Well, it looks like July for us; will we regret it?

[HunnyPots]

My DD is starting a college tech program in the fall that will last two full years without semester breaks of more than a few days so this will likely be our last chance for a real family vacation till 2009. We had originally planned to go the second week of June but since Pirates is DD's all-time favorite ride, we decided to wait for the re-opening, which puts us at July 9-15. We plan to make use of fastpass and EMH mornings, taking a break in the afternoons before going back to whatever park we choose for the evening. Yes, it will be hot, it will be crowded, but it will still be Walt Disney World, right?

 

[mattsdragon]

Of course it will be great. It's still WDW, and they are still your family. Your vacation is what you make of it.

Have a great time.

 

[mscoryb]

Our family has gone twice in July, and have thoroughly enjoyed both trips. Take advantage of fastpass and incorporate mid-day breaks into your schedule and I am certain you will have an enjoyable trip. Being at Disney is magical ANY time of year! Have a great trip!

 

[D L and K's Mom]

We can only go in July or Aug now as DH and I are both Teachers and we have a DD who is now a H.S. student and we dont let her miss school. Anyway, we go in July and we LOVE it. It is hot but if you go slow and take breaks you will have a great time. Consider a water park if you have tickets that let you do this. They are great fun and a great way to stay cool!!! Get Fast passes and make Lunch ressies for a nice sit down lunch so you can sit and relax in the A.C. and then press onwards! Good luck!

 

[4greatboys]

I think its doable with good planning. Just be sure to be at the park at opening and I would plan on an afternoon break somewhere cool. With EMH and fastpass you should be able to do the attractions you want to.

 

[Loves Disney]

I have gone in July 3 times and we are going again this July. I love it because the weather is so warm to hot! lol. (I am happy with 90 degree weather lol) I must say that yes, the crowd level will be high, especially the closer to July 4th you get. Avoid MK from 2:00 pm - around 3:30 pm. I learned that the hard way lol. (couldn't move an inch in Forntierland, a parade takes place). It is really a matter of understanding what makes a crowd large and then avoiding the times where it might be large. I love going in July and I bet you will too!

I have also been to WDW a few times in March and in April. I still like July!


I am 17 1/2 right now and while my parents are both teachers, they like being able to go down and not worry about coming back to school (I feel the same way) It is less depressing. Once in March, we came back home to a blizzard and school the next day, also, we had to leave my dad down there because he was involved with robotic competitions that took place after we HAD to return home. My mom was getting her Master's then and had a class that night! July is heavenly! lol

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We always go in July and LOVE it! This year we added a trip in January so DH could run the marathon. While it was nice, we all agreed that we like July so much better.

You know the drill - get to the parks early, stay on-site so you can take a swim/nap break in the afternoon, return to the parks at night - they are all open late. Don't forget to drink lots of water and invest in a s spray/fan water bottle and you'll have a great time. We'll be there (WDW) July 12-22 and (US/IOA) July 22-26. So you see we REALLY love July!

 

[CanadianPaco]

My DD is starting a college tech program in the fall that will last two full years without semester breaks of more than a few days so this will likely be our last chance for a real family vacation till 2009. We had originally planned to go the second week of June but since Pirates is DD's all-time favorite ride, we decided to wait for the re-opening, which puts us at July 9-15. We plan to make use of fastpass and EMH mornings, taking a break in the afternoons before going back to whatever park we choose for the evening. Yes, it will be hot, it will be crowded, but it will still be Walt Disney World, right?

Expecting the crowds and planning will save you!! We did it last year and had the time of our lives!!

For example, we rode Soarin' three times in one day simply by planning it right. DH went ahead to get the fastpasses and then stood in line for regular boarding. I got the troops there and joined him in line. Did it once then got back into the fastpass line. Did it again and got fastpasses again - for after 5pm by that time. We had planned a double Epcot day anyway! So we got it a third time.

You will be fine - I promise!!

 

[blessedby3]

I would maybe consider doing the Disney Cruise instead of Disney if my only option would be going in July. I would rather be on a nice cruise ship and swimming than be in the parks. I know a lot of people go in the summer months, but we wont go after the first part of April thru the mid part of October. I just hate the heat and crowds. We went in April of 2003 and it was so hot and crowded and my kids were whining so much about being uncomfortable with the heat that I swore we would never go back in the hot time. We enjoy ourselves much more going in the cooler months. Our last trip this past Nov. was the best. No crowds and no HEAT!! I understand that with college things get harder to do so you have to do what fits for your family. I would just consider the cruise option!! Have fun whatever you do!

 

[FromVatoDisney]

I would LOVE to be in your shoes, we went July 13 to 20 last year and loved it!!! Plus, you're from Texas... I think you will be acclimated to the weather.... It all depends on the person, of course... I am a "heat miser" and I am fine with 90-plus heat. Now, I was just reading another thread about it going to be 37 degrees in the morning tomorrow at WDW. FORGET IT! That's not what I want when I'm in Florida! Someone on the thread responded to the OP that "handwarmers have been" their family's "best friend" their last three winter trips. EEEK! Handwarmers in WDW!!! Give me my big water bottle and misty fan any day!!!!!!!!!

