Oh me, oh my! Are we really going to WDW in.....JULY!?! UPDATES TODAY 07/19 pg 30!!

[KristEn87]

I have been during most of the "Highest" crowd levels and I've also been during the same time that you are traveling and while yes there are crowds, and yes it's hot! I think with all the wonderful Disney knowledge you have you'll be just FINE!

Like a previous poster has said start your days off early. Take advantage of those extra magic hours both morning and evening and go back to the resort for a swim during the afternoon.

I know from previous trip reports that you guys are fantastic fasspass runners and of course you'll utilize those, but maybe take the time with the crowds to enjoy the so called "smaller" aspects of Disney World. Make a list of your "Must Do's" and try hard to accomplish those, but also have a list of if we don't make it to these it's ok (I know hard to pick sometimes). Search the nooks and crannies of Main Street, visit the resorts, my family personally love Blizzard Beach's Wintersummerland Miniature Golf Course.

Even with the crowds you'll have an amazing time I'm sure, because you'll be in Disney World with Tom and Megan and friends, and what's better than that?

Kristen

 

[Charleston Princess]

I am going to be NO help from going at that time but...
With that aside we do go at Christmas, the busiest time of the year and we do just fine. You will need to do the same type of touring for crowds AND heat.

Go EARLY!!! ride, ride, ride!!!

Rest and swim in the afternoons.

Collect and save FPs for evening.

You can do this Jen!!!

Step slowly away from the ledge, Jen!

This is exactly what I was going to say.

To be perfectly honest, the crowds did not bother us much at all in July. We were at rope drop, rode, rode, rode, had lunch, went back to rest and swim, and then, in the evening, used all of our Fast Passes. Worked like a dream!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Jen:

You will be fine. We were there last year in July over the 4th. We got to each park early in the morning and left early afternoon. We did everything we wanted to plus some. We spent every afternoon lounging around the pool and really enjoyed it. At night, we went back and used our fastpasses and rode what had short lines.

I really liked going in July. It was hot but lots of fun!

Erika

 

[MeMom]

Go look at the crowd picture I just put on the TR from February 26th. You'd think it would be NOT crowded them right? I can't recall a summer day that has been that crowded, to be honest. A Christmas holiday day, yes, but not a summer day.

You'll be fine. Like everyone else has said:
morning - rope drop, prioritize and ride with ease, we like to ride Peter Pan twice while it's a walk-on
afternoon - eat, swim, rest, shop
evening - the sun goes down, things cool off, crowds die down, use the Fastpasses

It's all good. I won't take away the heat, because it will be hot, but it's fairly hot pretty much all year. You'll be in and out of rides and attractions, though, so you should not be too miserable. Table service meals are nice in the summer for good, cool breaks.

I'm with the others in saying you shouldn't panic.

 

[cherbear]

what the others are saying is exactly right.

I'd like to add that you should definitely try to do your counter service meals at odd times. I don't know if that will be difficult with Meg, but the best thing to do during the summers is eat a little something before heading for the park (but nothing big), get to the park before rope drop...FP one of the busiest rides first thing (Tom has this DOWN though), and ride ride until lunch opens. A lot of them open at 11 but I think some open at 10:30. I am wondering if the restaurants all open at 10:30 for lunch in peak season? hmm..something to think about.

Backlot Express in DHS (next to Star Tours) actually didn't open til 11:30 when we have gone in September, but I'd imagine at LEAST this one would open a little earlier during peak season

So the moral is, for counter service lunches try to plan to be hungry around 11, otherwise try to hold off until 1:30 or 2. And for a later counter service, eating about 4 or 4:30 is a good time.

 

[MegansMom]

I am going to be NO help from going at that time but...
With that aside we do go at Christmas, the busiest time of the year and we do just fine. You will need to do the same type of touring for crowds AND heat.

Go EARLY!!! ride, ride, ride!!!

Rest and swim in the afternoons.

Collect and save FPs for evening.

You can do this Jen!!!

You give the greatest pep talks!!!! I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!!! Thanks Anita!!! I know you are right.....have no idea why I let that silly boy make me think otherwise!

I totally agree with Anita!! Just make sure you get there early! No matter the time of year rope drop is the best time to avoid the crowds and the heat!! Spend the afternoons doing some fun non-park options and then head back in the evening with your FP and enjoy the cooler Nighttime Disney fun!!

Thanks for the advice Jen....I know you gals are SO right! But a little reassurance every now and again does NOT hurt! Now to convince Park Commando Tom that it is OKAY to "rest" every once in awhile while at WDW!!!!

I think you will be fine

Get up early like other says, do a lot of rides

go back to hotel for rest and or swim

and then come back in evening

Thank you so much for the advice and support! I am so glad I can come on here and count on you all to calm my fears!!!

