What are the 1st 2 wks of July like @ WDW

[goofyguy1958]

WOW. It sure has been a long time since I have been posting and/or lurking on any boards; feels kind of strange. I missed it.

We will be heading down to WDW the first 2 weeks of July, 2005 and I am concerned. I have been there in Jan., Feb., May, Oct., Nov., and Dec, but never July. What should I expect with crowds (July 4th ) and weather? Am I in my right mind to drag my 8-yo DD and 5 yo DS around the World at this time? Please help, I do not want to loose my love of everything WDW........

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We were at WDW July 15-25 this year and will be there July 3-19 this year, so it can't be too bad. Seriously we know it's hot so we plan accordingly. Now our kids are even younger, 7,5 and 4 so we know we have to take a break every day. We go when the parks first open up and stay till about 1:00, then we go back to the hotel for a pool and nap break. We usually don't go back to the parks until around 6 or 7 for dinner and then to watch the parade or firework shows. We do take a fairly long trip so that we don't miss much but don't feel like we're going to drop either. In 2003 we went in AUgust so we might be gluttons for punishments. We drink a lot of water and carry the infamous fan/spray bottle everywhere. We have a wonderful time and the best part is the parks are always open late in the summer!

 

[fac]

I think majority of the people will tell you that it is okay, therefore just an opposite view.

We were there the first week of July this year. Our girls were 3 and 5, we went to the park early, took advantage of the EMH, drank plenty of water, had the misty fan and each girl had a small fan, we had lunch in the park and left the park around 2:00 to 3:00 and only went back at night for the dinner and the firework. We used fast pass. With the exception of July 4th, I didn't feel the crowd, but then this year is my second visit in 2 year, therefore it is difficult to compare the crowd. We used a rental car and AAA parking, it cut down the transportation time. We also had non-park days.

I won't plan on returning in July, I hate the heat and the rain. It was HOT and it rained every day (possibly with the exception of one day), therefore we could not even swim in the afternoon.

I am not sure whether it was because my girls were too young or that I hate the heat.

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

hot and crowded

 

[bettyann29]

The first time I went it was in March 2000.. It was crowded, but the weather was nice.. We went last in the second week of July 2002 and it was extremely HOT and CROWDED!!!

 

[Daxx]

We were there July 16 through 25 this year and the weather was hot (93*) and humid. However, this was fine w/me b/c at home, our summer had been cool and rainy. So sun and heat and humidity were welcome!

Anyway, the day we arrived, it was glorious until 3pm, when it started to rain. Rain lasted a little while (maybe 1/2 hour) then gorgeous, hot and delightful! We had one day of rain ... on again, off again. We had ponchos and umbrellas and made the most of it. Not a bad day ... parks were quiet. About 5pm, the sun came out and it was nice the remainder of the day. The other days were gorgeous - not a single drop of rain.

As far as crowds ... not over crowded, but not dead, either. We had 1/2 hour waits in some lines (HM, Space Mtn., BTMR, Buzz Lightyear) and approx. hour waits for R&RC, ToT. At Mission Space, we walked right on several times. Test Track had 45 min. waits. We usually fast-passed on Test Track and/or Mission Space.

I would def. go again in mid-July! We did take a pool break just about every day, though! It was refreshing!!!

 

[disneysteve]

The first 2 times I took DW was late June/early July because I was still in school and that's the only time I could go.

As already mentioned, it is HOT and CROWDED. We both swore we would never go during the summer again and we haven't. We just don't enjoy stepping outside first thing in the morning and breaking out into a sweat and having our glasses steam up. The heat and humidity just sucks your energy out. I don't care how much water you drink or if you take a mid-day break, it is just oppressive.

As for crowds, I'd much rather go in September or March or any other off-peak time when a typical wait in line is 5-10 minutes vs. 60 minutes or more in July.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

We were there 7/22-8/7. I know that is a little later than you asked about but it was brutal in Magic Kingdom if you ask me. Small World and Alien Encouter were closed so that meant that rides which we normally use to kill time before our fast pass is ready were closed. There was a line on Pirates!! A line on Haunted Mansion!! We usually never encounter more than a 10 minute wait for these rides.

Epcot was okay unless you wanted to ride any of the new rides and then forget it also. Fast passes were out very early and lines were for example 120 min for Test Track.

We usually go last two weeks in August and the difference is startling.

We went to Universal Island of Adventure and the wait time was so long we left.

pleae keep in mind we could do this since we have annual passes for both parks. Obviously, if I did not I would have bitten the bullett and stuck it out.

 

[goofyguy1958]

Thank you all for the insite -- not much different than I had thought though. If it wasn't for this upcoming trip being a family trip I would be setting the timeline to run from June 13th through the 30th. Oh well, we will just have to suck it up and enjoy what we can and maybe we will be visiting Disney Quest on a lot of afternoons. Now it is off to start the planning.