July 4th - Two Words - Hot & Crowded

[Commando]

Just back from WDW. DH's parents took the whole family (24 of us and counting) for a family trip. We stayed at the All Star Sports (the only place worth staying aside from the fact that it saved father-in-law between $15,000 to $18,000 versus a monorail hotel). I'll just give a few thoughts on the trip but will be MORE THAN HAPPY to answer any questions you have.

Best meal - Crystal Palace July 4th dinner

Worst meal - 1900 Park Fare Cinderella's Feast July 2nd dinner

Crowds -- So crowded on July 4th at WDW that there were lines at 30+ minutes for the train and for the treehouse. Could barely walk down Main Street. Thank goodness we were only at MK for dinner (went to Blizzard Beach during the day July 4th) but skipped the fireworks. (I would have hated to see what the post-fireworks bus lines were like.)

Best rides - Rock 'n Roller Coaster (rode it 8 times on July 5) and Summit Plummet & Teamboat Springs (the latter 2 at Blizzard Beach).

Most disappointing ride - Tower of Terror - It used to be our favorite, but we don't like the "new" random drop series. The "old" predictable series was better than any of the random series we experienced...and we rode it more than 10 times.

Memories - Flying first class roundtrip and taking a stretch white limo from and to the airport (complete with 4-foot Mickey and Disney movies on a DVD). Selective Limo - $216 round trip (including tip).

Final thought - If it's your first time at WDW, do everything you can to avoid July (or August for that matter). I can't tell you how hot and crowded it was. Didn't bother us too much since we have been to WDW so many times before and the "whole gang" was there, so we had fun even when we weren't doing anything. I can't imagine the poor people who had never been to WDW before trying to negotiate overcrowded parks in the blaring heat.

I'm more than happy to answer any questions you have.

(I'll also post this on the theme park, family, and restaurant boards.)

 

[Commando]

One more memory...I can't believe I forgot this one.

Our family opened Magic Kingdom on July3. Couldn't believe it when they asked us...almost fell right out. Great memory.

 

[Marla Hellwig]

A fun time for all was had - I know what you mean by the heat and crowds though - thanks for posting!

 

[braveheart5]

Hi- I am taking my kids to WDW for the first time. My kids are 10, 7 and 5. We are staying at the All-Star Movies Resort and our trip is slated from July 29-August 5. I am totally burned out on the "Unofficial tip books". Any suggestions for a less stressful, and more fun trip? We have unlimited access to all of the parks for all 8 days. Food is not included in our package. I am already stressing about heat and crowds. HHHEEELLLLPPPPP put me at ease! Thanks....

 

[w8ting4pooh]

We monorailed past the MK on July 4th on our way to Chef Mickey's and then again for O'Hanas. I could not believe all the people that I saw going into MK! I can only imagine all the people that you saw inside the park gates!!!

We were newbies for our trip but we seemed to do wonderfully despite the heat. We did not find the parks crowded at all - except for EE at AK and eride on 7/8. We would like to go back in the spring and see what it's like to go when it isn't 96 degrees.

 

[mrslane]

Originally posted by braveheart5
Hi- I am taking my kids to WDW for the first time. My kids are 10, 7 and 5. We are staying at the All-Star Movies Resort and our trip is slated from July 29-August 5. I am totally burned out on the "Unofficial tip books". Any suggestions for a less stressful, and more fun trip? We have unlimited access to all of the parks for all 8 days. Food is not included in our package. I am already stressing about heat and crowds. HHHEEELLLLPPPPP put me at ease! Thanks....

Although I usually don't nap when I should, most people will advise to go back to the hotel and take a break! The All Stars have neat, kid-friendly pools (that may be crowded) and a big food court. I was just at WDW a week ago and found that MK was the only park really crowded. I'm from the southeast and the heat didn't bother me. Wear lots of sun screen, though. Something that may make you feel better about your timing--teachers in my area go back 8/7 and another district the kids go back 8/7 so if all schools in the southeast are starting back near the end of your trip, perhaps they have already taken their vacation! (You are welcome to read my trip report although it doesn't include kids.) You will have a great time if you don't try to do it all!!! Have fun!

