What should I expect the first week of July?

[jenr812]

Hi everyone! The only feasible time for our trip is the first week in July. There will be 5 of us - DH, me, DD 11, DS 6 and DS 2 (three weeks shy of his third birthday! We're thinking of doing a celebration day down there too). What should I expect re: crowds, etc? Any tips? This is our first trip! I've been once in 1991 when I was 17. We cannot wait. TIA

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We'll be there the first two weeks of July. Usually we go the second or third week of July. Some of the advice I CAN give you regarding July is - 1) definitely stay on site 2) Go to the parks early and come back for a nap/swim break and return to the parks in the early evening for dinner and watching parades/fireworks 3) Make a lot of PS's so you'll be assured of having a place to eat without waiting forever 4) Don't try to see everything, and enjoy what you are seeing. Have a wonderful time. Oh, also July is known for frequent (Usually short) showers. Go to the dollar store and buy a bunch of cheap ponchos - that way you can throw them away and you won't be lugging heavy, wet ponchos all day. I learned the hard way. I notice you have a 6 and 2 year old. Now even though 6 years olds never use a stroller at home IMHO it's well worth renting a double one for the two younger children. There is a lot of walking especially in the heat and humdity, and a double stroller really comes in handy (plus you have a plus to store your stuff).

 

[bytheblood]

Heat, crowds and lots of fireworks.

 

[jenr812]

Thanks for the response so far The ponchos are a great idea. Do most dollar type stores sell them? We'll be staying at a moderate resort (haven't decided which one yet - any suggestions?? ) I've already got my ressies WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!! They're at POR but we may change to CBR - I need to decide soon bc I don't want to lose the opportunity to switch. So many decisions.... LOL

I plan to bring breakfast foods (cereal, poptarts, fruit, etc) and we're getting the dining plan. Just seems so much easier.

 

[ducklite]

Wicked heat. High humudity. An afternoon thunderstorm every day that will last from 15 minutes to four hours. Big crowds.

Like the other poster suggested, make sure you have a PS for most every meal, and be flexible.

Anne

 

[Samsma]

Hi! I think POR is a good choice - I've never stayed at CBR, but it is supposed to be very big and can be a long walk to food court etc. if you are put in one of the further buildings. Plus POR has a trundle bed for the little one, that might be better than a pack and play at his age. This will be our fourth time going in July, and we don't really mind the heat that much. Just make sure you put plenty of sunscreen on everyone, and have them drink plenty of water. It is best to avoid the heat of the day as one poster said. The pool is great at POR and you can go to POFQ to swim if they get tired of Ole Man Island.? Have fun! Oh- use the fast passes, and don't miss Mickey's Philharmagic!

 

[Avalanche]

The camping department at Wal-Mart sells them for 99 cents. They fold up really small (fits into a normal fanny pack) and arn't as heavy as the Disney ones, which is great when it is so hot and humit. They are also see through so you can tell which kid is yours (The Disney ones are yellow)

We go every summer, usually the end of June or July and love it. If you are at the parks at opening you can get a lot done before noon when it really gets crowded. Then take a break, eat swim, rest and then head back out at night for night time parades and fireworks.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I think all the dollar stores sell them. The dining plan is a good idea but you still need to make PS. You don't want to be waiting in long lines with hungry, cranky kids. Both resorts are nice but I think your sons might enjoy POR more. THey have a really cool pool and the fishing hole. Also check out the RIver Roost. They have an entertainer there some nights (Bob Jackson I believe) and he gets nothing but rave reviews from the families that have gone to see him. Also POR has carriage rides ($30 for a family of 5) that are great at night. Your 6 year old DS might be interested in the Pirate Cruise or your dd might be interested in the Wonderland Tea Party. BOth are held at the GF and are about $30. My kids loved both of them. Have a wonderful time and join the rest of us who love the heat and summertime crowds of July (along with the late park hours and nightly parades and fireworks!).

 

[Pocahontas1]

We went last July and it was hot and humid. Rained really, really, really, really hard one afternoon when we were at MGM. Remember being stuck in the exit "tunnel" with many other people who were afraid to go out in the rain. I wasn't afraid...I was just waiting to baby swap and had no where else to go.

That said (and to echo others), there are longer hours, fireworks, etc.

We bought ponchos for everyone. DS's poncho was yellow and we wanted to make him stand out, so my mother drew a person on the back. That way in the swarming sea of yellow children we could identify him from the back. Think we got ours at Target. If you want to invest a bit more in ponchos, I got a great one about 6 - 7 years ago from Eddie Bauer, Land's End, LL Bean (one of those places). It is royal blue and they also have a raspberry one. I look like a giant blueberry and no one every loses me in a crowd. Then it folds up in its own little pouch. Very sturdy since it is more of a material as opposed to plastic. Been to Europe and numerous Disney trips...

Have a great time and remember to take plenty of rests.