I have been during most of the "Highest" crowd levels and I've also been during the same time that you are traveling and while yes there are crowds, and yes it's hot! I think with all the wonderful Disney knowledge you have you'll be just FINE!

Like a previous poster has said start your days off early. Take advantage of those extra magic hours both morning and evening and go back to the resort for a swim during the afternoon.

I know from previous trip reports that you guys are fantastic fasspass runners and of course you'll utilize those, but maybe take the time with the crowds to enjoy the so called "smaller" aspects of Disney World. Make a list of your "Must Do's" and try hard to accomplish those, but also have a list of if we don't make it to these it's ok (I know hard to pick sometimes). Search the nooks and crannies of Main Street, visit the resorts, my family personally love Blizzard Beach's Wintersummerland Miniature Golf Course.

Even with the crowds you'll have an amazing time I'm sure, because you'll be in Disney World with Tom and Megan and friends, and what's better than that?

Kristen

Thanks so much Kristen!!! You have some GREAT ideas of how to spend our downtime!!! I am definitely going to have Tom read all these posts to convince him that we are going to need to consider afternoon breaks!!! He is like the Energizer bunny when we get down there.....just wants to keep going, and going, and going!!!!

Step slowly away from the ledge, Jen!

This is exactly what I was going to say.

To be perfectly honest, the crowds did not bother us much at all in July. We were at rope drop, rode, rode, rode, had lunch, went back to rest and swim, and then, in the evening, used all of our Fast Passes. Worked like a dream!

Okay Jackie.....stepping away from the ledge.......and now sitting comfortably on my couch......relaxing because you wonderful DISers once again calmed my fears!!!! You are the best sweetie!!! I am going to make Tom read your post so he can learn the value of a good afternoon break!!! I am sure your very smart powers of persuasion can sway him!!!! BTW......I have been thinking of you lots lately, and as always, I am ever so grateful that our mutual love for Mickey has graced me with a friendship that I truly cherish!!!

Jen:

You will be fine. We were there last year in July over the 4th. We got to each park early in the morning and left early afternoon. We did everything we wanted to plus some. We spent every afternoon lounging around the pool and really enjoyed it. At night, we went back and used our fastpasses and rode what had short lines.

I really liked going in July. It was hot but lots of fun!

Erika

WOW!!! That sounds FABULOUS!!!! I am hoping that when Tom reads that post that he will officially be CONVINCED of our "need" to take an afternoon dip in the pool........ahhhhhhhhhh.......the thought of it right now just makes me relax!!!

Go look at the crowd picture I just put on the TR from February 26th. You'd think it would be NOT crowded them right? I can't recall a summer day that has been that crowded, to be honest. A Christmas holiday day, yes, but not a summer day.

You'll be fine. Like everyone else has said:
morning - rope drop, prioritize and ride with ease, we like to ride Peter Pan twice while it's a walk-on
afternoon - eat, swim, rest, shop
evening - the sun goes down, things cool off, crowds die down, use the Fastpasses

It's all good. I won't take away the heat, because it will be hot, but it's fairly hot pretty much all year. You'll be in and out of rides and attractions, though, so you should not be too miserable. Table service meals are nice in the summer for good, cool breaks.

I'm with the others in saying you shouldn't panic.

That's what MeMom's are for.......for calming all our fears! Thanks so much for the advice and the laid out plans! This makes me feel so much better! You are the best!!!!

what the others are saying is exactly right.

I'd like to add that you should definitely try to do your counter service meals at odd times. I don't know if that will be difficult with Meg, but the best thing to do during the summers is eat a little something before heading for the park (but nothing big), get to the park before rope drop...FP one of the busiest rides first thing (Tom has this DOWN though), and ride ride until lunch opens. A lot of them open at 11 but I think some open at 10:30. I am wondering if the restaurants all open at 10:30 for lunch in peak season? hmm..something to think about.

Backlot Express in DHS (next to Star Tours) actually didn't open til 11:30 when we have gone in September, but I'd imagine at LEAST this one would open a little earlier during peak season

So the moral is, for counter service lunches try to plan to be hungry around 11, otherwise try to hold off until 1:30 or 2. And for a later counter service, eating about 4 or 4:30 is a good time.

Another thing I didn't even think of.......but such a GREAT idea!!!! You are the best!!!! I am so glad I shared my fears with you all, because I really feel much better about the whole trip now!!!

 

[Kara]

nope..no bus issues for us!!!

I think you will be FINE!! We've had to go in July a few times with our sports schedules and I always follow Tour Guide Mike if I can...and it was all very doable!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Okay Jackie.....stepping away from the ledge.......and now sitting comfortably on my couch......relaxing because you wonderful DISers once again calmed my fears!!!! You are the best sweetie!!! I am going to make Tom read your post so he can learn the value of a good afternoon break!!! I am sure your very smart powers of persuasion can sway him!!!! BTW......I have been thinking of you lots lately, and as always, I am ever so grateful that our mutual love for Mickey has graced me with a friendship that I truly cherish!!!

