Under a month to go! A few questions....

[kindakrazy2]

My girls and I are going to be at DLR July 7-15 (taking a couple of days for the beaches in there) and I'm wondering what you'd recommend in terms of days in the park. We'll have 6 day hoppers but were planning on not spending all day in the parks. Was thinking go for the morning, head out for a few hours to go shopping (my girls are 14 and 11), swimming, whatever and then head back in the evenings.

Would you recommend staying away from the parks on the weekend?

We always used to hit Peter Pan, Dumbo, etc at rope drop and do all those slow loaders right away but I'm assuming now the best plan is to boogie to Star Tours. Am I right in that thinking?

Any idea what the crowds will be like the first half of July? I know no one really knows because of the new rides but should it be better then the end of July which I've heard is down right frightening crowd-wise.

Thanks all!

 

[skiingfast]

It's going to be busy, so avoiding weekends is a good idea. But the worst day for parking and crowds at the beach is also Saturday and Sunday. Still might beat standing in DL lines to find a parking spot and place to tan on a sunny weekend. On a similiar note the park is least busy on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday as people add Fridays and Mondays to extend weekends.

Lines peak from 1pm(post lunch) to 3pm(pre parade), so that is the time to rest or go eat.

For sure Star Tours as soon as possible. Though you can grab a FP and come back later. Fantasyland at night might work for your since you have big kids that can stay up late.

I'd guess July gets better as it goes on. Just be prepared for crowds and use FP. Fast loaders and less popular attractions in the afternoons.

 

[kaoden39]

I like leaving in the middle of the day on a long day. I come back feeling totally refreshed and feel like I am starting fresh.

 

[kindakrazy2]

Thanks skiingfast. I figure its going to be busy no matter what we do on the weekend during the summer.

I appreciate your help!

 

[kindakrazy2]

Me too Michele - my kids are older too so staying late into the night is easy now.

 

[kaoden39]

Me too Michele - my kids are older too so staying late into the night is easy now.

Yeah, Sarah it is much easier when your kids aren't little anymore.

 

[disneyrand]

My girls and I are going to be at DLR July 7-15 (taking a couple of days for the beaches in there) and I'm wondering what you'd recommend in terms of days in the park. We'll have 6 day hoppers but were planning on not spending all day in the parks. Was thinking go for the morning, head out for a few hours to go shopping (my girls are 14 and 11), swimming, whatever and then head back in the evenings.

Would you recommend staying away from the parks on the weekend?

We always used to hit Peter Pan, Dumbo, etc at rope drop and do all those slow loaders right away but I'm assuming now the best plan is to boogie to Star Tours. Am I right in that thinking?

Any idea what the crowds will be like the first half of July? I know no one really knows because of the new rides but should it be better then the end of July which I've heard is down right frightening crowd-wise.

Thanks all!

My family and I will be there at the same time (July 9th-14th). Our plan is similar to yours. Yes, we will enjoy the parks, but no pressure to spend all day, everyday, there.

Have fun!

 

[Hound 109]

Even on weekends, I think the first 2-3 hours are worth doing. Especially since one can't do ST & Fantasyland slow loaders at the same time. I'd do the ST ride/FP one morning, the FL slow loading tour another....& early morning DCA on another.... X 2 (since you have 6 day hoppers).

Then maybe bail (for an afternoon rest or fun break) most days at 10:30 - noon with 3-4 FPs in your pocket.

Other comments below:

My girls and I are going to be at DLR July 7-15 (taking a couple of days for the beaches in there) and I'm wondering what you'd recommend in terms of days in the park.

I would plan on doing all 6 mornings. But if you don't get to one...no biggie.

We'll have 6 day hoppers but were planning on not spending all day in the parks. Was thinking go for the morning, head out for a few hours to go shopping (my girls are 14 and 11), swimming, whatever and then head back in the evenings.

Great idea.

Would you recommend staying away from the parks on the weekend?

I have found the first hour on a weekend to be less crowded than first hour on a monday & friday (maybe because of AP blackouts?).

