Is July as bad as Easter?

[Brier Rose]

With all the talk of summer crowds I have really started wondering about our plans for this July 22 - August 1. The heat does not worry me at all...just wondering if we'll be able to really "do" anything??

We went on Easter last year, and thought it was extremly crowded, but managable with a good touring plan. We did everything we wanted and then some!

Just wondering if someone could tell me how July is compared to Easter crowd wise? Hoping it's at least not worse!

Thanks

 

[Traveliz]

I have found it to be busy but not as busy as Easter.

Its very hot, rains more then than at Easter but on the upside more daylight hours, park is open late (much like Easter)

I don't know we went last summer that time (and we were there at Easter last year and this) and I would say there are alot of similarities but its not quite as busy.

It is certainly doable with a plan!

Have fun.

Liz

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Just IMHO July is worse. Just as crowded but add the heat, humidity and rain. If that is our only option, be sure you have planned well, use your fast passes, and have some advance dinning ressies set up if you want to eat in any special resturants.

Mky

 

[drusba]

The July 4 week approaches the size of Easter. The weeks you are going do not -- still very crowded but not anything near as crazy as the Easter crowd. You will still have long lines for popular rides (more in the 60 to 75 minute range mid-day for the most popular ones, not the 2 hours or more you see mid-day at Easter)

 

[OhMari]

People are not used to summer heat Florida receives. More families attend with school age kids, because they don't want to pull their kids out of school during the school year.

Do the early morning thing, take breaks during the hottest part of the day and go back at nite.

 

[Brier Rose]

Thanks everyone for your responses!

We are without a doubt doing only morning and evening touring! Got to avoid that heat, and get in lots of pool time!

Guess I'll use the same plans we used at Easter. Worked like a charm. We were done with at least 14 attractions by lunch, and then ate at CRT before leaving the park. As we walked out to leave, the lines for Mickey's Philharmagic were all the way to the castle!

Now I just have to decide if we're gonna do the EMH at night??

 

[Wishes]

We have been to WDW 5 times - all around the same dates you are going to be there this summer. Our anniversary is at the end of July and we love celebrating it at our favorite place - WDW! We have never complained of long lines or overcrowded parks. Maybe we just don't know any better because we've never been there in the off-season but it has never been a problem for us. We have at times utilized the early entries - or as we found out last summer - we steered clear of the early entry park and found the other parks to be less crowded. We also used the fastpass system to our advantage whenever possible. Of course I would love going to WDW anytime throughout the year but for us we love being there in July!

 

[SorcererDonald16]

First time I ever went to the World was Easter week in 1993... never had I seen crowds like that, and thankfully I haven't since! After that, I went in July in 1996, 1999, and 2001. Still crowded, but not nearly as bad. You're talking about 1 hour+ waits for popular rides (occasionally 2 to 3 hours some days I've been) versus a very commonplace 2 or 3+ hour waits Easter time. We've never even had a touring plan beyond checking the wait time boards and seeing what's the best popular ride to ride at that time if any, and we still managed to get almost everything we wanted in in July. Easter a lot of time was spent in line and fighting the crowds. Not particularly pleasant. I think we got on maybe 6 rides and attractions in MK that trip. You should be fine for the most part; just make sure you utilize Fastpass when necessary and possible, and if you have park hopping on your tickets, use that to go back to visit a park that you may have missed a few things (we did this the last 2 trips). Have fun!

 

[RyMickey]

You gotta realize that you're not gonna hit everything. Like others have said, spend lots of time at the pool (this is a vacation, after all!). I went over my college spring break two years ago (which happened to fall on the week after Easter, unfortunately) and found the parks manageable like you said (then again, my friends and I had NO PLAN at all!). You'll be fine in July! Don't worry!

 

[swilphil]

I've been the past two Julys and then this past Easter. Easter was definitely more crowded than the END of July (July 4th week is another story). That being said, with the new advertising campaign it seems like the crowds are going to be way up this summer. Take advantage of EMH (but park hop the rest of that day) and use fast pass.

 

[mickeymom629]

This past Easter was our second. The first one was so crowded (I didn't pick the right parks), but this Easter I had a great touring plan and the weather was great. This next July will be our 2nd at that time (we've done summer a few times though), and I am going to use the same great touring plan we used in March. That being said,I think if I had to choose, I would definitely say you should go when the weather is better. We had fantastic weather the week of Easter (though that was definitely hit or miss because the week before was rainy). But I KNOW July is going to be HOT! and possible thunderstorms (which I have a great phobia of!). I agree that anytime is great to be in WDW, but I think I would choose Easter over summer, if I could, and only because of the weather. You CAN avoid the crowds with a good plan!

