***** Official * July 2017 * thread! *****

[Mainemama]

On the auto train, headed to FL! I have both flown and driven before, but this is a first for me. So far, it is great! I am definitely the most enthusiastic person on the train, though. Everyone else (except an awesome jolly train attendant) is subdued, including my kids. Meanwhile, I eat candy and the excitement builds!

 

[will5mom]

13 days until we leave!! Can't wait for our first DVC stay at the Poly

 

[katsmom4]

We leave tomorrow!!!! now off to pack!!!

 

[ThistleMae]

I am SO glad it's not as busy! We've been worried about that. This is the 1st time I've planned a summer trip. But it was the only time we could do it.

I've also never been in the summer and I'm preparing for the heat. I was going to go "hands free" but after thinking more about it and reading what other folks have done, I'm bringing a bag. I'm putting in cooling towels, a small battery operated fan, my rain coat, an umbrella and some large baggies for the wet things when the rain stops. What are other folks planning for the rain and heat?

 

[ThistleMae]

On the auto train, headed to FL! I have both flown and driven before, but this is a first for me. So far, it is great! I am definitely the most enthusiastic person on the train, though. Everyone else (except an awesome jolly train attendant) is subdued, including my kids. Meanwhile, I eat candy and the excitement builds!

I'm with you in spirit! Not going until 2 weeks but have my big suitcase on the bed, eating candy and throwing things together that I want to bring! Good for you, party on!

 

[karalecia26]

This trip is going to end up killing me in the end if things don't stop changing! Aahhh!!! My DS's Little League All Star team has made the state tournament (which is what we thought they would and family and friends were going to help out) but DS is devastated that we won't be there and as a mom that just breaks my heart, so what to do other than switch our anniversary trip to a week later, so instead of our July trip now we are going August 1-8. Hope everyone has a great July trip and we will be down (hopefully!) at the beginning of August!

 

[ThistleMae]

This trip is going to end up killing me in the end if things don't stop changing! Aahhh!!! My DS's Little League All Star team has made the state tournament (which is what we thought they would and family and friends were going to help out) but DS is devastated that we won't be there and as a mom that just breaks my heart, so what to do other than switch our anniversary trip to a week later, so instead of our July trip now we are going August 1-8. Hope everyone has a great July trip and we will be down (hopefully!) at the beginning of August!

What else can you do....you really had no choice. You will still have a blast!

 

[SaraSpringsIsHome]

8 days! The anticipation is getting crazy

 

[jaz0308]

8 days! The anticipation is getting crazy

Were at 6!!! Getting so excited!

 

[KNJWDW]

We are at 6 too!

 

[ThistleMae]

I'm at 2 weeks and started a packing list. Been throwing things into my suitcase as I go along, will sort out closer to the trip. Mostly preparing for the heat right now. I've made a few different decisions as to what to bring but def. decided on an umbrella and cooling fan. Trying out different shoes and did some water proofing on my sneakers and back pack. Oh, and am sorting through my Disney pins for trading!

 

[Mainemama]

I've also never been in the summer and I'm preparing for the heat. I was going to go "hands free" but after thinking more about it and reading what other folks have done, I'm bringing a bag. I'm putting in cooling towels, a small battery operated fan, my rain coat, an umbrella and some large baggies for the wet things when the rain stops. What are other folks planning for the rain and heat?

I personally skip the raincoat at this time of year-- just too hot. I do use dollar store ponchos, and I try to wear quick dry bottoms. And shoes that can get wet. I have been in FL for 3 days, and no rain yet, just 1 late (8:30 pm) thundershower. Seems unusually calm. The heat has been tolerable, too!

 

[ThistleMae]

I personally skip the raincoat at this time of year-- just too hot. I do use dollar store ponchos, and I try to wear quick dry bottoms. And shoes that can get wet. I have been in FL for 3 days, and no rain yet, just 1 late (8:30 pm) thundershower. Seems unusually calm. The heat has been tolerable, too!

Wow...you are really lucky! I could do the rain poncho thing but the rain coat is light and folds up small, plus I can use it in the air conditioned restaurants if I get cold...which sometimes happens. I do have quick dry shorts, really light material. Thanks for the tips.

 

[KSL]

On the auto train, headed to FL! ...