 

[johnvree]

There are two things to deal with in July - crowds and heat. The crowd challenge can be met with planning. It's not enough to know what park you are doing on which days. Try to know what attractions you are going to try to hit and a rough order this way you can plan when to get fast passes. Also try to plan out your meals in advance. Make ADRs, even for lunch.

The heat is bad in July, but I don't think it is that much worse than June. But it is hot. Drink plenty of fluids and avoid overdoing it.

 

[MichelleChell]

I am also going in July (16-24) I am aslo from Texas (Houston) So I too know about heat. I think it will be okay. I think Tx humidity is worse. We are more used to it so we may be okay.

 

[HunnyPots]

Thanks for all the encouragement! We are definitley staying on-site to take advantage of EMH. I'd originally planned to buy the base tickets with no hopping but I've decided now we will need the option to hop to another park when the crowds get too large on EMH days. We were planning to eat counter service, both to save money and time, but is that a good idea in July or will the CS lines be outrageously long?

 

[domestic goddess]

I have been asking the same questions for our next trip. My DH has a seminar at the CR from July 10-14 and his school just approved it last week! The great thing is that we get to go with him and share his room! We figured that we will go a few days early so that we can all spend a few days in the parks together and then the kids and I will enjoy the resort and pool during the day when he is in the seminar and then we can do things together(ie. EMH) in the evenings. We usually go during the slower times when the crowds are much smaller, so we are expecting bigger crowds, but it is usually too cold to do the water parks then so we are looking forward to being able to do that this trip.

We can't wait to try some new things. We got such a great convention rate at CR so we are staying there. And being able to spend more time enjoying the resorts will be fun too, as well as going to the water parks! I believe that with the right planning and information it makes all the difference. Plus, you have to have the right expectations. You can't go expecting to just walk on everything and not to get over heated. Plan to take breaks and enjoy the atmosphere! After all, you're at WDW!!!

Enjoy!!!

 

[D L and K's Mom]

We love having the Hopping Option. One of our favorite things to do is go to MK or AK in the morning go back to the hotel ....drive over to Y&BC have an early dinner at Y-Steakhouse and then walk over to EPCOT to watch the fireworks and have a late dessert! It is not as hot and it breaks up the day. We break up the parks and use the hopper option it is the BEST!!!!

 

[dizprincess717]

I'm a CP right now and I'm leaving in May. The first week of July my family and I will be back in Disney for vacation! We'll be here over the 4th and the opening day of PotC2.

I can tell you right now, as a veteran of summer WDW trips, it will be hot and it will be packed. Plan, drink water, wear sunscreen, plan, drink water, wear sunscreen... You get the picture. It'll be amazing to be at WDW over the 4th because of the fireworks.

You'll have a wonderful time!

 

[SuperGurl]

I'm going in july also. I am so glad I came across this board last year. Everyone's tips have come in handy for me when I started planning my trip. I'm going for 8 days and added park hopper to my tickets so I can have the added flexibility of going to any park I want , any time of the day. And thanks to a tip from another thread, I'm going to make sure I buy Misty Mates and rain ponchos. I don't think I would be as prepared had I not come across the DIS. Thank you!

 

[DWjunkie]

We- me, DH, DS 4, DD 1.5 - went this past July. Its HOT and CROWDED but you can still have fun. Figure out what main attractions you want to do the most. Be there when the park opens and do those first.


Drink LOTS of water
Take an afternoon break
Make sure you have ADR's (it was so nice check in and be seated in just a few mins)

 

[Golliwobbler]

get to the parks early, stay on-site so you can take a swim/nap break in the afternoon, return to the parks at night - they are all open late. Don't forget to drink lots of water and invest in a s spray/fan water bottle and you'll have a great time.

I think DisneyMomx7 hit it all on the head, especially on the spray fan/water bottle. We have gone in August (actually last year, it was mid-90s air temp, 100+ surface), and with DDs 6&8, well we needed to adjust for them more since they have less tolerance/stamina in the face of the heat. Mix up the indoor attractions with those outdoor (and make sure you notice which have indoor lines vs. outdoor lines!) With younger kids, the night time return was not in the cards...we got out early, made the most of it before 2pm, raised the white flag with lunch and indoor rides, and tried to carry the crew through to dinner. If we made it that far, there was a good chance of seeing the Illuminations, Fantasmic, or Wishes show...

 

[mhingher]

Definitely! I think you have the right idea as far as your plan. Although July wouldn't be my 1st choice, it will still be Disneyworld and I'm sure you will have a great time. I grew up only visiting WDW in July or August, and despite the heat, we never had a bad time-- far from it!!

As far as the food lines, try eating meals at off-peak times... i.e. have lunch at 11am or after 1pm. This might save you some time in line.