WDW in July!

[skullsplitter]

We've finally decided on vacation this year. First we were going DL. Backed out due to overall cost (flight, etc). Then it was another DCL. Could only fit a 4 day in our budget and decided that we didn't want to stop at Nassau again so why bother. Now we are definitely doing WDW the week of July 11. We've never been this late. We normally go in late May to mid June. Josh is predicting crowd levels of 7 for the whole week. How bad is a 7 now days?

 

[The Sasquatch]

July is going to be busy and super hot. People are going to be there in combo with the 4th of July holiday and nothing like May and June because everyone is out of school. You have a large group of parents who dont take kids out of school during the year and that leaves june, july and august to get to Disney. As long as you prepare yourself for the worst, you wont be disappointed. I wouldnt go in thinking you are going to get lucky, but if you do it will be all upside! Go and have a great time, maybe look to spend more time at the resorts than the parks. I would also look to schedule my days around the nights each park is open late. one for the crowds and two for the temps.

 

[skullsplitter]

July is going to be busy and super hot. People are going to be there in combo with the 4th of July holiday and nothing like May and June because everyone is out of school. You have a large group of parents who dont take kids out of school during the year and that leaves june, july and august to get to Disney. As long as you prepare yourself for the worst, you wont be disappointed. I wouldnt go in thinking you are going to get lucky, but if you do it will be all upside! Go and have a great time, maybe look to spend more time at the resorts than the parks. I would also look to schedule my days around the nights each park is open late. one for the crowds and two for the temps.

We normally go from open to close, but this time with heat and expected crowds the plan is more pool time. Early mornings and evenings for the parks. We've been many times so this time we'll just do what we can and not try to cram it all in. Thanks.

 

[The Sasquatch]

thats the best way to handle it. Like us, we go very often so if you let your days happen on the fly and you dont get to something you arent upset. We have had many days planned in a park and end up having our best day at the pool. Its a hard concept for some to buy into but you should try it once and might be pleasantly surprised. Unfortunately if someone is on their once in a lifetime WDW trip, you are going to have to suck it up and power through!

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

we're going in July too. after many many years of swearing we'd never go later than the first week of May. We're planning lots of resort pool time, evenings in the park, doing things we don't normally do (Country Bears, anyone?). I would be miserable doing a commando park experience in July, but this might be OK.

 

[hakepb]

Room rates are actually slightly cheaper July 10-August 13 than May 30-June 30

Other than July 4, I haven't noticed July wait times to be much different than mid-June.

 

[disney world dreamer]

i went during that time in 2014.
wasn't bad at all in my opinion.
lots of people in the parks but not in the lines.
hot and humid but nothing i hadn't already dealt with in june, august, and september.
afternoon thunderstorms as usual for that time of year.

 

[kj2mom]

We went for July 4th (through the 10th) last year. I was expecting lots of crowds and for it to be super hot and rain every day. Yes, we got that (and a couple of days it wasn't just your typical summer Florida rain, it was hours of downpour) but despite the weather and the crowds we had a fantastic time. I think if you prepare for the worst then you are delighted with anything more (which we got lots more). We do not go often (once every 10 years or so) so we did try to cram stuff in but not to the point of discomfort. If someone needed to slow down for a bit or needed to step into some AC to cool down at any random time then we did that. There was nothing that we needed to do during the trip that feeling miserable would supersede. Our plan of attack was RD every day, get as much done in the morning as possible, then a lunch time ADR to cool off and regroup then our afternoon was our Fast Passes and parade if we were in MK. Our night times were catch a few more rides/attractions maybe grab a bit to eat then settle in for the night time entertainment. Our MK days we then did a few more attractions but our other park days we would then head back to the resort to regroup for the next day. The only day I had told my children they had no choice but to RD was for the 4th then the others I let them decide and they always wanted to be there. Having experienced how much we accomplished on the morning of the 4th before our lunch they were hooked to rope dropping. I know RD and closing the parks are not for everyone. It worked for us (myself and my two 13 year olds) and I think primarily because we were just barely off site (near Disney Springs) and we each had our own bathroom. We could all get up at 7:30am and be on the road by 8am which allowed plenty of time to make RD. Our lunch ADR was definitely our regrouping (while many go back to their resort, this worked for us). The one night we did get back relatively early was our AK day so my children had some friends over and they all swam in the pool and had dinner together. It was a very, very nice trip and I would not hesitate to go back again in July (in fact, I am going alone for a few days this year while my children are away).

