If late July isn't super awful for crowds, why are the WDW hotels so $$$??

[bakerjay]

Just curious if anyone has some insight...according to a few people on this board, late July is not super awful crowd-wise. Busy, yes, but not the worst. If that is the case, why are the WDW hotels so crazy expensive? Or not available at all? I'm trying desperately to help my mom plan a trip with the grandkids and they want to stay on-site but there are 7 of them and that adds up quickly. She knows that it will be $$ for hotels at that time but I really didn't bargain on values and mods being so pricey and deluxe to be unattainable. :O

I suggested the prospect of DVC rentals and that just sent her into a tailspin of confusion and I'd like to make it as easy on her as possible since this is likely a one time trip for all of them.

Any thoughts are appreciated!

 

[Cloe Colton]

DVC hotels will probably be booked up this late in the game for July 18. But Saratoga Springs or Key West may still have some availability.

There are a lot of discounts out right now for summer bookings, I myself got a great deal on Wilderness Lodge. Check out https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/ for the special offers through Disney. I've been a couple of times in the summer and usually manage to snag a deal somewhere! And if these prices are still too high the Disney Springs resorts get a lot more benefits now and may have better pricing.

Good luck!

 

[disneyvoice]

Make sure you are searching under "special offers." I just checked and for late July you can get rooms at some of the All Star Resorts for as low as $116 a night. I'm assuming she would be looking for either two rooms or a suite with 7 people? To keep prices down two Value Resorts will be the best bet. Paying cash for a DVC will be pretty expensive for a 2 bedroom and it looks like there isn't much availability with the summer offer for two bedrooms.

 

[Shanti]

Just curious if anyone has some insight...according to a few people on this board, late July is not super awful crowd-wise. Busy, yes, but not the worst. If that is the case, why are the WDW hotels so crazy expensive? Or not available at all? I'm trying desperately to help my mom plan a trip with the grandkids and they want to stay on-site but there are 7 of them and that adds up quickly. She knows that it will be $$ for hotels at that time but I really didn't bargain on values and mods being so pricey and deluxe to be unattainable. :O

I suggested the prospect of DVC rentals and that just sent her into a tailspin of confusion and I'd like to make it as easy on her as possible since this is likely a one time trip for all of them.

Any thoughts are appreciated!

WDW hotels are cheaper in July than at most other times of year. They are always expensive (it's Disney we're talking about), but fall, spring & holiday season are much more expensive than summer.

Some travel agencies offer their own (better) discounts, but you have to find them yourselves. We can't refer you to them on Dis.

If you give us a price range you're considering, we could look at what's available on the WDW website.

 

[DLgal]

Late July is considered "Value 2" Season at WDW. There are several more expensive "seasons" at WDW: Peak, Holiday, Holiday 2, Regular, Regular 2, etc...

The only time hotels are cheaper than late July is Fall Season and Value season.

 

[coast2coastmickey]

If you're dead set for staying on-site, two value rooms should be more than fine. Even at $150/night per room to get preferred rooms, it's $300 total per night for everyone to get a spot on a real bed (keep in mind that the AS resorts are double beds, not queen beds). Not the worst thing ever.

Off site, you can easily find a house with 4-5 bedrooms for less than$200/night. Sure, add in a minivan rental ($40ish per night), and Disney park parking ($22 per day), and you may find that staying off site will allow everyone to be more comfortable. Not to mention, eating breakfast before you head to the parks and packing homemade snacks will make the costs easier to stomach.

 

[Kimberle]

I always found July crowded. I didn't see a let up until mid Aug. (Used to travel every year in the summer when my dd was in school.) Thank you wonderful college odd-time breaks!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

One thing to keep in mind with Disney pricing "seasons," as they currently sit, is they haven't been adjusted much for a while. It used to be the lower prices were also lower seasons, and they started more special events and offerings to drive business. Word got out about the nicer weather, cheaper rates, lower airfares... and now, those seasons are busy. But the rates haven't been adjusted.

 

[marcyleecorgan]

Disney hotels are never NOT $$$$$$$ .... you don't stay on-property to save money...

 

[bakerjay]

DVC hotels will probably be booked up this late in the game for July 18. But Saratoga Springs or Key West may still have some availability.

There are a lot of discounts out right now for summer bookings, I myself got a great deal on Wilderness Lodge. Check out https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/ for the special offers through Disney. I've been a couple of times in the summer and usually manage to snag a deal somewhere! And if these prices are still too high the Disney Springs resorts get a lot more benefits now and may have better pricing.

Good luck!

Thanks so much! I did not know about the Disney Springs resorts. They might just do the trick! The only thing they really wanted about on-site resorts was the ability to do fast passes 60 days out and take advantage of extra magic hours so I think this will be a great option for them. Larger rooms (it seems) and good rates. Thank you, thank you!

 

[Deb & Bill]

With seven people in her group, she needs to be aware that two connecting rooms are never guaranteed. It's highly possible, but might not even happen if there is only one person aged 18 or older in the group.

 

[Shanti]

I always found July crowded. I didn't see a let up until mid Aug. (Used to travel every year in the summer when my dd was in school.) Thank you wonderful college odd-time breaks!

Crowd patterns have changed over the past few years. Summer is a less-crowded time to go now.

 

[Kimberle]

Crowd patterns have changed over the past few years. Summer is a less-crowded time to go now.

humm.... Last year I went in Dec. The prior 15 years, I went in July/August, every year..... I'm quite familiar with summer crowds...

 

[Meglen]

With seven people in her group, she needs to be aware that two connecting rooms are never guaranteed. It's highly possible, but might not even happen if there is only one person aged 18 or older in the group.

depending ont he type of people per room it could be 100% possible. I believe is only 1 adult is in the room but more kids they will give a connecting room to comply for saftey

 

[hakepb]

humm.... Last year I went in Dec. The prior 15 years, I went in July/August, every year..... I'm quite familiar with summer crowds...

I think it was early July with the shorter wait times the past 2 summer...then by the time I arrived later July/Aug levels were closer to “normal”

 

[kiford]

Don't forget that not everyone who stays at a WDW resort go to the parks. They have a lot of meetings and conventions and they actively court them during lower periods.

 

[Shanti]

I think it was early July with the shorter wait times the past 2 summer...then by the time I arrived later July/Aug levels were closer to “normal”

Our trip in late July 2016 had very low crowds, actually. I was shocked at how few people were around & how easy touring was.

 

[ColoradoMom12]

Our trip in late July 2016 had very low crowds, actually. I was shocked at how few people were around & how easy touring was.

This hasn't been my experience also, at least last summer. We travel to Disney at some of the busiest times of the year (usually spring break/Easter and Thanksgiving; we've never done Christmas). The crowds last year mid/late July were very manageable compared to what we're accustomed to dealing with. We're heading back this summer and have decided to skip next spring break as the crowds were too much for us this year; if the crowds are more manageable again this summer, next summer we'll plan a longer trip in lieu of missing spring break at Disney.

 

[vinotinto]

Booked for mid-July. I hope ya'lls low crowds predictions stay true. A little nervous about the pushback of Toy Story Land to June 30th.

 

[SharonZ]

depending ont he type of people per room it could be 100% possible. I believe is only 1 adult is in the room but more kids they will give a connecting room to comply for saftey

There are absolutely no guarantees on connecting rooms.