Okay...how bad IS it really, going to Florida in July?

[moopdog]

I have only been to WDW in the Fall and we love the lack of crowds. However, I just did the math and realize that we can go to Disney, stay off site for 8 days, get our 5-day hopper passes and fly non-stop from Allentown for just $200more than it is costing us to rent our small condo in Ocean City, Md for one week.

Of course we'll have to buy food and need spending money, but that will be the case in MD, too. (also I guess we'll need to rent a car). To me....it's a no-brainer. Disney! But I truly do hate crowds. The heat is not that big of an issue for me, unless I'm being naive. I am hoping to have someone tell me - "oh the crowds are not bad at all in July - it's the holiday season you need to avoid". Anyone??

 

[moopdog]

Oh...the week in question is July 20-28th.

 

[Lauralooneyfordisney]

I was just about to suggest not going anywhere near there during the 4th but I see you are not doing that. We have been there around then once and it was typical of any summer but not unbearable crowds to us. It is hot but they have their 15 min rain showers every day too so make sure you bring the cheap rain ponchos. I think Disney would win out for me also. Good luck deciding.

 

[rvchat]

I have only been to WDW in the Fall and we love the lack of crowds. However, I just did the math and realize that we can go to Disney, stay off site for 8 days, get our 5-day hopper passes and fly non-stop from Allentown for just $200more than it is costing us to rent our small condo in Ocean City, Md for one week.

Of course we'll have to buy food and need spending money, but that will be the case in MD, too. (also I guess we'll need to rent a car). To me....it's a no-brainer. Disney! But I truly do hate crowds. The heat is not that big of an issue for me, unless I'm being naive. I am hoping to have someone tell me - "oh the crowds are not bad at all in July - it's the holiday season you need to avoid". Anyone??

I can't say I'd do it again. Every time we go (anytime in July), I'm amazed at the crowds. 2011 we literally got on like 3 or 4 rides / in an entire day.

 

[Greyhound22]

Regardless, I'll be there with you. We (almost) always go in July. Being teachers/coaches, we have no choice. It is hot and crowded. Remember to: bring panchos, eat early, go back to the resort and relax in the afternoon, hit the pool as often as the parks, read up on TheDIS & enjoy. Remember it is Disney and you're lucky to be there!

 

[Marshay]

We've been in July a few times...am actually in the process of planing a Mommy and Me July weekend trip, too.

The big question for me is: are you willing to get up early to beat the crowds and the heat? also, can you send someone to get FP (for times you can actually use them, note the new FP system will be in place).

if not, then you may be better with a OCMD vacation.

Are you looking for a restful, peaceful vacation? If so, WDW in July is not that (in general).

Going in July can be unbearably hot and crowded ... or you can find ways around it. Get to RD and stay in park only until 11am - 1pm max (EMH helps but looks like you won't be staying on-site).

Then go back and swim in the pools, relax. Get back to the park for parades, fireworks and less popular rides.

The real key will be to get all the big rides done by 10:30am, so you'll need to be at RD, and in the front of the pack for RD.

For us, when we did stay in the park past 12:30pm or so, we were hot, tired, cranky, grumpy and starting to really hate being there with all the crowds. the heat just saps your energy.

However, there are some fun things about july too. Longer hours, more show times, evenings are wonderful when it gets a bit cooler, swimming in the pools.

As for that specific week, UG has it to be one of the better weeks for July (meaning only 7, 8, 9s instead of 9s and 10s).

Good luck!

 

[tar heel]

We've been twice around that time and both times it rained. I don't mean 15 minute showers. I mean for hours with streaming water that covered your feet. My DH kept saying "It will blow over in 15 minutes," and that's our family saying when we're in a downpour.

It is pretty crowded. We were onsite, so we went to parks early and late because it is extremely hot. That being said, we found the heat manageable except at AK -- just couldn't stay there long at a time.

Our two times in July were not as hot as when we took our DS for the college program in August. We didn't do Disney, opting to wait until his perks kicked in, but spent two days at Universal. That was HOT!

Our experience was not like rvchat's. We planned carefully and did plenty of rides and attractions. We were past the Fantasyland or bust age, though, which helps a lot.

 

[wvjules]

I'd rather go to OC, MD in July than Disney.

 

[Sagginit]

i would vote beach. i love disney now, but the first two times i went was in july and did not like it as much. it was hot and packed. the first year i went in sept. i did not know it was possible to ride that many rides in one day. i mean i remember it being so crowded even with some meal reservations we spent hours that week waiting for meals at more popular places. oh and those tour groups...... not to be a jerk but the worst part was the smell. many foreigners do not have the same hygiene as Americans and spent all day in the parks comando style. it may not seem like a big deal but when you wait for an hour for a good spot for a parade and a group shows up behind you smelling so strong it is nauseating it totally ruins it. as i now have a choice as an adult i much prefer the fall. also as stated i remember it raining hard and often with the summer thunderstorms. both times i went in sept. we saw one rain shower.

 

[kydisneyfans]

We went the same week in July last year, we have always gone during cooler months.

