Any Disney World experts?

[ColorTheHours048]

Hello fellow BWW people of the world! I recently planned a trip to Disney World smack in the middle of July and am now realizing nearly everyone on the Internet agrees July is the worst time to visit. I grew up going in the winter and semi-recently took a trip in September, so this is sort of foreign territory for me.

I've been scouring the various blogs I've come across but finding it difficult to find advice about navigating the parks when it's so crowded (and oppressively hot). We've got FastPass+ and are staying in a Disney resort, but other than that, I'm nervous we may have made a mistake booking in July. Any words of advice or helpful blogs to ensure we're getting the most out of our trip with minimal frustration?

[ErikJ972]

Avoid parks that are available that have early opening for resort guests. Or go for the early opening and then go somewhere else. They tend to be most crowded on those days.

I've gone in July before and it wasn't THAT bad. Just use your fast pass wisely and you should be ok. And eat your meals on off hours. Save the big attractions for when there's a parade going on that you dont' want to see.

[madbrian]

ErikJ972 said: "Avoid parks that are available that have early opening for resort guests. Or go for the early opening and then go somewhere else. They tend to be most crowded on those days.

I've gone in July before and it wasn't THAT bad. Just use your fast pass wisely and you should be ok. And eat your meals on off hours. Save the big attractions for when there's a parade going on that you dont' want to see."

I would agree with this advice.  In July, the parks are open long enough, so avoid the early openings.  Also, you may want to consider working the parks back-to-front.  In others words, upon arrival put your blinders on and go directly to the farthest point and start your journey there.  Also, since you're staying onsite, you can have any purchases delivered to your room rather than schlepping them around with you.

[artscallion]

We just came from there over Easter week, which is less hot, but even more crowded than July (2nd busiest week, next to Xmas). One thing we found was that Epcot was the least crowded park, being that it is less kid oriented. So head there if you need a break from the crowds.

We went right at opening and hit the big rides immediately with less than 15 minute waits. We saved the fast passes for the afternoons. Book your fast pass choices as soon as you are able or all the good rides will be unavailable.

Also, though obviously, the park gets hotter as the day goes on. So hit the parks in the morning and then again when it's cooler at night. Save the afternoons, when the sun is beating  down on everyone, for lunch/nap/water parks/etc. 

[ACL2006]

great advice from both. Figure out your FastPass-es before going. You can reserve these up to 90 days before you go. It's annoying, but considering the time of year you are going, it's highly suggested. Download the Disney app so you can always see the wait time for rides. DO NOT arrive as soon as the park opens. Wait an hour or so, then go. Also, if you don't mind staying late at a park, see what parks have the extra hours. Some parks may stay open in July until 11pm or midnight. The family crowds start to leave around sunset.

[rosscoe(au)]

Was there in November and heat was insane, keep checking for restaurant reservations we got be our guest the night before after trying all week, you need the app! 

[ArtMan]

As someone who has lived in Florida most of my life, unless there is a cold spell you are going to be hot in Florida. even in November and December.  Of course, in July, you are going to sweat.  You also need to watch out for afternoon thunderstorms that occur quite frequently.  They do not last long and when over, cool down the temperature some.  But if there is lightening, certain rides will probably not operate (at least that is what happens at Universal and Isles of Adventure), until the thunderstorms are gone.  So I would advise doing that type of ride first, in the morning.  In the afternoon, it's going to rain.

[xxdrewboy85xx]

Agree with everyone's advice. I'd also download the app My Disney Experience.  I always use it as a good indicator to see which parks seem to be the busiest based on ride wait times and what to get fast passes times for and use the time in between to do other stuff. 

 

And on the hottest days of your trip, try and avoid Animal Kingdom. Either I always go to AK on the hottest day of my trip, am always there at peak sun/heat times, or I don't know what-- but it's always so hot when at that park for myself! 

 

Have fun! I just returned a week ago and will be back around the winter holidays. 

[yankeefan7]

I don't know if I am an expert but have been there quite often. I would get there as soon as the park opens to makes lines shorter for things you don't have a Fast Pass. If you are staying at a Disney hotel, I would leave the park around 1pm and head back to your hotel to chill out at your hotel pool for a couple of hours. The parks are open later so you can go back later when it starts getting a little cooler. I would go to a park like Animal Kingdom first, lots of fun and less crowded. Epcot is also not as bad, Magic Kingdom is the worse when it comes to crowds. Make sure you have your dinner reservations done well in advance. Sometimes it is good to have early dinner and then hit the rides when everyone else is having dinner. Also, my wife has gotten a misting spray fan and says it has helped her stay a bit cooler. 

