July?

[awatt]

I'm considering a visit to WDW in July,probably 2nd week.

My favorite time to go is mid-November,but that's not an option next year.

Would appreciate any comments on crowds, Brazilian tour groups etc. We've never been in July or August. Closest we've been is third week of June.

I know it will be very very hot.

 

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

We were there this past July (first week) and didn't find it that bad at all (ok, July 4th was pretty crowded, but...). Go and expect crowds, but you can still have a fantastic time. I don't think we had any horrible waits for rides (or we FP). We had a great time.

 

[jel0511]

Expect heavy crowds, with the most popular rides running 60 - 90 minutes waits for most of the day. Fast Pass comes in real handy during those times. The Brazilian Tour Groups will be everywhere, and sometimes can be annoying. Not because they're Brazilian, because they're teenagers. Just imagine any large group (usually around 30) of teenagers traveling together. It does get chaotic, they can be loud and obnoxious, and are notorious for having only a couple of their party wait in line and then have the rest join in. It's not at all about their heritage or where they are from, it's just a bunch of teenagers being teenagers. There are usually afternoon thunderstorms that can last anywhere from a few minutes to hours. It doesn't damper our day, it just cools things off, and we go about our day. We've been going every summer since 2001, and love the summer. The later hours really help spread things out, and you need that in the summer. Don't expect to be able to stay in the parks all day, because the heat will get to you. Plan on afternoon breaks to cool off and recharge.

 

[lovmy2girls]

We were there July 4-14. We arrived late day on the 4th at the Poly. Very crowded at the MK and the rest of the trip I honestly could not tell any difference. The lines for the popular rides (fast pass rides) were very long waits, longer than 1 hr. The fast passes even sold old in Epcot for Test Track or Mission Space I forgot which one. It took us 3 days to do the MK, but we took breaks mid day with the girls. We usually go off season, but this was the only time for us to go too, and we knew it was going to be crowded. I thought I knew what to expect. The pools were very crowded at the resort mid day as well as evening. We live in FL so heat to us is not that big of a deal, but MGM, the heat felt more unbearable because of all the concrete. AK because of the vegetation all around was not that bad to us.

 

[sugermouse]

We were there this past JUly and didn't think it was that crowded. You have the added bonus of e rides nights in the summer. We did three the week we were there. It is hot but we did not find it unbearable. Also, keep in mind that the parks are open very late so there is ample opportunity to enjoy the major attractions.

 

[swilphil]

Originally posted by jel0511
Expect heavy crowds, with the most popular rides running 60 - 90 minutes waits for most of the day. Fast Pass comes in real handy during those times. The Brazilian Tour Groups will be everywhere, and sometimes can be annoying. Not because they're Brazilian, because they're teenagers. Just imagine any large group (usually around 30) of teenagers traveling together. It does get chaotic, they can be loud and obnoxious, and are notorious for having only a couple of their party wait in line and then have the rest join in. It's not at all about their heritage or where they are from, it's just a bunch of teenagers being teenagers.

We were there the second week of July this year and the first week of July last year, and I found just the opposite to be true.

The longest we waited for a ride this year was about 30 minutes, and that was for the Great Movie Ride during a torrential downpour. Everyone headed for the same indoor ride apparently. Other than that we usually only waited 10-15 minutes for a ride. We did use fastpass as much as possible and we took afternoon breaks every day. I did notice young people that were part of tour groups, but they were always very well behaved. We stayed at the Swan and didn't notice any tour groups there. The worst thing about July is the terrible heat and humidity. We used EE at MK and went to the other parks at opening the day after their EE. If you avoid July 4th and the few days afterwards, the crowds shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Cinderella37]

I agree with swilphil. We go every year in July (and have been for almost 12 years). The waits last year were completely managable as long as you used Fastpass for the very popular attractions. Granted, we're used to crowds and take our time (and use E-Ride Nights), but we didn't feel that it was extremely crowded.

Several years ago, the tour groups were a nuisance, but WDW has dramatically cracked down on them. The groups usually don't stay at WDW hotels, as far as I know. The groups now are much more polite and well-behaved. WDW has also been better about not letting them save places in line for the entire group.

We love going in July and as long as you understand that it will be crowded and hot and have a positive attitude, you'll have a great time!

 

[awatt]

Thanks for all your replies. I think I'm going to do it!

Now, I'll be working on where to stay.