Disney World in July

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are from the DC area and do outside stuff with your kids you will be fine. My 12 year old and I went last year last couple days in June and beginning of July. It was hot, really hot. But since it was equally as hot in DC we decided that if we are going to be hot, might as well be at Disney. Sunscreen, hats, cooling towels, tons of water and about elevendy billion frozen lemonade cups (seriously, they are amazing). My biggest advice. Make inside reservations for lunch. It forces a full sit down in the AC and is a good regroup for the afternoon. My kid is older so we can do a full park day with no rest (plus we are crazy), but if he were your kids ages I would hop back to hotel for rest in the middle of the day.

I feel like Disney in July with your crazy 12 year old is an under-appreciated thing same same same. That said we are always too intensely focused on our ride schedule to actually plan a sit-down meal so we just go until I am about to drop, then back to the hotel for a few hours.

[Anonymous]

We’ve done summer several times (and all the other seasons too.) I wouldn’t hesitate to go back at that time. Yes it’s very hot. So what?

Drink lots, take A/C breaks, you’ll be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are from the DC area and do outside stuff with your kids you will be fine. My 12 year old and I went last year last couple days in June and beginning of July. It was hot, really hot. But since it was equally as hot in DC we decided that if we are going to be hot, might as well be at Disney. Sunscreen, hats, cooling towels, tons of water and about elevendy billion frozen lemonade cups (seriously, they are amazing). My biggest advice. Make inside reservations for lunch. It forces a full sit down in the AC and is a good regroup for the afternoon. My kid is older so we can do a full park day with no rest (plus we are crazy), but if he were your kids ages I would hop back to hotel for rest in the middle of the day.

I feel like Disney in July with your crazy 12 year old is an under-appreciated thing same same same. That said we are always too intensely focused on our ride schedule to actually plan a sit-down meal so we just go until I am about to drop, then back to the hotel for a few hours.

DP here. We also don’t like the restriction of a lunch (or dinner) reservation but it’s very easy to find quick service with indoor seating and they don’t care how long you sit there.

[Anonymous]

We went the first week of sept. It is not the same heat as dc and while I wouldn’t say I regret it, I would not do it again. There was no strolling around taking it all in- everything was a calculated walk from air conditioned line to air conditioned line. It felt like we were there just to sprint to through rides instead of enjoying being at Disney. All our favorite day was the waterpark day bc we could just relax instead of strategizing for the heat

Cooling towels, mister fans, sun hats all helped. I definitely thought “oh how bad can it be vs DC.” The answer is BAD

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We went the first week of sept. It is not the same heat as dc and while I wouldn’t say I regret it, I would not do it again. There was no strolling around taking it all in- everything was a calculated walk from air conditioned line to air conditioned line. It felt like we were there just to sprint to through rides instead of enjoying being at Disney. All our favorite day was the waterpark day bc we could just relax instead of strategizing for the heat

Cooling towels, mister fans, sun hats all helped. I definitely thought “oh how bad can it be vs DC.” The answer is BAD

I’m the PP who has done iit several times and it just wasn’t that bad for me. I’ve been in the bitter cold too (it does happen!) and liked that less.

[Anonymous]

We went last July and honestly, it’s hot, but it’s not any hotter than here. Take it slow and have low expectation. Know it will feel hotter because there is concrete everywhere. Wear sunscreen. Take lots of breaks. We had a great time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We went the first week of sept. It is not the same heat as dc and while I wouldn’t say I regret it, I would not do it again. There was no strolling around taking it all in- everything was a calculated walk from air conditioned line to air conditioned line. It felt like we were there just to sprint to through rides instead of enjoying being at Disney. All our favorite day was the waterpark day bc we could just relax instead of strategizing for the heat

Cooling towels, mister fans, sun hats all helped. I definitely thought “oh how bad can it be vs DC.” The answer is BAD

This is where being a Disney person makes the difference. We are there for the rides (and shows and hokey animatronics) so we like it all. Yes I would like to be able to spend more time to take it all in but our style is to max it out so I don’t think we would be strolling around in any event.

[Anonymous]

I think this is totally a ymmv situation depending on you and your family members. For me, it would not be a good choice because I really don’t like the heat. Yes, it’s not much worse than here but I honestly am not a big fan of summer here and don’t spend a lot of time outside and one of my kids is the same.

For my family, Disney sweet spot has been late Jan when there are a few days off from school. We’ve been lucky with the weather but we run the risk of it actually being quite cold. We are all better off at this time of year even if it turns out to be in the 40s/50s.

But everyone handles the heat differently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think this is totally a ymmv situation depending on you and your family members. For me, it would not be a good choice because I really don’t like the heat. Yes, it’s not much worse than here but I honestly am not a big fan of summer here and don’t spend a lot of time outside and one of my kids is the same.

For my family, Disney sweet spot has been late Jan when there are a few days off from school. We’ve been lucky with the weather but we run the risk of it actually being quite cold. We are all better off at this time of year even if it turns out to be in the 40s/50s.

