How would we find July?

[alibeau]

Hi guys,

Haven't been on for a little while, so hope everyone is well

Our last two visits to WDW have been in Jan/Feb and so for our last visit we had to take DD1 out of school for seven days. DH came up with a brain wave that perhaps our next visit should be during the summer school holidays and if we could get a villa cheap enough (which I'm sure we would), that we could go for at least three weeks possibly even four, take our laptop and still do some work whilst we are away but we would be making the most of DD1's time off school without taking her out during term time and also breaking up the six week stretch!

I just can't picture how busy it will be at the parks? For the main part of the holiday we would just be relaxing at the villa, eating out etc but we would also want to do some days out at the parks. We are a lazy bunch so any thoughts of getting up early and getting to the parks early to get fast passes etc is not something we would do!!!! and so bearing this in mind, how would we get on??

As I say, as we have been so recently, getting on the right rides etc is not the be all and end all but even so, I'm sure the girls will have ideas on which rides/shows they would like to do.....

Another factor in our decision is that the weather on our last trip was unseasonably warm (26-29) and so the thought of going back and the weather being chilly doesn't seem so appealing

Ali

 

[Goofyish]

You will see a big difference between Jan/Feb and Jul/Aug.

The crowds will be a lot heavier (although park hours will be longer) and the weather will be very much warmer and wetter with high humidity (100+ Deg.F and 100% humidity). The heat and humidty really saps your energy so you need to pace yourselves and take advantage of airconditioned shops and attractions.

As you are planning on a long trip (3-4weeks) you should be able to take your time an handle the weater and the crowds. Due to the heat and crowds getting to the parks early in the morning, make use of Fastpass is the best strategy - you can then leave before it gets too hot and busy to relax at your villa pool, then return in the evenings when it's cooler to take advantage of the longer park opening times and evening fireworks.

Fastpasses for the most popular rides and attractions run out quite quickly.

I would say that August is traditionally slightly quieter, especially the last two weeks, than July because a lot of US schools are back by then. Although the free dining plan has made an impact on crowds.

 

[cowza]

I would agree about going in August if you can. I have worked in the parks so I've seen the better and worse times. And July is the craziest I've ever seen it... New Years comes close... but in July there is the nasty humidity and the crowds just become too much in the heat. End of August is a nice time. It will still be quite hot and still pretty busy but not half as bad as July.

 

[Andy B]

You will find July just behind June and before August, you just have to look hard enough!

 

[alibeau]

You will find July just behind June and before August, you just have to look hard enough!

As I clicked the 'submit reply' button I knew it was only a matter of time before I got this reply

Ali

 

[Karenpowley]

We have to go in July because of school holidays.

It is very humid, and last time beacause DH had never been to Florida before, i tried to include EVERYTHING into a 2 week holiday. We were exhausted, loved it but exhausted because of the heat and humidity.

This year we've booked for 3 weeks and we intend to rest in the afternoons and then probably go back to the parks for a couple of hours in the evening! Still love it though...

I also order a tailored holiday plan itinerary from the Brits guide - it's brilliant, and a family we went with last time said they managed to see and enjoy more rides on the parks etc by following our itinerary than the days they were on their own, and even though we know most places in Florida now, the plan chooses best days for parks etc, order in which to do things, it also incorperates your ADR's etc - so if you don't mind following a plan, and want the most from your hols, these are great! Ive already ordered mine for this July.

Kx

 

[wicket2005]

We have been 4 times in July due to my lad's school/college/uni commitments. Last year we saw a lot more rain than in the other years, in the other years we may just have had one or two showers and that was it so were spoilt. The rain wasn't too much of a problem because we headed to the shops whilst it got on with it. The good thing about going in July is the parks are open till 10 pm at night which means it is easy to nip back into them if you want.

However, it is essential to avoid lengthy lines that you do get to the parks before opening hours. Lines are minimal just after opening and it is possible to whizz round doing all the rides you want very, very quickly. This is not the case a few hours into opening when the crowds hit and lengthy lines start. We usually get in early then go back to the hotel and chill by the pool before going into Universal on a night (we stay onsite so have FOTL so lines are not a problem).

I didn't realise how much the humidity does take out of you. We went in December last year too when it was really warm, 80's, no rain and we didn't feel tired at all. Whereas in the July usually a sit down/nap is required some time during the day (I would stress we are very fit people and we don't usually get tired). Comparing the two holidays made me realise just how zapping the humidity is.