 

[WDW LOVR]

I'm not sure how many people know this, but if you buy the Disney poncho's and they ever rip (which happens frequently), just take it to the nearest poncho seller and they will exchange it free of charge.

We had poncho's that were at least 3 years old and one of my son's ripped and they gave us a new one with out question.

 

[Sammie]

Wicked heat. High humudity. An afternoon thunderstorm every day that will last from 15 minutes to four hours. Big crowds.

Like the other poster suggested, make sure you have a PS for most every meal, and be flexible.

Anne

Add to Anne's list very intense and at times dangerous lightening. When the tell you to get out of the pool, truely get out.

Central Florida is the ground strike capital for lightening. Take plenty of breaks from the noon day heat and drinks lots of water.

 

[jenr812]

Thanks everyone for the great tips

 

[speedyf]

We went at the end of May 2004 for the first time since 1994.

We brought our 4 year old along and stayed for 7 nights / 6 days in the parks. We visited the 4 main parks for 5 days and Typhoon Lagoon on the 6th day.

My suggestion would be to pick out the things you really want to see and make sure you get to see them. We tried seeing as much as we possibly could.

We tried to do Animal Kingdom without a mid-day break because it usually closes at 6pm. I figured we could just sit down and rest for awhile at the park instead of going back to the room. Boy, was I wrong. My 4 year old ended up sleeping through Kilamanjaro and was pretty cranky the rest of the day.

I never looked at the big picture in that we would return again soon so we didn't have to see everything this time.

I purchased the Unofficial Guide and it helped with a few tips. The biggest tip was not to visit an Early Entry park unless you plan to be there for Early Entry. Since we usually sleep a little later, we never made an Early Entry. The first day, we visited Animal Kingdom on the day that it was an Early Entry park. The place was jam packed at 10am in the morning and most of our day was miserable. That tip is truly the best tip for late risers.

So...my advice is to plan. Make a list of all the things you want to do in each park and get those things done first. Then, if you have extra time...go back for other attractions.

speedy

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Just to forewarn you, the 4th of July is one of our busiest and most crowded days of the year. Magic Kingdom and Epcot can, and might fill to capacity on that day.

 

[FromVatoDisney]

What is the temperature then? Better because cooler, or worse because now a steam bath?? How about after the sun goes down... will it get to low 80s/high 70s??

Thanks!!!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Just to forewarn you, the 4th of July is one of our busiest and most crowded days of the year. Magic Kingdom and Epcot can, and might fill to capacity on that day.

Tyler - you might know the answer to a question I have. We'll be at the GF June 30-July 15. I know not to even try MK that day. We would like to do Epcot in the AM and then come back to the hotel for swimming. The one thing my DH would like to do on the 4th is have dinner at LTT. If we have a PS and are resort guests would we still be able to get in for our dinner reservation if MK is closed. Also, is there a time that would be better than another to make the PS for - in other words what time does MK typically shut down to resort guests on the 4th? Thank you. You help us so much.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Tyler - you might know the answer to a question I have. We'll be at the GF June 30-July 15. I know not to even try MK that day. We would like to do Epcot in the AM and then come back to the hotel for swimming. The one thing my DH would like to do on the 4th is have dinner at LTT. If we have a PS and are resort guests would we still be able to get in for our dinner reservation if MK is closed. Also, is there a time that would be better than another to make the PS for - in other words what time does MK typically shut down to resort guests on the 4th? Thank you. You help us so much.

Once the MK is full, it's FULL, regardless of if you have a PS or not. Another thing is that once you leave, you're not guaranteed re-entry, even if you make a quick u-turn.

HOWEVER... resort guests DO have the advantage. As the park nears capacity, it becomes "Resort Guests ONLY."

Typically, people start to leave around dinner time, and the park reopens. My *GUESS* is that you'd be fine with your plan. I cannot guarantee anything, since people will want to stay late for the fireworks and all... but I think you should be fine.

Just get there early, because it will take you longer to get through the turnstiles, and to battle the crowds.

 

[old lost boy]

It is briefly better then becomes a steam bath. I think planning is really important in the summer. The less walking the better, so don't get off Thunder Mountain and then decide to do Space Mountain. We usually do EE stay till around noon, go back to the resort for a swim and head back to the parks for supper. Mad dogs and Disney nuts go out in the mid-day sun.

 

[FromVatoDisney]

We usually do EE stay till around noon, go back to the resort for a swim and head back to the parks for supper.

Exactly what we plan to do. My ds 9 gets up at the crack of dawn, might as well use it our advantage for once and make it to every EMH we can. If we eat breakfast in the room, it will be no problem at all for us to put on shorts and sunscreen and be out at the WL boat dock for the first boat out.

How are the nights in terms of temp.? Thanks so much!!!!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Thank you Tyler. I know there are no guarantees but we can always count on you.