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

[goofyredraider]

We were there last year during July and Brazilian tour groups were everywhere. It is my understanding that the groups are there during most of July.

I love to visit whenever I can but July would not be my first choice.

I was also there in July of last year....and we could stand the heat (we're Texans), but my DH made me swear we'd never go in July again because of the tour groups.

 

[Colleen27]

Brazilians are the youth groups and they are very numerous and usually take up the entire month of July. We've been twice in July and won't go back. two different weeks.

Ah, I see. I know I'm in a minority on this one but I don't mind the Brazilians. We've been in January twice when they are there. On the first trip I hardly noticed them. On the second there were a couple of groups staying at our resort and I did notice more in the parks, but I really didn't get all the complaints about them. Sure, they can be noisy and any big group makes a mess of wait times if you end up behind them, but the ones we encountered were happy, friendly, and just plain nice.

The groups I like to try to avoid are the teams there for big sports competitions like Pop Warner or the cheer/dance events. In my experience the American tween/teen groups tend to be ruder (not intentionally I don't think, but very self-involved and doing things like walking while texting even in crowds, wearing headphones so they can't hear directions or even a simple "excuse me", etc.) and rowdier in general.

 

[North of Mouse]

Ah, I see. I know I'm in a minority on this one but I don't mind the Brazilians. We've been in January twice when they are there. On the first trip I hardly noticed them. On the second there were a couple of groups staying at our resort and I did notice more in the parks, but I really didn't get all the complaints about them. Sure, they can be noisy and any big group makes a mess of wait times if you end up behind them, but the ones we encountered were happy, friendly, and just plain nice.

The groups I like to try to avoid are the teams there for big sports competitions like Pop Warner or the cheer/dance events. In my experience the American tween/teen groups tend to be ruder (not intentionally I don't think, but very self-involved and doing things like walking while texting even in crowds, wearing headphones so they can't hear directions or even a simple "excuse me", etc.) and rowdier in general.

You haven't seen the half of it then January, to me, is not as bad as they are in July. And no, most of them are not friendly and nice, but LOUD and rude I love going in the summer (southern gulf state girl can take the heat) but we do try to avoid July because of the chanting groups that will literally take up the whole MS holding hands to try to keep you from passing, and that's not the worst of it - just ask some of these other posters that have endured their rudeness. But, I do love summer in the parks. The nights are so nice at MK (you get twice the hours of the winter ) so you can take frequent breaks and enjoy. I don't understand why these posters that are from the same areas as I am, are so against the summers there - to each his own I guess, but I truly love it Oh, and you other southern folk, not trying to pick a fuss, we all like what we like, just am confused, that's all

 

[Vowelmommy]

It is really hot. Like walking on the surface of the sun, hot. But, if you go early, take breaks and stay on inside attractions, it will be more bearable.

 

[Snowflakey]

Let's see.....if Disney gave me a free trip in July I wouldn't goWe went the end of June and it was so hot we were miserable. Couldn't stand it. Would never do it again.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Those of you who say "We're use to the heat/humidity" sure you may live somewhere with a similar climate but are you outside, walking, waiting in line or inside enjoying your air conditioned home?? Where I live gets hot in the summer *zero humidity ~ low to mid 90s are normal mid June through early Sept* but I don't go outside in the middle of the afternoon.

 

[Marshay]

Colleen -- I've been to WDW in July 2010 and January 2012, both times with the tour groups in their "prime" season.

July was tons!!! worse than January. One day we went to DHS and my DH got talking to one of the leaders. They said they had 22 different tour groups that day just at DHS!

We rode our FP rides and then left. It was miserable...hard to walk around the large groups...many got in trouble in the lines (specifically at RNR where they tried to jump/climb up the wall to join their friends ... CM nipped that in the bud really quick!)

Other parks were not that bad but we definitely saw at least 8-10 groups in each park in July.

In January we only saw about 2-3 groups in each park. I was prepared for the worst (July conditions) but January was nothing in comparison.

All that said, my DD and I are going in July for a Mommy and me trip. I won't let the heat, humidity, tour groups, rain storms, etc, spoil my trip ... and at least this time lots of rides/shows and shops will be open, unlike our January experience!

 

[apnep]

We have been to the world in the off season when the temps were so pleasant, right before thanksgiving. There were hardly any crowds and it was awesome.