[Brian07663NJ]

There is a VERY good reason to be at the front gate to the park 15 minute prior to opening HOWEVER choose the park that did NOT have Magic Morning the hour early for the park guests. Meaning...if the Magic Kindgom opens an hour early at 8am that is the park to avoid BUT DO get to EPCOT 15 minutes prior to that park opening so that you can quickly ride Soarin and Mission Space. Works the same for all the other parks too. The first hour or two (9-11am) are beneficial because families with small children are usually not there promptly. Last June on a Saturday morning I walked on Seven Dwarf Mine Train at 8:05am and then again at 8:15am using my FastPass. Then went on Winnie the Pooh and several other Fantasyland attractions before 9am! My Florida friends were amazed because they never get to the park between 8-10am!

[Mister Matt]

The last time I went, we stayed at a Disney resort and we would visit the park with extended morning hours, then go to the hotel and chill/nap, then switch to the park with extended evening hours.  We never stayed in the same park for an entire day, so as not to get burned out, frustrated and tired with the same park (which is exactly what happens during the summer months in that heat.  We saved the film-oriented attractions (Soarin', Tough to Be a Bug, Philharmagic, etc.) for the hottest part of the day because they were dark and cool.  And possibly the single best experience was waiting for the extended evening hours to visit Typhoon Lagoon.  The water rides are lit and glow in the evening, the lines were brief and you weren't frying to a crisp waiting in lines for the rides.  The Magic Kingdom does get really packed and I always avoid the afternoon parades (for all parks), but I found the crowds at the Studios to be the worst.  The park is small and I found most of it to be a waste of time.  I hit the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and the Tower of Terror and then get the hell out of there.

Do you have the meal plan?  I would never do Disney again without it.  I planned each day in advance knowing which parks to hit and booked all my table service reservations as far in advance as possible and it was HEAVEN.  We only had to make one last-minute dinner change and the concierge at our hotel handled it instantly.  We ate wonderful meals every day for a fraction of the cost had we been paying the menu price.  And many of the restaurants are just superb.  Jiko (Animal Kingdom Lodge), Le Cellier (EPCOT), Teppan Edo (EPCOT), Crystal Palace breakfast buffet (Magic Kingdom) and Ragland Road (Downtown Disney) were all standouts.  For our snacks, we would make special trips to the Magic Kingdom just for the pineapple soft-serve thingies in Adventureland across from the Swiss Family Treehouse.

[BroadwayPeasent]

Disboards is your friend. And what Disney Resort are you staying at?

Also Victoria and Alberts and Jiko are amazing dining there.

Just went and had an amazing time

 

Hope you can translate this into English !

I am going to add pictures and prove read later so please bear with me 


We arrived at Orlando from NYC on the 13th of May. We had a transfer to Four Seasons Orlando by American Excursionists. We got driven through security of Golden Oak to the most beautiful hotel I have ever seen. We checked in to a Lake View Room. The room was amazingly appointed. With excellent Amenities and beautiful design. Then we had a rest and I think I had a swim. At one of the 4 pools. I had to mention my name to get in to the pool area. After that we had dinner at Ravello I think it was one of the hotels dining. Then we took a taxi to Disney Springs to see La Nouba. La Nouba is an excellent show that is short and breathtaking .  We saw in La Nouba a breakdancing act which replaced the German Wheel act.  Amazing 12 year old girls throwing a Chinese yo yo in the air while doing amazing tricks and flips. It was quite amazing.  The bikes where they jump off platforms that look like schillotes of buildings . After this  there was silk ballet that was up in the air where they do turns in silk which is high up off the ground

The next day we went to Magic Kingdom. We had a Character Breakfast which was amazing btw. Then we took the Four Seasons Bus to the TTC then took the boat to Magic Kingdom. Magic Kingdom was amazing we managed to ride sans our FP booked to many of the rides. Including Space Mountain , Buzz Lightyears , Big Thunder Mountain  Big Thunder Splash Mountain  . All of which a amazing. I must say all the cast members were helpful and deserving of a tip tbh. I found a great strategy. Was to say thank you to them by saying thank you and looking at the badge and saying thank you by name. I went to guest services on MS USA. And got a reservations  to BOG it was amazing to see how much detail was in that one restaurant. I loved the food and then after wards we did some more sight seeing. Then we went back to the resort at about 6. I think we dined at Capa and saw some amazing fireworks from EPCOT and MK from there. 

