Questions for a July Trip

[brave321]

Okay, we just decided to do a trip from July 19-24 this year. Not our preferred time, but how things worked out. Last time we went was for NYE which was a completely different ball game and before that trip we hadn't been in years. So, I've got some questions about different random things and I figured I'd just put them all in one post. Here goes...

Are there two parades at MK over the summer? Like one at 3 and one at night? If so, when's the nighttime one?
Does MK usually get extended hours in July? How long are they usually? Right now the hours say 9am-10pm? (we're staying offsite so we are definitely not going on an emh day)
Is it hard to get FPs 30 days out? We're not interested in coasters, so mainly talking about POTC, HM, JC, maayybbeee PPF (which I doubt will be available)
How early should you wait for HEA (we want to be in hub or by Casey's)?

That's it... for now.
Any other tips for July would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks so much!

 

[ParrotBill]

So the good news is the crowds won't be a surprise to you. You will often find there is an afternoon parade and two evening parades. Assume the posted hours are solid, further extensions may happen but don't count on it. Yes it's hard to get FPs for popular rides. be online right at the start of the first day. You should stake out a spot for HEA as early as 2 hours prior, set out a blanket, send runners for food and drink and eat there while you wait.

Other tip: drink. drink all day. Wear a hat. Hot.

 

[brave321]

So the good news is the crowds won't be a surprise to you.

Yeah I looked at TP wait times for different rides and was like 40 minutes for POTC? Nice! Lol!

 

[MainMom]

There is no longer the evening light parade.

 

[MusicalAstronaut]

They'll probably extend the hours, check again a month or so before your trip. Don't be afraid to take a midday break! It'll get very hot which makes any crowds less tolerable for me. I was surprised at how early people started camping out for HEA in December. Definitely go at least an hour before. I tried to get through the hub 45 minutes before to get to Tomorrowland (something you could totally do 45 minutes before Wishes) and ended up getting stuck. I was unhappy, lol.

 

[brave321]

There is no longer the evening light parade.

So just the 3 o'clock parade?

 

[Klayfish]

Are there two parades at MK over the summer? Like one at 3 and one at night? If so, when's the nighttime one?
Does MK usually get extended hours in July? How long are they usually? Right now the hours say 9am-10pm? (we're staying offsite so we are definitely not going on an emh day)
Is it hard to get FPs 30 days out? We're not interested in coasters, so mainly talking about POTC, HM, JC, maayybbeee PPF (which I doubt will be available)
How early should you wait for HEA (we want to be in hub or by Casey's)?

That's it... for now.
Any other tips for July would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks so much!

As noted in prior post, the night parade is gone. We don't watch the parades a ton, but I think there are two during the day, if memory serves. You can check the schedule on that one.

Hours often get extended, but not always. It could stay 10pm, but often it goes to 11pm or midnight. We are offsite people too, I see no reason not to go on an emh day. Makes no difference.

No, FP+ are not hard to get 30 days out, especially if you don't want the coasters. PP is very easy at 30 days. All the others you mentioned are a piece of cake at 30 days, and even as a 4th, 5th, 6th, etc...FP+ same day. Honestly, things like POTC, HM and JC are rides we grab same day FP+ for when we say "Hey, what do you want to do next?" We're very much wing it people...

HEA, I'd say for the very best spots available, 90 minutes. For a good spot, 60 minutes. For a decent spot, 30 minutes. For a "I'll take whatever I can get", 10 minutes.

 

[hakepb]

FYI, last summer, late July was all 10pm closes. It was very weird wondering “now what?” when we got back to VGF so early.

 

[MainMom]

So just the 3 o'clock parade?

Yes, unfortunately.

 

[MusicalAstronaut]

So just the 3 o'clock parade?

I'm not joking, didn't they move it to 2 o'clock? Check the schedule when you're there so you don't miss it.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I'm not joking, didn't they move it to 2 o'clock? Check the schedule when you're there so you don't miss it.

It moves to 2pm during certain times of the year. It’s currently scheduled for 3pm through 8/18, then moves to 2pm (due to MNSSHP party season). But yes, very sound advice - always check the schedule.

 

[WEDWDW]

DRINK LOTS OF WATER,be prepared for LOTS of afternoon LIGHTNING,and brush up on your Spanish and Portuguese!lol

 

[maryj11]

If you can afford to pay the extra cash I would get the Plaza Garden Dessert party for HEA. That way you wont have to stake out a spot way in advance. It is so nice to go in the Terrace building casually eat desserts then be escorted out right in front of the castle.
https://www.easywdw.com/easy/blog/review-happily-ever-after-dessert-party-review-at-magic-kingdom/