Going in July. Are we crazy?!?

[ericafny]

I'm sure there are people who really can't take an off season vacation, but I think most people can work it out if they really want to.

I am going in July because I am a Master's student and take classes and work a full time job and it is the only time I CAN go. So no, sometimes people CAN'T work it out if they really want to.

I am still as excited as the next person! Plus, I can enjoy the pool to its fullest

 

[Puffy2]

Yes, you are crazy. July is unbearably hot and crowded. I don't know why anyone would go during the summer... but thousands upon thousands do.

 

[aplejax76]

Unlike some of the people that say we have to go because timing. We go because we love it in July. Its hot but it is NOT any different then where we live now! People act as if they are gonna melt. We like the fact that the hours are longer. Wonderful time to swim. You are not crazy!!!!!!!!! I just never understand these people who say they would never go then. You are in WDW. What is crazy about that?

 

[eeyoregal81]

I dunno, the OP did ask for opinions which seems to me both good and bad. I must say I'm with crazyj4488...while it's my favorite place in the world (no pun intended)...you couldn't pay me to go in the summer. I have a vivid childhood memory of our big day in the magic kingdom spent standing in very long,hot lines with very cranky parents.

I'm sure there are people who really can't take an off season vacation, but I think most people can work it out if they really want to. We always end up pulling our kids out of school during a short week; I know not everyone would agree with this, so go ahead and flame away. HOWEVER, we do put a very high importance on education in our home and we work very hard to make this work. We let teachers know our dates weeks in advance, do lots of extra assignments before we go, spend our flights in both directions working, and set aside some work time each day we are gone. Because I go very far out of my way to not inconvenience the teachers and keep my kids more than caught up, teachers have been very cooperative and my children never fall behind.

It is well worth the effort to me to make a vacation work at a time of year that is both pleasant to leave in Minnesota and pleasant to go to in Florida.

As a teacher, I HAVE to go in the summer or during a school vacation...it is impossible for me to take the time off during an "off season" week.

As for your going out of your way to "not inconvenience the teachers," I am not sure what age your children are, but I can attest to the fact that if they are middle school or high school students not being in the classroom IS a hardship on both them and the teachers. While their work may get done on the way to/from WDW, they do miss out on the teacher explainations of the material, which is invaluable. But I will get off my soapbox now...

Going in the summer is not bad, as long as you go early and drink pleanty of water. We tend to hit the big attractions at EMH or during pirade times and use FP a lot. We have never waited over 30 min for any attraction, and we ALWAYS go in July/August. We have even been able to "stay on" an attraction upon occasion (most notably, Kali River Rapids...we rode it 7 times in a row on a hot summer afternoon, albeit after the "daily" rainstorm).

The most important thing is to keep in mind the fact that there WILL be crowds and to plan accordingly. Have fun!

 

[ScarletFire]

I teach school and am limited to school vacaction time. I don't think most people can arrange an off season vacation. That may explain the crowds .

This will be my first July visit, we normally go during Fall Break in October. October weather is nice and there are moderate crowds but the parks close early. I'm looking forward to the late evenings.

There is much more to do at Disney than "rides". We get to the parks before rope drop, use fast pass, and commando tour until noon. You'd be surprised at the number of rides we experience. The rest of the day is spent eating , watching shows, shopping, pin trading, using a fastpass, swimming and enjoying the Disney atmosphere. I love it! July may be hot but at least I won't have to make my dd8 and ds9 stay out of the water fountains.

Look for us in July. We're the family with HUGE smiles .

 

[Jakesmom1]

We have gone in July and August a couple of times, when we lived in NY, and we did this by choice, not necessity. The Park hours are longer and the weather is not that bad. It gets just as hot in NY in July and August.

Now we live in Florida and once again have chosen to go in July. We are very excited to be there for the 4th of July and cant wait to enjoy the longer hours. Are we Crazy? Maybe, but Its gonna be hot no matter where I am, So Id rather be at Disney.!

All you July Dis'ers Have a great trip !!!!

 

[crazyj4488]

I'm not trying to bum anyone out with my comments about the Summer months. I'm just being honest, offered some, often repeated, tips for those that can only go during this time, and sit here hoping that those first timers that travel to WDW in the Summer give it a second chance after, possibly, having a bad experience.

I don't think others are afraid of melting in the heat down there even though that can happen When you take that insane heat and mix it with hordes of pushy families with crying children, that's what makes the experience VERY difficult. Even the most die-hard DIS'er can lose their patience if stuck in this sitiuation without a good touring plan.

Simply do what others have suggested on here and you can minimize on the unpleasant experience that comes with the Florida sun and those Summer crowds. Plan diligently and THINK when it comes to your schedule.

 

[gofenmom]

Have been to WDW in Nov.,Christmas, Feb., Easter, and summers. Love the summer - parks are opened later, can swim every day, no jackets... but it is hot. Do the parks early in the day and return at night. Going later in the summer has allowed us to avoid the larger tour groups.

