Is Disneyland too crazy to be fun at the end of July??

[tabbycat7815]

My husband, son and I have been dying to go back to Disneyland (we haven't been since 1998), however the only week we can go is the very last week in July. My husband is very concerned that the lineups will be TOO long and that the vacation will end up being stressful instead of relaxing. Anyone been at this time of the year? Would we still have a good time? I'd appreciate any advice you can give me!

Thanks,

Erin.

 

[HeatherPage]

Disney Land or Disney WORLD? I'm not sure about California weather but if you mean Disney World in Florida, then yes it is very hot in July, but it's all personal preference I guess. It will also be crowded most likely. Can you still have a great time? Sure, as long as you have the right attitude and can keep a sense of humor. Have a great time if you decide to go!

 

[GalDisney]

Disneyland in July is hot and crowded.

 

[Foe]

While I've not been to Disneyland (yet), I will go out on a short limb and say that it will be crowded and hot there in July, just as it is at Disney World. Last year we did Disney World over the week of July 4th and it was very busy and hot too, but that did not deter us from having the best vacation of our lives. You'll have fun regardless.

 

[nasmith]

We used to go to D-Land a few times a year until we moved from CA about 10 years ago - Now we go to WDW a few times a year. We revisited D-Land last May- and It struck me how much Smaller D-Land is compared to the MK - and therefore - how much more crowded it was! The smaller walkways were packed, the fireworks crowd filled the area before the castle 2 hrs before the fireworks (and there aren't very many good viewing areas outside of that due to how close the buildings are), the lines were not as organized as they were at WDW (many line-jumpers!)). I can imagine that July will be much worse - as So. CA schools will be out.

Personally - I wouldn't do it unless I had a free trip -(I have a MUCH higher tolerance for service level/crowds if it's free )

 

[mmmears]

My family was in Disneyland the first week of Aug. last year. We had to be in LA for an event or we wouldn't have planned to go that time of year. Well, we had a great time! Yes it was crowded, but not early in the morning. The parks are small and so close together and we did everything, multiple times, in a couple of days. It was hot but not uncomfortably so. And the parks are open late so we had more time to tour without the heat of the sun. We were dreading LA in August but it was great!

 

[HeatherPage]

Duh! I'm sorry, of course you meant Disneyland being this is the Disneyland forum page (I didn't realize I had stumbled onto here through a search last night as I normally am on the Disney World pages).

Sorry, again please go about your business and I'll let the Disneyland experts help you out

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Hi Erin, and welcome to the DIS.

Disneyland in July is usually crowded, but it is a fun time to be out here because of the late hours, daily parades, and shows. Since you haven't been here since '98, there's another park to add to your fun, too. If you have the time, make it a multiple-day trip, and add in beaches, etc., with Disneyland/California Adventure days there - with some planning you can have a great time! (My cousins came with no planning and they had a great time)

 

[two-foxes]

You could also book through AAA and stay in a Disney resort (GCH, PP, or DLH) and get the benefit of the enhanced fast pass. It will allow you to hold mutiple fast passes for different FP attractions at the same time. It is a MAJOR sanity and time saver and may take some of that "We waited in line for one hour!" quote out of your DLR trip!

We have stayed at PP twice. Loved it, and with the enhanced FP, it is worth the bit extra to stay in a DLR hotel.

 

[stampinshauna]

If you go with the mindset to just take it easy and enjoy despite the crowds, you'll have a great time. If you have to either go in July or not at all, definately go in July.

 

[kristenhh]

If it is your only chance to go, I would do it. I agree with other posters that you MUST get there before opening time and do all the big ticket items early. Hopefully if you are there on mulitple days, you can do a few of the big rides each morning, then take it easy: see shows, eat good food, and ride something when you see a "shorter" line.

I much prefer off season times and walking onto rides. However, I would still go if I had the chance.

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

We were at DLR August 1-3 last year and had a blast. Our two other most recent Disney trips were WDW the first week of November in 2000 and 2003.

DLR in August was not significantly busier than WDW in November.

If you have a good touring plan, you'll do fine!

 

[ZeusNike]

One of the best days we ever had in DL was in July. We expected the crowds so were prepared for it but the morning was great. It was a very early opening and I guess ots of people won't get up for it. It didn't get crowded until about noon and when it did we went ate and saw some shows and used the fast passes we had. We actually ended up closing the park down....it was a long day but a great one! I'm not saying it wasn't crowded and hot, just that with the right mindset and a good plan you can have fun anytime at DL!

 

[Torjohnson]

I have been there tons of summers. I have been there summers before fastpasses and all the tricky early mornings . I would say that Disneyland is always fun...and the mindset is everything. In the morning you can move through and ride a lot of things. Also, It might be very warm, but not horrid.
I would suggest just having a ton of fun, and enjoying what you do. Hit the big things first...Space Mountain is fantastic, as is Buzz Lightyear...and Splash mountain lines get long...but really, it is all fun if you look at it that way.

Yay!!!

 

[CindyT]

We went last year, mid-July just before the official anniversary. We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel (being from the mid-west, this was probably our only chance to see DL). I was very pleasantly surprised by the wonderful weather. It was hot during the day, but the lack of humidity made it very bearable. In the eveining, it was actually cool. I did not feel that it was nearly as crowded as WDW in Florida is. We had a fabulous time !

 

[Ella1]

We were at Disneyland in August 2004 and while it was busy, we didn't mind the wait times for the rides, as you get chatting to the person in front or behind and it's a nice way to pass the time.
Last year we were in Orlando the first 2 weeks in July and we found it extremely busy and it was very humid and we also didn't like the storms that we had every day.
This year we are going back to Disneyland in July and we are not even thinking about how crowded it will be, we will just be glad to be there after having such a miserable time in Orlando.
Love Ella