 

[braveheart5]

Thanks for the info on the schools and on the All-Star Resorts. I am sure we won't see everything and what the kids don't see/do, they won't miss. I've been reading the "Unofficial Guides" and some are contradictory. Some say use the early entry to the parks and others ward against it and say go to another park. Thoughts? How about food prices? Imagine they are outrageous. Any places stick out in your mind that are good and reasonable? I fear we will be sick of "food court" food, burgers and pizza by the time we get back to Indiana! Pop tarts will definitely be taken off the grocery list too! Can you tell me where your trip journal is? I've been told to get a stroller as well even with the ages of my kids due to the amount of walking. True? Any and all info will be helpful as we prepare to depart, 10 days and counting.

 

[OhMari]

[QUOTESomething that may make you feel better about your timing--teachers in my area go back 8/7 and another district the kids go back 8/7 so if all schools in the southeast are starting back near the end of your trip, perhaps they have already taken their vacation! [/B][/QUOTE]

Wow you really go back to school early. WI just made a new law about starting after Sept. 1. They want the kids to work for the tourist season. I can't believe WI does this, most kids I know can't find jobs in WI because we aren't a tourist State.

COMMANDO Can I be part of your family. What a great family and Father-in-law. My In-laws have 2 kids and 5 grandkids and I will never see that. They will go down with the ship with their savings, then the government will take it!

 

[mrslane]

Braveheart5: DH and I think it was really worth getting up for early entry. We were pleased at the short lines to attractions and the cooler temp. in the morning. We only did AK and MGM, so I don't know how crowded MK was at 8AM. One thing that may be true, and that we experienced, was that about 2 hrs after the early entry park opens it does get a bit crowded. However, using the Fastpass system will really help. After lunch is when we would head over to Epcot and sent the in-laws for a nap. Kids may need a break at this point. FOOD: Depending what your kids like, there are many sit down restaurants that have great entertainment. I believe there is a kids menu everywhere. Go to www.wdwig.com/menus and see! Be ready for sticker shock on the prices. You may choose to make the big meal of the day lunch since the sit-down prices are so much lower for the same item (I assume the portion is smaller, but have no proof!) Schedule a character meal. Don't look forward to the food quality--it's all about the fun w/ characters. Let me know if I can help with any food questions. Check out the restaurant part of this board.

SCHOOL: Our state is a tourism state and govt. is trying to implement a later start date for the folks around Myrtle Beach. Our teens need to work through Labor Day!

 

[bornwiththeears]

Braveheart5: The All Stars is great for kids. The first thing I would suggest you do is buy the refillable mugs - for an 8 day stay they will save you a small fortune in drinks. Bring snacks )plenty of them) for when you go back to the room. My family can only handle a few hours at a time and then it is back to the hotel. Good advice about eating your sit down dinner at lunch. Epcot has some different fare than the food court pizza, burger, chicken finger routine. However, we did enjoy the food at the food court - many options.

Have a great trip.

Annette

 

[Commando]

Sorry it took me so long to reply, but here goes:

Braveheart5: Your kids (10, 7, 5) are in the same age range as my three (DS 10, DD 8, DS 4). I am usually a big believer in using early entry (Extra Magic Hour), but I think I would not do EE in July again. It seems that those parks are the most crowded the entire day. EE seems to work great during "off" times, because you can really get so much done in that one "extra" hour. During our July trip, however, EE was so crowded, it seemed that you really couldn't do much more than 2 rides before the lines peaked -- compared to EE at MK in February when we could do all of Fantasyland (some rides more than once) and most of Tomorrowland during the first hour). You'll have a great time. You should definitely plan to go back to the hotel (swim or nap) during the middle of the day to avoid the extreme heat and crowds and head back to a park at night. (Something we NEVER do during off-season trips.)

BTW, we like the ASSp food court just fine. The variety is pretty good, the food is better than some "real" restaurants we went to (e.g., Cindy's Gala at 1900 Park Faire).

OhMari: LOL. We still do have room for a few more in the family. We were 24 on the trip, and we just found out SIL is expecting No. 25. in January.

I'd be happy to answer any other questions.

 

[999thghost]

the first time i went back to disney as an adult i went out and bought any book i could find on disney.i read those books maybe 400 times..lol when i got to disney i had a pretty good idea of what to expect but i didnt do anything in the order that i had planned in my head for all those months..i havent been back to dis since 98 and i wish i could tell you how many times ive read those travel books over and over just to have my virtual dis vacation...lol. i live through the great people in this room. besides your stories are funnier