselves hydrated, ate lunch indoors and tried to be somewhere other than the parks during 11-2 when the sun is at its hottest. The bad thing about late August is that it rained nearly every day - just for a while, but it did mean that you had to seek shelter. DH says that in July, earlier in the hurricane season, the rain won't be as frequent. The parks will be crowded, but not the most crowded. Even with the rain every day, we had a great time!!!

 

[thelionqueen]

In a word...Yes..you're nuts. (just kidding)
I would never pick that week, but if that's all you have I'd rough it and go.

 

[byoung]

Glad you love crowds I don't.

 

[mcr5298]

Honestly, the crowds don't bother me as much as the heat. We have 2 small children, so it's not like we get to go on many adult rides together. There are really no rides that we "need" to go on. Unless we get to Animal Kingdom at opening, and run for Fast Pass for Everest! :lol: And my daughter wakes up VERY early, like 6 am or earlier. That is what happened last trip. I slept in with my son, and my DH took DD out to the parks early. It worked last trip, but I might suck it up to get to the parks early this trip. Then head back to the resort for a swim around lunch time. We've also been to Disney during busy times, Halloween, Christmas, Easter...so we're used to crowds.

Any reviews of Saratoga Springs?

 

[patsal]

Well you might be nuts, but I am too! I go the first two weeks of July every other year and the last two weeks of July the opposite year--make sure I get my $$$ out of the PAP. I'm sorry I won't be braving the crowds with you this year as it is end of July vaction this year! So long as you have a plan you'll be fine; the only days that will be really bad are July 4th and the surrounding weekend.

 

[Mi3stooges]

I think the crowd thing is sort unpredictable sometimes. We went last Sept '05 to beg of Oct thinking it was low season. BOY were we wrong. It might have been due to the fact that that was when the free dinning ended. I was talking to people as we were, guess, standing in line and they said they been during the 4th of July and the crowds were better then!!!
Have fun, sometimes busy makes more fun!!!

 

[dallastxcpa]

Well, I have to say that I am very glad to hear the mostly positive replys as I have promised my daughter a birthday trip in 07 and her birthday is July 6th.

 

[MagicalFun]

We will be there too that week! We have young children and thought we spend a lot of time at the pool during the afternoons. We will go to the parks early and late in the day. Our waitlist just came available for Boardwalk, so we will be there. I called member services about a different reservation and that is when they told me that my waitlist came through. Maybe give them a call and see if yours did too.
We were there last August and it was crowded and hot, but we still had a great time! Also, the member block parties are a lot of fun! Hopefully they will have them again this year.

 

[pbharris4]

When I booked my trip I totally forgot about the whole 4th of July thing! We're driving as well and get there June 25th through July 5th. Half at BCV and half at OKW. Crowds are one thing...heat is another, but crowds AND heat...ugh!!! As someone else said..keep hydrated and I take the kids in the shops sometimes to cool off. I have taken a ziploc freezer bag of ice cubes and put it behind the seat pad of the stroller. I also bought a clip on (kid friendly fan to put on the stroller. And one for the driver of the stroller, too. We stayed at SSR last year and although I thought the room, spa, and pools were nice...we had to walk pretty far (we were in The Paddock which is out there). If it were January..it would have been lovely..but July....No. My then 2 yo would walk for the 1st part of the way and then we'd have to carry her to the pool. I am 100% with you on the stroller and bus thing. We did it 2x and said until we rent a stroller at the park..we'll avoid using the buses with the stroller. I find that if we plan our trip pretty well in the summer..it goes pretty well and not as stressful than if we didn't plan (especially with my 3 yo DD). If I could..I'd go in early February every year so we can just walk in the park and go wherever we want with a very minimal wait, if any.

