i'm scared about july trip

[think tink]

hi, we are planning on going in the middle of july i can't take my kids out of school and my husband can't get away from work till july. are we going to regret going this time of year?? we have 3 girls 2,6,9 and live in the south so we are used to the heat. it's pretty much the crowds that scare me. i would appreciate any experiences you all have had with this time of year. thanks !!

 

[BrianD]

We're in the same boat. We're going in July due to our schedule. We've gone in July before and for me it's about dealing with the heat. There will be crowds but being mid July I don't the crowds are that bad. With the heat the key is to pace yourself, get started early in the day, take breaks in the heat of the day, and expect it to rain most afternoons for an hour or so. That's just Florida in July. Just go in with the expectation that it will be HOT and be prepared for it, and you will have a great time!

On the other hand, the parks stay open late so you get a longer park day then people going in September or January.

 

[Mary Anne]

Go, enjoy but be prepared. Personally we go the most crowded times of the year, summer, Easter, Christmas we survive and enjoy. What I would do is stay onsite, take advantage of the early and late hours when they are out for onsite guests and plan a break by the hotel in the heat of the afternoon. What everyone forgets to talk about when going the more crowded times of the year is that everything is open later, you have more time to do everything. Granted you may have fewer lines other times, but you also have fewer hours. Enjoy!

 

[BigOnDis]

Ditto here. Just go with the understanding that it is going to be hot and that it will be crowded. If you want to see a lot, then plan on getting to the parks early, take a break in the afternoon and then go back at night. Like the other poster said they stay open later during those months.

I am also interested to see how the extra magic hours work at night. We seldom used them in the morning, because we just are not morning people, but we might take advantage of night hours more.

Enjoy.

 

[Holly]

are we going to regret going this time of year??

Absolutely not!
We went in late June of last year, and had a blast! I was very worried about the crowds, but they were very manageable.
The worst part for us (being from New England) was the heat and humidity.

Like the above poster suggested, plan ahead. Get to the parks early just as they open to avoid some of the heat and crowds. We took a break every day at lunch time to rest and swim, and I noticed the largest crowds just getting to the parks at that time. Also, make good use of Fastpass.

Have fun!

 

[Hockeymommy]

We are going in July for 2 weeks. I was also worried about the crowds until I saw what great hours WDW is giving people who stay on site. On the extra magic hours night MK is open until 1 am sometimes, other times it will be open until midnight. This is great for us. We can relax in the middle of the day at the resort and go back for our P.S. for dinner and then enjoy the park when it's cooler and less crowded.

P.S. I am a little worried about the heat. We are from the Pacific Northwest and we get warm here but no humidity. Keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[Mary Anne]

Also we've found that if you want to do FantasyLand (and do not have young kids that have already passed out for the day LOL) do it the late hours 10 to midnight, by then it's pretty empty and the lines are much, much shorter. Trust me there is a lot to be said about peak time at Disney

 

[Kimberly]

Spend a few days at the water parks if you can, they're both outstanding on really hot days. Last time i was in Disney, it was in late July and probably some of the hottest weather that i've ever experienced.

On the plus side, 99.9 percent of the buildings inside disney resorts and theme parks are air-conditioned!

 

[Maryr1]

Hockeymom,
Where would I find the July park hours for people staying on property? We are going at the end of July and I am a little worried about the heat.....Late nights and early mornings will work better for us(with a long rest in the afternoon!!! )
Thanks!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Relax. We always go in July, and have three small children (4, 6 and 8). We love it. Yes it's hot - that's why we go early and take the afternoon swim/nap break. We stay onsite so its not a problem. We love it because everything is open late and they have Spectro and wishes every night. Just bring your water, spray/fan water bottle, and sense of humor and you'll do fine. Last year we went July 15-26 and didn't think the crowds were bad at all. This year we're going June 29-July 16 and are only worried about the 4th of July.