The next day I went to EPCOT mum wanted a rest. I made sure she was okay, then went to Epcot. I went on Spaceship earth and Mission Space and then toured World Showcase and then did some more ride such as . Then left. Did some shopping at the department store in Japan and spoke some Japanese and then went to France and spoke some French and then left at 1.00 ish. I know I could have done more but I wanted to swim and check on Mum . Also we had a reservation at v&a . So I went back to the hotel did the lazy river. Then we both went to to The Grand Floridian by Taxi and had the most amazing degustation. I have eaten at http://www.theworlds50best.com/list/1-50-winners/LArpege and http://www.theworlds50best.com/list/1-50-winners/Le-Bernardin etc etc . And Victoria and Alberts if Michelin came to Orlando would get 3 stars . I am surprised it does not have a Forbes Five Star Rating. I was very impressed with the staff and the multi course meal . With great portions and presentation. I am very amazed about the food. I felt it was even better than Thomas Keller’s highly regarded venture in NYC. I just had a few days earlier. And it was much cheaper.

 

I also did the living in the land pavilion in which I took a boat around the  farms that supply many of the restaurants in Walt Disney World.

 

 

*Kilimanjaro Safaris was an amazing attraction in which I saw live animals in the natural habitat with an informative guide

 

Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain  was a great rollercoaster with excellent story telling and when you go backwards because the Yeti forces you to is quite amazing. And a family orientated coaster sans loops etc.

 

[BroadwayPeasent]

Do not go to hollywood studios

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkZObK2N22w

[justabwaybaby]

I'd recommend getting to the parks before they open. You'll need to get to Magic Kingdom the earliest. It's also the only park we had difficulty getting to with buses in the morning- so many strollers and wheelchairs ahead of us, so we ended up driving over. Get the rides that get long lines out of the way, maybe grab lunch, then go back to the hotel and relax. Go back to the park in the late afternoon or evening.

My personal favorite website is easywdw.com. He's got crowd calendars and suggestions fore every month through October right now, I think.

I haven't been in the summer since I was a kid- we used to go every other year between duty assignments. Pools can help with the heat. Make sure you stay hydrated and use lots of sunscreen! We also tried to do at lot of inside things at the hottest part of the day- Hall of Presidents in MK, Festival of the Lion King at AK, Little Mermaid show at HS, any of the shows at the World Showcase at Epcot (although there's no seats for Canada's). Stuff like that.

[Mister Matt]

The last time I saw The Little Mermaid show, parents just let their kids yell and scream through the whole show.  There was really no point in seeing it at all.  I just felt trapped in a theater of screaming children watching people lip-sync with puppets and parade floats.  It was sorta nifty 20 years ago.  Now, it needs to go.

[justabwaybaby]

That doesn't entirely surprise me. I haven't been to that in years- I only included it because it was a place to sit down with air conditioning and it was the only one I could think of for HS. I know they used to have a Hunchback show, but that was closed years ago. I'm actually surprised the Little Mermaid and BATB shows are still there. I know every year or so there's a rumor that BATB is leaving.

I still love Carousel of Progress at MK- that's a nice, air conditioned place to sit down for a bit and there are rarely long lines.

[yankeefan7]

I don't know how many days you are staying but if you got the time spending a day at one of the water parks like "Blizzard Beach" is relaxing and you can cool off - lol

[Cupid Boy2]

If you have the time to plan your entire trip out, I highly recommend the app Touring Plans. You pay $5 to $10 for a subscription to it, and you input the dates you will be there as well as all of the attractions that you're hoping to visit each day. Using algorithms that take into account the crowd levels throughout the day for each attraction, it tells you the order in which to do them all, and you can personalize your experience based upon how far you want to walk, what times you want to eat, etc. It really helped me on my trip last year, and you're able to manipulate your plans in the app in the event that you want to alter them. They've really turned the Disney experience into a science! 

Also, to echo what earlier posters have mentioned, making dining reservations in advance is a must. As for Fast Pass+, if you haven't chosen your attractions already, I believe you can do it 60 days out from the day you'll be arriving. I'd recommend being on Disney's site at midnight to book them as certain attractions like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train can be very competitive to get. Definitely make sure you get that one, even if it's for an odd time. The line for it is always unbearably long, but it's a pretty enjoyable ride.