Value season in July?

[lovevacations]

Just when I thought I had my trip all planned, I noticed value season starts after the 4th of July!! Is it worth saving $441.54 to switch from May 25-June 3 to sometime in July? Won't it been more crowded in July? We live in Texas but I don't know how our kids will do in crowds AND heat! HELP!

 

[CARRIE0604]

I know almost all of the school districts in the northern states are still in school at that time. My kids aren't out until 6/9.
For sure it will be crowed over 4th of july week

 

[Servants of Evan]

I didn't think value season started until the last week of August / start of September (kiddies back in school). July? Heck, that's peak season!

Servants of Evan

 

[DebbieB]

I didn't think value season started until the last week of August / start of September (kiddies back in school). July? Heck, that's peak season!

Servants of Evan

The value and moderate resorts stay regular season until late August but the deluxes switch to value season after 4th of July.

 

[FromVatoDisney]

If you do go in July, do as we did:

Go the week AFTER the fourth.
Stay deluxe, if possible, since it's value for the deluxes.
Be at the parks as soon after they open as is humanly possible for you.
Get the spray-mister fans -- two brand names are 02 Cool and Squeeze Breeze -- before you get to WDW.
Drink lots of water.
Take afternoon breaks and go back in the evening. Enjoy the long operating hours at WDW in July! Nights are great -- except at EMH parks!
Make some ADRs at restaurants you enjoy.


So many people freaked me out about going in July. We followed the above plan and we just loved every minute of it!

 

[lovevacations]

Thanks for the tips. I think we will stick with my original May dates. We always arrive 30 minutes before the gates open! When we went in 11/01 the parks were so empty that we had been on every ride in Fantasyland within 90 minutes! Going when it is crowded is new to us.

 

[FromVatoDisney]

Thanks for the tips. I think we will stick with my original May dates. We always arrive 30 minutes before the gates open! When we went in 11/01 the parks were so empty that we had been on every ride in Fantasyland within 90 minutes! Going when it is crowded is new to us.

Just bear in mind that it will probably NEVER be as empty again as it was in the fall of 2001, in the aftermath of 9/11. Also the dates you've chosen include Memorial Day weekend and (I think) the beginning of Gay Days.. Gay Days is usually the first week in June. You're going to have to deal with some crowds, but since you always get there 30 mins. before opening, it may not matter. You'll be done with everything you wanted to do by the time they show up.

 

[rkmassa]

You are going to be there when it is crowded either way. Memorial Day weekend and Gay Days weekend are very crowded. We will never go again on Gay Days weekend. Saw things we never want to see again, especially with our small children. July 4th is crowded too, and very hot. If those are your only two options, I would stick with the early choice. Find other things to do at the resort or DTD instead of the parks on the weekends. Go to the parks during the weekdays.

 

[lovevacations]

We could go anytime in July. I think we are going to stick with the May dates and stay out of the Magic Kingdom on June 3rd (we are leaving that afternoon anyway so maybe we do Animal Kingdom that day). I'm ready for crowds, but a little concerned about Gay Days. Our girls are 6 and 8. We are pretty open minded, but I have seen some Gay Pride parades and I'm not sure we are ready to explain that!!! Does anyone else have opinions about Gay Days?

 

[Texa]

I'm ready for crowds, but a little concerned about Gay Days. Our girls are 6 and 8. We are pretty open minded, but I have seen some Gay Pride parades and I'm not sure we are ready to explain that!!! Does anyone else have opinions about Gay Days?

I would like to hear too. We are thinking of going June 3-11.

 

[Sammie]

I would like to hear too. We are thinking of going June 3-11.

This is subject that can become very heated in the pros and cons of going at this time. All I can say or will say is that the park that will be attended during the celebration will be packed. I avoid this time due to the large crowds, never for what one might or might not see.

If you do a Search about Gay Week at Disney you will get all the info you need.

If you do go then, you might want to check the scheduled events and avoid that park on that day. Usually it's Magic Kingdom on Saturday at the end of the week and Ecpot on Sunday.

 

[lovevacations]

We could go anytime in July. I think we are going to stick with the May dates and stay out of the Magic Kingdom on June 3rd (we are leaving that afternoon anyway so maybe we do Animal Kingdom that day). I'm ready for crowds, but a little concerned about Gay Days. Our girls are 6 and 8. We are pretty open minded, but I have seen some Gay Pride parades and I'm not sure we are ready to explain that!!! Does anyone else have opinions about Gay Days?

Actually, I've answered my own question by searching the boards. It doesn't seem to be a big deal. We will go to AK on the 3rd. If we end up having a family conversation about what "gay" means then at least I can give my girls an open minded honest answer and move on.

I am more nervous about crowds! This will our first summer trip. But it seems good planning, a good attitude, and lots of water will solve that problem!

 

[Sammie]

Just when I thought I had my trip all planned, I noticed value season starts after the 4th of July!! Is it worth saving $441.54 to switch from May 25-June 3 to sometime in July? Won't it been more crowded in July? We live in Texas but I don't know how our kids will do in crowds AND heat! HELP!

Yes it will be more crowded in July and much, much hotter. As to the value rates, as stated that only affect the Deluxe resorts and does not reflect crowds at the parks.

Resort occupany trends affect resort seasons. They are not necessarily one and the same. For example resorts are more crowded in early December but parks are not.

 

[Texa]

So hypothetically the deluxe resorts are less crowded after July 4th. That's interesting. I wonder why that is.

 

[Sammie]

So hypothetically the deluxe resorts are less crowded after July 4th. That's interesting. I wonder why that is.

People with money, prefer to avoid the heat and crowds of the summer. Conventions also avoid those months.

 

[Texa]

That makes sense. Thanks!

 

[VAgal76]

We went in June 2004 and it was busy, but when we went this past July it is CROWDED. It may have been the 50th celebration and other promotions that drove up the attendance or something, but our family will not be vacationing during that time period again.

 

[Texa]

VAgal,
What part of June did you go? June sounds like the way to go if you have to go in the summer. School starts early in August here so we couldn't really go in August so that leaves June or July.

 

[VAgal76]

Texa - We went in the middle of June last year. If we go back, we're shooting for early June next go around. I don't know if it'd make a difference in crowds or not, but it's worth a shot.