Best days of the week in August???

[belle&beast]

I am in the beginning stages of trip planning for an early August vacation. My cousing is getting married in San Diego on the 4th and I am trying to figure out how to plan other things around the wedding. Which days of the week are the least crowded in DL/CA? We are planning to get the Citypass, so we can see lots of things, but I would like to get DL figured out first.

Also any suggestions on affordable hotels near DL? I will be traveling with DD6 and DS3 (DH can't get away at that time of year) and extended family as well. Any ideas will be appreciated- we have never been to So. Cal and are really looking forward to it!

 

[blackjackdelta]

Week days are always better than Fri,Sat,Sun. Take advantage of early entry if you can. The last 2 years we have been there in August and have found it is less crowded in the early AM and the evening.

Jack

 

[HydroGuy]

I have been the first week of August the past two years. Go on weekdays. If I had complete freedom to choose 3 days, I would go with Tue/Wed/Thurs. Second choice would be Mon/Tue/Wed.

Pay attention to the Early Entry days. For some useful info, check out this link "A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599 and look at the following sections:

11. