Tips for enjoying DW in July

[meredetrois2]

Hi! We are going to be at DW from July 3 - July 7. I know this is not the best time in the year to go because of the crowds, but our teenage daughter is going with our church on a youth choir SonPower tour that week so DH and I decided we would go along and take our DS ages 11 and 6. We are staying at the All Stars Sport resort July 3 -6, we got 4 day Magic Your Way passes and the dining plan. We'll be coming in the afternoon of the 3rd so we thought we would just check in and lay around the pool or tour Downtown Disney.

I've checked out touringplans and have the Unofficial guide, we actually bought touring plans for our April 2004 trip but I felt like we were skipping around the park and didn't get to a lot of the places the kids really wanted to go. The site does suggest staying out of MK, AK and DS on the 4th so we were planning on touring Epcot that day.

Any suggestions that you might have as to where to dine, which park to visit on each day, etc. would be greatly appreciated. We'll be checking out on the 7th but plan to use most of that day as our 4th pass day.

 

[tinkersmama]

We'll be going from the 2nd to the 5th. Just take things slow and have fun. Take a break in the middle of the day and go for the extra magic hours in whatever park they are being offered. The parks are going to be open insane hours. Like 8am - 2am. We are staying out of all the parks on the 4th and just hanging by the pool and beaches. My daughter will be 4 when we travel, and I plan on taking long breaks to get away from the crowds. If either of the boys start to get tired or anxious, take off and go swimming. Alot of times, the kids have more fun at the pools than they do in the parks.

Just my opinions.

 

[ericafny]

We went last July and are going back this coming July into Aug. Personally, I think July is one of the best times to go. Yes its hot, yes its crowded, but you can really feel the Disney magic as it is pumping through the parks and through all the people! The parks are open much later, all of the shows/parades/fireworks offer multiple shows and hardly any of the rides go through refurb in the summer! You will have a great time as long as you drink lots or water, take an afternoon break, and just remember to enjoy yourself!

Have a great trip!

 

[DisGirl819]

We are going from June 30-July 8. As far as the days you are going...this is what we are doing...
3rd-MGM, Brown Derby-Fantasmic
4th-sleep in day, Breakfast at Grand Floridian Cafe then off to Epcot for the day. We are eating at Chefs de France and Marrakesh
5th-MK, Breakfast at Crysal Palace, dinner at Kona Cafe
6th-Water park/DTD day. Eating at Planet Hollywood.
7th-MGM/DTD, We are going to DTD to see POTC movie on opening night (buying tickets online beforehand). Eating at House of Blues and Mama Melrose's

We are also on the dining plan and I have planned many TS meals (some we will pay OOP) and are using CS credits for breakfast many days. I think Epcot for the 4th is a great idea and I heard they have a good fireworks show.

Take a lot of relax time, drink lots of water, enjoy many indoor a/c attractions and just have fun!

Make your ADRs now so that you have someplace to eat, otherwise it may be too busy and they might not accept walk-ins at many TS restaurants.

 

[MelanieC]

I have to agree with EricafNY

We went for the first time last July and we LOVED it. We are going back this year the end of July into August.

Yes it's hot, but I prefer it to November. I only have to bring shorts, there is never a question if it will be cold or hot. There are so many indoor rides and lines that I'm usually happy to be going back out into the heat to thaw. Then when I get hot I'm ready to go back into the air conditioning. Heat was not that big of a deal for us, EXCEPT when we went to Busch Gardens in Tampa. Every line and ride was outdoor with barely any coverings. I was miserable by early afternoon.

We also didn't find the crowds that bad in July, but we were not there over the 4th either.

Have a wonderful time. I can't wait till the end of July.

 

[lizanne]

Until last year we always went in July because of school and football practice. Now our kids are grown so my DH and I can go whenever we want (this year in Oct)

My advice for July is to be at whatever park your going to before opening, leave at noon and don't go back until after 4 or 5. Since you missed what you wanted to do on your last trip, I would make sure to do the rides/attractions I wanted to see first (or grab a fast pass and hope the appointed time will work for you). We usually go to one park in the morning and a different park at night.

As far as eating is concerned, sometimes we would go to a nice restaurant for a sit down lunch after we left the park for the afternoon, or go to an early dinner before returning to a park. We could usually only eat one large meal each day because it was so filling and eating at one of these times didn't take away from park time. The other meals would be something lighter.

And of course theres always the old advice of walking through the stores or going to an indoor attraction when it's too hot to get some AC.

My kids never complained about going in July and we always had a great time.

 

[Snow Shoe]

July is also the time we get to go. We've been there on many 4ths's and it is a good idea to go to Epcot. MK will probably be closed by noon. There's a lot more room at Epcot for guests to be in, verses MK, and AK will be like a sauna. If you haven't made any ADR's yet, you realllllly need too. Going during this time without ADR's, you stand a real good chance of not getting into any TS restaurants. I've seen families who have walked up to a TS restaurant and were turned away because they couldn't be seated, the house was full all night.

I love going at this time because of the number of people there. Sounds crazy, but I'm a people watcher and like to meet and talk to them. The one thing we've found is to drink plenty of water all day long. Stay hydrated. The soda pops, ice creams, etc are great to have, but your body craves that water.

 

[sewer]

You're going to love it! We've been there for the last few years, and we just love the excitement of the parks, and International Drive in Orlando. If you can't find some fun down there, ya just won't be able to find it anywhere. BTW we'll be there the same time as you will, look for our lime green Mickey's!

 

[meredetrois2]

You're going to love it! We've been there for the last few years, and we just love the excitement of the parks, and International Drive in Orlando. If you can't find some fun down there, ya just won't be able to find it anywhere. BTW we'll be there the same time as you will, look for our lime green Mickey's!

LOL, sure thing Another quick question - some of the acronyms I get like DH, DS, etc. Do ADR's stand for advanced dining reservations? I really need to get those done this weekend - we've chosen a few places but are stuck as to whether to eat in AK or MGM. I'm assuming that Rain Forest Cafe at AK is not on the dining plan?