Summer holidays - July/August crowds?

[DreamofDisney]

Ok so we're taking the plunge and booking for the start of the summer holidays (28 July - 11 August) . Having visited the magic in October in previous years I am worried about crowd levels.

Any tips on overcoming the fear?

 

[wayneg]

Not a lot you can do about it really, its US school hols and UK school hols so it will be busy.
Get into parks at opening and do the busy rides before 11am then it starts getting really busy, eat at odd times like as 11am for lunch, we miss breakfast and do this almost everyday. Make sure you use fastpass system as much as poss.
Main thing dont get stressed with the crowds accept it and chill worrying and stressing will ruin your day. If its too busy go have dole whip sit on a bench and watch the world go by.

Love the name also, I have a VMK character called DreamofDisney

 

[JohnnySharp2]

As it will also be very very hot it is vital you try and get to the parks at cooler , and quieter times of the day.
I would aim to get there at park opening, this way at least you should get a good couple of hours in before the crowds build and temperatures rise.
Just play by ear from then, enjoy the cool air-conditioned indoors as much as you can and drink plenty of water.

 

[zippyhannah]

i know ive never been b4 full stop i cant wait to go but ill be there the same time as you lol if you se a blonde girl and a hairy man from liverpool wave coz that will be me and darling boyf lol

 

[crabbie1]

Bumping up as going at this time for the first time as well

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

The only thing I can suggest is do the WDW part as late as possible in August, kids go back to school at least a week before us in most states, also most brits go for at least two weeks and do Disney first then beach, so if you go late in August do Beach or Unversal first ( on site with first in line access) then Disney.

The free Disney Dinner plan does however throw a large spanner in the works bumping up the people in WDW.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We have been last 2 years in August - as I said earlier it is extremely hot at this time of the year.
Crowds late August are more difficult to predict, historically last 2 weeks are quieter , however (as Andrew says) the DDP has kind of affected that and crowd levels are variable now. We certainly found certain parks busier in 2006 than the previous year (ie non DDP year).

 

[DreamofDisney]

Thanks for your help guys - it's looking like we will be going the last couple of weeks in July so I'll make sure we stock up on suncream, hats etc!! We have always stayed on site, but are planning on a villa this time around and DD isn't taking it too well

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Thanks for your help guys - it's looking like we will be going the last couple of weeks in July so I'll make sure we stock up on suncream, hats etc!! We have always stayed on site, but are planning on a villa this time around and DD isn't taking it too well

Private villas are great and give you loads of extra room and that freedom to relax too.
Your own pool is a big plus too.

 

[wicket2005]

We have gone the last 2 weeks in July, the last two years. I too was worried about crowd levels after only going in February before. However, I planned to go to parks on their quietest days and most importantly to be at the parks as soon as they opened, if not earlier.

In every single park we did not have problems with lines first thing in the morning. In fact we usually had whizzed round all the rides we wanted to do by early afternoon, with no lines or minimal ones. The thing too to remember is you get a head start before the main crowds start turning up about 11 am so can be right at the far side of the park by then. Then we either took in the shows or walked round animals, viewing exhibits, etc depending on what park we were in, then left, had a relax at the hotel pool or water park before hitting another park in the evening. If you do not get to the park early you WILL hit long lines and not get the best out of your day there but to do this does require a certain amount of will power to get yourself up and out to hit the parks before 9 am; taking into account breakfast and travelling time and getting up tired children. Really it is up to you what you get out of your holiday.