*OFFICIAL* July 2010 Thread! It’s Hot. It’s Crowded. AND WE LOVE IT!

[tinkerbell60]

Funny you mention this...we saw several Brazilian tour groups on our July 2008 trip (we were there the 13th to the 18th, right smack in the middle of the month). However, the crowds of them didn't affect us or bother us at all. The closest we came to being affected by them was actually on our very last morning. We had a 7AM ADR for Chef Mickey's, and we got there at 6:45. There was one party of 4 ahead of us so we were happy! About 3 minutes after we arrived, a tour group of at least 100 people arrived. Boy did we feel lucky that we got there right before them, but I was worried that the buffet lines would be impossible. Once we entered the restaurant and the server took our drink order, I went up to the buffet to get the boys some food. No line problems. DH went up while I cut up the food for the boys at the table and stayed with them. He had no problems. Then I went up to get my own food. No problems, the tour group was already in line but the line moved well, none of the tourists were rude at all, and I didn't sense that they felt that they could just take over the restaurant because it was such a large group. So, even though we were there at the exact same time, their presence did not negatively affect us at all! And believe me, even though there was only the one party of 4 ahead of us and then the tour group right behind us, plenty of people that were behind them were eating at the same time as we were! So, in this particular case, Disney was very efficient and the tourists were not acting rude. On the contrary, I have been at attractions, restaurants, stores, etc. at the same time as a small group of 3 or 4, or even a solo tourist and have encountered rude people. It's just the luck of the draw.

You are right, there are sometimes that other guests are rude, and they are not necessarily the Brazilian tour groups - but the large groups can be a little intimidating sometimes!

 

[SRUAlmn]

You are right, there are sometimes that other guests are rude, and they are not necessarily the Brazilian tour groups - but the large groups can be a little intimidating sometimes!

That was really the main 'issue' we had. Not so much rude, but just all-encompassing because they travel in such large groups all together.

We had multiple times that we showed up at a CS restaurant and then 100+ of them would come in right behind us and the place would just be way too crowded.

It's also tough before SpectroMagic. They normally get there about 1 1/2 - 2 hours before it starts and sit all over the sidewalks along main street. Well, when you have hundreds of people sitting on the sidewalks it's really hard to get through. Add in the LOUD chanting and singing and it just changes the mood of the Magic Kingdom, you know? Instead of hearing the beautiful mood music and seeing all the streetlike details, you see masses teenagers in colorful shirts and hear them singing & cheering/chanting. It very much alters the experience that Disney has worked so hard to convey. They want to transport you in time, and that doesn't happen.

 

[SRUAlmn]

can someone post the link for sticks and stones - i'm looking them up and i get

a rock band
a wilderness camp
an Exterior design company
a software company
a kitchen manufacturing company
the "stick and stones my break my bones" kids taunt
a publishing company


holy cow - so many "sticks and stones" companies.

This was the one I found. I don't know if it's THE one that was mentioned, but it's so cool!! They're pretty expensive, so I'm hoping the Disney ones are just the prints that you can buy and then frame yourself
http://www.createsticksandstones.com/

 

[tinkerbell60]

Ok - here are my updated ADRs - sorry Nikki!!!

Cancel:
7/3 - The Wave
7/4 - La Cellier
7/5 - Chef Mickeys


Add:
7/4 - Tutto Italia - 2:35pm
7/9 - Chef Mickeys - 5pm
7/11 - The Wave - 6:50 pm
7/13 - 1900 Park Fare - 9:05am

I am still on the fence about Chef Mickey's. Dinner has gotten really expensive, and it is not getting good reviews lately. Tutto Italia and 1900 Park Fare are new for us. We decided to skip La Cellier (as much as I love it) since we just ate there in March.

 

[LuvMySoldier07]

Hi July People! I am almost done making all our ADR's, but am having trouble deciding on my last one. I can't decide on dinner at Tutto Italia's or Chefs De France. My family used to love Alfredo's and it was a family tradition to eat there at least once every trip. I am dying to try it since the change, but have been reading really negative reviews. On the other hand, Le Chefs seems really nice but I am not really a fan of anything on the menu. I am leaning more towards Italy, but can only snag a 8:15pm reservation. Hmm not sure what to do. Any feedback would be appreciated!
Anyway, Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there!

