July 13-18th...questions

[4Vals]

Hello everyone I just joined and love all the information here.

This is my first post and i had some questions. any help would be great.

we have gone to Disneyland 5 times but never in the middle of summer. we have two daughters 7 and 4. we are staying at the GCH

1. what is the weather typically like in mid July?

2. what about crowd levels?

3. what are nice shady spots for the 3:30 street party parade in DL and the 5:15 pixar play parade in CA? what time to save the spot?

4. anyone have a good spot for HSM3?

5. anyone have tips, spots to watch or how early to get to "Drawn to the Magic"? what charactors have you seen there?

6. anyother advice is also appreciated..

thank you.....

 

[Mom2Joce]

Umm, you're probably not going to like my answers to most of these questions...
1. what is the weather typically like in mid July?
The average is about 75 in July but it can get cooler and it can get hotter. As you approach 10 days out check on Google or Yahoo for the forcast!

2. what about crowd levels?
Here comes SUMMER! With the full on explosion of summer vacation, the kids are out of school and it's time to go to Disneyland! There will be crowds, there will be parades, fireworks, the full summer heat and LOTS of tourists from all over the world. Pack your patience and all your dreams because high season runs all the way through Labor Day weekend!

3. what are nice shady spots for the 3:30 street party parade in DL and the 5:15 pixar play parade in CA? what time to save the spot?
Maybe someone else can help with this regarding the shade. I just get to the parade route about an hour prior and check out the suns position and guestimate...usually works out pretty well.

4. anyone have a good spot for HSM3?
NO, it's mass humanity and a free for all...hehehehe!! I always walk by about an hour before the show and check out if anyone is sitting down yet AND where the sun is. There will be 3 sides/areas in which you can sit and depending on the sun and time I want to see the show is where I sit. ALSO, there is an information kiosk RIGHT by the show. I usually will ask for the best place to sit, at what time, and where. They are VERY helpful!!

5. anyone have tips, spots to watch or how early to get to "Drawn to the Magic"? what charactors have you seen there?
I've never done this but have seen it going on. Well, one time we were just RIGHT there when it started. There was Mickey, Cinderella and a some random dancers...it was cute..but quick. One of those things I never schedule but if we're there we'll watch it.

6. anyother advice is also appreciated..
Bring water bottles, hats, sunscreen and I LOVE those spray bottles with the fans on them...you can get them at Walmart for like a few bucks. OR spend 23.00 for one at Disneyland...hehehehe!! Fun to have in hot lines

 

[jojo&goliath]

I don't have any advice, but we'll be there at the same time (14-16th in the park, but in Anaheim from 13th-18th) and I haven't been to DL in the middle of summer since I was 15! I also have a 7 yo dd.

I'll be checking your thread for advice, too!

Oh, one bit of advice...if you have a Disney Store anywhere near you, I'd stock up on shirts and such from there before you leave. Why pay $35 for a Disney t-shirt in the park when you can get one for $5 at the Disney store? We're only spending money on small souvenirs (magnets, shot glasses, etc.) at the park. We got 5 Disney t-shirts for the kids, a pair of pjs for dd, a sweatshirt for each kid, a pr of Tink sunglasses, a regular-sized plush Thumper, plus a shirt for mommy and daddy for $65 at the D-store (the one by us is an outlet store so the prices are rock bottom)! We couldn't even get one shirt for each of us at DL for that price! We're a military family traveling on a budget, so we've decided what things we're willing to splurge on (and what we're not). We've all been to DL (except DS, who won't care about a DL t-shirt anyway) and have shirts from our previous visit, so we'll be saving our moolah for other things! Like churros. I *heart* DL churros!

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Make sure to wish Disneyland a Happy 54th Birthday on July 17th, but expct crowds on that day to be busier than usual with lots of locals coming for a visit. -- Suzanne

 

[4Vals]

thank you so much for then information. went and got some spray bottles yesterday..

 

[Mom2Joce]

thank you so much for then information. went and got some spray bottles yesterday..

One more thing...PLEASE try them out before you go...with batteries and all...the last few I got didn't work??? Not sure why?? So give them a try before you pack and leave!!

 

[TravelinGal]

One more thing...PLEASE try them out before you go...with batteries and all...the last few I got didn't work??? Not sure why?? So give them a try before you pack and leave!!

Also pack extra batteries and when you pack the bottles make sure the batteries are not in them! If they get bumped and turn on it could burn out the motor (since the blades won't have room to turn when packed)

We got one at WDW a while back and DS just wanted to spray it. Everywhere except on himself. I spent half the day appologizing to people (most of who said they didn't mind, but honestly -who likes being sprayed when they're not expecting it... ) and the other half of the day with DS upset because I'd taken it away.
We didn't take it on our next WDW trip and every stinking time we passed a place that had them he started in on wanting one. (even though it was Feb and way too cool for one!)
I'm thinking I might look for one of the Misty Mate type ones instead for our next trip. A much finer spray/mist so it won't be a shocking if he gets other people...

 

[4Vals]

OH sorry that is what i got the Mist/Spray bottles. i went to Big 5 (a sporting goods store) and they had some on sale this week. they were normally $24.99 on sale for $9.99. i beleive they are 10oz bottles. they come with a holder ( like a butt pack)that has velcro. i figure i can strape them to the stroller and they each can have there own. i tested them and they work great.

they were also having a big sale on binoculars. i got a compact pair for $10.00 normally $24.00. the last time we went, i would take my kids swimming and my wife and mom would watch us from the room and so this way for $10.00 they can us them and the girls can look around the GC resort while we are "resting".