We went during June 2010, and it was HOT and humid then. DH and I agreed we will never go back during the summer. It was SOOOO crowded. But we had a GREAT time when we went because we had the Give-a-Day volunteer fast passes so we got right to the front of the line on the favorite rides. The lines to go on the rides were hideously long.

Good luck!

 

[SFreelove]

Its hard to answer these types of questions to an exact answer because it really depends on what you personally plan to do on your trip, somethings will be more crowded then others. But for the most part, I have been on vacation several times in July and yes it's Hot, yes it's crowded, yes the wait times are long but we still had great times. The parks are open late during july and you'll see extra magic hours very late as well- take advantage of those. We were once in the park at 1AM in july and had MK to ourselves pretty much! Just plan and know what you want to do and when and don't try to do it all, because it'll just get stressful because there is no denying, july is very crowded.

 

[kirstenb1]

For those who wouldn't go in July, would it change if you did a no park trip? Just hang at the resort in the pool and go out for meals, ect.

I have been toying with this idea instead of our usual summer beach vacation. Just wondering what others think.

Instead of a no park trip, I'd choose a different vacation altogether, like a family-friendly beach. I love WDW, but without the parks, it's like so many nice places to visit I can think of. I know the kids would drive me bonkers asking to go to the parks everyday.

 

[fortwildernessishome]

We hav e been during many different times of the year. my favorite is right before Thanksgiving. The last four summers we have gone twice in July (both times were during the 4th of July Holiday) and twice in August.

We had a BLAST all four times and I wouldnt hesitate to go again in the summer!!!

Was it hot? YES!!

Was it crowded? YES!!

Did we have a terrific time? YES!!!!

Summer was when we could go, so we went. We did rope drop and left the park by noon, and went back in at night. We always had a fast pass in our hand. We alternated being outside with an inside air condiitoned attraction.

We went to Disneyland in the summer and we found that to be much harder than WDW, because most of the lines were outside and not in the air conditioning.

As long as your prepared with the knowledge before you go that it will be hot and crowded, there will be no surprises........you'll have a great time!!!!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

We went to Disneyland in the summer and we found that to be much harder than WDW, because most of the lines were outside and not in the air conditioning.

What?? S CA is far more pleasant than Central FL at pretty much anytime of the year ~ we've visited DLR twice in July both times were fantastic *4th of July weekend 2010 we had to wear jackets in the mornings/evenings *which I prefer far more than sweating.

The following was taken from *here*
18. Weather

As related in the previous section, Southern California weather during the summer months cannot be beat. See the chart and links below for more information. It can get hot at DLR, but it is generally not humid.

Like Florida, it does get cold at DLR during the non-summer months. And it does rain. But it can also be warm during the winter months as well.

The average annual rainfall in Orlando, Florida is 50 inches. In Anaheim, California it is closer to 10 inches. The thought of bringing a rain poncho to DLR has never occurred to me.

Temperature and humidity data from www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158



Here are some other links to weather:

"Detailed Weather History for DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158

"Comparison of Weather For WDW and DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1711098

 

[fortwildernessishome]

What?? S CA is far more pleasant than Central FL at pretty much anytime of the year ~ we've visited DLR twice in July both times were fantastic *4th of July weekend 2010 we had to wear jackets in the mornings/evenings *which I prefer far more than sweating.

The following was taken from *here*
18. Weather

As related in the previous section, Southern California weather during the summer months cannot be beat. See the chart and links below for more information. It can get hot at DLR, but it is generally not humid.

Like Florida, it does get cold at DLR during the non-summer months. And it does rain. But it can also be warm during the winter months as well.

I didnt read your links.......we went to DL in August 2009......it was HOT, in the 90's. Of course there was no humidity like in Florida and that was awesome, but it was HOT!!! We baked in the sun waiting in lines that were outside of the attractions.

I am not complaining, we had a GREAT time!!! So much so, that we are pllanning to go back this summer. But it was HOT and I found myself wishing more than once that the lines for the attractions were in the air condiitoning like at WDW!!!



The average annual rainfall in Orlando, Florida is 50 inches. In Anaheim, California it is closer to 10 inches. The thought of bringing a rain poncho to DLR has never occurred to me.

