Official DL July 2015 thread

[elaine amj]

So add us to the CRAZY list! Out of nowhere I decided to look into a week trip. How crazy is the last week of July? If we go, it would be 7/19-26. How many days do you guys suggest spending at DL? What about US? We are WDW veterans but know NOTHING about DL

woohooo...join the madness

I am doing a 7 night stay with 5 park days. I have been told a good rule of thumb is to take your "perfect" WDW vacation time and cut it in half. Since we like 10-12 day WDW vacations, we chose to go with 5 day hoppers.

As for US, we just bought APs to the Orlando one so we are giving it a skip. The big difference USH has is the backlot tour and that isn't a big priority for us. The Orlando one sounds so much bigger and better. Soooo many other things to do in Cali instead.

 

[Momma2PrinceNPrinces]

Yea, you're right. The more I looked at everything we wanted to do that week, I think we're skipping US. I know we'll be back at WDW in the next few years, which will be better since right now DS isn't tall enough for a lot at US anyway.

 

[rentayenta]

How fun! We too are taking in a 1D concert (again) but this will be in Seattle on our way down to DL for the 60th on July 17th. DD (13) is a big fan of 1D and from your trip report, I see that your girls are too . And right after we get home from our DL trip, we are headed up North to catch 5 Seconds of Summer. DD says that this will be her best vacation yet since 1D, Disneyland and 5SOS are 3 of her favorite things! LOL

So fun!!!! This will be my girls 4th time seeing them. They are 18 and 16 now and still crazy about them. They met them in 2012 in Vegas. They still haven't washed those concert clothes. Both have 1D related license plates on their cars too. I told Gabby (my 18 y/o) that her Zayn7 plate is not a collector's item. We're still reeling over him leaving.

 

[alicat8]

So fun!!!! This will be my girls 4th time seeing them. They are 18 and 16 now and still crazy about them. They met them in 2012 in Vegas. They still haven't washed those concert clothes. Both have 1D related license plates on their cars too. I told Gabby (my 18 y/o) that her Zayn7 plate is not a collector's item. We're still reeling over him leaving.

I feel like that should be worth money somehow! My 6th grade girls have had a very traumatic year.

 

[Disney127]

So fun!!!! This will be my girls 4th time seeing them. They are 18 and 16 now and still crazy about them. They met them in 2012 in Vegas. They still haven't washed those concert clothes. Both have 1D related license plates on their cars too. I told Gabby (my 18 y/o) that her Zayn7 plate is not a collector's item. We're still reeling over him leaving.

We have seen them 3x - first concert was Vegas 2012 but not as lucky as your girls meeting them! DD has been lucky that we can incorporate these concerts into our vacation plans. With me being a Disney groupie and DD being a 1D groupie makes a fun household! LOL She goes to DL with me and I go to concerts with her! And yes, our household is a sadder place now that Zayn left the band - he was DD's favorite too.

 

[elaine amj]

Yea, you're right. The more I looked at everything we wanted to do that week, I think we're skipping US. I know we'll be back at WDW in the next few years, which will be better since right now DS isn't tall enough for a lot at US anyway.

It's crazy trying to fit everything in, isn't it? I keep adjusting our plans!

 

[Disney127]

29 days before we are back at Disneyland! We have been counting down the days on our phone app since we booked our flights back in Sept. Just getting really excited after reading about everyone's plans. We don't usually do TS but this time, I have booked a TS for all the 10 days that we are there. I just kept reading about people reserving lunch/dinner at many places that we haven't tried before so why not?

 

[elaine amj]

Super hyped - my boss just unexpectedly gave me the day before my vacation off! I have switched my flights and now I am getting into Cali on July 10th. I have had some adjustments to make though as originally I was flying into San Jose and spending a day in Monterey. Now I am flying into Burbank and have 2 days to explore between Burbank and Sequoia National Park. I've been looking around and I am probably going to detour to the Central Coast. Spend a night at San Luis Obismo/Pismo Beach/Avila Beach and then onwards to Sequoia where we will spend 3 full days. On July 15th, we head out first thing in the morning to drive to Anaheim (and hopefully miss rush hour traffic).

 

[Disney127]

Super hyped - my boss just unexpectedly gave me the day before my vacation off! I have switched my flights and now I am getting into Cali on July 10th. I have had some adjustments to make though as originally I was flying into San Jose and spending a day in Monterey. Now I am flying into Burbank and have 2 days to explore between Burbank and Sequoia National Park. I've been looking around and I am probably going to detour to the Central Coast. Spend a night at San Luis Obismo/Pismo Beach/Avila Beach and then onwards to Sequoia where we will spend 3 full days. On July 15th, we head out first thing in the morning to drive to Anaheim (and hopefully miss rush hour traffic).