Ahhh, Jen! I feel the same way!!! Who would have thought an online community could provide me with so many great friends?

Really and truly, I think Tom will want to take an afternoon break to go swimming from the simple standpoint of the heat in the middle of the day. It is so much better to hang out by the pool and eat ice cream at 2:00 than trying to navigate crowds in Frontierland (which is my personal pick for the HOTTEST, MOST CROWDED spot in all of Disney World. )

 

[MegansMom]

nope..no bus issues for us!!!

I think you will be FINE!! We've had to go in July a few times with our sports schedules and I always follow Tour Guide Mike if I can...and it was all very doable!!!

Tom is going to LOVE to hear about the bus situation!!! Woo Hoo!!!! I have used TGM too, so I feel so much better about it! Thank you!!!

Ahhh, Jen! I feel the same way!!! Who would have thought an online community could provide me with so many great friends?

Really and truly, I think Tom will want to take an afternoon break to go swimming from the simple standpoint of the heat in the middle of the day. It is so much better to hang out by the pool and eat ice cream at 2:00 than trying to navigate crowds in Frontierland (which is my personal pick for the HOTTEST, MOST CROWDED spot in all of Disney World. )

Just love my DIS girlies!!!! I am going to show him all these posts today to see if that persuades him! Wish me luck!!!

 

[jenjolt]

Good Luck today Jen!!

Afternoon breaks are delightful!! You can enjoy a nice nap to get refreshed, you can swim at the pool with Megs who will LOVE that, and you can just really enjoy the resort (find out what things they have going on in the afternoon probably near the pool). I for one don't go anymore without taking a nice break in the afternoon to recharge those batteries for late Disney nights!!!

 

[teachermommy78]

We've only been in June, so that's all we know. I bet if we had gone during low crowds we'd feel the same way. Ive really found myself not being bothered by the crowds at all. You just get so sucked in!

How do you save fast passes for the evening? I am a novice, learning a lot, but not a lot of experience under my belt. Don't the FPs have a time to come back, or have they changed?

 

[MegansMom]

Good Luck today Jen!!

Afternoon breaks are delightful!! You can enjoy a nice nap to get refreshed, you can swim at the pool with Megs who will LOVE that, and you can just really enjoy the resort (find out what things they have going on in the afternoon probably near the pool). I for one don't go anymore without taking a nice break in the afternoon to recharge those batteries for late Disney nights!!!

I think he is warming up to the idea!!! I wonder if there is somewhere on here where I can find what types of activities they have at AKL for the kiddos.....I know that they tend to have some great things going on there....looking forward to finding out!!!

We've only been in June, so that's all we know. I bet if we had gone during low crowds we'd feel the same way. Ive really found myself not being bothered by the crowds at all. You just get so sucked in!

How do you save fast passes for the evening? I am a novice, learning a lot, but not a lot of experience under my belt. Don't the FPs have a time to come back, or have they changed?

I really enjoyed our June trip in 2008 when we went with my family....just hoping that it is just not too much different from that!

 

[KristEn87]

Hope you don't mind, but I thought you'd understand and would join in on the excitement! We're at 100 days till DISNEY!!! Even though he's only 16 months, I'm starting Evan out early and we're going to make a countdown chain tonight! Let's see if he can grasp the concept of ripping them off one by one. (I'll be keeping them out of the way so they aren't all gone the first day) I think you're about 20 days behind us, so you're 100 days will be coming soon!


Hope all is going well!

 

[MegansMom]

Hope you don't mind, but I thought you'd understand and would join in on the excitement! We're at 100 days till DISNEY!!! Even though he's only 16 months, I'm starting Evan out early and we're going to make a countdown chain tonight! Let's see if he can grasp the concept of ripping them off one by one. (I'll be keeping them out of the way so they aren't all gone the first day) I think you're about 20 days behind us, so you're 100 days will be coming soon!


Hope all is going well!

Congrats!!! You are down to just DOUBLE DIGITS NOW!!!!! Time to do some dancing!!!

We hit 120 yesterday........100 DAYS TO DISNEY is creeping right up on us!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!

As of right now, I am on Spring Break too!!!

I will admit though, that I am QUITE bummed that we are heading anywhere warm, tropical, or DISNEY!!!! The three of us need a vacation so badly....it is KILLING us! Unfortunately since I am in a different school system from Megan, we have COMPLETELY separate breaks.....Megs' isn't for another MONTH almost!!! UGH! We just need to E-S-C-A-P-E!!!!!!!!!!

I just want to be completely impulsive and steal Megs and Tom away this week to WDW........is that crazy or what?!?!??!

