What is it like in JULY?!!!

[TimothyG]

Like everyone else says, it is really really hot in July. You will need to fill up on a lot of H2O or else you'll be in trouble. Just stay hydrated and you'll be okay. Even teenagers like myself need a lot of hydration. The lines for Splash Mountain alone are about 1 1/2 - 2 hrs midday. The lines get VERY long. But don't be discouraged because July is a WONDERFUL time to go to Disney as you have EVERYTHING open. NOTHING is closed (intentionally at least).

Make sure to use FASTPASS to your advantage.

 

[bgula]

We've gone the last 2 Julys for 3 and 4 weeks and we're heading back again this summer. Yes, it's hot, but you get used to it. Comparable to Southern Ontario when we get hot, humid weather. Just plan to go back to your hotel mid-afternoon for a break and miss the worst of the heat, then hit the parks later on.

 

[tomerin]

i like to describe what it is like in WDW in july by saying CC & HHH
crazy crowded & Hazy hot and humid. add to that a definite afternoon t-storm to raise the humidity level up a notch but we love it anyway

just follow the advice on this thread and you will have a great time. we always travel in july. we start out our day with a fairly loose plan of attack. we pick out a must see attraction and fastpass it if the lines are long and just leisurely enjoy our visit. drink plenty of fluids and take that great advice of a nice long afternoon break ,swim or nap if possible.

 

[DizChick05]

DO NOT GO!!! The crowds will be horrendous!! Prepare yourself for 3 or 4 or mabye even5 hours for splash Mountain standing there in line when it is 120 degrees out staring at the sweating fat wrestler in front of you! The water parks will might close because they are at capacity! So will the parks!! Sience botteld water is expensive (aka 2.00 a bottle) all the parks will be squishin you in there like sardines so youll see 1 ride and then be exauhsted, hot and feeling like you are gonna faint. You wont be able to get food because the lines are so dang long. Nothin do to at hotels because the pools will be packed!! Just over spring break the Magic Kingdom closed because it was 100 over capacity! so if your plans are flexible go in febuary or november

 

[tci1212]

We went the week after July 4th, 2 yrs ago. We had a great time. It did thunderstorm everyday, but it only last for 1\2 hr. It wasn't as hot as it was when we went last August. The crowds were managable if you use the fast pass system. Overall I would say it was better than I expected. Have a great trip!

 

[NeverEnufWDW]

Go in July at your own risk. However, don't you dare come back to these boards with a negative thread about heat, crowds, or not getting into certain restaurants or parks, etc.......OK ?

 

[marty0518]

I know it's hot but it's not that bad. Judging by the comments, you'd think you were spending a week in Death Valley on a chain gang breaking rocks for 16 hours a day.

We go every July as well as other times during the year. What's great about the summer is that the parks are open late. We always start out in the morning for a few hours until about noon. We head back to our resort (most of the time it's the Beach Club - great pool and very relaxing) to rest, eat and cool off. We head back in the early evening for dinner and to enjoy the parks and shows. The sun is no longer a factor so it's a lot more comfortable.

Remember, it's still Disney! Just relax and have a good time. Take it as it comes.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Have the people who are posting about horrendous lines ever heard of fastpass? Do they know how to get to the park at its opening? It's all how you manage it. I would much rather do that then have to figure my schedule around which nights MK was showing SPectromagic - in July its usually EVERY NIGHT!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

We don't wake up early to go to any of the parks so maybe that's why I'd rather go during a low attendance time. FastPass is ok but if you're not there in the morning to get one you might miss out on getting one at all. July is ok, like I said before I'd rather go then than not go at all.

 

[Debs Hill]

What about the night time extra hours................based on the crowds so far this year, how are they after the parks are closed to non Disney guests?

I was hoping not to venture into the parks until the late afternoon/early evening as we will be there for 3 weeks, and take advantage of the extra magic hours................
Debsx

 

[mumoftwo]

we always go in July and we are use to the same kind of weather as you at home, remember the following
Go Early

Use Fast Past

No extra standing in the sun ( Only mad dogs etc......) so

Do evening parades

See characters inside at meals etc

Water water water for eveyone give even your smallest children a water bottle so if they get seperated from you dehydration is not your biggest fear.

