🇺🇸**July 2024 Check-In**🇺🇸

[BriannaRuth]

So kind of like character dining? I always think I’m paying for the experience and not so much the food.

Kind of, in that it's more the experience than the food. No characters, though.

Pirates is my favorite attraction, so I may be biased. But my whole family considers BB a must-do. Your table location does matter. Ask for a table by the water and let them know you're ok to wait. They usually say it will be 30+ minutes but I've never waited that long.

 

[matthewthompson87]

So kind of like character dining? I always think I’m paying for the experience and not so much the food.

Blue Bayou used to be a great respite from the heat and crowds in a really neat space. Watching the boats float by was cool. On top of that, it was a decent value for the money. Entrees included soup or salad, bread, and the servers would dote on you appropriately for the premium price you were paying over counter service options.

But then even pre-pandemic, they increased prices dramatically and removed the first course inclusion. The meal now feels rushed and vastly overpriced. Servers have so many tables—and trying to turn them so quickly—it’s an impersonal experience. The portions have been cut back even further and the food quality looks and feels like cafeteria pre-prepared food. Objectively, the steaks at TGI Fridays are better. And on top of that they’ve cut back on air conditioning in big dark rides, so that it doesn’t even feel all that cool in there any more.

Sure, go if you’re a huuge Pirates fan or it’s a tradition… but for a first time visitor, especially if you’re someone who has been to the real New Orleans or goes out to eat with any regular frequency… stick to counter service at DL.

 

[MsLady]

Checking in July 5th-13th. Staying at DL Hotel 1 night, GC 2 bedroom for 3 nights, and Pixar Place the rest of the time. We are traveling in a party of 12. Very excited for this trip!

 

[BriannaRuth]

Checking in July 5th-13th. Staying at DL Hotel 1 night, GC 2 bedroom for 3 nights, and Pixar Place the rest of the time. We are traveling in a party of 12. Very excited for this trip!

Gotta ask -- what inspired you to do all three DL hotels in one trip? I've stayed at all 3, but never did more than 2 per trip.

 

[Artygal90]

Just canceled some Blue Bayou reservations for July 2 if anyone is in need of them! No idea how long it takes for reservations to be released for booking but can’t hurt to look.

 

[cougarfan84]

Hey all. Long time lurker but infrequent poster here. We weren't planning a trip to Disney this year, but my daughter's dance studio is participating in Dance the Dream's Summertime Dance Jamboree in Disneyland on July 12th, so it looks like we will be making a trip after all.

We have reservations for Desert Inn & Suites from July 11th - 17th. Plan on attending the parks from the 12th-16th. Should be a fun time with me, my wife, our 3 kids (13, 8, and 3) and my FIL who is joining us for the trip.

 

[BriannaRuth]

Love seeing groups like this at DL. Hope she has a great time!

 

[LKing]

If anyone is staying at Pixar Place on Saturday, July 13, you have an opportunity to attend a speaker series with Roger Gould, creative director, theme parks, Pixar Animation Studios. https://disneylandnews.com/galleries/2024/05/17/pixar-place-hotel-speakers-series/

 

[allaboutthemouse]

I'm not sure if anyone is staying at CCI on their visit this summer, but I just checked our rates this morning, and they've gone down by $20/night saving us almost $100. This is the third price drop since we originally booked last year. If you have a reservation at CCI, check your rates.

Thank you for this! I see our rate has dropped, how do I go about adjusting it? Do I have to call?

 

[disny_luvr]

Thank you for this! I see our rate has dropped, how do I go about adjusting it? Do I have to call?

Yes, I called and spoke with a nice gentleman that was able to adjust our rate in less than a minute. I’m glad you’re getting a better rate!

 

[OlliePop27]

The hours for July 1st are officially posted, along with entertainment! Hours will be released daily moving forward for the rest of July (i.e. July 2nd tomorrow, July 3rd the next day, etc.).

So far, everything is consistent with post 2 - park hours, entertainment times, and ride closures. Rides closed are as expected - Tiana's, HM, Pooh, and Lincoln.

 

[KPeterso]

Just a Head up ----for mid July visitors.

