Going the week of July 4 - am I nuts?

[NWOhiogal]

Hi everybody,

My sister and I are considering our second trip to WDW and looking at going the week of July 4 this year (I have that week off of work).

Since you have to make reservations at the parks now, my question is, is WDW slammed that week the way it is for Thanksgiving and Christmas? We're thinking of getting park hoppers but I'm concerned that the parks we want to go to after our first reservation will hit maximum capacity and we won't be able to roam as freely as we'd like.

I know it's going to be hot and humid, but I've done San Antonio in August and assume it's comparable. Am I off the mark there?

So, if anybody can give me guidance as to what to expect if we go during this time, it would be much appreciated! Thanks!!

 

[Smugpugmug]

In terms of crowds at WDW, my rule of thumb is that if kids are out of school, it'll be busier than average. With 4th of July being a holiday and kids are out of school for the summer, yeah it'll be crowded. Even typically "slow" periods like January and February minus President's Day week have been crazy crowded so I would go in with an expectation that it'll be packed. Doesn't mean you can't have fun, you just need to have realistic expectations.

As for park hopping, the only time they restricted park hopping was for Magic Kingdom on the first day of the 50th anniversary on October 1st. I am confident that you will be able to enter the second park without any issues.

You couldn't pay me enough to go to WDW in July TBH. I was there last week and it was pretty humid, but in July it's way worse. Drink lots of water, bring fans/cooling towels and take frequent breaks whether that be at the pool or in an indoor attraction/restaurant.

In terms of Covid, it is business as usual in the parks. There is absolutely no social distancing and they are packing people into busses, attractions and fireworks like sardines. You need to be comfortable with that and understand the risks before going. I did everything I could last week and now I'm sitting in bed with a cough/runny nose and a sore throat (not Covid, but still some sort of Disney ick).

 

[scrappinginontario]

Have fun!

It looks to be a busy week but not super crazy. Right now, the majority of weeks are busy at Disney.

If you're used to hot and humid (or can handle it) you'll be fine. Find times to cool off in the great Disney AC and stay well hydrated.

I would not be at all concerned at all about park hopping. PH has been offered for almost 18 months now and was only stopped for a few hours at the MK on it's 50th anniversary. You'll be just fine hopping.

 

[NWOhiogal]

So, what do people do when their flight back home is really late? I'm looking at flights to get home and the cheapest one doesn't leave Orlando until 9:50 p.m.

Since DME is gone, how do I handle checking out of the hotel and then having 7 hours to kill before going to the airport? Is it possible to have the hotel hold onto your luggage until it's time to go to the airport, even if you've checked out? My biggest concern is not having access to my belongings - or a cool room or shower - for the huge amount of time between checkout and when the flight leaves. Any tips?

 

[CarolynFH]

Yes, you can check your luggage with the hotel and then go to the parks or DS or whatever. Many guests spend the time at the pool - you’re considered a guest of the resort until midnight that night, and many if not most of the Disney resorts have showers and changing areas in the poolside restrooms where guests can freshen up before leaving for the airport. Ask some questions on the resorts board to find out what facilities your resort has.

 

[keishashadow]

is WDW slammed that week the way it is for Thanksgiving and Christmas?

We’ve been doing 4th of July week for years. Going in July twice this year. Have to work around the family’s schedule, especially the kiddos for bonus trips.

The 3rd & 4th of July are indeed busy. It tends to not be as crowded the rest of the week, well, at least thru last year. Who knows with the crowd surges this year!

We tend to do MK on 3rd & Epcot on 4th. Have APs but wouldn’t dream of PH that day. the internal transportation system just seems to crawl to a slog that week.

Usually, we just do the resort pool in AM, then book a TS late lunch in the parks & stay thru FW.

have only done days surrounding the holidays you mention, the weekend after Thanksgiving is always really busy.

know it's going to be hot and humid, but I've done San Antonio in August and assume it's comparable. Am I off the mark there?

Orlando is literally like a wet sponge in the summer. the extent of the humidity always manages to surprise me. Obviously, it doesn’t keep me away lol

I know Texas is h-o-t…thought more of a dry heat? Maybe google the humidity for each city over the time period you are considering? We’ve visited Las Vegas in the summer multiple times In triple digits. found it more comfortable than Orlando by far.

 

[scrappinginontario]

In Feb we checked out if our room in the AM, checked out luggage with luggage services snd headed to the MK.

When it was time, returned to Pop, retrieved our luggage and headed to our transportation. Should we have wanted them there were showers we could have used in a building near the pool.