July - What To Expect

[lmok]

Hello, We are going to WDW July 22 for a week and a half. Could anyone please tell me what we should expect as far as the heat and lines go? Also, when they have late hours, how late is late?

Thanks,

 

[dhardawa]

Expect sweltering heat and long lines. We stopped doing Disney in the summer after going once on July 4. Now we stick to November - February!

 

[WAHMto5]

As the PP stated, it is VERY HOT and crowded during July. You can check out the WDW site itself for all the hours of the parks.

 

[RumpleMom]

Two things I wish I had known before our first July trip-

1. Forget wearing make-up You will be sweating within two minutes of leaving your room in the morning.

2. Bring extra shoes- After getting caught in an afternoon rain storm, your tennis shoes will not dry out over night. It is no fun wearing soggy shoes the next day.

Now notice I said our first trip, we have returned in July, we were just better prepared after the first time.

 

[beccasmom]

It is pretty brutal. You will have BOTH long lines and hot, humid weather and it would test the patience of Job. We have done it twice - but we were all younger! Even then, I remember thinking it was not the best decision we have made in our lives. I also remember spending a lot more time at the pool. Late hours at the MK can be as late (early!) as 4:00 a.m.

If you have to go then - I know some people have little choice - here are a few tips ---

- Start as early as you possibly can to beat the worst of the heat (sun).
- Dress comfortably in light colors - shorts, tees, capris, etc. No jeans!
- Take breaks as you go along and don't push yourself or anyone else.
- Stay hydrated - water is preferable, but juice is good too; soda not so much
- Take a mid-afternoon break and go "home" to swim, nap, chill in the a/c
- Wear plenty of SPF and bring it with you to re-apply
- Think about carrying a little fan/mister
- Eat lightly - ice cream (!), sandwiches, salads, yogurt, fruit
- Pace yourself. When you need to cool off and don't want to head back to the hotel, find some a/c or shade and just relax.

 

[3mickeymom]

because that is when we CAN go.(sports schedules, school, work schedules) Is it hot? Sure. Is it FUN? Definitely! Just be prepared like the previous poster said and you can have a wonderful time. Water to drink and water to play in and you can cool off. Early starts or late nights, fast passes, pool breaks, naps- whatever works. For us, we start early then leave the parks about 12 or 1 and have a meal in a nice cool restaurant. Then back to the hotel for a rest or swim before heading back in the early evening. We don't eat dinner since no one is really hungry yet, then we have a snack in the park or munch when we get home later. With the heat, eating lighter feels better for us.

Also, the ponytail and minimal makeup is the way to go. Sunscreen and a SMILE and you are good to GO!!

 

[trennr]

Fear not...I just booked a Vacation from the 18th - 29th. The weather will be at least 10° cooler and the crowds will disipate before us.

Actually I'm hoping I have allot of good Karma heading our way as we've had FIL living with us for the past 6 Months. He's having a Knee replacement and will be in a skilled nursing facillity for several months giving us the freedom to travel.

I figure the Economy might hit WDW July crowds a little.
AND
This little link will show that Florida is not in a Drought...first time in many years this map hasn't been all Red and Orange. http://flame.fl-dof.com/fire_weather/KBDI/index.html

How this will effect the Temperature?
Probably not much...but at least we won't have to worry about wildfires.

I think we all should have a great time.

 

[beccasmom]

Also, the ponytail and minimal makeup is the way to go. Sunscreen and a SMILE and you are good to GO!!

I agree wholeheartedly! The makeup just melts off anyway! If you must, use some tinted moisturizer w/SPF and maybe some (waterproof!) mascara. Forget the elaborate hairstyles and fancy eye makeup, IMHO. You can get fancier if you are heading to a nice restaurant in the evening, but keep it as simple as possible. .

 

[DonnaBelle06]

Although I didn't go to Disney over July 4th "years ago"...I did go to FL...and WOW it was hot that year...(like 105 and the humidity was worse).

Be prepared....bring light weight/cooler clothes and yourself a misting sprayer of some kind. I am headed in August and I don't think its any cooler or hotter...and have bought 3 of those misting fans.

Someone also said get a purse size pump bottle and fill it with water to mist yourself (cheaper than the $10 fans I bought that will prob be too heavy to tote).

Get a light weight backpack/fanny pack. Some sort of hat is "A MUST" like a sun visor or ball cap type hat.

It was recommended to bring at least 2 changes of clothes per day. Sunscreen is a MUST. Keep yourself hydrated and bring a water bottle with you that you can refill at an CS for free.

HAVE FUN! I am doing Disney in Aug with my family...truly its the only time we could afford to go so WE ARE GOING!

 

[theduck619]

The lines were somewhat long when we went last. As for the weather expect heat, a little more heat and a 100% chance of sweat your bum off heat!!

 

[AshtonsMom99]

Ok I must be the only one that actually loves the heat....We go always in late June or July.....next year will be August however, because of jobs and what not. Yes it's hot, and the lines are long, but the A/C availability is plentiful...so take advantage of it

It always rains during the day so break then...
We always lunch and/or take a nap at the resort....
by evening it is tolerable, and always remember to start EARLY!!!

