July?

[SandraC]

Hello Fellow Disney Lovers! We are considering driving to WDW from Toronto, Ontario June 30 and staying a couple of weeks.

We have never done Disney in July. I understand that it's hot, crowded and often rains in the afternoon. If we got up early to do the parks and took swimming breaks in the afternoon and then back to the parks at night, would that work in July? Which park is best during the afternoon thunder storms? Thanks! Sandra

 

[Bob P]

Hi Sandra,

You will be arriving at the busiest time of the summer, coinciding with the July 4 holiday. Having said that, thousands of people do it every year and have a great time!

Yes, it does rain almost every afternoon, so just keep ponchos handy. Or if you are back at the room or the pool, use that time to chill out and freshen up for dinner!

Bob

 

[cmonroe]

Sandra,

My Brother went in July of last year. It is exactly how you state, crowded, hot/humid and rainy.

However, that does not mean one cannot go. I went in August of 04 (in between the hurricanes) and it was 90 degress and 90 % humidity almost every day.

If you visit the parks in the morning, take a break mid-day to go to the pool or to take a nap and return to the parks at night, you will be fine. Remember the parks are open late durning the summer months. You'll still have crowds to deal with, but it is managable!

Depending on the kind of rain you get, will depend on how much the parks clear out.
If you get a short down pour, most people stick it out. But if you get a continual rain for a while, people will certainly clear out of the parks. You'll be wet(sim poncho), but you'll have better wait times. July wouldn't be my first choice, but if it were July or nothing, I'd do it in a heart beat!

 

[loadsapixiedust]

We arrived from Scotland last June 30th and yes, it was hot, and humid, but we didn't have rain every afternoon or if we did it was often short-lived. A lot of days we were able to eat while it was raining or take in an indoor attraction so the rain and thunderstorms really didn't spoil anything for us.

We did find the heat and humidity a challenge, not being used to that at home, but soon found ways to cope like taking an afternoon break in the pool or having a leisurely long lunch before hitting the parks again in the relative cool of the evening.

The crowds, although the worst we had seen were not a huge problem either as we missed the busiest period in the afternoon. The EMH were a great help to us giving loads of extra park time in the evenings or a head start in the morning.

I would go in July again no problem, but it wouldn't be my first choice.

 

[nluvwithmickey]

If you do what you just planned on doing. You should be o.k.. We have done WDW in July 3 times and your plan sounds good.


We usually take our breaks in the parks (cool off with a long lunch) and we try to stay in the air conditioned areas until the sun goes down a little. The evenings are still pretty warm but at least you don't have the blazing sun on you.

It is doable, have fun! We are skipping July this year(kids had a rough time in the heat last time). January is likely to become our new favorite month to travel...

 

[Randy K]

Don't assume the afternoon rain is always true its a generalization based on July being a heavy rain month in Florida but weather always varies from year to year. We went 4th of July week in 2001 for 7 days and it only rained on one afternoon for about 30 minutes. That was the only rain we saw. It was hot but the crowds were nowhere near as bad as I was lead to believe. Compared to Disneyland, California in the Summer the crowds were average. Just be sure to plan your days and you'll be fine.

 

[SandraC]

We plan on eating breakky in the room [save money and time] and then heading to the parks early ~ play in the parks for a couple to three hours and then lunch somewhere. We were thinking about making lunch our biggest meal of the day. Then rest in AC or swimming in the heat of the afternoon. Light dinner and then back to the parks. Are crowds lighter in the morning and after dinner? Thanks! Sandra

 

[pigby]

We were there this July - last two weeks - only rained one day in 14 (and only a brief shower) but boy was it hot. We just headed back to the hotel early afternoon and went back to the parks later in the day - big plus parks open later. We found the second parade at MK and the second showing of Fantasmic a big bonus at that time of year - very light crowds.

Went back to WDW at the end of October - much wetter than July - ran right into Hurricane Wilma - and much cooler than last October. So much for the predictable Florida weather!

Motto of the story is, with a bit of planning, July is very do-able.

 

[PrincessLindy]

When we went in July we also really worked the fastpass system. We always had a fastpass in hand. As soon as we were able to grab another one we would send one person ahead to the next area to get one. By time we were there it was time for the fastpass. The exception being the really big rides, at that time Test trac etc, which we always hit on opening before the lines got too long.

If you have children I would recommenf strollers with a covering. It helped when she could crawl in there and get out of the sun and rest her legs. You get tires easier when it is that hot.

Of course drink tons of water. We had bottles that we refilled at the water fountains. Disney has alot, but some were better than others. Avoid caffinee as is seems to dehydrate you.