***** Official * July 2017 * thread! *****

[ThistleMae]

Hi All first post. Brand new to disboard.

Will be staying at poly july 1-8. Never have been there for a 4th. First time there, first time at DW as a family (w/a 1 year old)

Does MK historically hit capacity on the 3rd?
My idea was to do MK on the 3rd and Poly beach on the 4th. What do you all think?

BTW, very excited for Pandora, had no idea it even existed until this thread.

Any recommendations for first time summer family?

Welcome! It's so fun in here learning from each other and reading the how excited everyone is! We are going in July. It's me and my two adult cousins. They have only been once, so I'm in charge of being their tour guide. I've never been in the summer and I don't like the heat but I'll take breaks to cool off. Can't wait!

 

[ThistleMae]

We ended up booking a TH ROL package for dinner the night we are hoping to see RoL - I was able to do because we are arriving June 24 - I'm not sure if we will keep it - if we can get a FP+ for it - we'll have to decide when we get closer and really look at our ADRs. I'm wondering if AK FP's will end up getting tiered with the 2 new rides at Pandora opening and ROL - I could see people want just those 3 FP's which would cause a bit of an issue - we'll have to wait and see!

Yeah, there are already speculations about the tiers in here. You know how they go, you can usually only get one of the popular rides. Have to plan more than one day to get all three.

 

[ThistleMae]

Here's my July trip planning progress report:

• Hotels booked...check
• ADRs booked (mostly)...check
• Cruise booked...check
• Transportation arranged (we are driving)...check

So the basics are covered. Still to come are:

• DCL check-in (we're first timers, so can't do this for awhile yet)
• FP+ bookings
• Online hotel check-in (if we elect to do that; have heard mixed opinions)

Currently obsessing about:

• Watching for RoL dining packages to become available for July
• Watching for Trattoria's new character breakfast bookings to open (and then hoping they will be available in July)
• Watching for the DVC Moonlight Magic nights at Typhoon Lagoon in July to open for reservations
• Waiting for summer park hours to be updated (I have a feeling this will be a long wait)
• Whether I'm forgetting about anything else I should be obsessing about!

Things I could be planning but am procrastinating on (not "fun" planning stuff):

• Booking wheelchair for my mom
• Creating a list of breakfast, snack, and beverage items to have on-hand
• Linking my mom's ticket to MDE for future FP+ planning

How's everyone else doing!?

Would really like to see the summer hours...hopefully they are past 9 p.m. My daughter keeps telling me they will be and she is a Disney expert. Booked all my ADR's. Can't book FP+ until 30 days out as we are staying off site. Hoping I can figure out my schedule once they come out. Often times they conflict with my ADR's so may have to move stuff around.

 

[ThistleMae]

What are every ones plans for mid day when it is so hot?

Drinking plenty of water and ducking into the shops to get a quick refresh. Summer is tough for me and I hope I don't hate it. We did universal in Sept. and it was brutal, we went to the resort every afternoon to get in the pool and then we went back out at night. I think my cousins, who I'm going with, don't mind the heat, so I'll just be toughing it out.

 

[ThistleMae]

4 months to go everyone.....I'm getting excited!

Here's a question....

My kids desperately need new swimsuits. What's on your absolutely, must buy list for your trip?

White, super light material, long sleeve shirt for sun protection. Hat.

 

[dpswift]

The fireworks from Poly are just okay, nothing like being at MK. But, if you are already viewing at MK on another night, it's kind of cool to watch from the beach.

I just would prefer not to go into the parks on the 4th.

 

[ThistleMae]

I just would prefer not to go into the parks on the 4th.

Understood...it will still be fun!

 

[Disneylover99]

We are going July 21 - 28th. I couldn't get BOG for the date I wanted but that's okay. We got everything else we wanted. The lunch there is okay but nothing that great. The desserts aren't that spectacular either but the atmosphere is so cool. Will skip it this time. There are some things we just save for the next visit instead of rushing around to everything. It works for us.

Dates added!

 

[ThistleMae]

Is it July yet?

 

[LisaCM614]

Is it July yet?

I'm not one to wish my life away but with the blizzard in the northeast today, I can't wait for the melting heat of Disney in July!

 

[ThistleMae]

I'm not one to wish my life away but with the blizzard in the northeast today, I can't wait for the melting heat of Disney in July!

I hear you! I'm in NH. We have about 7 inches so far and the wind is whipping and the snow is coming down hard! Sweet July....do I hear you calling my name?

 

[dpswift]

I'm not one to wish my life away but with the blizzard in the northeast today, I can't wait for the melting heat of Disney in July!

Hear you, The snow is crazy. Everything around here is closed

 

[LisaCM614]

Hear you, The snow is crazy. Everything around here is closed

Just got the phone call, school is closed here in CT tomorrow too!

 

[1911]

...Just booked our trip for the 16th to 23rd,staying POR for the second time.

 

[Disneylover99]

...Just booked our trip for the 16th to 23rd,staying POR for the second time.

Dates added!

 

[lauralarissa]

Have all dining booked and DD's BBB. Now just waiting on fast passes!! We will be busy eating a lot this trip!
Whispering Canyon, Via Napoli, Planet Hollywood, 50's, San Angel, T Rex, Yak and Yeti, Sci Fi

 

[jaz0308]

When oh when are they going to release the ROL dining packages for July???? I"m getting tired of waiting and checking! LOL!

 

[LisaCM614]

Have all dining booked and DD's BBB. Now just waiting on fast passes!! We will be busy eating a lot this trip!
Whispering Canyon, Via Napoli, Planet Hollywood, 50's, San Angel, T Rex, Yak and Yeti, Sci Fi

You have some of my favorites there! Sci Fi is our favorite for lunch at DHS, while it isn't the worlds best burger it is so nice to sit in the cool and dark after being in the hot summer sun all morning. The kids love it.

 

[LisaCM614]

Drinking plenty of water and ducking into the shops to get a quick refresh. Summer is tough for me and I hope I don't hate it. We did universal in Sept. and it was brutal, we went to the resort every afternoon to get in the pool and then we went back out at night. I think my cousins, who I'm going with, don't mind the heat, so I'll just be toughing it out.

We visited WDW last summer same time frame as this year - late June into the first week of July. It is hot and it has a tendency to rain. My kids are older and we visit just about every year so our touring strategy may not work for you. We found that yes, early morning RD until lunch is a great way to tour. HOWEVER - everyone was very frustrated that it would start raining as soon as we got back to our resort. So we switched things up, some days early RD, others sleep in, go to the pool and then go to the parks when it starts raining! Come back to the resort get into dry clothes for dinner and the evening. We don't wear ponchos - we wear our good LL Bean and Lands End rain jackets and hats or visors under the hood. Now granted it didn't rain every day when we had that in our plan and when it didn't we just stayed poolside and toured the parks at night. This works really well if you are planning an MK night or a DHS night. Curious about others? How do you tackle the heat through your touring plans?

 

[ThistleMae]

Hmmm...thinking about rain gear? I don't want to carry my jacket around. Maybe I'll just get one of those cheap rain poncho's and put it in my fanny pack. I don't even like to wear that. Hmmm....got to think about this one.