 

[Zuzu03]

Happy Mother's Day!!!

 

[tinkerbell60]

Hi July People! I am almost done making all our ADR's, but am having trouble deciding on my last one. I can't decide on dinner at Tutto Italia's or Chefs De France. My family used to love Alfredo's and it was a family tradition to eat there at least once every trip. I am dying to try it since the change, but have been reading really negative reviews. On the other hand, Le Chefs seems really nice but I am not really a fan of anything on the menu. I am leaning more towards Italy, but can only snag a 8:15pm reservation. Hmm not sure what to do. Any feedback would be appreciated!
Anyway, Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there!

Well, I just booked Tutto Italia - we have never eaten there either. I did book lunch, not dinner because the prices are a little less. We have done Chef's de France a few times. We have done dinner once and lunch twice. We liked the lunch special that includes the French Onion soup and the salad and ham & cheese sandwich. It was very good, but a LOT of cheese. DH was less impressed the second time we ate there - but he is ultra picky.

I try to take dining reviews with a grain of salt. It is such a personal preference. We will give Tutto a try and see how it goes.

 

[mdrob214]

Teacher here too I guess it would make sense that the July thread would be made up of a lot of teachers We have 18 days left (2 of which are 1/2 days for the kids.) Come on summer!


On another note for the July peeps...
This might be a 'sore subject,' but we have gone in July for the past 3 years because we got married in WDW in 2007 and then have gone each year for our anniversary. Last year, however, we went in late June/early July instead of going during our anniversary week (July 12) for one reason... the Brazilian tour groups. Does anyone know if they are still out in full force in mid-July?

We were there July 9-16 last year. There were several tour groups in each park we went into, but we had no problems. If they went to RnR, then we went to ToT. Basically we went the opposite direction and had no problems. Never encountered them in any restaurants or anything. The good thing is they are easily spotted in their matching shirts and with their flags.

 

[Tinks]

This was the one I found. I don't know if it's THE one that was mentioned, but it's so cool!! They're pretty expensive, so I'm hoping the Disney ones are just the prints that you can buy and then frame yourself
http://www.createsticksandstones.com/

Yes, this is my friend's company and yes it is expensive. She said they are trying to maintain a quality product so the prices are what they are. She also said they have been approached by other "big box" companies but didn't go with any other company because they want to keep the image and quality and not cheapen their product for quantity sales. ??? Anyway, this is them.

I will ask her to see if she can tell me which stores in the World. They will be in Michaels on Aug 1st along with a photo of the family and the cute story of how the company came about.

I'll let you know what I find out.

 

[Kurby]

do you know if she will have preset words spelt out in the disney letters or if you will be able to spell names?

i like the idea she has now but can't wait to see what she comes up with at disney world.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Ok - here are my updated ADRs - sorry Nikki!!!

Cancel:
7/3 - The Wave
7/4 - La Cellier
7/5 - Chef Mickeys


Add:
7/4 - Tutto Italia - 2:35pm
7/9 - Chef Mickeys - 5pm
7/11 - The Wave - 6:50 pm
7/13 - 1900 Park Fare - 9:05am

I am still on the fence about Chef Mickey's. Dinner has gotten really expensive, and it is not getting good reviews lately. Tutto Italia and 1900 Park Fare are new for us. We decided to skip La Cellier (as much as I love it) since we just ate there in March.

Hi July People! I am almost done making all our ADR's, but am having trouble deciding on my last one. I can't decide on dinner at Tutto Italia's or Chefs De France. My family used to love Alfredo's and it was a family tradition to eat there at least once every trip. I am dying to try it since the change, but have been reading really negative reviews. On the other hand, Le Chefs seems really nice but I am not really a fan of anything on the menu. I am leaning more towards Italy, but can only snag a 8:15pm reservation. Hmm not sure what to do. Any feedback would be appreciated!
Anyway, Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there!