But everyone handles the heat differently.

I’m one of the Disney-in-July fans but that weekend in late Jan when many schools have a day or two off for parent teacher conferences is also a sweet spot especially if you are willing to pull your kids from school for an extra day or two. That said, it can also end up the other way in the mid-80s then a quite warm! Nothing like July but you’ll still be in the sun all day.

[Anonymous]

The absolute best time at Disney is after Thanksgiving and a week before Christmas. Usually still warm, but, decorated for the holidays. It is very festive and little to no lines.

OP, are you into Disney? If you and the kids are excited about the trip, I say go in July. It will be hotter than DC, very crowded, but, if you take folks advice and go early, take a break, then come back in the evening, you will have a great time. If you aren't excited about Disney, take the kids out of school and do it in the winter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We went in July and had a blast!

My main tip is Short park days. We were there like 9-12 and then left for the hotel pool. If you are up for it, go back after 4/5 pm. If you can’t do that, eat a long late lunch to stay inside during the hottest part of the day.

Yes it’s $$$$$ but if you try to do 12 hour park days in that heat you will be miserable. It’s not super crowded in July so you will still get to see/do a TON, especially if you use the Genie skip the line system.

^^this is the way.

Agree - be there for park opening... leave at 11 (or at least be inside for lunch), go back to hotel to swim and nap, return to parks at 5 p.m. We started doing this when we had young kids, but it is perfect for summer visits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We went in July and had a blast!

My main tip is Short park days. We were there like 9-12 and then left for the hotel pool. If you are up for it, go back after 4/5 pm. If you can’t do that, eat a long late lunch to stay inside during the hottest part of the day.

Yes it’s $$$$$ but if you try to do 12 hour park days in that heat you will be miserable. It’s not super crowded in July so you will still get to see/do a TON, especially if you use the Genie skip the line system.

^^this is the way.

Agree - be there for park opening... leave at 11 (or at least be inside for lunch), go back to hotel to swim and nap, return to parks at 5 p.m. We started doing this when we had young kids, but it is perfect for summer visits.

This. And what’s cool is if you are able to split. If someone is bummed out about leaving mid-day, one adult + older kid can stay and ride one more. The best—do a ride that has a lot of indoor line space—space mountain, test track (is that still there?), seven dwarves mine train is at least 50% inside.

This has worked out for us. Little kids needed to rest, an older kid was able to push through, but stay in an indoor long line.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We went last July and honestly, it’s hot, but it’s not any hotter than here. Take it slow and have low expectation. Know it will feel hotter because there is concrete everywhere. Wear sunscreen. Take lots of breaks. We had a great time.

The sun beats down. Concrete stretches out. PP’s advice is not strong enough, not as strong and endless at the heat waves rising up from the ground. Don't listen to them: “it’s not any hotter than here”. It's not just hot, it’s another planet. You'll know when you're there, sweating under boobs, kids whining, searching for shade. They won’t know why they are struggling, for they are in the happiest place, but you’ll know. The heat. One hour in, and you'll crave cold relief from any source. $15 smoothie. $20 fan hat. The hall of presidents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We went last July and honestly, it’s hot, but it’s not any hotter than here. Take it slow and have low expectation. Know it will feel hotter because there is concrete everywhere. Wear sunscreen. Take lots of breaks. We had a great time.

The sun beats down. Concrete stretches out. PP’s advice is not strong enough, not as strong and endless at the heat waves rising up from the ground. Don't listen to them: “it’s not any hotter than here”. It's not just hot, it’s another planet. You'll know when you're there, sweating under boobs, kids whining, searching for shade. They won’t know why they are struggling, for they are in the happiest place, but you’ll know. The heat. One hour in, and you'll crave cold relief from any source. $15 smoothie. $20 fan hat. The hall of presidents.

It works with an older kid who know what they want to do. My 12 year old (who is unaffected by the heat) was still go go go. It was me who needed the hall of presidents!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We went last July and honestly, it’s hot, but it’s not any hotter than here. Take it slow and have low expectation. Know it will feel hotter because there is concrete everywhere. Wear sunscreen. Take lots of breaks. We had a great time.

The sun beats down. Concrete stretches out. PP’s advice is not strong enough, not as strong and endless at the heat waves rising up from the ground. Don't listen to them: “it’s not any hotter than here”. It's not just hot, it’s another planet. You'll know when you're there, sweating under boobs, kids whining, searching for shade. They won’t know why they are struggling, for they are in the happiest place, but you’ll know. The heat. One hour in, and you'll crave cold relief from any source. $15 smoothie. $20 fan hat. The hall of presidents.

Not all of us are affected by the heat like that. I don’t think someone who is describing the hellscape that you are has any business being in Florida in July. We didn’t experience it that way. It was hot, but it’s hot here when we are outside for extended periods in July.