Nice! Always a good thing to have an extra day! Sounds like a wonderful trip planned!

 

[PinkBudgie]

So add us to the CRAZY list! Out of nowhere I decided to look into a week trip. How crazy is the last week of July? If we go, it would be 7/19-26. How many days do you guys suggest spending at DL? What about US? We are WDW veterans but know NOTHING about DL

Well, first do search for Hydroguy's DLR for WDW vets guide. Second, don't think you only need two days because there are only two parks. I suggest 5 day park hoppers if you can. (I got 10 parkhoppers for WDW, so you know I like to maximize my time there) This will allow to do rope drop, take and afternoon nap, then return for the evening. You won't have to rush every where. The last week of July will not be any more crazy then the rest of summer. I actually like July best.

One big difference between DLR and WDW is at DLR you have the choice of any ride or attraction or restaurant at any given moment. It is easy to be in DL and decide you want to go on a ride DCA. Then come back later to DL and use your fast pass. And then go have dinner at DTD. At WDW we would be at one park and think of a ride we wanted to go on, but it was at another park. You can't just run over and do it. Also, the WDW podcast just did a 7 in 7 series on DLR. I recommend watching that too.

 

[CateinPhoenix]

Getting excited over here! Made ADR for Ariel's Grotto (have never eaten there since we have boys), BTRBBQ (my husband's favorite), and Café Orleans (on the 17th, was hard to find anything with availability).
Need to order our PhotoPass+ still!

 

[elaine amj]

What has been challenging is finding a hotel with availability for my pre-DLR time. The hotels I really wanted are sold out when I started looking 2-3 weeks back. I didn't expect that. I also had a change in itinerary this week and it's been challenging. But I guess Cali in July is a busy time. Still, I have almost all my alternate choice hotels booked. Just one more to go.

I booked the Fairfield Inn months and months ago for the DLR portion

 

[thmcdonald1]

Ugh... I'm taking my mom for her first time and I can tell she really wants to stay in the Grand Californian. I've booked us a reservation through Get Away Today, but I think I'm going to cancel it... It's just SO expensive!

 

[kelly3kids]

Yay, my DS is 5 and can't wait for our trip. He is pulling sticks every day to keep us from going crazy with "when is it time to go". So excited. We got our citypass and are ready to have a blast. 9 days.

 

[RobertaMomof2]

We are going the end of July, so excited!

 

[Letitia24]

We are going from July 6th - 10th. I am super excited but a bit nervous of the crowds but hoping to get an early start each day. We are staying at the Grand Californian.

 

[MeeskaMooska13]

I don't know if I should be irritated with Walt Disney Travel Company or UPS. I just received my second notice of a delivery attempt by UPS of, presumably, travel documents from WDTC. For whatever reason, the package requires an adult signature. UPS indicated they will make a final attempt tomorrow at a time that I know I won't be home. UPS will change the delivery date for $5. Seriously? I'm not sure why WDTC is making me sign for it and I'm not sure why UPS is being so slealth-like with their deliveries (I swear I was home) AND making me pay to get it! Just venting.

 

[thmcdonald1]

I don't know if I should be irritated with Walt Disney Travel Company or UPS. I just received my second notice of a delivery attempt by UPS of, presumably, travel documents from WDTC. For whatever reason, the package requires an adult signature. UPS indicated they will make a final attempt tomorrow at a time that I know I won't be home. UPS will change the delivery date for $5. Seriously? I'm not sure why WDTC is making me sign for it and I'm not sure why UPS is being so slealth-like with their deliveries (I swear I was home) AND making me pay to get it! Just venting.

If you have them hold it at a UPS facility it is free! FYI

 

[Gisele]

Ugh... I'm taking my mom for her first time and I can tell she really wants to stay in the Grand Californian. I've booked us a reservation through Get Away Today, but I think I'm going to cancel it... It's just SO expensive!

Well just do the best that you can afford. I'm sure your mom will enjoy whatever nice hotel y'all go to.
If I had my way I would stay in the dream suite at DLR with Clint Eastwood and have lifetime membership at C 33. Ah...... maybe someday. Hey! Dreaming is free man. Not much else.......
In the meantime am enjoying listening to Janis singing Me and Bobby Mcgee. Sit back man and enjoy..... Peace out!

Janis Joplin - Me & Bobby McGee:

 

[danceanddisney2010]

I am so excited for our trip!!! We will be there July 9 - 15 and staying at GCH!