We always used to hit Peter Pan, Dumbo, etc at rope drop and do all those slow loaders right away but I'm assuming now the best plan is to boogie to Star Tours. Am I right in that thinking?

Any idea what the crowds will be like the first half of July? I know no one really knows because of the new rides but should it be better then the end of July which I've heard is down right frightening crowd-wise.

Thanks all!

- Are you coming from the Central or Eastern Time Zone? Definitely plan on touring early the first 2-3 days if so.
- Are you staying within walking distance? If so, it's easy to slip in & out after 2-3 hours. If not (as SkiingFast says) it could be a pain.

Have a great time.

 

[kindakrazy2]

Thanks everyone.

Hound - we are in the same time zone, coming in from Vancouver, BC so the mornings will feel exactly the same to us. Yes, we are within walking distance - thats a must for me so its easy to come and go as we please.

I am planning on all 6 mornings being there bright and early but my teenager may have other plans. Oh well, we'll just drag her grumpy little self along with us!

 

[kaoden39]

Sarah,

Are you planning to do a trip report?

 

[kindakrazy2]

I'm considering it but haven't decided yet. I never did finish my last one!

Hmmmmm......decisions, decisions.

 

[kaoden39]

I'm considering it but haven't decided yet. I never did finish my last one!

Hmmmmm......decisions, decisions.

I am pretty bad about finishing them too. But, during the planning I feel like I have to have one so that I have someone else to share the excitement with.

 

[kindakrazy2]

That's very true. I did enjoy doing it last time. You're putting up a good arguement! lol!

 

[kindakrazy2]

Okay, decided to start a trip report! Link is in my siggie!

 

[dawnrose]

we will be there at the same time as well...with my daughter, 13, and her cousin who is 10...my sister and I do a girls trip every year...we love it!

 

[Davids-Coco]

Just an off suggestion since you mention shopping... South Coast Plaza is a lot of shopping and my fav place to shop down there. Check out their site; it may be of interest.

 

[kindakrazy2]

we will be there at the same time as well...with my daughter, 13, and her cousin who is 10...my sister and I do a girls trip every year...we love it!

Oh yay! Trip buddy! I've never been at that time of year - are the crowds as bad as I think they may be?

Just an off suggestion since you mention shopping... South Coast Plaza is a lot of shopping and my fav place to shop down there. Check out their site; it may be of interest.

Oh wow - thank you so much! I appreciate the suggestion. I'm off to google now!

 

[kaoden39]

Okay, decided to start a trip report! Link is in my siggie!

I visited!!

 

[dawnrose]

We love going in summer, in spite of the crowds..but we always do 5 days, so we can do early mornings...and evenings...the only time we were really affected by crowds was 2 summers ago when we accidentally ended up in front of the castle just as the fireworks show ended. Then we just ducked into Frontierland store for awhile until the crowds lessened. In the afternoons, we hang out at the pool, get icees, nap, read, walk over to Gardenwalk for dinner and/or a little shopping (they have a Hollister, which is my 13year old loves) ...OR we do less crowded things in afternoons like shows and the drawing classes in Animation Building...so I find it's worth the trade off...warm, sunny weather and long hours make dealing with crowds a little easier (well...most the time )

 

[kindakrazy2]

We love going in summer, in spite of the crowds..but we always do 5 days, so we can do early mornings...and evenings...the only time we were really affected by crowds was 2 summers ago when we accidentally ended up in front of the castle just as the fireworks show ended. Then we just ducked into Frontierland store for awhile until the crowds lessened. In the afternoons, we hang out at the pool, get icees, nap, read, walk over to Gardenwalk for dinner and/or a little shopping (they have a Hollister, which is my 13year old loves) ...OR we do less crowded things in afternoons like shows and the drawing classes in Animation Building...so I find it's worth the trade off...warm, sunny weather and long hours make dealing with crowds a little easier (well...most the time )

Thanks for sharing that. That is exactly what I had in mind and hoped would work out. Glad to hear it does! What time do you normally leave the parks in the morning/afternoon?