The other thing is we found parks like Universal and Islands having more of an atmosphere in July compared to December when they were quite quiet in comparison.

The other big difference will obviously be the cost. I would look into the best weeks to travel during the summer vacation as the prices do alter during that time. Sometimes even a day earlier can make a difference.

 

[stevechase]

Hi

We are going in July this year again for 3 weeks (plus 4 nights in NY, woo hoo!)

Any road up, we went in July 07 and to be honest was a little dissapointed in the wether, we did see a fair bit of rain, nothing for the first week, then on and off for the other 2 weeks, but maybe 2 hours at max each day. I think we were a littl eunlucky to be honest, cause we have been to that part of the world, dom rep, cuba at the same time of the year and not seen more that a cupful of rain.

As for the parks being busy, yes it was but nothing that spoilt it really. It is July and it is the most popular holiday destination for families so you expect it.

All said and done really really really looking forward to it again this year.

Got to go, just found out number one sons passport expires on the 4th June!!!

Steve

 

[wicket2005]

Hi

We are going in July this year again for 3 weeks (plus 4 nights in NY, woo hoo!)

Any road up, we went in July 07 and to be honest was a little dissapointed in the wether, we did see a fair bit of rain, nothing for the first week, then on and off for the other 2 weeks, but maybe 2 hours at max each day. I think we were a littl eunlucky to be honest, cause we have been to that part of the world, dom rep, cuba at the same time of the year and not seen more that a cupful of rain.

As for the parks being busy, yes it was but nothing that spoilt it really. It is July and it is the most popular holiday destination for families so you expect it.

All said and done really really really looking forward to it again this year.

Got to go, just found out number one sons passport expires on the 4th June!!!

Steve

Glad you noticed your son's passport now.

We were fully expecting rain in our holidays in July as that was what everything we read said but from 2005-2007 we hardly had any rain at all. Last year was different and we saw some substantial downpours as a consequence spent more in the shopping malls.

The other funny thing is that it could be tipping down where you are in Orlando but be perfectly okay elsewhere, which makes sense when you think about it. I noticed this after reading some trip reports on the same days as we were there, so it may pay to try another park area.

 

[Cinderella]

Like you - most of my visits have been during the winter. But the second time I went was late July - early August. We managed to cope with crowds, to a point by using EE.

But in the afternoons, some attractions were over 2 hours wait and fast passes had ran out. And one afternoon, we had fast passes for Kilimanjaro Safari but couldn't get near it to ride because of the crowds - it really does get that bad.

And as Goofyish said- the humidity really zaps your energy. On that trip, I recall saying that I never wanted to go back to WDW at that time again. And I meant it - it was just too exhausting to be fun anymore.

That said - if it was the only time you could go, then I'd never pass up a trip. But if I had the choice between 2 weeks in winter and four weeks in summer, I'd take the two weeks.

You could take your daughter out of school for a week in October, either side of half term. That is a great time to go. The weather is nice and hot and less unpredictable than Jan/Feb and the crowds are low.

 

[stevechase]

I have to be honest, I didnt really find the crowds that mad. We took advantage of the extra magic hours, the one night we came out of the Magic Kingdom at about 2am.

It was busy, sure it was but bearable. I thought Easter was a lot busier in 2002, they had to shut the Magic Kingdom in April 2002 when we were there it was that full

Steve

 

[wicket2005]

It isn't so much the crowds it is the effect on the lines. We don't mind going in July (just don't like the cost), we handle the lines by getting there early, doing what we want then chilling by the pool for a while. Keeping the line times to a minimum is essential because you can be feeling hot and tired and the less hanging around the better.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi Ali, I haven't been around for months either.

You will find it hot...very hot, even the locals stay indoors!

However, one advantage price wise, as opposed to the ridiculous high Easter costs, from the middle of the month when the US schools return you can save money to a degree.

For example to stay this Easter at the Grand Floridian in a standard room was $549 per night, mid July through August is $399 per night.

I think we could get away with going in July if it was financially better than Easter, purely because we have been lucky to go so many times there isn't the need to rush around everywhere...but it is painfully hot, over 100 degrees at times.
Having crowds is one thing, but crowds and heat = potential nightmare, especially with children.

 

[jen_uk]

Hi Johnny, nice to see you back