July, how crazy is it?

[eeyoremylove]

Our Vacation is the first week of July, can someone experienced, tell me if this week is more busy than other times of the year. Oh and also I know its gonna be hot, but how hot are we talkin?

 

[Disneyland Princess]

Well if your going to be there the 4th expect crowds, wall to wall people at night. During the early morning hours though its actually not that bad, we experienced that the morning of the 4th is not very crowded maybe because people are sleeping so they can stay up for fireworks? The day after the 4th was also crowded for us but nothing as extreme as the night of the 4th. Expect longish waits by afternoon every day maybe a 30-60min wait for some of the big rides (space, splash, things like that). Are 1st day was the 4th though so I have no idea how crowded the days before it are. It can be done with the correct planning and being sure to be at the front gate at opening and use your fastpasses wisely. Ive heard EPCOT is less crowded though maybe its becuase of the space they have but we were at Magic Kingdome.
How hot is it? I think it was high 80s and 90s the whole time we were there. Wear sunscreen and stay out of the sun when possible because the heat can be draining. Humidity in Florida is BAD, I hated it.
This was just are experience in July of last year, your experience might be totally different though!

Edited to add: Tour Guide Mike was a lifesaver in July, the advice on there was very helpful!

 

[eeyoremylove]

Thank you for your advice. I truely appreciate it!

 

[thistle922]

We were there this past July (5-9).

It will be hot. It will be humid. It will be PACKED.

But, it is manageable. Take breaks, bring mister fans, keep hydrated, use fastpass. Best advice I can offer is to follow a touring plan. We followed plans from Touring Plans and even though it was oh my goodness crowded, we got everything we planned on done, and the waits were not as bad as they could have been, since we utilized the plans.

I just got back from a second trip w/my mom and DS at the end of January, and I can tell you that it was WAY more enjoyable than July (LOL) but with my DH, his vacation is the first 2 weeks of July, so that's when we can go. I think that if you can get yourself psyched up for the fact that yeah, it's going to be hot, but make a concerted effort to not let it get to you, you'll be fine.

ETA: To answer your "how hot" question..most days, when we got in the car, the outside temp was already reading in the 90's. OUCH.

 

[CraftyCrissy]

How about one month later than the OP - August 2 - 9? I know its going to be hot. Crowd-wise - what are your experiences?

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

We were there early July a few years ago. We expected it to be hot, humid and crowded and it was, but not really as bad as we had prepared ourselves for it to be. In fact we have been there in the fall when it has been just as hot and crowded.

 

[RMulieri]

July 4th week, is one of the busiest of the year at WDW. The parks are wall to wall people, and some of the parks ,like the MK , can and do close because they are at capacity.The heat is bad 90's plus 100% humidity. Early August is slightly better with the crowds BUT it is still as hot.

 

[ppan77]

Atleast in early August southern schools are starting back. So it will be crowded but maybe not quite as bad as July. I would not go over a holiday ever. We did over Easter once and never again!! Too many people! but if you have to Tourguide mike is helpful!!

 

[RF536]

We were there this past year the last week of June thru July 10, and the crowds were not as bad as we had anticipated. We avoided the parks on the 4th, but since the MK does the same fireworks show on the 3rd we watched it then, and then took advantage of the EMH that night, which meant the park was open until 4am. Definately take advantage of fastpass for the rides where it is available, and the EMH we found the night ones at MK were great after the 1st hour or so the park really clears out. The non thrill rides for the most part had lines less than 30 min most of the time we were there. The other lesson we learned was don't be afriad of the rain, AK really clears out in the rain, the line for the safari went from over and hour to nothing very quickly and we ended up with our own private ride.
It will be hot and the humidity came be bad, but it is very doable if you take your time and take brakes as needed.

My family is used to waiting in line for rides at Cedar Point so for us the lines that others complain about at Disney are short compared to what we are used to, so we normally are pleased with the lines at Disney.

 

[writermommy6]

Just so you know. If it's Summer at all then it will be VERY HUMID. I'm in GA so we're sort of used to it. And yes all of the southern schools start back in August so late August should be a little less crowded.

 

[Minnie]

We normally vacation in WDW every year in July as that works best with school / work vacation schedules. This year we are considering pushing our vacation out to mid August for my son's 16th b-day

July is absolutely do-able - but you have to vacation smart

1 - Always use sunscreen. The sun is very hot - even on a cloudy day and sunburns are no fun. The spray on waterproof works best for us.

2 - Drink water. Our first trip DS got very sick as he was not drinking enough and got dehydrated. We ended up at the MK first-aid for stomach cramps and they say this is very common in the summer months. Keep pushing the fluids - water is best

3 - Take breaks - It is tough to leave all the fun of the parks for a break but trust me it is soooo worth it Tired, hot, cranky kids are no fun and this can be mostly avoided by taking a break out of the summer sun. We normally leave after an early lunch (out of the parks by noon) and then return for the evening entertainment. The value of a nap and a cool shower is amazing!

4 - Get to the parks for rope drop! - This goes hand in hand with taking breaks. If you are at the parks for rope drop you will get so much more done. Use the fast pass machines to your advantage!

Have fun

 

[yasuern]

We have done the week of the 4th 2 times at WDW - alot of what I say is just repeated info from other posters - but sometimes you need to hear something a few times to beleive it.

1. Hydration - Drink alot of water - if you feel thristy you are already becoming dehydrated.

2. go early (especially MK) and you will get tons done before 12pm - then LEAVE!!!! go have a break swim nap shower then return for the evening events.

3. USE FASTPASSES our system is FP for BTRM wait for SM because the Thunder railroad line is crowded and HOT! at DHS we do the same for ToT & RnRC fastpass RnRC wait in line for ToT. Basically if there is a choice of 2 lines and only being able to FP one we choose to stand in the coolest least crowded/squishy line.

4. Do see the 4th MK fierworks on the 3rd then see DHS fw on the 4th - then head(quickly) to epcot(Via back entrance/International gateway) and see I beleive at 9:30p their 4th FW. It can be done!


5. It is HOT and HUMID I remember it was still 86F at 9p one night leaving DHS(MGM) so prepare - even in the parks take small breaks watch street performers, have a light snack(fruit) rest as needed.

6. It was crowded but as others have mentioned it is doable - we on occassion have bailed from a line that just eneded up too long - go back later or if possible get a FP

7. If you have any desire to eat at any sit down restuarant make sure to make your advance dining reservations so you will not be disapointed if you wait until you arrive most place will be booked.


8. And most important have fun - don't be so preoccupied with whats next on your to do list/plan that you don't enjoy what you are doing - be flexible and just go with it if your plan has a monkey wrench thrown into it.


Enjoy

Sue

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

I'll add our secret since I didn't see anybody else post.

We do Vampire Visits in July. We're at the park in the morning, head back to the room at noon, SLEEP all afternoon (this is somewhat challenging the first day but you can do it), then we don't go back into the parks until around 8 in the evening. They stay open until midnight or later. That's at least 4 hours of solid park time.

Benefits? No sunburn. Not hot. Cool night time fla breeze. Not nearly as crowded. Most of the crying sunburnt babies are out of the parks.

Our kids (7 & 9 at the time) LOVED this trip. The first night the grownups will be chugging coffee to make it to midnight, after that those 3 hour afternoon naps are no problem. Kids switched to that weird schedule very fast.

We did stay up until 3 am in the MK one night and missed the EMH the next morning, but there was another 3 am park that night, so we just slept in and goofed off in the pool until 7 and then had, what, 7 hours straight in the parks? It was fun.