Aug 27 -29 . . . how busy will it be?

[Tasscrapper]

My birdthday and anniversary is on Aug 28th and my husband said that if going to Disneyland is what I want to do then we can do it! So now I'm wondering if those days are actually going to be ok to go on or if I should wait until the following week (after Labor Day). If waiting a few days will have an impact on crowds then I would like to go when it is less crowded. I have no clue when kids go back to school in California or if there would be any other deciding factors as all my research has been focused on December. I also have tons of other questions too.

1. What's better Pirates Adventure or Medieaval Tournament.
2. Are they easy to get to on the bus? (Most likely would be at the Anaheim Plaza)
3. Are there drinking fountains in Disneylnad? Can you get cups of water for free from the concession places?
4. Am I crazy for doing a last minute trip?? My hubby has never been to an amusement park . . . I have just been Disney obsessed for the past year or more even though it's been around 18 or 19 years since I've been.
5. What are some things that are easier to do with just adults that kids perhaps don't have the patience for?

 

[bluegrizzlies1]

My birdthday and anniversary is on Aug 28th and my husband said that if going to Disneyland is what I want to do then we can do it! So now I'm wondering if those days are actually going to be ok to go on or if I should wait until the following week (after Labor Day). If waiting a few days will have an impact on crowds then I would like to go when it is less crowded. I have no clue when kids go back to school in California or if there would be any other deciding factors as all my research has been focused on December. I also have tons of other questions too.

1. What's better Pirates Adventure or Medieaval Tournament.
2. Are they easy to get to on the bus? (Most likely would be at the Anaheim Plaza)
3. Are there drinking fountains in Disneylnad? Can you get cups of water for free from the concession places?
4. Am I crazy for doing a last minute trip?? My hubby has never been to an amusement park . . . I have just been Disney obsessed for the past year or more even though it's been around 18 or 19 years since I've been.
5. What are some things that are easier to do with just adults that kids perhaps don't have the patience for?

4. no your not crazy lol my first time to disneyland was last aug so then I went in dec and then march and may and now oct whats there not to love at disneyland

5. I would take him to the shows they have hilly bill is great. Alladian is good I would even do the perffered seating to fantasmic but it does cost 59 bucks a person I thought it was well worth it.

Use your fastpass for the rides that take it space mountain, splash mountain and others.

 

[KayR]

If it has any bearing on your decision - look at the schedule for after labor day. I noticed that on the 2nd September loads of attractions/eating areas close for refurbishment including Fantasmic. If that is a big draw for you, you may want to go before then!

Up to Sept 2nd, the only thing at DL that is marked as closed is IASWA - personally that doesn't bother me at all!!!

-Kay

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I'm going down Labor Day weekend. Some schools start up the week before you're looking at going. Because of Labor Day, crowds are expected to be big on the weekend, but as a pp mentioned, use FastPass. After Labor Day, Disneyland is going to close some attracations for refurb and take others down because the peak season is over, so plan accordingly.

 

[Tasscrapper]

Ok I definately want to go before all the closures.
Do the parks stay busy right up until closing or does it taper out towards the end of the day?


I saw that you were going down for a day on the who's going thread Sleepless Knight. I read your Christmas trip report yesterday and really enjoyed it. Perhaps we'll see you at Star Tours.

 

[KayR]

We are going on the 28th and leave on the 2nd. I figure if I can survive WDW at Easter I can survive DL over Labor Day weekend

I have been looking at RideMax for our trip and it will be interesting to see how it works. It doesn't seem to make the best use of the fastpass system, but I think we will tweak it to get the most out of the fastpass system as well...

Go early, use fastpasses to their best advantage and have fun

Remember EE days and plan accordingly.

-Kay

 

[Tasscrapper]

I really need to figure Fastpass out now. I was hoping that we wouldn't even need it in December. I'm not hugely worried about crowds for this trip since we won't have our kids. Gosh, I am so excited now. Thanks for the reminder about the clusures in Sept Kay.

 

[mousemom11]

We were there the last week of August a few years ago and it was crowded, but not horribly so. School starts for many kids in mid-August, so that helped to bring down the weekday crowds. We made sure that we got there at park opening and collected FPs throughout the day. I recommend that you read HydroGuy's tips, especially the ones about using FP and touring during high season.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Ok I definately want to go before all the closures.
Do the parks stay busy right up until closing or does it taper out towards the end of the day?


I saw that you were going down for a day on the who's going thread Sleepless Knight. I read your Christmas trip report yesterday and really enjoyed it. Perhaps we'll see you at Star Tours.

I'm glad you enjoyed the TR. And yes, I'll be on Star Tours. I usually do it at least once per day. If you see me, give me a shout out.

The parks really tend to taper out towards the end of the day, especially after the fireworks. I've found that 10:30-closing is a great time to do Fantasyland. The bigger rides such as Space tend to still have long lines, but Fantasyland becomes fairly empty and you can get a lot done without much standing, which is great at the end of a long day.

As for December, it depends on when you go. Plan on the weekends being crowded, but the weekdays in early to mid December shouldn't be too bad at all.

 

[Rapunsel]

Be on the look out. That is when SO cal Ap's holders are able to start coming back. There can be increaded crowds at that time. if you dont mind waiting in line go then.
It doesnt bother us as we are ap holders and go home when it gets crowded or too hot.

 

[jason417]

Tasscrapper-
I don't know about the bus to the places you listed but you definitely don't need a bus to DL from Anaheim Plaza. That's where we usually stay and it's about a 10 min walk to the gate. Cross the street in front of the hotel rather than walking down and doing it by the park where a million people are waiting to cross the street. Plus, on the DL side of the street there's a sidewalk that helps you save a tiny bit of walking because it runs sort of diagonal... not a big deal but if you walk back and forth a few times during the day like we do then it helps.

There are drinking fountains in DL. We always just each bring in a bottled water and refill it at the fountains throughout the day.

Whoever suggested doing Fantasyland after 10:30pm made a great suggestion. The big rides (Space, Splash, Indy, etc) all still have long lines late at night but Fantasyland dies out after the fireworks so if you want to go on those FL rides you can probably hit all of them including the carousel in the last 90 minutes the park is open. We often do that and leave just enough time to get in line for a ride like Space Mtn before the park closes (in our experience, as long as you're in line before the park closes they'll keep the ride open long enough for you to ride).

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Late at night in Fantasyland, the only long lines I've seen are for Mr. Toad, Peter Pan's Flight, and the Matterhorn(shortest of those 3 lines though). Otherwise everything else is either walk on or 5-10 minutes at most. Personally I love finishing the night in Fantasyland. It's so beautiful and peaceful. And from the lines it seems that few people realize this, but Storybook Land is absolutely gorgeous at night. Everything is lit up, including the 7 Dwarfs mine where you can see the jewels.

 

[fab5friend99]

Don't forget the the 1/2 marathon and 5K races will be going on that weekend which will be bringing in additional people, like me!