-The parks were no busier than the fall break weeks we normally take in October.
-The heat was bad though, it was 3 hours right after ropedrop and then a revisit around 4-5:00. Rain is common, but there are enough indoor activities at each park to make it work.

 

[momof5boys]

I was just figuring out the same thing! I was online this am looking at rentals in OCMD and am having a hard time justifying almost $2000 for a week for a small 2 BR condo as opposed to $1000 for a 4 BR pool home in Florida! We would drive this time, flights are too expensive for 6 of us! (oldest is going in the Air Force)

I'm looking at mid June though because one kid may have summer school. June in OCMD is senior month and I just don't know if I want to be surrounded with them (no flames I HAVE one!)

That being said I have been to Disney in August while I was 2 months pregnant. It was crowded and hot but we had a great time! As others said, early morning, back for a swim and a nap then back in the evening. My kids were much younger then! I am thinking of visiting a beach and maybe the Space center too. I ran it by my kids and they seem to be onboard. If we need our OCMD fix I at least have an aunt that lives 25 mins away so we can visit her for a few days!

 

[NeedaVacation03]

With 4 kids and dealing with summer camps and sports schedules, July is the only time we can go. We actually love it. We go the week of the 4th of July as 2 of my DD's have birthdays that week. One year we actually spent 15 hrs in MK on the 4th. It was crowded, rainy and one of our best family memories ever. Usually we go in the morning and then return to the resort to hang out, eat and swim and return in the evening.
We have gone every year in July until the summer of 2011 due to scheduling conflicts. My girls must say once a week how much they missed it and cant wait for summer. Take your time, enjoy the moment and dont plan on getting to do everything. It will be wonderful family time.

 

[FINFAN]

We have gone in May, June, July and August...we obviously has school to work around 3 out of 4 of us love it in the summer, DH being the 1 who prefers cooler temps. We love the long park hours, long daylight hours and heat for swimming. All the buildings are air conditioned to arctic levels and free ice and water are We like WDW in full swing~as in all carts/shows/everything open. We thrive on the exciting vibe of all the vacationers. If you are not someone who tolerates heat well, be prepared for the double whammy at MK..since the heat radiates off the blacktop. I say give it a try...sounds like you'd rather be at WDW than MD from your post.

 

[bpesch]

I went to Disney in July many, many years ago and had one of those "never again" moments. And we never have. Between the crowds and heat, not worth it to me.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

I've been wondering about July for this year too; but not for the Disney parks, but for the other Orlando area parks (Sea World, Universal, Legoland, etc.) as we just did a WDW trip last August and don't plan on doing a WDW trip again until next year or 2014. I'm wondering if the other non-Disney parks have the same high crowd levels (and tour groups) in July as the Disney parks do
August was very hot and humid, but the heat was manageable and the crowds were lower and reasonable because our trip was towards the end of August. This year the only month we can take a week off for a vacation in the summer is July because my oldest kids still have school, recitals, etc. in June and in August they have sports camps and I am taking some prerequisite classes for grad school starting in August, so August is out this year.

 

[ceecee]

We went once in July. It was so HOT! I swear I could feel the pavement under my shoes and LOTS of people. We are from Ohio (doesn't get that hot ever!) and we were used to September crowds so it was really too hot and too crowded. I would avoid July if at all possible. Even the pools at the hotel are at peak because everyone is hot.

 

[ibob52]

A typical Afternoon in the Parks ...
With all the pavement the intensity of the heat
Seems like it increases to the Breaking point.
The wait for the ride verses ride time is 100:1
So relief and pleasure are for short periods of time.
Temps 95-103* plus humidity.
A summer Trip to Orlando should Only be made if you
Cannot Go any other Time of Year.

 

[North of Mouse]

We love July, or anytime in the summer, especially the longer hours. We have not had that much problems then, than at other times or maybe they just don't bother us and we haven't noticed The last three years we also went once in Dec. Jan. & April. We literally froze both times and the park hours were so short, shows were cut out, etc. As far as not getting to ride things as one PP said, we haven't had that problem. We get there early, get regular fast passes, leave during the heat of the day and return for the long wonderful evenings. Sure it's hot, but we deal with it by going into AC shops occasionally, and indoor attractions, or a nice Dole Whip We just love, love it. It's not for everyone and that's ok. What I don't like is March with a lot of Spring Breaks. We're going this year for F&G show the end of April, then again in summer. Enjoy, if you decide to go then - that would certainly be my vote Only you can decide that

 

[gillenkl]

We always go in June or August ......it's so hot the squirrels at Fort Wilderness use oven mitts to collect their nuts.......

 

[WeLuvDiznee]

We live in FL, 25 min.from Disney,we have annual passes,and believe me-NEVER go in July-August-unless you want to be miserable! We only go after 6pm in those months,and we don't expect to get on more than 3 rides! The heat alone is suffateingly HOT! And it seems to be getting hotter every year. If that's the only time you can come,I really won't plan on making Disney you're whole vacation.You'll be exhausted after you leave!