****Official July 2021 Thread****

[Moochie13]

I am all kinds of jealous! The parks in Asia look completely amazing. Post when you've chosen your dates and resort and I'll add you to the guest list!

My dates are July 4-9 at WDW, then going to Universal. We are staying off-site this trip, at one of the WDW Good Neighbor hotels. (Rosen Inn)

For ADRs I wasn't able to get everything I wanted, but I did get the following: Raglan Road, Le Cellier, Liberty Tree Tavern, Rainforest Cafe and Skipper Canteen.

 

[PrincessNelly]

Okay... scored an AP rate we just couldn't pass up! We will be at Aventura at Universal June 30 - 2nd then All Star Movies July 2th - 6th.

Our first time visiting in June/July.... kinda nervous about the heat but more so hoping for some July 4th fireworks. I never realized how much I enjoy fireworks until not seeing them for over a year!
We were able to get reservations for Shula's, Wine Bar George, Cape May Cafe, and Whispering Canyon. Still holding out hope for either Grand Floridian Cafe & Narcoossee's on July 4th!

 

[snoopy352]

We are coming mid-July after locking down hard. Agree with Disney's decisions up til now but am starting to not understand why we aren't seeing the following...

1.) Epcot FW opening at 9. Other than a cost-cutting squeeze, i don't get this.
2.) More restaurants being open.
3.) FP+ still not allowed even though increase in capacity.
4.) Outdoor shows like IJ at DHS, even with capacity shrunk. (This would help with lines as well.)

I don't think it's unfair to say the customer experience will be dinged at this point. It's hard not to think the suits at DIS are trying to get away with as much as they can blaming it on the pandemic when now changes can be made. Long term this will backfire on them.

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

We are coming mid-July after locking down hard. Agree with Disney's decisions up til now but am starting to not understand why we aren't seeing the following...

1.) Epcot FW opening at 9. Other than a cost-cutting squeeze, i don't get this.
2.) More restaurants being open.
3.) FP+ still not allowed even though increase in capacity.
4.) Outdoor shows like IJ at DHS, even with capacity shrunk. (This would help with lines as well.)

I don't think it's unfair to say the customer experience will be dinged at this point. It's hard not to think the suits at DIS are trying to get away with as much as they can blaming it on the pandemic when now changes can be made. Long term this will backfire on them.

I suspect we'll see a lot of these things once the CP is back up and running. Also, I fully expect park hours to extend the closer we get, this past week or two Disney seems to be reverting back to their old boilerplate method by keeping things conservative until closer to the dates when they have a better idea what attendance will look like.

 

[snoopy352]

I suspect we'll see a lot of these things once the CP is back up and running. Also, I fully expect park hours to extend the closer we get, this past week or two Disney seems to be reverting back to their old boilerplate method by keeping things conservative until closer to the dates when they have a better idea what attendance will look like.

I hope you are right. I forgot to add park hopping restraints (2:00 pm or later) to the list!

 

[JennLTX]

We made The Dis Daily Updates Disboards list!!! How cool is that???

Okay... scored an AP rate we just couldn't pass up! We will be at Aventura at Universal June 30 - 2nd then All Star Movies July 2th - 6th.
Our first time visiting in June/July.... kinda nervous about the heat but more so hoping for some July 4th fireworks. I never realized how much I enjoy fireworks until not seeing them for over a year!
We were able to get reservations for Shula's, Wine Bar George, Cape May Cafe, and Whispering Canyon. Still holding out hope for either Grand Floridian Cafe & Narcoossee's on July 4th!

Oh, those insidious AP rates, making that Disney math even more irresistible. I'm right there with you about the fireworks; let's all keep our fingers crossed!!!

We are coming mid-July after locking down hard. Agree with Disney's decisions up til now but am starting to not understand why we aren't seeing the following...

1.) Epcot FW opening at 9. Other than a cost-cutting squeeze, i don't get this.
2.) More restaurants being open.
3.) FP+ still not allowed even though increase in capacity.
4.) Outdoor shows like IJ at DHS, even with capacity shrunk. (This would help with lines as well.)

