Possible US trip june/july 2011

[DisneyIzz]

Hey everyone!

We may possibly be returning to the US at the end of June/early July this year.
I know this is quite soon, but we are fairly regular visitors to SoCal, having a number of friends living there, and we've planned trips to California with this much time in the past.
However, I'm hoping we'll be able to do a more family based Disney trip, so I'm not sure whether we'll be doing Disneyland or WDW yet.

We visited Disneyland twice in 2010 and again back in 2007, so we're big Disney fans. Our only time to WDW was back in April 2000, so it's been a while!

I'll get to the point, because I'm rambling a little here!
Basically, would 2 and a half months be enough time to plan if we did decide to visit WDW?
Disneyland wouldn't be a problem, as I've come to know it like the back of my hand, but WDW would be a whole new experience!

Also if anyone has good recommendations on airlines - we usually travel Qantas and my Mum's an ex-hostess, but with the Qantas reputation dropping, I'm considering other airlines as well, especially those with the cheaper airfares!!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks guys

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

The only concern I would have is that most people say that being at WDW in July is like walking on the face of the sun it's so hot. Yikes, hope you like it hot hot hot.

I'm sure you could plan it in that timeframe but I would be looking up when the US school holidays are because you wouldn't want to try and book for the busiest time of year which I believe July is.

 

[battymum]

Good luck getting a dinner reservation!

But quick service would be OK.

 

[PrincessInOz]

WDW in July is rather hot and humid; but it is doable. You just take everything a lot slower and have lots of water/snack breaks in between. We even got the fan sprays from a local supermarket to keep us cool and it worked out great.
But like Shuttergirl said, school hols will start during this time there. I had 5 days at WDW pre-hols and it was practically walk-on for every ride. Despite the heat, this was pure bliss. And then the following 5 days was the start of school holidays and long queues became very fashionable.

The parks are opened for longer during the summer months; so if you decide to stay on-site, you can head back for an afternoon swim and siesta and then get back out again at night without worrying about only having a couple of hours to play at night.

You may not get into the more popular restaurants; but if you're flexible with your eating times and keep an eye on things, you might find spots open up due to cancellations. The other option is to head to Guest Relations first thing in the morning or the night before to see if there are any ADRs available on the day (or the night before). I believe (but have never tested it out) Guest Relations might be able to help with ADRs for 3 days in advance.
But there are a few good Quick Service places at the parks (particularly Epcot) and also at DTD that you could go get something to eat. Failing all else, some of the moderate resorts have great food courts. It's just a matter of getting out there to eat.

Asking for airline recommendation on the Aussie section is a source of amusement. You'll get everything from Air New Zealand to Qantas to V to United.

Good luck with you planning and let us know how you go or if you have any other questions.



ps. Welcome to the Boards!

 

[Snickals]

Hello
I decided I was going on my trip about 3 months before I took it so the time frame is doable. I was lucky I booked during a quiet period and got great special, it was also freezing when I went. But like some have previously menioned you will be going in a very hot period. As for airlines I flew United and was very happy but others have flew other airlines are have great reports about them too.
Best of luck on you planning...have fun!

 

[WAMUMOF4]

Hi,
A couple of weeks ago i read a few postings in the dining reservation forum about people being suprised that they were getting dining reservations for June so maybe have a look at the DW site and run through your possible dates and see whats available.
We flew air pacifc with a stop over in Fiji on the way home and we loved them the hostesses were great giving the kids jigsaw puzzles etc moving the 2 youngest to there own row so we all had more room.
This year we are flying Qantas and i just don't want to think to much about that the kids told me not to watch the show on the ABC about the engine problems last year incase i changed my mind about going

 

[DisneyIzz]

Thankyou everyone for your advice!

I do realise that we'd probably have a little more trouble with getting into restaurants, but I know with Disneyland we made a booking for the Blue Bayou only 24 hours before and we only just made it in.
I realise WDW will be a lot busier, but I guess I'm thinking that sometimes you're still able to fluke good tables!

We're used to Disney in the heat. We were at Disneyland in December and enjoyed the cold, but found it somewhat unusual. The first 2 days of our trip however, the temps reached up to 34 degrees and this was Winter

If WDW becomes our destination for sure, we'd probably be going over around the 20th of June and leaving somewhere between the 30th - 3rd of July. The sunshine and heat would probably be a nice change, as our experiences of Disneyland in late June is mostly of cloudy, overcast days (also known as the 'June Gloom' by the SoCal locals.)

I'll see if I can check out if ADR's are still available at certain places.