When in July?

[obias]

Due to our families crazy schedule's we our moving Disneyland trip from Oct to July. I'm excited that it's sooner but nervous about the summer crowds and the opening of carsland. So our dates are either the 1st wk of July or the 3rd wk. We are leaning towards the 1st week but I don't know how insane the parks will be over the 4Th of July. The 4Th of July falls on Wednesday this year. I would love your input! I will admit I have been a long time lurker and you guys rock

 

[HydroGuy]

Probably there will be no significant difference between 1st and 3rd week of July. Yes July 4 may be a little more crowded - but recent years have not really been that bad from reports I have read.

What will likely cause the largest swing in crowds is temperature. If it is extra hot the locals will postpone their visit and if it is extra cool it will draw them. But one obviously can't know that this far in advance.

 

[obias]

Thanks hydro guy! I have read that the park gets packed the afternoon/evening on the 4th for fireworks but have you ever heard of it reaching capacity in the past....should I be worried about this

 

[Malcon10t]

Thanks hydro guy! I have read that the park gets packed the afternoon/evening on the 4th for fireworks but have you ever heard of it reaching capacity in the past....should I be worried about this

It hasn't the last couple years, but it has in the past. Last year, it was crowded, but not impossible. A lot of people do come in and camp for fireworks.

 

[skiingfast]

It hasn't the last couple years, but it has in the past. Last year, it was crowded, but not impossible. A lot of people do come in and camp for fireworks.

I think to hit capactiy the 4th need to fall on a Friday or Saturday when the nights are the buisiest of the week to start with.

This year though DCA will be busier and this could be a park that starts reaching it. Though coming on a Wednesday I doubt it will be a problem this year in either park.

 

[pixiemomof3]

We went on 4th of July 2008 (that was a Friday though) and that was a bad idea when we went.
It was so crowded, the park reached their limit. Then the fireworks they had at night were cancelled due to wind. People were so mad. Everyone was walking toward the front and it was like we were stuck in a huge mob of people, we were'nt even moving, we just stood in the middle of Disneyland trying to walk and it was so sad to see people trashing DL. There was garbage everywhere, it looked like a dump. Sorry for my rant but that is just how it was for us. I would not do July 4th there again due to that experience but the last few years sound like they have not been to crowded, due to reading others reviews. You may have to try your luck and see!

 

[Mugglemama]

We went 7/5-7/9, 2010.

We were at the hotel on the 4th, but we just watched fireworks from the balcony that night (it was SOOO awesome to have everyone showered, in jammies, and able to crawl into a cozy bed seconds after the fireworks ended - as opposed to having to fight the crowds in the parks and garage...).

The crowds during that week were not terrible overall. It was much chillier than expected on most days of our visit. Some lines got long throughout the day, but we were well prepared with detailed itineraries for each day and we were able to do everything we wanted, plus several repeats of our favorites (and that's despite being a group of 10...4 of them young children, and 1 in adult in a wheelchair!), using early arrival and FP collection strategies.

I *will* say....that the one Magic Morning we utilized on that visit was a total bust! We woke up at the crack of dawn (4:30am!) to get everyone ready and in line at the security tables an hour ahead of MM....and MM turned out to be WAAAAAY more crowded than ANY of the non-MM days. So, here we'd gone through all that (wasted) effort...only to have to wait 3 times longer for all of the Fantasyland rides than we had on the non-MM days.

 

[Thundergod]

We've gone the last two years in July. First year the park was busy but not crazy. Last year was nuts.

 

[ZanderMan]

My 2 cents. I think the parks will be crazy busy with Carsland opening this summer.*

 

[obias]

Wow thanks for all the great info! It sounds like all though the 4th would be amazing,I don't think I want to fight the crowds when it will already be crowed. It's been great to hear others experiences at the park during the 4th(some good, some not so good). I think we will hold off till the 3rd wk, just need to convince the rest of the fam.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

DD & I visited the parks for her 7th Bday, early July *7/3-7/6 2010 - we had a fantastic time, low crowds except for the evening of the 4th. I'm guessing now it'll be a bit more crowded *due to all CA being eligible for monthly AP payments *plan was only available to S CA residents in 2010* We visited DLR Thanksgiving weekend 2010 & 2011 *same days, Thanksgiving - Saturday; last year was much more crowded, we did fine with getting there 30-40 minutes prior to park opening, wise FP usage and SR lines, however I prefer fewer bodies; again I think this was due to the monthly AP payments being available to all CA - if I could get an AP with no block outs for $35 a month *not sure on exact costs* I'd for sure go with that pass.

 

[obias]

Hello Zanderman and Disneymomma81 from St.George, Utah It seems like will be going over the 4th so I have a lot of detailed planning to do. Disneymomma81 I'm with you if I lived in So Cal and could purchas an Ap pass. Mugglemama great tip on watching fireworks from the hotel viewing deck with little ones...we our staying across the street form DL. It will be crazy busy so the best thing to do is hold on tight and enjoy the ride!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Hello Zanderman and Disneymomma81 from St.George, Utah It seems like will be going over the 4th so I have a lot of detailed planning to do. Disneymomma81 I'm with you if I lived in So Cal and could purchas an Ap pass. Mugglemama great tip on watching fireworks from the hotel viewing deck with little ones...we our staying across the street form DL. It will be crazy busy so the best thing to do is hold on tight and enjoy the ride!

You'll be fine, I'm glad you found this board, for sure get there prior to park opening, collect FPs for use after your mid day break *I take a nap when park hours are 8am-12am. It may be chilly, I was expecting warm weather, afternoons were nice but mornings and evenings were a bit cool - I finally broke down and bought DD a $20 Mickey sweat shirt.

Anybody can purchase an AP - only those in CA can have monthly payments, all others pay for it all at once.

The parks should be practically empty the 1st 2-3 hours each day.