I don't think it's unfair to say the customer experience will be dinged at this point. It's hard not to think the suits at DIS are trying to get away with as much as they can blaming it on the pandemic when now changes can be made. Long term this will backfire on them.

I suspect we'll see a lot of these things once the CP is back up and running. Also, I fully expect park hours to extend the closer we get, this past week or two Disney seems to be reverting back to their old boilerplate method by keeping things conservative until closer to the dates when they have a better idea what attendance will look like.

I agree, the presence of the CPs is going to make all the difference. My fervent hope, however, is that those kids don't come back to the job with excited smiles on their faces that immediately get wiped out by some of the horrorshow guests we've been hearing about. My son and his buddy have been informed they will thank every single CM who helps them in any way, shape or form, and I plan to keep a running list of CMs to compliment in tweets and emails.

As for FPs, I'm not holding my breath, but I'll tell you what concerns me most about the possibility of them being offered again: the morning they go live. Disney IT is not known for being robust, and I foresee a mighty mighty crash as thousands of guests attempt to log into MDE at 7:00am EST on that fateful day.

In any case, snoopy352, Welcome Aboard! If you'd like to share your dates and resort, I'll get you added to the Roll Call!

 

[snoopy352]

Thank you! My dates are July 10-23. We are doubling our time to make up for last year! (And I just can't figure out what CP stands for - help!)

 

[JennLTX]

Thank you! My dates are July 10-23. We are doubling our time to make up for last year! (And I just can't figure out what CP stands for - help!)

You're on the list!

CP = College Program A substantial percentage of the CMs on property are in the Disney College Program, which was shut down last year along with everything else. They're bringing them back as of June, which will hopefully allow Disney to start expanding their offerings!

 

[tinkerhon]

We are coming mid-July after locking down hard. Agree with Disney's decisions up til now but am starting to not understand why we aren't seeing the following...

1.) Epcot FW opening at 9. Other than a cost-cutting squeeze, i don't get this.
2.) More restaurants being open.
3.) FP+ still not allowed even though increase in capacity.
4.) Outdoor shows like IJ at DHS, even with capacity shrunk. (This would help with lines as well.)

I don't think it's unfair to say the customer experience will be dinged at this point. It's hard not to think the suits at DIS are trying to get away with as much as they can blaming it on the pandemic when now changes can be made. Long term this will backfire on them.

The 6PM AK close ?? Really? The park is so beautiful after dark !!!

 

[Danielle91]

I am going from July 17th through July 24th and will be staying at CBR. This is my first trip and I am super excited.

 

[DMLAINI]

I am going from July 17th through July 24th and will be staying at CBR. This is my first trip and I am super excited.

We just stayed at CBR in April. I hope you love it! We're staying at Riviera 7/17‐7/19

 

[Moochie13]

I was disappointed because I was not able to get all the ADRs I wanted. Yesterday things changed. Some seatings for Be Our Guest suddenly appeared (several, and for both of our MK days)! And I used my new Landry's Card to book T-Rex and Yak & Yeti! Now (combined with what we already had) we have all the ADRs we wanted!

 

[chad_1138]

Just made our dining reservations:

Beaches & Cream was a no go for arrival as I assumed. Going to go give The Fountain a try.

Was able to get:

Sci-Fi at 60+6 (Lunch time, lots of availability)
California Grill at 60+7 (Saturday night at 6, was worried about getting this one.)
Oga's at 60+9 (Got 6:45 pm)

Good luck to everyone else when your reservations open up!

 

[srdavidson]

Just made our dining reservations:

Beaches & Cream was a no go for arrival as I assumed. Going to go give The Fountain a try.

Was able to get:

Sci-Fi at 60+6 (Lunch time, lots of availability)
California Grill at 60+7 (Saturday night at 6, was worried about getting this one.)
Oga's at 60+9 (Got 6:45 pm)

Good luck to everyone else when your reservations open up!
[/QUOTE

Just made our dining reservations:

Beaches & Cream was a no go for arrival as I assumed. Going to go give The Fountain a try.

Was able to get:

Sci-Fi at 60+6 (Lunch time, lots of availability)
California Grill at 60+7 (Saturday night at 6, was worried about getting this one.)
Oga's at 60+9 (Got 6:45 pm)

Good luck to everyone else when your reservations open up!