 

[abja09]

We went for July 4th (through the 10th) last year. I was expecting lots of crowds and for it to be super hot and rain every day. Yes, we got that (and a couple of days it wasn't just your typical summer Florida rain, it was hours of downpour) but despite the weather and the crowds we had a fantastic time. I think if you prepare for the worst then you are delighted with anything more (which we got lots more). We do not go often (once every 10 years or so) so we did try to cram stuff in but not to the point of discomfort. If someone needed to slow down for a bit or needed to step into some AC to cool down at any random time then we did that. There was nothing that we needed to do during the trip that feeling miserable would supersede. Our plan of attack was RD every day, get as much done in the morning as possible, then a lunch time ADR to cool off and regroup then our afternoon was our Fast Passes and parade if we were in MK. Our night times were catch a few more rides/attractions maybe grab a bit to eat then settle in for the night time entertainment. Our MK days we then did a few more attractions but our other park days we would then head back to the resort to regroup for the next day. The only day I had told my children they had no choice but to RD was for the 4th then the others I let them decide and they always wanted to be there. Having experienced how much we accomplished on the morning of the 4th before our lunch they were hooked to rope dropping. I know RD and closing the parks are not for everyone. It worked for us (myself and my two 13 year olds) and I think primarily because we were just barely off site (near Disney Springs) and we each had our own bathroom. We could all get up at 7:30am and be on the road by 8am which allowed plenty of time to make RD. Our lunch ADR was definitely our regrouping (while many go back to their resort, this worked for us). The one night we did get back relatively early was our AK day so my children had some friends over and they all swam in the pool and had dinner together. It was a very, very nice trip and I would not hesitate to go back again in July (in fact, I am going alone for a few days this year while my children are away).

Thanks for the info! I am going solo in July too for a few days while my son is away! Enjoy!!

 

[AquaDame]

We are going to find out right along with you..! We're heading down over the 4th this year since we have a long weekend and our first ever pin code (!!!) included it. They are always in my husbands name even though I do all the planning... whats up with that Disney?

I know well how much hotter it will be than October which is when we usually go. Heat = crabby husband so we went with a resort we won't mind spending a lot of time in just in case we need to bail on the parks. I've blocked out 2-6pm every day for us to swim, nap and relax but to be honest I am crossing my fingers that means he can go later into the evening. I was hoping they'd continue the late night hours at MK event that weekend as I am absolutely certain he will be better once it cools off but thats not to be. It may be the first trip where we split up for more than an hour or so at a time. I don't mean to be so dour or keep piling on my husband mind you! Last year we did the 4th and NYE at Disneyland and had a GREAT time at both since I a) lowered my expectations and b) went with the flow. I didn't "do" nearly as many rides but I honestly think they were some of the best trips we've taken to the parks since I knew ahead of time we wouldn't be able to. In the end I know well what that means...

I was the problem.

Sometimes you really do need to slow down to go faster...

 

[skullsplitter]

FP and ADR are surprisingly very much available for our trip! I honestly thought deciding this late that we'd have slim pickings.

 

[AshleeH]

We've finally decided on vacation this year. First we were going DL. Backed out due to overall cost (flight, etc). Then it was another DCL. Could only fit a 4 day in our budget and decided that we didn't want to stop at Nassau again so why bother. Now we are definitely doing WDW the week of July 11. We've never been this late. We normally go in late May to mid June. Josh is predicting crowd levels of 7 for the whole week. How bad is a 7 now days?

I'd be more concerned about the "Surface of the sun" type of heat than the crowds . Disney in the summer knows how to handle crowds - more rides open/more carts in operation per track, later hours, etc. They know how to disperse the crowds. We discussed Disney World for next July, but it was the heat that had me backing away from the idea, moreso than the crowds (we opted for a cruise instead) but I would just plan on knowing it will be hot and crowded and it won't shock you and put a damper on your vacation.

 

[redsbe]

Not so sure how well WDW handles the largest crowds (9+ levels) when even the moderately popular rides like Its a Small World have 90+ minute lines by mid morning on peak vacation days in July, to the point the at park enters into phased closure. Or when physically it is shoulder to shoulder people everywhere in the park all day long. Even with all the planning, RD, EMH, extra hours, more open, and increased staff, only reasonable to expect the park experience in July not going to be the same as even moderate crowds in say May.

 

[Shanti]

We've finally decided on vacation this year. First we were going DL. Backed out due to overall cost (flight, etc). Then it was another DCL. Could only fit a 4 day in our budget and decided that we didn't want to stop at Nassau again so why bother. Now we are definitely doing WDW the week of July 11. We've never been this late. We normally go in late May to mid June. Josh is predicting crowd levels of 7 for the whole week. How bad is a 7 now days?

I don't take crowd rankings seriously anymore, as WDW crowd patterns are in a period of flux and have been for a few years. I'm going the same week, and it's been super easy to get resorts, ADRs and FastPasses, so that gives hope for decent crowds. Also, the Brazilian economy is in the tank, and July is their primary month to visit.