 

[KristEn87]

That's not completely crazy at ALL! My college spring break is just ending, but I get a second one with my next student teaching placement in April...I'm considering taking Evan to see family in Tennessee. If I had the money I'd be in Disney in NO TIME!

I know Disney Stores are few and far between, but wouldn't it be nice to find one within driving distance and go there for a Disney Fix! Not to mention being able to get some stuff for the trip!

Ps. I heard that the new Monroe outlet mall in Ohio is "supposedly" getting a Disney Store! Fingers Crossed!!

 

[lmillercrew]

I wish that one day, I COULD afford to just take a spur of the moment trip to Disney, or Mexico. Just pick up and go! You have a good idea.

 

[MeMom]

That would be so cool. Maybe you can work that out one of these days. Have it all planned out with bosses and teachers and just drop in, grab them, and go! I'd sure love to do that for my gang sometime.

What can you do to have a mini pretend vacation right now? Plan a zoo trip, Disney Store visit (if you have one anywhere near), restaurant that reminds you of a Disney one, go see the new Disneynature movie, African Cats, when it comes out in a few weeks, have some friends over for a Disney party day... Do whatever you can to keep that happiness going until you really get to go!

 

[kschafer]

Hope you are enjoying your break Jen! Sometimes some mommy-only time can be a soul refresher, hope you are treating yourself well!!

 

[MegansMom]

That's not completely crazy at ALL! My college spring break is just ending, but I get a second one with my next student teaching placement in April...I'm considering taking Evan to see family in Tennessee. If I had the money I'd be in Disney in NO TIME!

I know Disney Stores are few and far between, but wouldn't it be nice to find one within driving distance and go there for a Disney Fix! Not to mention being able to get some stuff for the trip!

Ps. I heard that the new Monroe outlet mall in Ohio is "supposedly" getting a Disney Store! Fingers Crossed!!

That would be SO great!!! I miss our store in the Florence Mall SOOOOOOO much!!! It just isn't the same shopping for that stuff online....not nearly as much fun!

I wish that one day, I COULD afford to just take a spur of the moment trip to Disney, or Mexico. Just pick up and go! You have a good idea.

I like living with my delusions sometimes!!! But boy, do we need a break in the worst way!!!!

That would be so cool. Maybe you can work that out one of these days. Have it all planned out with bosses and teachers and just drop in, grab them, and go! I'd sure love to do that for my gang sometime.

What can you do to have a mini pretend vacation right now? Plan a zoo trip, Disney Store visit (if you have one anywhere near), restaurant that reminds you of a Disney one, go see the new Disneynature movie, African Cats, when it comes out in a few weeks, have some friends over for a Disney party day... Do whatever you can to keep that happiness going until you really get to go!

I LOVE your ideas MeMom!!! I will definitely see what I can conjure up!

Megan would be SO excited if we just picked up, headed to the airport, and headed to Mickey!!! What a dream come true that would be! I know your gang would love that kind of surprise too!!!

Hope you are enjoying your break Jen! Sometimes some mommy-only time can be a soul refresher, hope you are treating yourself well!!

I am enjoying it so far....today I feel a little off-kilter though. I have a project here at the house that I know I need to do (re-organize our spare room into an upper-level playroom for Megs) but I would SO much rather spend it going to visit with friends. I know if I don't do this room, I will be kicking myself and feeling guilty, but I could SO use a good dose of some girl time!!! Right now, I am just trying to wake myself up!

 

[MegansMom]

Okay....not much time right this second for a MAJOR update, but would love some input and advice from anyone who can provide it on the following two topics......
1. Kidani or Jambo?!??!?!?!

Ahhhhhh....this decision vexes me much I say!!! Now, I know I really can't go wrong with either one, but after doing some dreaming on some of the AKL sites on here, I am now getting myself all confused. Is it true that the Jambo 2bdrms only have a pull-out couch in the 2nd bedroom and not two queens? What are the advantages of staying Jambo for those of you who know, and the advantages of staying Kidani? HELP me out gang!!!! Any and ALL advice would be helpful. Hey, even if you don't know, but do know someone else who could weigh in on the issue, send them this way to help with the decision!!! If we stay at Jambo, are we going to be in bad shape for the buses in the mornings going to the parks??? Ay yayay!!!! TIA!

2. Lunch ADRS??????

Okay, yes I have like a bazillion dinner ADRs at this point, but we have been looking over our plans, and are really thinking we might want to add more lunch ADRs on our schedule for the sheer purpose of having that option. Here's my big question....where are good places to have a lunch ADR at MK and EP? Where should we NOT go? Can we order off the dinner menu at lunch time if there is something we REALLY want from it??

Okay.....go.....discuss.....talk amongst yourselves......and then come back and give me the scoop!!!!

Chat with you later!