We'll be on the AutoTrain this Wednesday! We're very excited for our trip and in full-on PACKING MODE.
I confess: I've actually set up a long folding table in my family room to start to accumulate all the odds & ends that we are bringing with us! Laundry detergent, case of drinks, glow bracelets, vouchers/confirmations/cruise docs, ponchos, ears, pin lanyards... the table is practically full and that's all with stuff NOT CLOTHES! (in my defense, it's a 3-week trip) Good thing we'll have our van!

 

[Mainemama]

We'll be on the AutoTrain this Wednesday! We're very excited for our trip and in full-on PACKING MODE.
I confess: I've actually set up a long folding table in my family room to start to accumulate all the odds & ends that we are bringing with us! Laundry detergent, case of drinks, glow bracelets, vouchers/confirmations/cruise docs, ponchos, ears, pin lanyards... the table is practically full and that's all with stuff NOT CLOTHES! (in my defense, it's a 3-week trip) Good thing we'll have our van!

We are also on a 3 week trip. With a very full van. I wish I had used a folding table! It took me a good week (not at work) to,pack. But well worth it to feel organized and prepared! Enjoy the auto Train! We had a blast! I hope you get Big Chris as the lead attendant. He was hilarious!

 

[Mermaid@Heart82]

We leave in twelve hours!! We're only an hour away but are excited for our first trip as a family Trying to finish packing and loading the car without DD noticing has been tough lol. So excited for her to find out tomorrow!!

 

[RowdyPiper]

17-20...last minute trip idea. We are going down to get annual passes--> whole trip for 2 was under $500

 

[Ferrentinos]

We're packing our rain gear and I brought an extra pair of shoes. I hope the crowds stay light, although I doubt that they will for the 3rd and 4th of July. I just hope it doesn't rain during the fireworks.

We are home from our 2 week trip - The crowds were certainly less than in summers past - the only days were I felt the crowds were realy July 2-4. Other than that it was noticeably less crowded.

We had a tornado warning issued during HEA our last night - they started them a bit early and the storm ended up skirting around MK - it was a crazy site to see those clouds and lightning! We had rain almost every day - but only one storm that was downright scary! We were in the Poly lounge when a lightning strike hit the top of the longhouse and traveled through the speaker system - it blew out many of the speakers int hat area - visibility went from 100% to almost nothing pretty quickly - with the lake and resorts surrounding Poly disappearing - it was a bad thunderstorm that lasted at least 90 minutes.

 

[Disneylover99]

We are home from our 2 week trip - The crowds were certainly less than in summers past - the only days were I felt the crowds were realy July 2-4. Other than that it was noticeably less crowded.

We had a tornado warning issued during HEA our last night - they started them a bit early and the storm ended up skirting around MK - it was a crazy site to see those clouds and lightning! We had rain almost every day - but only one storm that was downright scary! We were in the Poly lounge when a lightning strike hit the top of the longhouse and traveled through the speaker system - it blew out many of the speakers int hat area - visibility went from 100% to almost nothing pretty quickly - with the lake and resorts surrounding Poly disappearing - it was a bad thunderstorm that lasted at least 90 minutes.

Glad you enjoyed your trip! Happy to hear about lower crowds. Good thing you were in the Poly when the lightning hit! Yikes!!

 

[Wood Nymph]

We are home from our 2 week trip - The crowds were certainly less than in summers past - the only days were I felt the crowds were realy July 2-4. Other than that it was noticeably less crowded.

We had a tornado warning issued during HEA our last night - they started them a bit early and the storm ended up skirting around MK - it was a crazy site to see those clouds and lightning! We had rain almost every day - but only one storm that was downright scary! We were in the Poly lounge when a lightning strike hit the top of the longhouse and traveled through the speaker system - it blew out many of the speakers int hat area - visibility went from 100% to almost nothing pretty quickly - with the lake and resorts surrounding Poly disappearing - it was a bad thunderstorm that lasted at least 90 minutes.

We were there July 1 to 5th and I managed to avoid the crowded parks. We never spent much time in the parks, anyway, on this trip. The afternoon of July 3rd had some huge thunderstorms, but somehow, the rain missed the Beach Club that afternoon. We were in a taxi on our way to the Grand Floridian for dinner and we noticed that the street was wet outside of the Dolphin. So the rain came really close that afternoon. But all in all we missed the rain. We were indoors when in did rain and I think July 2nd was rain free.