July 21 is the CHOC Walk. This is a pre park opening walk to benefit CHOC (Childrens Hospital of Orange County). The parks usually open a bit later on CHOC Walk day - probably about 9 AM so don't be surprised. It can also make the parks a bit more crowded as many CHOC families will stay to enjoy the parks after the walk - many also won't stay though. If you are at GCH, you may hear music early in the morning as the walk will go through both parks.

 

[OlliePop27]

Just a Head up ----for mid July visitors.

July 21 is the CHOC Walk. This is a pre park opening walk to benefit CHOC (Childrens Hospital of Orange County). The parks usually open a bit later on CHOC Walk day - probably about 9 AM so don't be surprised. It can also make the parks a bit more crowded as many CHOC families will stay to enjoy the parks after the walk - many also won't stay though. If you are at GCH, you may hear music early in the morning as the walk will go through both parks.

Thanks for sharing! I'll add to the July rundown in post 2. If I'm remembering correctly, July is not typically when this event has occurred in the past so it is a bit unusual and good to note!

 

[KPeterso]

Thanks for sharing! I'll add to the July rundown in post 2. If I'm remembering correctly, July is not typically when this event has occurred in the past so it is a bit unusual and good to note!

Yes, it keeps changing each year. It used to be October but that month is just too busy now. And then August a few times. 2020 was supposed to be September, but it was of course cancelled. Last year was back in August (the hurricane weekend). I do the walk with my friend each year and we were both surprised when we saw the date for this year!

 

[OlliePop27]

Yes, it keeps changing each year. It used to be October but that month is just too busy now. And then August a few times. 2020 was supposed to be September, but it was of course cancelled. Last year was back in August (the hurricane weekend). I do the walk with my friend each year and we were both surprised when we saw the date for this year!

That's so great you are doing it, have a great time!

Yes, it's noteworthy they have put it in July now, which has become one of the slowest months of the year crowd wise. Many of us long timers have known this for years, but others are starting to pick up on it! It's not so much that July is slow, it's that other times of the year have gotten so busy that July is "slower" by comparison.

 

[BriannaRuth]

When there's an event like that, what happens with EE?

 

[MomOTwins]

Just a Head up ----for mid July visitors.

July 21 is the CHOC Walk. This is a pre park opening walk to benefit CHOC (Childrens Hospital of Orange County). The parks usually open a bit later on CHOC Walk day - probably about 9 AM so don't be surprised. It can also make the parks a bit more crowded as many CHOC families will stay to enjoy the parks after the walk - many also won't stay though. If you are at GCH, you may hear music early in the morning as the walk will go through both parks.

Oof, we will only be in Disneyland July 21-22 so our timing is unlucky. I had planned not to bother with Genie+ but I guess I may need it now. *sigh*

Any idea if this affects one park more than the other or is it about the same?

 

[CrazDisMom]

Help! Has anyone had any luck booking the Plaza Inn dining event (for the parade) between the 16th and 21st of July? Just tried and the entire week is showing unavailable. Even tried the regular reservations and those days are only showing availability for breakfast. Nothing for lunch or dinner.

 

[OlliePop27]

Help! Has anyone had any luck booking the Plaza Inn dining event (for the parade) between the 16th and 21st of July? Just tried and the entire week is showing unavailable. Even tried the regular reservations and those days are only showing availability for breakfast. Nothing for lunch or dinner.

I have not looked on those dates. I wouldn't worry too much. DL has a history of making some reservations not show as available until it gets closer. Just check daily. Those reservations are highly unlikely to book up. You can usually find availability the same week.

 

[CrazDisMom]

I have not looked on those dates. I wouldn't worry too much. DL has a history of making some reservations not show as available until it gets closer. Just check daily. Those reservations are highly unlikely to book up. You can usually find availability the same week.

Thanks! Had a mild panic attack…our last day in DL is the 21st and wanted to finish it out with the parade. I’m very surprised that there isn’t anything available for the entire week. Just wanted to make sure I hadn’t missed something. Maybe they’re changing the parade since there isn’t an actual nighttime parade on the schedule right now. Just the Magic Happens parade in the afternoon and early evening. Last time we went we got to watch the Main Street Electrical parade and then the fireworks, but those got cut short because of the wind. Fingers crossed