WDW in July

[tiggerlover]

It is looking like July is the only time we can plan a trip to WDW this year, tell me the good, the bad and the ugly so I can be prepared!

 

[stashbin]

It's funny because someone else just started a thread similar to this. I will tell you from experience that it is not that bad. Sure the heat is brutal, but if you work it right you will be fine. We always get up early and head to the parks right when they open, stay there until lunch time (or until the heat is getting too much to handle) then we go back to the resort for some swimming/nap time. In the afternoon we go back to the park when the sun is setting so the heat is tolerable. Honestly it is not as bad as you would think if you do it this way. As a matter of fact, we are going the last week of July/first week of August due to DH's schedule. Based on what we know already, we are not scared.

 

[tiggerlover]

That is some good advice, thanks....anything to beat the heat!

How are the crowds in July typically? I went in July in 1976, but I was young and can't even remember.

 

[welovedisneyx4]

I am trying to decide between Spring Break and the last week of July. Is there even any question? I am thinking the more tolorable weather in April (not as hot and especially humid) will help w/ the huge crowds they would have? Any thoughts on that?

OP, I don't mean to hi-jack your thread, just wanted to see what people had to say about comparing July to Spring Break.

 

[stashbin]

Just speaking from experience, Spring Break was a logistical nightmare! The crowds were so bad that we didn't even get to ride some of the rides due to the lines. And the heat was just as bad IMO. July's crowds are not "light" so to speak, but better than spring break. Either way, you will be looking at parks in the morning and evenings and pools during the mid day.

 

[crazelion]

I like July because of the longer park hours and I can go take mid day break to get away from the heat. I am teacher now so go in the summer or over breaks now either it's be crowd and l like crowds.

 

[tiggerlover]

I forgot about the longer hours in summer, that is a plus too. Maybe hit the hotel pool or a water park in the heat of the day and then come back late on in the evening.

 

[elgerber]

Hot, hot, hot!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That said, the pools are wonderful in July, and while it's crowded, if you go early then leave for the mid day, it's not that bad. We have done it a couple of times, and it's very doable. I do love the warmth when you go out in the early morning hours. In the fall and winter it's chilly some mornings, but 7 am in July is wonderful!

 

[java]

The Good
The park hours! I was so disappointed when we went one April and the parks closed at 7! In the summer MK can stay open until midnight and then with EMH's it can be open until 3AM! You get your money's worth that's for sure.

The Bad
The Brazilian tour groups. (we've had decent interaction and in all our years only came across 2 bad ones- but be aware that there will be HORDES of people in certain areas and they are touring so not always aware of their surroundings. And generally teens. So they can be loud. Again for us not an issue-
Disney also now jacks up prices on buffets during the summer- I think it's up until mid to late July this year. They call it a holiday surcharge- if you are on the dining plan it won't matter. If you're not it does.

THE UGLY
Do I need to even say it. It is HOT. Like Hell hot.
So as long as you love the heat you'll be fine. Hydrate and plan on mid day breaks.
My then 5 year old melted down more than usual because of that heat. He hates the heat. But guess what we're probably going again in July so suck it up and honestly hot at disney is still AT DISNEY!

 

[Hollyster2]

Ok so we can only go in July also. We have only gone in July as it turns out!
YES it is HOT, but really we go with the above mentioned plans and are just fine! Go early, have a ride schedule planned out and either leave at lunch or have a reservation inside somewhere to recharge for a few more hours then go back and rest or hang out at the hotel for the evening! We bought little fans with misters on them about the size of the palm of your hand and they cliped onto a lanyard or a belt loop and the kids played with those in line or when they got hot in the park. There are TONS of things at all of the parks to get misted or wet if you want to and of course there is the almost daily rain. Downside of the rain is how cold the air conditioning is inside every building once you are good and wet!
We just go with it. I love the weather, it is so different from here and there are ways around the heat, really. We love going in July! I am sure we would love any other time of year and maybe even prefer a milder season but really we are so excited and the heat isn't scaring us off a single bit. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[S. C.]

We went 5 years straight all trips in July.

Don't forget your sunscreen even on cloudy days.

We are not morning people and will start out in the afternoon when everyone else is at their resort napping and swimming, then we stay till they close. (We did not have little kids with us they were older)

Fireworks are every night in july. We go on rides during fireworks and parades.

If you stay for EMH make sure you are in that park and already have your bracelets. You would not believe the lineup of people trying to get into the park with EMH at the last minute. By the time they get in and get their bracelets we have already been on 3 or more rides.

We also bring our own bottles of ice water with us. It is refreshing to be able to have a drink of water while standing in line waiting for rides. We use insulated water bottle holders with shoulder straps not so bad to carry around. And you can get free ice water at any of the places that sell soda etc.