 

[tomerin]

we always trsvel in july due to many circumstances. our first trip in jluy with the kiddies, they were 11,13, was a bit rough due to the fact we didnt really know alot about touring ideas and really werent quite prepared for the heat and rain. so it was a bit tense at times for us. even myself and DW really werent prepared properly for july in WDW. the next trips were were SO SO MUCH better prepared as to what to do in the ways of touring, early morning entry, afternoon swim breaks,return later on in the day. plenty of fluids etec. a bit of knowledge that i obtained mostly from the great people here at the DIS made our next trip a great one and insures that all other trips willl be as great

 

[r5moores]

Hi. Actually July really isnt that bad. We used to go every may when my boys were younger because I really didnt mind pulling them out of preschool and grades k-1. As they got older we no longer would pull them out. With that being said we now only go in July. They are now 16, 14 and 11. We have had no troubles with them or managing lines. You just need to be prepared. Go right out and buy a Misty Mate. GREAT GREAT GREAT !! Is all I can say about it. Much better then the spray fans. You dont need batteries you just fill with water, pump and it sprays a fine mist on you that you can regulate ( bought at walmart). They also sell $1.00 fans with soft rubber blades that you can carry ( need batteries) that actually put out a good amount of air. Bring a washcloth in a baggie with you. You can wet it and put it on your face, neck arms, whatever. DRINK< DRINK< DRINK plenty of WATER. Soda will kill you on hot days. It doesnt quench your thirst like water does. You can get free ICE COLD water all day long at the parks. All you need to do is go into any counter service at disney and ask for a large glass of ice water. They will gladly give it to you for free. Bring sunscreen, wear tank tops, flip flops. Take breaks, Make sure you stop and eat in a cool area. We love going in July. And honestly I've never found the lines to be unbearable. The longest are mid day for splash mountain and thats well duh because its hot . Make sure you get your fast pass by 11 p.m. for that and you are set. If you have any questions or need any hits please feel free to pm me. I could give you lots of great tips for surviving July.
Have a great time

 

[RyMickey]

Go right out and buy a Misty Mate. GREAT GREAT GREAT !! Is all I can say about it. Much better then the spray fans. You dont need batteries you just fill with water, pump and it sprays a fine mist on you that you can regulate ( bought at walmart).

ALL HAIL THE MISTY MATES!

Couldn't agree more! So much nicer than the fans (although we carry those around with us, too).

 

[SuperGurl]

Hi. Actually July really isnt that bad. We used to go every may when my boys were younger because I really didnt mind pulling them out of preschool and grades k-1. As they got older we no longer would pull them out. With that being said we now only go in July. They are now 16, 14 and 11. We have had no troubles with them or managing lines. You just need to be prepared. Go right out and buy a Misty Mate. GREAT GREAT GREAT !! Is all I can say about it. Much better then the spray fans. You dont need batteries you just fill with water, pump and it sprays a fine mist on you that you can regulate ( bought at walmart). They also sell $1.00 fans with soft rubber blades that you can carry ( need batteries) that actually put out a good amount of air. Bring a washcloth in a baggie with you. You can wet it and put it on your face, neck arms, whatever. DRINK< DRINK< DRINK plenty of WATER. Soda will kill you on hot days. It doesnt quench your thirst like water does. You can get free ICE COLD water all day long at the parks. All you need to do is go into any counter service at disney and ask for a large glass of ice water. They will gladly give it to you for free. Bring sunscreen, wear tank tops, flip flops. Take breaks, Make sure you stop and eat in a cool area. We love going in July. And honestly I've never found the lines to be unbearable. The longest are mid day for splash mountain and thats well duh because its hot . Make sure you get your fast pass by 11 p.m. for that and you are set. If you have any questions or need any hits please feel free to pm me. I could give you lots of great tips for surviving July.
Have a great time

Thanks for posting. I too, am going in July (2006). I was trying to see if we could go in June but that won't work out. I was wondering if 8 days were enough to cover everything at WDW in July?

 

[monorailsilver]

I have vowed to never go Easter week again.

We went the year we got engaged in 1999. As Easter approached the crowds got worse & worse.

I had gone in the summer (late July/early August) numerous times & had never left the park early but that Saturday before Easter I left the MK at 10pm or just shy of that & the MK was open til midnight.

So we will never go during a holiday week ever again.

I love the summer, go early, rest at resort, return early evening & you get to swim & only have to pack shorts & short sleeve shirts/tank tops.

So no I don't think July (non-holiday week) is as bad as Easter.