Highest sun factor for all no one should go out with Celtic / Anglo Saxon skin with less than a factor 35 you will tan over the weeks no need to get it all in one day
Cover as much skin as possible,wear swim t shirts in the pools

Wear hats

wear sunglasses even kids

If you do leave the parks mid day take a proper lunch break inside in air conditioning we always extend lunch by getting lunch and then requeing for dessert or a treat, kids are always happy to sit back down for an extra half a minute for icecream

If you have a long holiday planned do lots of half days get there early leave after lunch or arrive 3to4 pm and leave late the parks are going no where they will always be there the next time

Enjoy yourself

 

[jenr812]

We're going the week of July 4th and I know it'll be hot, humid, and crowded but I don't care! I am just so excited I could fly!!!!

 

[jenr812]

Another tip you might want to consider is staying at Universal for a few days since you'll be there for so long- that way you gain free front of the line access

Just wondering if you could elaborate on this?

 

[DisneyMomx7]

One of the perks of staying on-site at a Universal Hotel,( Hard Rock, Portofino Bay or Royal Pacific) is front of the line acess to Universal Studio Theme Parks. Its like having a fast pass for every ride anytime you want! I love it and wouldn't go to Universal (especially in July) without it. That's why we're doing 2 nights at Nick Hotel, 11 nights and Grand Floridian and then the last four at Hard Rock at Universal. The best of all worlds!

 

[jenr812]

One of the perks of staying on-site at a Universal Hotel,( Hard Rock, Portofino Bay or Royal Pacific) is front of the line acess to Universal Studio Theme Parks. Its like having a fast pass for every ride anytime you want! I love it and wouldn't go to Universal (especially in July) without it. That's why we're doing 2 nights at Nick Hotel, 11 nights and Grand Floridian and then the last four at Hard Rock at Universal. The best of all worlds!

WOW that sounds great We really wish we could do Universal but we'll definitely do it next time!

 

[Wishes]

We like to go to Disney World over our wedding anniversary which is on July 28. Yes, it is hot - but many times it has been hotter back at home in Kansas then it was in Orlando! We use the early entries and the fastpass system to our advantage to beat the crowds and never seem to have any problems with long lines. Often times a thunderstorm will roll through late in the afternoon or early evening which sometimes cools things off when you go back to a park or out to another resort for dinner. We also use the little misty fans and always leave the parks shortly after lunch to go back to our resort to cool off in the pool. We love Disney in July and wish this summer wasn't our off year so we could be going back there again in just three months! You are lucky to be going and I think you'll do just fine with the heat and crowds!

 

[sugermouse]

We went last July and are going back this July. We had a phenominal time during the summer. The heat and humidity is not that bad. Enjoy!

 

[bobcat]

We love visiting WDW in July. Yes it is hot but as others have said it is very managable. Since you have three weeks you can take your time and work your park time around the hottest parts of the day. As others have said getting to the parks early and visiting in the evenings, along with doing inside air conditioned attractions during the hottest part of the day, that's the key to enjoying a summer vacation to WDW.

I have found that the last couple of weeks of July is not too crowded.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

WOW that sounds great We really wish we could do Universal but we'll definitely do it next time!

When you get a chance to do Universal do it at the end of your trip. If you book two nights - you'll get three days of FOTL access. Also a neat thing about HRH is the last day there I book a cabana ($100, or $50 if you are staying club level) but it's like having a room the last day. It has a table, four chair, 2 chaise lounges, a ref., tv, phone, comes with 6 or 8 soft drinks (I forget) and a fruit tray. You can even get changed in there if you need to because the curtains shut completely. We take a late flight home and its like we had a whole extra day! You can also book with AAA rates if you have AAA.

 

[jenr812]

When you get a chance to do Universal do it at the end of your trip. If you book two nights - you'll get three days of FOTL access. Also a neat thing about HRH is the last day there I book a cabana ($100, or $50 if you are staying club level) but it's like having a room the last day. It has a table, four chair, 2 chaise lounges, a ref., tv, phone, comes with 6 or 8 soft drinks (I forget) and a fruit tray. You can even get changed in there if you need to because the curtains shut completely. We take a late flight home and its like we had a whole extra day! You can also book with AAA rates if you have AAA.

Thank you so much for your info