 

[Punkswife]

We went one year on the fourth of July and it was HOT!!! We had two small children with us and we just took it slow. Enjoyed, relaxed and spent lots of time at the pool. We stayed at FWL. The pool at SSR is very nice and very big. So I would suggest. Go out early and come back for the afternoon and chill. I hate crowds, anywhere BUT Disney. I love all the hub bub there. I can tell you there is nothing I hate about Disney, except not being there. So enjoy. I would go anytime I can even if it is the hottest and most crowded it has ever been. ENJOY ENJOY Wish I could go with you.

 

[disneymagic316]

We went a few years ago for the 4th of July. I would not go the the MK that day again. It was packed! They shut down the park around 6:30pm because it was filled to capacity. We stayed in the park because we were eating at CRT but my sister had left to take my nephew back for a nap. When they came back to the park they wouldn't let them in at first. When she explained she had dinner reservations they did allow them to enter. Maybe the other parks won't be as crowded that day. The rest of the week was fine.

 

[disgirl]

This is our first time going for the 4th. We have been going the last two weeks of august recently so although we do not love the heat, we are used to dealing with the August heat. We do want to visit the parks somewhat, but do plan to use SAB a lot. I hope you have a great time. Remember, if you are crazy, so are many other people, including me.

 

[rocketriter]

Freeze those little bottles of spring water every night and pack one in a fanny pack each time you go out. As they slowly melt they give you sips of ice water, and the coolness feels great next to your, well, fanny.

Also, if you're at BCV on the night of the 4th, don't try to go to MK for fireworks. Watch them at Epcot instead and then walk home, avoiding one of the worst transportation crushes of the year.

 

[Beca]

We went there over July 4th...ONCE!!! It rained every day, and was SOOO hot and humid...it was awful.

I wish you lots of luck, and can only offer the advice...do "inside" things during the day, stay away from AK (the plants and water make that park unbearable), and spend lots of time "relaxing" at the resorts.



Beca

 

[Disney1fan2002]

We're driving and get there June 25th through July 5th. .

If you see me on 95, HONK! We are driving to Vero Beach for check in June 25th. We will leave Saturday and drive straight through! I'll have to decorate my van so all you fellow DISser's will recognize me!

 

[FreeTime]

DH & I went a few years ago on the 4th for our couples only annual trip. It was not as crowded as we expected, but maybe that was because we were kidless and could move faster. This year we are going from thr 5th-15th with have of the trip at US/IOA. I plan on hitting the parks early then hanging out at the pool in the afternoon, then returning to the parks with hubby in the evening on a few days and leaving the kids with grandpa. I am already dreading the heat!

 

[loribell]

We have gone for the 4th of July a couple of times and loved it. We almost always go in the heat of the summer mostly because we like to have long trips. As long as you stay hydrated and get out of the sun during the hotest part of the day you will be fine.

Although we have not stayed at SSR yet we did spend a day there at the pool last summer. It is a great pool for the little ones. You will love it!

Have fun,
Lori

 

[LUVMICKEY]

We have been there for the 4th of July a couple of times and we don't mind the crowds at all. Of course we were childless. However, it is very hot. Keep yourself hydrated. We thought the worst part was leaving the park after the fireworks. You do have to be a little patient there. The fireworks are so worth being there for though. They are the best. That is MK fireworks. The last time we were there for the 4th we saw MK fireworks, left that park to go back to BCV, when we got there we saw the tail end of MGM's fireworks and by the time we got back to our room we got to see alot of Epcots fireworks. We had an Epcot view room and it was great.

Michele

 

[DVC Sadie]

Well I am definately crazy because I love being at WDW for the 4th of July. The fireworks are absolutely incredible and I look forward to seeing them every year. Last year I brought my neice for a wonderful stay at SSR (our home resort) and she loved this resort. The pool area is great and the counter service food is wonderful. They do have hot dogs and macaroni and cheese for little ones but the food is better than your typical food court offerings. The have panini's, flat bread pizzas, delicious salads and fresh fruit. Also roasted chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, chili and different soups. I hardly spend anytime in the parks when I go for the 4th of July because I enjoy sitting by the pool reading and having a nice cold drink. Have a great time!