Stay hydrated

 

[Micka Mouse]

2. Bring extra shoes- After getting caught in an afternoon rain storm, your tennis shoes will not dry out over night. It is no fun wearing soggy shoes the next day.

I hadn't thought of this one......thanks!!!!!

For us, we start early then leave the parks about 12 or 1 and have a meal in a nice cool restaurant. Then back to the hotel for a rest or swim before heading back in the early evening.

This is what we plan on doing.

I figure the Economy might hit WDW July crowds a little.

I am hoping for this

 

[PiratesCove]

We'll be right there with you in the heat. Went in Aug in 2007 and swore we would never do the summer again! I'm a teacher, so I really only have July/Aug to vacation, so this year it's July. We know it will be hot and are planning on taking advantage of the extra magic hours and nap in the afternoon since this will be DDs (age 1) first trip

 

[Maybelle]

It is pretty brutal. You will have BOTH long lines and hot, humid weather and it would test the patience of Job. We have done it twice - but we were all younger! Even then, I remember thinking it was not the best decision we have made in our lives. I also remember spending a lot more time at the pool. Late hours at the MK can be as late (early!) as 4:00 a.m.

If you have to go then - I know some people have little choice - here are a few tips ---

- Start as early as you possibly can to beat the worst of the heat (sun).
- Dress comfortably in light colors - shorts, tees, capris, etc. No jeans!
- Take breaks as you go along and don't push yourself or anyone else.
- Stay hydrated - water is preferable, but juice is good too; soda not so much
- Take a mid-afternoon break and go "home" to swim, nap, chill in the a/c
- Wear plenty of SPF and bring it with you to re-apply
- Think about carrying a little fan/mister
- Eat lightly - ice cream (!), sandwiches, salads, yogurt, fruit
- Pace yourself. When you need to cool off and don't want to head back to the hotel, find some a/c or shade and just relax.

I am a teacher, so our previous 2 trips were taken in the summer (2005, June, 2007, July) This year we are going in August for free dining. So no choice for me, I'd rather go in the hea t than have to pay way extra for airfare over the breaks and have to fight the increased crowds.

Having said that, I do agree with the post I quoted. A couple of other comments:

*Buy some small Misty Mates...they will become your best friends!!
*Wear a hat!
*Get to the park as early as you can!!! This is, I feel, one of the most important ways to get to do what you want to do without waiting in as long of lines. If you are able, get to the park for rope drop. Until around 10am or so, youu will be able to get on plenty of attractions/rides without much wait, and grab a couple of fast passes for later! If you can get in your "must do's" early, then you will be freed up to head back to the resort to rest in the afternoon when the sun is the hottest, and not feel like you are missing as much.
*Bring clothing that dries quickly, including shoes.
*Play in the water areas of the park before you know you'll be doing a lot of walking or waiting in a long outside lines.
*sit and hydrate often.
*If you are making table service reservations, make them for lunch. It's a great time to relax and get out of the heat and re-charge. Plus, lunches are cheaper than dinners.
*Pack a lightweight button down shirt or scarf that you can easily wad up or fold up and keep in your bag...after being out in the hot air and sweating like crazy, you will get really cold if you are in the air conditioning for a while.
*Plan indoor shows during the hottest times, if at all possible, or use them for breaks every now and then to cool off.
*Unless you have really big suitcases, plan to do laundry one of the afternoons...you will go through more clothes than usual!
* Use PLENTY of sunscreen!
*make your kids wear sunglasses, if they will, to protect their eyes.
*bring some epsom salts and maybe some peppermint lotion to soak tired or swollen feet and rub into feet and legs before going to bed.

Also, although a couple of people have mentioned giving up on the makeup, I was put off by that thought, as I knew we would be taking tons of pics, and I have red blotchy skin from rosacea...I bought and started using mineral (powder)makeup (I use Everyday Minerals) before our last trip, and a light coating, and a dab of mascara covered my redness, eased my ego, and stayed put pretty well throughout the day.

Enjoy!!!

 

[NotUrsula]

No "extra" shoes will be needed if you wear the right kind in the first place. (I cannot imagine schlepping an extra pr. of shoes around the parks.) Wear sports sandals that can get wet: Keens, Tevas, Merrells, etc. The kind with a back strap are better than flops, they stay on for rides like Soarin.

 

[lmok]

OMG Thanks Everyone. All of these are great ideas and will help us out a lot!

 

[geffric]

we are going in July too.. I love the late hours for the parks so there isn't pressure to do things by a certain time.. the parks are open until 2 am or later.. so is everything.. sleep in, miss the hot part of the day and go later when it is cooler and the lines are shorter and the night is MAGICAL.. or hide in the a/c during the hot part of the day.. each park has a/c attractions that work just fine for the heat.. hang in The Land for hours to see Soaring and all the other things including the behind the seeds tour.. MK - go to country bears or Philamagic or Pirates to get away from the heat.. have a dole whip or ice cream too.. MGM - magic of little mermaid or great movie ride works to get out of the heat....etc.. really July is just fine.. wave to us when you see us.. I am the DISer without makeup in my Teva sandels.. having a great time..