Going in July?

[disdadd14]

My wife and I are trying to decide if it would be a good idea to go to WDW 3-10 July this year with our 2 kids (11&4). Reason being, is that I separate from the military in Sept and with beginning a new job, I really dont want to say I need to take a week off as soon as I begin work. Ideally I'd like to go in the fall, but I also do not know when we will have the time to go as we do now.

Any thoughts on going that week other than crowds/heat?

 

[Bob P]

Hi and to the DIS!

There's not much else to say about the week that includes July 4, except that it is one of the two or three busiest weeks of the year. But to make up for the intense crowds the park hours are long, and fireworks are spectacular! So if you manage your expectations, make ADRs and use FastPass+ wisely, you should have a wonderful time.

Whatever you decide, enjoy your trip!

 

[Momma2PrinceNPrinces]

We were there the week before 4th of July last June. It was hot and crowded, but totally manageable. However this was before FP+ so I have no idea how things will be now! I will suggest getting there at RD and/or making an early ADR in the parks. I am the "runner" of the family so I always took off ahead of my family at RD to get FP, or left breakfast while everyone else was still eating to get FP. There again with FP+, I'm not sure if this would still work but there are typically less people at RD and it's not quite as hot yet. I highly suggest also going there with the attitude that you will wait in lines, it will be insanely hot and your kids will probably need many breaks! I have also been during 4th of July week, but that was a long time ago. Like I said though, if you have a plan and set your expectations low, even the highest of crowds are doable!

 

[Shleedogg]

We've been twice in July before, once the week of the 19th, the other July 4th week (we were at universal and came to WDW on the 6th). WDW on the 6th was crazy. The later week wasn't bad at all. It was very hot, of course, but it wasn't unbearable. We found that trip (we had a 9 month old with us) that we really had to take am afternoon break. We'd get there at opening, leave at noon after lunch and take a nap/swim break and then come back around 4:30/5 when it had cooled down.

We're going this year from 7/13-7/18 and that'll be our strategy again. With the long summer hours we're not worried about missing anything. Have fun!!

 

[Princess_Nikki]

I would plan to hit the parks intermittently. Early in the morning, break for your resort & the pool (and the kids can relax and recharge-you'll probably need it too), then go back in the evening.

Plan a water park day!

Not sure where you're from, OP, and I know you said "besides the heat", but really, some people aren't prepared for the intense heat. Florida sunshine is not a force to be reckoned with. Constantly reapply sunscreen, and get in the shade when you can. Florida is (typically) so hot in July, tourists also need to be mindful of heat exhaustion and heat rash. The old saying is it's hottest from 10-2, but here in Florida, it feels like 12-4 to me. Maybe try to plan an ADR for lunch at whichever park you'll be at to get energy and cool down.

Invest ahead of time in one of those water mist fans and take that to the park. Also, lots of cold bottled water.

This all sounds so ridiculous when I read over it, but I'm continually amazed by the amount of tourists who come here, roast themselves and their kids, and end up collapsing from the heat.

Sounds like July is the better plan for your family, so keep reading up on surviving Disney in July and you should still have a great trip.

 

[mm1971]

My wife and I are trying to decide if it would be a good idea to go to WDW 3-10 July this year with our 2 kids (11&4). Reason being, is that I separate from the military in Sept and with beginning a new job, I really dont want to say I need to take a week off as soon as I begin work. Ideally I'd like to go in the fall, but I also do not know when we will have the time to go as we do now.

Any thoughts on going that week other than crowds/heat?

As others posted, it will be hot and crowds that week are some of the highest of the year.

Would it be possible to go middle to late August? You still get the heat, but the crowds start to get a little lighter. Just a thought.

As with all busy times, heading to the parks at RD is a big help in getting things done. FP+ will help make sure you get to the your favorites and maybe take afternoon breaks to help with the heat of mid day and the busiest park times.

Good luck and have fun. Thank you for your service!

 

[staceyrhood]

Also remember with the 4th on Friday this year it will be extra crowded for a 3 day weekend. If you do go, MK usually closes to capacity around 10am on the 4th, so if you go that day, be there at rope drop, and plan on staying the whole day if you want to be there for the fireworks. The other parks will be VERY crowded as well, but do not usually reach capacity.

 

[disdadd14]

As others posted, it will be hot and crowds that week are some of the highest of the year.

Would it be possible to go middle to late August? You still get the heat, but the crowds start to get a little lighter. Just a thought.

As with all busy times, heading to the parks at RD is a big help in getting things done. FP+ will help make sure you get to the your favorites and maybe take afternoon breaks to help with the heat of mid day and the busiest park times.

Good luck and have fun. Thank you for your service!

Thank you for your support!

Well we will have a lot going on in August, with getting our house packed up and getting ready to move.

With the schedule right now, we would get to WDW on 3 July, but not actually start the parks until 6 July with the 4 day pass. So we would skip the crowds on the 3/4/5th of July. Its not my typical way to go, but I want to give the kids a great vacation in case we cant have one again for a little bit.

I really appreciate all of your feedback on my question.

 

[disdadd14]

I would plan to hit the parks intermittently. Early in the morning, break for your resort & the pool (and the kids can relax and recharge-you'll probably need it too), then go back in the evening.

Plan a water park day!

Not sure where you're from, OP, and I know you said "besides the heat", but really, some people aren't prepared for the intense heat. Florida sunshine is not a force to be reckoned with. Constantly reapply sunscreen, and get in the shade when you can. Florida is (typically) so hot in July, tourists also need to be mindful of heat exhaustion and heat rash. The old saying is it's hottest from 10-2, but here in Florida, it feels like 12-4 to me. Maybe try to plan an ADR for lunch at whichever park you'll be at to get energy and cool down.

Invest ahead of time in one of those water mist fans and take that to the park. Also, lots of cold bottled water.

This all sounds so ridiculous when I read over it, but I'm continually amazed by the amount of tourists who come here, roast themselves and their kids, and end up collapsing from the heat.

Sounds like July is the better plan for your family, so keep reading up on surviving Disney in July and you should still have a great trip.

We are in St Louis, so the summers are hot/humid as well. I did a comparison from last year against Orlando and here and it wasnt far off. Plus I was overseas last year, so I figure if I can deal with Middle East heat/humidity, anything is fine haha!! We would take breaks each afternoon, and most certainly bring the mist fans to keep cool each day. The heat is no joke and avoiding any issues is definitely at the top of my list.

 

[KT0191]

I will be in WDW July 1-8 with my one year old son. It's going to be interesting, haha. Yes, it will be crazy busy and hot but I am taking everyone's advice and hitting the parks early in the mornings and taking a break and going back to our room mid day then going back later in the evening. Our FP+ reservations are all in the morning times and we are basing our park days off of EMH.