I've never eaten at Tutto but I've seen pictures and it looks good to me! I've eaten at Chefs for lunch and it was really good. We are going back for lunch this time.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Brazilian Tour Groups! We saw them a few of the days we were there last July. I don't think any of them were particularly rude, maybe just a little loud and obnoxious...and large!! I can't believe how much they stick together! We had a hard enough time not splitting up from my sister and her husband when we went together, I don't know how they do it!

I have a picture of the back of one of their shirts so I went to their website. They don't have exact dates of their trips but they do have itineraries. Soooo, if we see them in MK one day, I'm going to look and see where they will be the next day and try to go somewhere else!!! I think they are more mid-July though...

 

[PopArtGal]

I've seen tour groups from May through July But mostly all th

 

[PopArtGal]

I've seen tour groups from May through July But mostly all through July

 

[ocalla]

Since this will be our first July (or any summer month for that matter) visit, we wondered about dining. We are not big ADR type people, and prefer to just "wing it" when it comes to planning our days. We will probably have a quiet breakfast at one of the resorts, then head out to the parks, have a snack or two then a light lunch, and try to have a late dinner. I'm not sure if walking up to a sit down restaurant is even possible during this time?? Would it be easier to leave the park if we want a nicer meal, an head over to a resort, then go back to the pak? Any and all tips would be truly appreciated.

 

[tinkerbell60]

Since this will be our first July (or any summer month for that matter) visit, we wondered about dining. We are not big ADR type people, and prefer to just "wing it" when it comes to planning our days. We will probably have a quiet breakfast at one of the resorts, then head out to the parks, have a snack or two then a light lunch, and try to have a late dinner. I'm not sure if walking up to a sit down restaurant is even possible during this time?? Would it be easier to leave the park if we want a nicer meal, an head over to a resort, then go back to the pak? Any and all tips would be truly appreciated.

I know what you mean - DH hates being tied to ADRs and I get tired of counter service. I make a few ADRs just to make sure we have a few decent meals. Last summer, in July, I was able to get some same- day ADRs a few times by going to guest services in the parks. I was able to do Teppan Edo and 50s Prime Time. One thing that can work, is doing "off" times - like a late lunch 2-3pm or early dinner - 4pm. I don't know about the later times, but I would think those might work too. The big thing is, you cannot be picky about where you eat. You can also try walk ups - I have heard that sometimes there are extra tables. I don't think you will have much luck at the more popular places, but I would think some of the resort restaurants and less popular restaurants you might be able to get in.

 

[jesridge]

I finished some of our ADR's and we made a small change to our trip we decided not take an Adult only trip, we are Bring the kids along
They were happy!!!

July 2nd
4:50pm~Crystal Palace

July 3rd
5:00pm~Yak & Yeti's

July 4th
5:20pm~ Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

July 5th
8:40am ~1900 Park Fare

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

I finished some of our ADR's and we made a small change to our trip we decided not take an Adult only trip, we are Bring the kids along
They were happy!!!

July 2nd
4:50pm~Crystal Palace

July 3rd
5:00pm~Yak & Yeti's

July 4th
5:20pm~ Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

July 5th
8:40am ~1900 Park Fare

 

[EclecticWAHM]

Had to be done...makes for a more relaxing day and more resort/pool time

July 23 - changed lunch from Crystal Palace @ MK to Yak & Yeti @ Animal Kingdom at 12:30, and changed dinner from Tony's Town Square at 7:15 to Crystal Palace at 7:30.

Hopefully that's the last ADR change.

And SERIOUSLY July needs to get here SOON because they just forecasted up to a foot of snow here on Tuesday night. :-/ Come ON....it's MAY!!!

 

[catho72]

Yippee!!!!!!!

Two months from today, we'll be leaving home for our 18 hour drive from Chicago to Kissimmee!!!! Yay!!!! I am so excited!!!!!

My Mother's Day gift from my family is a Keys to the Kingdom Tour! I'm so excited. I don't even mind that I'll be going on the tour alone. This will be the best Mother's Day gift I've ever received. Last year, we were at WDW for Father's Day, and his gift was the Segway tour through Epcot. He loved it! I can't wait to book the tour tomorrow. I wish my almost 11-year-old daughter was old enough to take the tour with me. She'd love it almost as much as me! Yes, I've taught her quite well!

Happy Mother's Day fellow July travelers!!!!!