We we’re able to get everything we wanted this morning! Now just to wait 60 more days!

 

[JennLTX]

I am going from July 17th through July 24th and will be staying at CBR. This is my first trip and I am super excited.

Hello Danielle91 and welcome! If this is your first visit, PLEASE don't hesitate to ask lots of questions, even if you think they sound silly. We have ALL been there!!!

We just stayed at CBR in April. I hope you love it! We're staying at Riviera 7/17‐7/19

Howdy, and I've added you to the roll call!

I was disappointed because I was not able to get all the ADRs I wanted. Yesterday things changed. Some seatings for Be Our Guest suddenly appeared (several, and for both of our MK days)! And I used my new Landry's Card to book T-Rex and Yak & Yeti! Now (combined with what we already had) we have all the ADRs we wanted!

Congratulations!!! For anyone who didn't get that coveted reservation, I definitely think regularly checking is the smart thing to do. Gotta believe more are going to open up as we get closer.

 

[JennLTX]

Well, fellow July Travelers, I find myself struggling with whether or not to use DME from the airport to the resort (I'm fine with it on the way back). Our plane gets in early on a Friday afternoon when I imagine there are plenty of other flights arriving, so there's no reason to believe the lines might be short. My understanding is they're still only using every other row, but that could obviously change between now and July. I know I could wait til we arrive and then decide, but that also means throwing myself upon the mercy of Uber and possible surge pricing.

How are YOU getting to the airport, and how are you feeling about DME?

 

[coloredimage]

It was our ADR day today! We got what we wanted though not necessarily exactly when we wanted it. One of my friends I'm going with is also a pretty seasoned Disney veteran so she did them for me this morning (I leave for work at 5:45 so ADRs opening at 6 AM meant I'd be struggling) and she scored nicely!

- CRT (one of my friends who's only been to Disney once before LOVES Cinderella and has been talking about eating at CRT since our friends went for a date night our last group trip)
- Beaches n Cream (not the day we want but it's a day that works. We'll keep trying to switch it though)
- Oga's Cantina
- The Edison (I did this one through OpenTable since I usually have more luck with it)
- Homecomin'

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

Well, fellow July Travelers, I find myself struggling with whether or not to use DME from the airport to the resort (I'm fine with it on the way back). Our plane gets in early on a Friday afternoon when I imagine there are plenty of other flights arriving, so there's no reason to believe the lines might be short. My understanding is they're still only using every other row, but that could obviously change between now and July. I know I could wait til we arrive and then decide, but that also means throwing myself upon the mercy of Uber and possible surge pricing.

How are YOU getting to the airport, and how are you feeling about DME?

We have only used DME in the past, but are renting a car for this trip! Planning a few days at the beginning to see things offsite. And with the bus waits issue as bad as it's been, we're not sad. We got a pretty good deal through my husband's employer loyalty program.

I've always liked the fact that DME was free and it was nice with small children to not lug around car seats. However we were already talking about renting a car from now on even before they announced it was ending. One Thanksgiving we had to wait 3 hours to get to the resort and we're usually the lucky ones who are 3-4 stops in before our turn to get off. Plus we can make a quick stop for groceries on our way in.

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

It was our ADR day today! We got what we wanted though not necessarily exactly when we wanted it. One of my friends I'm going with is also a pretty seasoned Disney veteran so she did them for me this morning (I leave for work at 5:45 so ADRs opening at 6 AM meant I'd be struggling) and she scored nicely!

- CRT (one of my friends who's only been to Disney once before LOVES Cinderella and has been talking about eating at CRT since our friends went for a date night our last group trip)
- Beaches n Cream (not the day we want but it's a day that works. We'll keep trying to switch it though)
- Oga's Cantina
- The Edison (I did this one through OpenTable since I usually have more luck with it)
- Homecomin'

I love CRT, but don't want to go back until the princesses are back. Beaches n Cream is on my list too!

 

[wdwnut61]

Just arrived today from Etsy though I love my ears thought the hat would serve a dual purpose keeping the sun off my face and covering up sweaty park hair