Temperature and humidity data from www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158



Here are some other links to weather:

"Detailed Weather History for DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158

"Comparison of Weather For WDW and DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1711098

.

 

[fortwildernessishome]

Some how my response above is in the middle of the PP post. Not sure what happened.

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

We went in August and while it was hot we spent a great amount of time at the waterparks and had a blast! Something we don't usually do when we go in the cooler months. I say go and enjoy!

 

[Colleen27]

Colleen -- I've been to WDW in July 2010 and January 2012, both times with the tour groups in their "prime" season.

July was tons!!! worse than January. One day we went to DHS and my DH got talking to one of the leaders. They said they had 22 different tour groups that day just at DHS!

We rode our FP rides and then left. It was miserable...hard to walk around the large groups...many got in trouble in the lines (specifically at RNR where they tried to jump/climb up the wall to join their friends ... CM nipped that in the bud really quick!)

Other parks were not that bad but we definitely saw at least 8-10 groups in each park in July.

In January we only saw about 2-3 groups in each park. I was prepared for the worst (July conditions) but January was nothing in comparison.

All that said, my DD and I are going in July for a Mommy and me trip. I won't let the heat, humidity, tour groups, rain storms, etc, spoil my trip ... and at least this time lots of rides/shows and shops will be open, unlike our January experience!

Eeek! 22 groups is NUTS. We saw probably 3-5 per day in Jan! When in July were you there? If we do a summer trip we'd just barely catch the tail end of July with most of the trip in August, so maybe they'd be thinning out by then?

Fortunately I have a good long time before making any decisions about WDW in the dead of summer... That would be our 2013 trip, but some of the conversation on this thread and the "You really need to go to DL" thread on the theme park board have me thinking that might be the better way to go - a west coast road trip featuring a few days at Disneyland. I won't start thinking too seriously about it until after our May trip, assuming that one falls into place; seeing how we do with the heat & crowds of Memorial Day will be my first clue as to how a real summer trip might go.

 

[Marshay]

Eeek! 22 groups is NUTS. We saw probably 3-5 per day in Jan! When in July were you there? If we do a summer trip we'd just barely catch the tail end of July with most of the trip in August, so maybe they'd be thinning out by then?

Fortunately I have a good long time before making any decisions about WDW in the dead of summer... That would be our 2013 trip, but some of the conversation on this thread and the "You really need to go to DL" thread on the theme park board have me thinking that might be the better way to go - a west coast road trip featuring a few days at Disneyland. I won't start thinking too seriously about it until after our May trip, assuming that one falls into place; seeing how we do with the heat & crowds of Memorial Day will be my first clue as to how a real summer trip might go.

We've actually done 3 trips in July -- July 7-19, 2003 ... July 22-28, 2004 and July 9-21, 2010. The '03 and '04 trips were not that bad at all. I think they were before all the big incentives to get people to come in (free dining, etc).

The 2010 trip was not good, as far as BTG. This was the Give A Day trip for us so luckily we had those GAD Fast Passes and could bypass the crowds. Would have been truly miserable w/o them at a few parks.

That said, we also didn't do RD, since we knew we had the GAD FP and could arrive later, so we also only showed up around 10am-10:30am.

We've gone in May several times too and I swear it can be just as hot as July. You sort of expect it in July and are prepared but when it's in the 90s in May, esp mid-high 90s, it hits you extra hard.

If I were you, I may just switch to DL ... with all the new things out there to see, it sounds like a great vacation and then let the crowds thin out a bit for the new FLE and go in 2014 to WDW.

Although we've gone 3x in July in the last 10 years, those weren't by our choice -- we had family (school teachers) who would only go in the summer, so that's what we did.

I like the September to May times much better ... but wont' turn down a July vacation when it's offered! You just have to plan better.

And our past January trip was actually one of our best ever!! I never would have guessed that.

 

[MelAnderson]

My last trip to Walt Disney was in July 2010 and it was H-O-T. I mean humid, oppressive and uncomfortable. It was hot at 8:00 am and really bad by noon. My next visit will NOT include July again.

 

[sherabby]

Also the one year we went they had taken over the wave pool at Typhoon Lagoon playing games in a huge circle. No one could enter the shallow water.

 

[Pooh2]

One year we went in May and it was too hot for us at 90-95 degrees and very humid. We would not consider attempting the summer months!