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).

Best character - Frollo - hands down. Perfect drama, even wrote "She is a gypsy!!!" next to the Snow White autograph. What a ham.

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 trip report, theme park, and restaurant boards.)

 

[LMC]

Sorry to hear about a bad meal but since you mentioned it...
I am planning a dinner at Cinderell's Gala at the Grand Floridian. Is that the same dinner you had??? If so, why was it so bad.
TIA!

 

[Commando]

Yes, that's the same dinner. Sorry to report that it was pretty bad. The only food that wasn't too bad was the prime rib. Even the desserts were poor. Also, I think it wasn't, shall I say, as elegant as I expected. Perhaps I just caught them on a "bad night." I hope your experience is much better than ours.

 

[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.

 

[LMC]

Can't wait to see the rest of your report when you post later. This will be our 4th trip in 5 years so I don't know why I obsess and fret over all the details. I'm checking these boards every day and night to get any addt'l tips, suggestions. We are going in November (maybe one day I'll figure out how to do all those cutsie things with my signon and info!).

 

[always dreamin']

I hear you on avoiding July because of the crowds and heat. We were there in '96 for the week of the 4th. I even like the heat (I hate air conditioning), and it was too hot for me! Taking a break at the resort pool during the day didn't help much either. The pool was too warm to be refreshing. That was and will be the last time we ever go in July again. We prefer November!

 

[BounceyOne]

I totally agree on the 4th not being the time to go to disney! We did this with friends a few years back and haven't done it again.
I did have to laugh though when I saw you were fron N.O. and said it was hot at WDW I would ahve thought it fealt cooler there then at home for you.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Did your group plan your trip together? How did you handle PS?
Were you able to book everything as a group?

Some of my cousins, aunts, and I are thinking about taking our kids to WDW together next summer. We have to go in July because the kids in New York do not get out of school until the end of June and the ones in South Carolina have to go back to school in early August. July is the only time everyone can go without any of the kids missing school.

 

[Commando]

disneyjunkie - I was designated to make the room and dining reservations. It took almost an hour to book 8 rooms with WDW Travel. Apparently, they have to do each room separately. Lesson learned -- Call on a cell phone that has "free" long distance minutes on the weekend. As for dining PS, we only planned one meal together. 33 people at 1900 Park Faire. Due to the size (anything over 16 or 20 people, I think it is), they put me through to the Group Dining line, and I had to leave a credit card number to get a PS for that large of a group. The only "freebie" we got as a group was a round of mini golf for everyone. Some used it, some didn't. Overall a good trip, although I'm just glad it wasn't our first time at WDW.

BounceyOne -- As for the heat, it is hot in New Orleans. For some reason though, it at least seems hotter at WDW. I think it's standing in the heat on concrete.