June/July visitors.......

[kkhworth]

We plan on going June 29/30th thru July 6th /7th 2008. I know there *had* to be some of you all there at this time . Were there any deals this time of year? Probably not since it is a holiday, but you never know, right? Also, anyone want to comment on crowds or weather during this time frame? Thanks a bunch!!!

 

[kkhworth]

Anybody????

 

[nosnobunny2006]

OK I'll bite.

We were there at the end of July this year and stayed onsite at CSR. No there won't be any deals at that time of year because school is out and there is no problem filling rooms. The crowds this year seemed unusually large. After I returned home I heard that there was a Microsoft convention there, so that might explain it. We had decided to make the most of the fastpasses and just wait in line for anything under 60 minutes and really, it wasn't bad at all. Half the fun is meeting people while you wait. It was plenty hot so we would go back to the resort for a mid-day swim then head back to the parks. Each afternoon around 2, we could expect a tropical shower but they clear up in a half hour or so and off you go again.

One tip is to travel lightly if you can. No bags (including camera bags) means not having to wait in line for security.

Beth

 

[patsal]

I always go in July. Very few deals as it isn't difficult to fill rooms in the summer. Though July is value season at the deluxes so there is a bit of a "deal" there. This year was very crowded and we used fast passes as well as AM EMH to get through things in a timely fashion--I don't get in line for anything over 45 minutes,

 

[Diznejen1]

Yes, we too braved the July Florida heat.....but, being Floridians we were used to it. We stayed at CBR and got a Florida Residents rate, but it took several phone calls and one very awesome man at CRO to get it. The lines did seem a little long, but we tried to hit the MK on Sunday, and the others on Wednesday and Thursday.Unpopular days I guess? If we wanted to ride one ride, we'd go to the park and ride the one attraction and just do whatever else didn't have 60min wait. Going back to the resort was a MUST.
It doesn't get dark until almost 8:30pm so hopping back to a park after dinner gave plenty of daylight to walk around the parks and see the fireworks. Just keep thinking cool thoughts...and hit as many A/C attractions as you can during the hot part of the day! Have a GREAT trip!

 

[awitkov]

Our family was there June 26th thru July 5th. It was hot but not too bad. We got to the parks when they opened and we were able to ride several rides with little wait. Used fastpass a few times and did a few large waits. We went back to the resort (POR) swam and cooled off in the room. Went back to the parks in the evenings and went on many more rides. Avoid extra magic evening hours. It was a zoo. Go to a park that does not have extra evening magic hours. Also, the Epcot fireworks on the 4th were spectacular. Also, the crowds were the worst on the 3rd and 4th.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

We did Disney this past June/July, staying at the Poly from June 29th through July 6th. We took advantage of an AP discount rate at the resort and found the crowds to be heavy, but manageable. We took advantage of early EMH when available and made sure we were at each park at opening. We stayed until 1 pm each day, when it really started getting hot, then headed back to the resort to take a nap, enjoy the pool, have a late lunch at one of the monorail resorts, etc. and didn't return to the parks at night, instead, watching the fireworks from the beach of the resort. Our typical touring schedule runs like this, as we have two little girls who still need to take their naps, so going commando style is not an option for us...to tell you the truth, it never really has been.

I do have to warn you. Do not get stuck on Disney's internal roads in the few hours before the fireworks begin on the 3rd or 4th. It becomes a huge traffic jam and we almost missed the 4th of July fireworks on the bus coming back to the Poly from DTD.

 

[kkhworth]

Thanks a bunch!!! It is just DH and I, so no discounts really is not a bummer. We are only looking at $1460 for Pop, 7 nights, and 7 day hoppers. I am also hoping since that it is just us two that dealing with the heat and crowds wont be too bad. Again, thanks.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

We were there June 30th-July 7th this year. We were able to get a really awesome code but it was not a public code. AAA offers discounts for this time of year.

I think we were lucky this year as we found the weather to be not that bad. There was only a day or two where we thought it was really hot.

The only day we really encountered bad crowds was on the evening of the 3rd at the MK because of the Independence Day fireworks. Otherwise the parks were not bad crowd wise. We arrived everyday at rope drop. Did one park in the morning and then went to another one in the afternoon. I used Tour Guide Mike's park/crowd guide to decide which days to go to which parks and it worked out great We never stood in any long lines. Not once! We just arrived early when there were minimal lines and then used fastpass in the afternoons once the crowds started to build up.

We had a wonderful time and would not hesitate going at this time of the year again.

 

[kkhworth]

We were there June 30th-July 7th this year. We were able to get a really awesome code but it was not a public code. AAA offers discounts for this time of year.

I think we were lucky this year as we found the weather to be not that bad. There was only a day or two where we thought it was really hot.

The only day we really encountered bad crowds was on the evening of the 3rd at the MK because of the Independence Day fireworks. Otherwise the parks were not bad crowd wise. We arrived everyday at rope drop. Did one park in the morning and then went to another one in the afternoon. I used Tour Guide Mike's park/crowd guide to decide which days to go to which parks and it worked out great We never stood in any long lines. Not once! We just arrived early when there were minimal lines and then used fastpass in the afternoons once the crowds started to build up.

We had a wonderful time and would not hesitate going at this time of the year again.

We have thought about joining AAA just for the discount. Do you feel it would be worth that? Did you book thru AAA or just do it yourself? THANKS!!!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

We have thought about joining AAA just for the discount. Do you feel it would be worth that? Did you book thru AAA or just do it yourself? THANKS!!!

We originally booked through AAA but then changed our ressie to book with Disney when I found out about the special code that we ended up booking with. We got about 10% at the Wilderness Lodge. I believe you posted that you were staying at Pop? If so AAA usually offers a 15% discount there around that time of the year.

AAA is worth it to me. We saved a couple hundred dollars off our original reservation by booking with them, A basic membership is not very expensive, maybe $50 so you would be saving a lot of money. Not to mention with a AAA package you get special up front parking at all the parks and 10% off at the World of Disney in Downtown Disney. Also if you are driving it is great to know that you will have roadside assistance in case of emergencies.

 

[kkhworth]

Thanks. I will check into it. We are flying this time. I am just confused on AAA in general. To get AAA discount on tickets dont you have to use them? Sorry if too many Qs. I am just not sure how to do AAA discounts.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Thanks. I will check into it. We are flying this time. I am just confused on AAA in general. To get AAA discount on tickets dont you have to use them? Sorry if too many Qs. I am just not sure how to do AAA discounts.

There are two ways to book with AAA

Option 1. AAA package. This is the same Magic Your Way Package you would get with Disney but at a discount. This package includes your hotel and park tickets and the dining plan if you choose to add this on. The only way to book a Magic Your Way Package with the AAA is discount is through a AAA travel agent.

Option 2. You can book your hotel room directly with Disney and get a AAA rate. This will be a room only reservation though so it will not include your park tickets. You simply call up CRO and book your room and tell them you have AAA and would like to apply that discount to your room. You will need to present your AAA membership card at check-in otherwise they will charge you rack rate.

If you go this route you will need to buy your tickets separately. You can buy them at your local AAA where you can probably get a slight discount or you can buy them directly from Disney. You can buy them from Disney online, via the phone, at a Disney store and from your hotel when you arrive. Buying your tickets in advance will get you a slight discount no matter what.

Hope this helps clear up the AAA confusion.