Impromptu JULY trip!! Aaaaah!!!

[pinkprincess30]

My dad just called and he is flying all 5 of us from Portland, OR to SoCal for his wedding in July (exact date to be determined)! My dad's fiancé can get military tickets so an all-family [budget] trip to see The Mouse is mandatory! We have never been during peak season so I'm a little freaked out! I have so much research to do...I know the park will be pretty busy and our previous trips have all been during off-peak times. I know it will be a different experience but I'm still so excited!!! Advice from experienced peak-season DISers welcome! I never EVER thought we would visit DLR in July! Lol

 

[tbigner]

Following! My mom just told me we were taking a girls trip to DL in August!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Will this be a one day or multi day visit? It's good that you have time to do your planning now. Make good use of FP (remember that you can hold FPs simultaneously in both parks). Decide if you want to have any TS meals, then make your reservations ahead. Maybe a character meal would be fun and a great way to get lots of family photos? Also, if you want to see PTN or WOC using the dining packages, make your reservations. This is going to be such an exciting trip for you!

 

[pinkprincess30]

Will this be a one day or multi day visit? It's good that you have time to do your planning now. Make good use of FP (remember that you can hold FPs simultaneously in both parks). Decide if you want to have any TS meals, then make your reservations ahead. Maybe a character meal would be fun and a great way to get lots of family photos? Also, if you want to see PTN or WOC using the dining packages, make your reservations. This is going to be such an exciting trip for you!

We will get the three day park hopper. I am familiar with the FP system. Love it! We have never park hopped before though except one time when we went to CA to get WOC fast passes, spent the day at DLR and then returned that night for WOC. Is park hopping worth it with all the extra walking? I don't mind walking but it seems like maybe a waste of time?

 

[gottalovepluto]

We will get the three day park hopper. I am familiar with the FP system. Love it! We have never park hopped before though except one time when we went to CA to get WOC fast passes, spent the day at DLR and then returned that night for WOC. Is park hopping worth it with all the extra walking? I don't mind walking but it seems like maybe a waste of time?

Yay for a surprise DL trip!! Whether you want to hop totally up to you, having been to DL before I feel you can gauge the benefit for yourself best. I would never DL without park hopping but we'll hope anywhere from 1-4 times a day. (We love dining in DL... But we love drinking in DCA! Lol- gotta park hop just for that in my book) Yep, July is packed. But doable. Our method (we've done Memorial the last couple years but did July right after Cars Land opened- the parks were madhouses): Be there at park opening. If you stay onsite this means be up for EMH (7am is super early BUT it's too early for a bunch of other people so shorter lines!) and use it. If you stay off-site be there for rope drop at the park that doesn't have EMH. Morning hours are the least crowded. We break sometime after lunch to our hotel for pool and rest time and return to the parks at dinner. If you want to see fireworks don't wait until the last night you're there, they cancel at the slightest hint of wind. Can you stay up late? The late PTN was a lot less crowded when we were there last Memorial, I assume the same is true throughout the year. Make any dining reservations you want before you get to DL, they open up 60 days out but you can usually make any you want a few weeks out (except for Blue Bayou) just go to the website!

Pack patience, there will be a lot of waiting (and maybe some games or game apps as well!) & stay hydrated (SO important, July can be hot, hot, hot). DL can be a blast even when summer full, hope you have a great time!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... Is park hopping worth it with all the extra walking? I don't mind walking but it seems like maybe a waste of time?

The parks are so close together that there really isn't that much extra walking (maybe 5 minutes from gate to the other gate). Park hopping can help you make the most efficient use of your time when the parks are crowded. When one park gets too packed, head on over to the other park. Hopping also opens up more dining options. As long as there are no mobility issues or multiple strollers (although those things don't slow everyone down), you can do so much each day by hopping.

 

[Disney Lvr of Old]

Is your Dad's fiancé going with you? the military person has to enter the park with you in order to use the military salute tickets. and they get 6 a year; but can be increased if it's all immediate family.

 

[pinkprincess30]

Is your Dad's fiancé going with you? the military person has to enter the park with you in order to use the military salute tickets. and they get 6 a year; but can be increased if it's all immediate family.

Yes