When there are 2 lines the one on the left is usually quickest.

We stay 7-9 days since it is more crowded then we don't feel the need to commando tour.

It normally will rain every evening for about an hour or so. Some leave the parks, we throw on dollar store ponchos and continue with the fun.

Try to plan your meals either earlier or later then normal and the wait for the restaurant won't be as long.

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

Don't Do It!!!!!!!

 

[karenos]

Hot crowded but still a lot of fun!

My DD9 loved the fact that we were riding BTM at 1:00am. Hey and at 1:00 am the temp was great!!

 

[DISUNC]

We were there this past July, from the 1st to the 9th! Normally we go the end of July.

We lucked out and had PERFECT weather. Really wasn't that hot or humid. Mostly high 80's!

From the 1st to the 3rd...it was empty...AND Magic Kingdom was open On July 3rd (going into the 4th) till 04:00am....we stayed till the end & rode EVERYTHING at least 2x! Even got to stay on Space Mountain for 3 runs (That is certainly ENUF! )

4th of July MK was filled to capacity & closed to the non Disney resort quests at 2:00pm. However we stayed away (did DTD that day) until the evening, just went to see the Fireworks.
Casey's on Main Street had a hour wait just to get a hotdog ...however we worked our way over to Liberty Square and went to eat in Columbia Harbour House...at 7:00pm it was EMPTY ....No lines, no waits & plenty of tables to choose from!

We watched the fireworks from behind liberty square (smoking section) Not crowded there. Then went back to the hotel.
VERRRRRRY Lucky that day.

I would do it all over again!

hERE IS A PIC OF THE CASTLE ON THE 4TH!

 

[lemondog]

We went this past July and loved it! We did exactly as the poster above said...got there at park opening, stayed thru lunch, went back to hotel for swim/rest, and then returned late afternoon/early evening. It worked very well for us. It was crowded, but we used touring plans and were still able to do everything we wanted, some more than once.

My hubby, who HATES the extreme heat, crowds AND theme parks had a blast and can't wait to go back!

 

[sdarwkcabemanmy]

The Brazilian tour groups. (we've had decent interaction and in all our years only came across 2 bad ones- but be aware that there will be HORDES of people in certain areas and they are touring so not always aware of their surroundings. And generally teens. So they can be loud.

Yes.
When we took DS this past July, you couldn't turn around for a foreign (usually South American, it seemed like) tour group being there. You looked in any direction, there they were with their hordes of teens in a solid color shirt and one person holding up a huge finder flag with some Disney character plush attached to it. They were EVERYWHERE.

Got a kick out of a Chinese tour group..we were stuck inside the queue for Test Track because it was raining so they sat themselves down in the pre-show area (where you watch the little film prior to boarding) and played pattycake. I didn't think kids over the age of 9 or 10 played handclap games anymore, but I guess I'm wrong. These were teenagers, boys and girls, playing handclap games. It was kind of neat to watch.

 

[mom2travel]

We almost always go in the summer. Yes, it's hot, but not too bad - you are at Disney after all, would be worse at home

We love that the park hours are longer. We visited once in February and were so bummed that everything closed down earlier.
We also like to swim at the end of the day before bed, and it is definitely warm enough in July to do that!

During one summer trip the 3pm rain shower was a downpour. Most people ran for cover or left the park (we were at MK). Not us, we just ran from ride to ride and enjoyed the fact that there were no lines! Just headed back to resort to change into dry clothes/shoes before dinner.

So, no worries - stay hydrated, slow down your pace if you are feeling the heat, and take an afternoon break to cool off. Have a great time!!

 

[geffric]

summer hours are great!! Perfect for teens or those that sleep in and go on turtle time for most of the day.. The kids sleep late, have a leisurely breakfast and then a swim at the pool, rest and are ready for lunch/dinner and park time by mid day ( about 4ish) and stay until 2 or 3 am.. not very long lines the later in the evening you get.. in fact after midnight many are walk on..

 

[GothTink]

We went this past July. It wasn't nearly as hot or as crowded as we'd been warned. You'll have a blast!

 

[pat fan]

We always go in July and with propper planning, you won't have any trouble. Not that I want to give away a trade secret or anything, but there is a sweet spot in July that we use when we go. If you arrive around July 6, the 4th of Julyers have left or are leaving, and if you leave before the 16th or so, the Brazilians aren't too bad. Aftyer the 15th/16th, they are brutal and there is no avoiding them.

I also recommend the arrive early (EE), go back to the hotel at lunch and then out agin in the evening theory. No problem, you will have a great time!