 

[elliemae1192]

Hubby's brother is now saying he may not be able to get time off from work. If he doesn't, I will be changing the ressies to December (before Christmas) with or without hubby's blessing. I'm just a real wimp when it comes to heat. I know we will have a blast no matter when we go, but hubby will have to listen to ALOT of whining about how hot I am.

 

[bobcat]

We're crazy then because we love WDW in July! The parks have a different energy when the place is hopping then when there are less crowds. We have also found time in the parks during July when we felt like we were the only one's there. As others have said it's all about planning. In the summer you will find me by the pool in the afternoons and not in the parks.

 

[tomerin]

add us to the list of crazies who love going to wdw in july. due to many unavoidable unavoidables we have to take our family vacation in july. we just plan what we want to do. go as early as possible, fastpass what we want to do and just take it easy. we love to return to the hotel in the early afternoon for a snack or lunch and swim and return refreshed and then stay as long as we want to. plently of fluids, sunscreen and nice and easy does it for us.

besides where woudl you rather be sweltering in the hot july sun on long island or in the hot sweltering sun in WDW.

 

[Aroura]

I have been to the World only once, and it was last July. *And* I was there for the 4th. I thought it was great. Yes, it is insanely hot, and I will tell you that standing in a line that is not covered shall make you miserable for that 20 minutes that you stand there, but you never care afterwards. The magic was just as enjoyable to me, and I loved it. But beware the Brazilian teens... and their parents... and their grandparents..and their extended family tree

I would return to Disney in July again in a heartbeat. These boards helped me all out with all I had to do, and made my experience SO much better than it probably would have been if I didn't load up on info months before our trip. It was invaluable information from these fine folks. Lots of water, and the water bottles with the fans that you swore you wouldn't need... ohhhh yes, your going to need them. It will rain at least once a day, then you'll hop your bus back to your hotel to get *re-dressed* for dinner, and a drop will not have landed anywhere near your hotel, as you come out of the bus sopping wet, leaving little puddles in your seat for the unfortunate soul who will have to mop it up before they sit.

Sunblock, and a lip balm with spf. And make sure you have shorts that won't chafe. If you did have any trouble with this, a pair of spandex under a skirt, or a loose fitting pair of shorts will fix it.

All in all it will be wonderful. You'll get to stay in the parks late, and then even be able to take a dip in the pool before bed. Very enjoyable.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

If you are crazy - then we must be insane. We always go in July (and went in August once). We love it. The parks are open late, we don't have to spend our vacation planning figuring out which night they'll show SPectro - its every night. Yes, it takes some planning - we make sure we have at least one PS every day, we get up early and hit the parks first thing, leave in the afternoon for swim/nap break, go back and have dinner and hit the parks again. We have two spray/fan bottles, drink lots of water and yes WE HAVE A MAGICAL TIME!!! The funny thing is this year DH had decided to run the Disney Marathon so we have an extra trip thrown in. I'm having a hard time getting as excited about going to Disney in January as I am in July.

 

[G&J's Mom]

What in the world are the Brazillian Teenagers?

 

[MissTink]

What in the world are the Brazillian Teenagers?

Good question!

 

[Scott Free]

Because this year, we plan to go in July as well. Normally we go at the beginning of May on our Anniversary which I highly recommend. It is rarely crowded and not that hot yet. This year we could not go because of work so we will have to "suffer" in July. We can't wait!

 

[llij]

I've been to Disney a bunch of times, but never in July! This will be our first July trip and I will be 5 1/2 months pregnant to boot! I guess that I am a little crazy for going then, but I plan on spending lots of time at the pool and just enjoying myself.

Everyone have a great time this July and maybe I'll see some of you in WDW.

Thanks for all the tips, I'm taking notes!

 

[PamNC]

The good points of July at WDW

Guaranteed pool weather
more entertainment
longer hours
less strollers (maybe - this isn't a scientific study, but I think there are more during winter months when school age kids are in school and parents with little ones come.)
more excitement

I would honestly choose July over January! You'll have a great time!

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH THIS POST. Couldn't have said it better myself. We're leaving in 31 days and I say "bring on the hot weather so I can swim in Stormalong Bay!" We love the longer hours, it makes us spend more time relaxing during an afternoon break. Not sure if that's true about the strollers, but I'll take it - anything to relieve the "stroller anxiety" sounds good to me.

Vacations are made for summer IMHO. And summer is hot. That's what pools and air conditioning are for. And, it stays lighter outside later...who wants it to be dark at 5:30 or 6:00??? How depressing!

Don't worry about the Brazilian groups - there is nothing you can do about them. They are loud and bothersome but we've noticed a difference the last two years. Not sure why, but it's definitely been less of a problem in our experience.

Give me heat, bugs, humidity, tour groups, strollers, just as long as I'm at Disney!

PamNC

 

[mydogpeanut]

I'd like to add us to the list of "crazies" as well. We'll be there starting July 9th. We plan on it being hot and crowded but with all the wonderful information and tips I've picked up from this bored I think we'll be just fine can't wait!!!!!