July 2018 - Overwhelmed

[Daisybelle]

I'm looking for some advice from those who go more frequently. I would like to plan a trip for July 2018, as July is our favorite time to go. Summer crowds have never bothered us in the past. I find them a little easier than when I went during Dapper weekend in 2016. Just personal preference.

However. SO MUCH is going on this summer with construction. Downtown Disney is getting the new hotel and the Star Wars addition is in full swing. I'm feeling nervous about what that will mean for travelers. I haven't been keeping super up-to-date on the Disneyland news or podcasts since I didn't go on a trip in 2017. I feel a bit in the dark now!

In your experience, what do you think all of this will mean for playing in the parks by this summer??

Broad question, I know. Any advice/insight is appreciated!

 

[ParkHopper1]

Don't know what the far end of DTD will look like in summer of 18, but SWL construction is currently in full swing and it is almost zero impact on the parks. Since it is way back in the corner except for to occasional crane over the horizon you would have no idea that there is even a whole new land under construction. The have done a great job of blocking it off visually.

By Summer Pixar Pier should be open and other construction and refurbs are typically minimal over the summer season.

I would not let it slow you down one bit. Far more will be down and under refurb in the off season...not that there is an off season any more.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I wouldn't stress too much The construction in DtD starts "summer 2018" and no one knows what that means. When it is going on it will affect DLH & PP as guests walk through that area to the parks but Disney will have a plan to deal with that. StarWars construction doesn't affect DL park at all. Pixar Pier will be the question and it's too early to know if that will be up by the time you go.

 

[lalasmama]

I'm going to go ahead and repeat what others have said overall For what it's worth, I've been several times since SW:GE construction started, but not with DTD or Pixar Pier construction.

Regarding SW:GE first, the construction is in full swing now, and it's not really noticeable in the park as far as attractions closed specifically for SW:GE construction. It's not specifically increasing crowds. As a previous poster mentioned, apart from an occasional crane sighting, you'd have no idea that they are building a whole new experience!

Pixar Pier construction is slated to be done "summer 2018," which obviously is a potentially wide time frame, however, it's expected that "summer" is likely meaning early in summer (May, June), likely not July or August. There's not any "major" construction being done with this, it's more of a facial reconstruction. It will have rides down, but, again, it's expected that it will be done before you are there in July. Perhaps there could be some additional traffic around the Pier with people seeing the changes and riding the updates, but not at a "holy cow, I can't handle it" level, I don't think.

I wouldn't expect DTD construction to cause any issues in the park. A fair amount of DTD'ers are people that aren't going to the parks--locals who want to pop in for specific meal, or need to grab something at one of the shops, or even just enjoy the atmosphere; most of them aren't going to be bothered to go into the parks just because stores in DTD are closed for the time being, they are more likely to avoid the area all together, I would think.

Clearly, the thoughts of construction aren't bothering me--we have plans to go 4 times in the next 18 months

 

[tarheelalum]

You should not stress about any of the things you mentioned. They will not impact your trip other than some of the stores in Downtown Disney may be closed, but thats no big deal. Go and have a great time.

 

[Captainkidd76]

Has there been any mention of a closing date for Rainforest Cafe? We'll be there in June and my kids were looking forward to going.

 

[Daisybelle]

I'm going to go ahead and repeat what others have said overall For what it's worth, I've been several times since SW:GE construction started, but not with DTD or Pixar Pier construction.

Regarding SW:GE first, the construction is in full swing now, and it's not really noticeable in the park as far as attractions closed specifically for SW:GE construction. It's not specifically increasing crowds. As a previous poster mentioned, apart from an occasional crane sighting, you'd have no idea that they are building a whole new experience!

Pixar Pier construction is slated to be done "summer 2018," which obviously is a potentially wide time frame, however, it's expected that "summer" is likely meaning early in summer (May, June), likely not July or August. There's not any "major" construction being done with this, it's more of a facial reconstruction. It will have rides down, but, again, it's expected that it will be done before you are there in July. Perhaps there could be some additional traffic around the Pier with people seeing the changes and riding the updates, but not at a "holy cow, I can't handle it" level, I don't think.

I wouldn't expect DTD construction to cause any issues in the park. A fair amount of DTD'ers are people that aren't going to the parks--locals who want to pop in for specific meal, or need to grab something at one of the shops, or even just enjoy the atmosphere; most of them aren't going to be bothered to go into the parks just because stores in DTD are closed for the time being, they are more likely to avoid the area all together, I would think.

Clearly, the thoughts of construction aren't bothering me--we have plans to go 4 times in the next 18 months

This is very reassuring! Everyone's perspective is very helpful. Now to figure out where to stay! We've been able to stay at Paradise Pier the last 3 trips but I don't think I can swing that this year. The price has really jumped up for the summer months.

 

[Daisybelle]

Has there been any mention of a closing date for Rainforest Cafe? We'll be there in June and my kids were looking forward to going.

I don't think they have said yet. It's still the vague 'summer 2018' as far as I know.

 

[love2go2disney2]

We are going the first week in July and can not wait!!