Should we go in July? Opinions please!

[pm914]

We just recently had a fabulous time at WDW - 2/24/04 to 3/2/04.
The weather was cool, the crowds were low, and we had at least 12 hours of non-stop Disney entertainment every day.
We're going to be flying to FL in July for a 2 week (!) beach vacation at a relatives' condo.
Our dilemna is this: should we fly into Orlando, and spend 3 nights/days at WDW before proceeding to the Gulf Coast for the beach. This would shorten the length of our beach stay and take away from the "relaxation" part of this trip. However, it seems kind of waste to fly all the way from Chicago and not go to WDW.
That said, we know the summer heat and crowds would negatively impact our stay - and we do plan to go back for 6 nights in Feb. '05.
What would you do???
(BTW, we have 3dks, ages 9,5, &2, - and cost is not a major factor because we have some unused days on our hopper passes).
Thanks,

 

[Ms. WDW]

Anytime I can get to WDW I jump at it!!

But exactly when in July? What dates?

 

[KFISCHER]

Just keep in mind, as I'm sure you're aware, temps and humidity are higher, and so are the crowds.

I prefer October, or early December.

But it's ALWAYS a good time at WDW!

 

[720L]

It's very hot, very crowded but I would still
go if I had the chance! It's Disney!

 

[Ratpack]

Three out of the last 4 times we have been have been in July with another trip coming up this July. Can't beat the longer park hours.

 

[prncess674]

If you can take the heat then go for it. I went once in July and vowed never to go again. The crowds were huge, the lines long, and the heat and humidity horrible. I live in New Orleans and understand heat and humidity but this was terrible. I felt like my tennis shoes were melting to the pavement. I could feel the heat of the pavement through my tennis shoes.

Maybe come to WDW and just do the water parks and other activities.

 

[Hippychickali]

June through to Labour Day is the most crowded time at Disney. If you were able, I would suggest holding off until the week after Labour Day. This is one of the least crowded times at the parks right up until Thanksgiving and the weather would be a little cooler if that was a concern.

Ali

 

[DisKim]

We are going in July for the second year in a row. I hate crowds and heat, but my love for Disney overpowers the hatred. I had a great time last July. Yes, I was hot and yes, it was crowded, but it was Disney. Everything you can think of is air conditioned. If you go early in the morning, you can ride everything and go back and swim at your resort when it is sweltering in the middle of the day. If you try to go to the parks casually and arrive late, you won't have a good time. It gets very crowded by noon, but by that time, we're leaving and wondering why people don't get there earlier. One place to stay away from in the summer is water parks. It's awful. We got to TL at opening and it was packed by 10 am. I had people swimming under me in the lazy river. My advice is to go but plan carefully.

 

[pm914]

All of this response is great! Thanks for your opinions everyone.
If we do this, we'll arrive on Sat. 7/10 and do the Princess dinner at 1900 Park Faire that evening and watch the fireworks/water pageant from one of the monorail resorts. Then we'd do Epcot/MGM on Sunday and MK/Epcot or MGM on Monday. Then we were hoping to use up some of those "plusses" at BB early on Tuesday before driving to the Gulf. (Not like we're really planning this or anything, LOL).
We're also thinking about staying at the Dophin (ent. card rate) to be close to the action.
Thanks for the heads-up on the water parks - we might have to reconsider our (tentative) plans. We don't take too well to heat, either. I remember being at the MK during a record 93 degree heat wave in 4/99 and you could feel the heat rising off the asphalt in Fantasyland. yikes! Still, it'll be hard to wait till next February.

 

[frannn]

Go, go, go! You are going to FL anyway. Even if you do not get a lot done, you know you're going back 2/05. If you wanted, you could skip a lot of outdoor stuff and go for the indoor air conditioned things & the nighttime shows and activities. I have never been there in the summer, and don't plan to do so anytime soon, but if the opportunity came up, my butt would be on the plane faster than you can say "I'm goin' to see Mickey!"