July is always our exhale month. No sports schedules to juggle, nowhere we have to be — just pure summer. And we leaned alllll the way into it this year. Because this July had a little something extra.
We packed up the minivan (thanks to my dad for letting us borrow it!) and headed to Disney World for what turned out to be one of the BEST trips we’ve ever taken.
I mean that sincerely. All four parks. After Hours at Magic Kingdom. Blizzard Beach. Three different resorts — Boulder Ridge, Boardwalk, and Animal Kingdom Lodge. New-to-us restaurants. Our very first time trying the Disney Dining Plan. And using Wait Magic to absolutely CRUSH the Lightning Lane game in a way I didn’t know was possible until I tried it.
I am coming home with SO much content to pour into this Substack over the coming months. Reviews, guides, honest takes, real numbers. Paid subscribers, you’ve got some really good stuff headed your way. I cannot wait to share it all.
Okay — let’s do the July recap!
Buses. Boats. Monorail. Skyliner. Minnie Van. Park hopping logistics. Resort-to-resort travel. The Disney Springs transportation policy. Even what happens when severe weather rolls in. This is the complete on-property transportation guide — every mode, how they work, and the tips that’ll save you time and stress on your actual trip.
The pre-trip report I published right before we left! Our firsts for this trip, the three-resort split stay rundown, how I mapped out 2.5 park days, our Lightning Lane lineup (including my first time using Wait Magic!), the new-to-us dining spots I was most excited about, and a little emotional moment about my oldest heading into his last Disney trip as a “child” price. If you want to see the plan before you see the pivot, here it is!
Hot off the presses — literally published today! A Disney trip is basically a week-long exercise in things not going exactly to plan...and THIS is the post where I walk through ours, pivot by pivot, in real detail. Not the highlight reel. The actual play-by-play, so that when YOUR trip throws you a curveball (and it will!), you already know in your bones that a pivot isn’t a failure — it’s just Disney.
I experienced Bluey’s Wild World firsthand this trip — and I updated this post with everything I learned from actually being there with my boys. If you’ve been curious whether it lives up to the hype (or what it’s really like with kids in tow), this is worth a revisit!
Two things I want to flag for you:
First — the Member Hangout is your home base for everything trip-planning related here on Substack. All of my guides, deep dives, park breakdowns, and resources live there, organized by category. If you ever feel like you’re not sure where to find something...that’s your first stop. I’m currently working on making the layout even more user-friendly, and I’d LOVE your feedback. Is it easy to find what you’re looking for? Is something confusing to navigate? Reply to this email, drop it in the chat, or DM me — that feedback goes directly into how I improve it for you.
Second — please reach out! Whether you’re in the early stages of planning or deep in the details, I am always happy to answer questions. That’s what I’m here for. Reply to this email or DM me — wherever feels easiest. You’re not bothering me….promise! This is exactly what I love doing. 💛
And as always, don’t forget to check the Refurb Calendar before your trip — I update it regularly with the latest closures and openings!
August is one of Florida’s hottest, rainest months — full stop. Daily highs hover around 90°F, and the humidity makes it feel even warmer than that. The good news: the pattern is SO predictable at this point. Mornings are your window. Midday is survival mode. Afternoon storms roll through like clockwork, usually between 2–4 PM, and then things clear up again for the evening.
Rope drop + midday resort break + evening park return. That’s your August game plan. Pack the poncho, pack the fans, hydrate constantly. You know the drill.
TIP: Watch the weather forecast and be on the lookout for any hurricanes headed that way! I’ve been to Disney a couple of times during hurricanes. Those two times? Once in early August and once in late August/early September!
Here’s the August silver lining — and it’s a GOOD one. Early August holds onto some of the summer crowd energy, especially the first weekend of the month. But as soon as schools start heading back, the crowds drop noticeably. By mid-to-late August, we’re talking some of the lightest crowds of the entire year. If your travel dates have any flexibility and you can aim for the back half of August, that’s the sweet spot.
Cool KIDS’ SUMMER wraps up September 8 — so August is essentially your LAST chance to experience everything: GoofyCore at Epcot, Jessie’s Roundup at Magic Kingdom, free water park perk on check-in day, fun offerings at select resorts. If any of this is on your list, don’t sleep on it! Here’s my full Cool KIDS’ SUMMER guide if you want the complete rundown.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party kicks off August 7! MNSSHP (and all the fall decor that comes with it!) returns to Magic Kingdom this month, which means two things: (1) if you have party tickets, get excited!, and (2) if you’re planning a regular Magic Kingdom day on a party night, know that the park closes early to day guests — at 6 PM — so plan accordingly. My MNSSHP First Look has all the dates. A full party guide will be coming for paid subscribers this month!
Holiday party tickets are on sale! If you haven’t grabbed your Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party or Jollywood Nights tickets yet, they’re available now. MVMCP dates have historically sold out, so if a holiday party is on your radar for later this year — don’t wait. My Christmas Parties First Look breaks down everything you need to know before you buy.
I just wanted to say thank you for being here. Truly. Whether you've been reading since the beginning or just found your way here, I don't take it for granted for a single second.
P.S. If you’re on Instagram, come hang with me over at @thosemagicaldays. And if you know someone who’s got a Disney trip on the horizon, feel free to share my Substack with them! 💛
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.