Advice needed for July trip!!

[mysticcruiser]

We are planning on visiting DL next July 10-13 on our way home from Hawaii. Will be me, DH and DD(16). Now I find out that the MLB All Star game will be played in Anaheim that week. Am I crazy for trying to visit during that time? My DD and I visited DW last August, and couldn't get on to any of the good rides because of sunch long lines. It was a disappointing trip and I'm afraid we will run into the same issue now in DL. We already have our airfare purchased to/from LAX so we can't change our plans too much. My question is, would you still go? Or should we consider doing something else in the LA area? The other issue is we were not planning on renting a car, so our options are limited. WWYD?

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

I'd go! For Sat & Sun, I'd plan on being at the park gates as early as possible (ideally 30 minutes before open), which in July is early (I looked at the 2009 calendar, and the times were 8 am - midnight for disneyland for all of July). And doing as much as you can until you can't stand the crowds (which will probably be noon or so). Same thing for Mon & Tuesday, but the crowds should be a touch lighter, so you can probably have longer days. If you want to do the nighttime stuff (Fantasmic, fireworks, WOC), the best bet is to try for what you don't want to miss the 1st night, so if you do miss it, you should have another chance or two! I'd go back to where you are staying for the afternoon (naps and or pool time), and come back after dinner to do the night stuff...

We've never gone in summer, I try to avoid crowds and heat. But, if I went in summer, that would be my plan!!

 

[mysticcruiser]

Thanks for your words of support. I was really stressing out about the crowd level during that time. We don't land in LAX until 9:30pm on Saturday night, so we only have Sun & Mon to visit the parks. And getting to the parks for opening might be a problem My DD is NOT a morning person! But I will try to light a fire under her. Thanks again.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Its Disneyland! She'll wake up early if she wants to ride rides! You can always eat snacks in line for breakfast, and put on sunscreen in line, to save some time in the morning!

 

[magicaldream]

I would still go, but is there anyway that you could switch and do DL before Hawaii instead of after to avoid the crowds?

 

[HydroGuy]

We are planning on visiting DL next July 10-13 on our way home from Hawaii. Will be me, DH and DD(16). Now I find out that the MLB All Star game will be played in Anaheim that week. Am I crazy for trying to visit during that time? My DD and I visited DW last August, and couldn't get on to any of the good rides because of sunch long lines. It was a disappointing trip and I'm afraid we will run into the same issue now in DL. We already have our airfare purchased to/from LAX so we can't change our plans too much. My question is, would you still go? Or should we consider doing something else in the LA area? The other issue is we were not planning on renting a car, so our options are limited. WWYD?

I doubt the AllStar game will have much of an effect on DLR. As a lifelong baseball fan, hardly anyone cares about the game. It will draw locals.

As for summer visits and long lines, consider Ridemax www.ridemax.com. Also here are some tips: "Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

 

[HydroGuy]

We are planning on visiting DL next July 10-13 on our way home from Hawaii. Will be me, DH and DD(16). Now I find out that the MLB All Star game will be played in Anaheim that week. Am I crazy for trying to visit during that time? My DD and I visited DW last August, and couldn't get on to any of the good rides because of sunch long lines. It was a disappointing trip and I'm afraid we will run into the same issue now in DL. We already have our airfare purchased to/from LAX so we can't change our plans too much. My question is, would you still go? Or should we consider doing something else in the LA area? The other issue is we were not planning on renting a car, so our options are limited. WWYD?

I doubt the AllStar game will have much of an effect on DLR. As a lifelong baseball fan, hardly anyone cares about the game. It will draw locals.

As for summer visits and long lines, consider Ridemax www.ridemax.com. Also here are some tips: "Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

 

[mysticcruiser]

I would still go, but is there anyway that you could switch and do DL before Hawaii instead of after to avoid the crowds?

Unfortunately, we can't go before our Hawaii trip. The whole reason for visiting DL is to break up the long flight home back to the east coast. I'm glad everyone is telling me to keep the trip as is. I am feeling less stressed out now. Thank you all who responded!!

 

[pigby]

We are planning on visiting DL next July 10-13 on our way home from Hawaii. Will be me, DH and DD(16). Now I find out that the MLB All Star game will be played in Anaheim that week. Am I crazy for trying to visit during that time? My DD and I visited DW last August, and couldn't get on to any of the good rides because of sunch long lines. It was a disappointing trip and I'm afraid we will run into the same issue now in DL. We already have our airfare purchased to/from LAX so we can't change our plans too much. My question is, would you still go? Or should we consider doing something else in the LA area? The other issue is we were not planning on renting a car, so our options are limited. WWYD?

Just wanted to say - we will also be there at the same time as you - we are travelling with a DD who will also be 16 and surprise surprise - not a morning person either. We also didn't know about the game - I looked on the DIS for last July and the AP block outs made the parks look very managable - that's why we chose this time for our trip.

Have you decided where you will be staying yet?

 

[mysticcruiser]

Just wanted to say - we will also be there at the same time as you - we are travelling with a DD who will also be 16 and surprise surprise - not a morning person either. We also didn't know about the game - I looked on the DIS for last July and the AP block outs made the parks look very managable - that's why we chose this time for our trip.

Have you decided where you will be staying yet?

We were originally booked at Paradise Pier, but seeing we are coming back from a Hawaiian cruise (which is costing us a small fortune), I decided to change to HoJos. What about you?

 

[dstorm]

With a little planning, big crowds can be NO problem at Disneyland. I would much rather go to the parks when all the rides, shows and late hours are running. I'm probably in the minority.

Christmas Day was packed - couldn't believe the crowds. But the longest line we ever waited in was a 10 min bathroom line. Sacrifice the morning, arrive 45 min before opening. Enjoy the park until noon - with a little research you'll walk onto almost every ride with little to no wait. Utilize fastpasses as described in many posts here. Make a nice lunch reservation. Go back to the hotel -- hang out - swim, go bowling at 300 Anaheim - whatever sounds fun.

Enjoy dinner outside of the park. Then return after 7 and enjoy the fastpasses you collected in the morning plus any shows you want to see. You'll love seeing all the tired, hot, less informed tourists pouring out of the park as you head back to enjoy the nighttime atmosphere.

There are some great posts on these boards that are worth reading in regards to successfully navigating the busy season. Just don't forget rule #1 - Get up Early.

 

[mysticcruiser]

With a little planning, big crowds can be NO problem at Disneyland. I would much rather go to the parks when all the rides, shows and late hours are running. I'm probably in the minority.

Christmas Day was packed - couldn't believe the crowds. But the longest line we ever waited in was a 10 min bathroom line. Sacrifice the morning, arrive 45 min before opening. Enjoy the park until noon - with a little research you'll walk onto almost every ride with little to no wait. Utilize fastpasses as described in many posts here. Make a nice lunch reservation. Go back to the hotel -- hang out - swim, go bowling at 300 Anaheim - whatever sounds fun.

Enjoy dinner outside of the park. Then return after 7 and enjoy the fastpasses you collected in the morning plus any shows you want to see. You'll love seeing all the tired, hot, less informed tourists pouring out of the park as you head back to enjoy the nighttime atmosphere.

There are some great posts on these boards that are worth reading in regards to successfully navigating the busy season. Just don't forget rule #1 - Get up Early.

Great advice! Thank you, I will definitely use your information when planning our trip! Looking forward to it now!!!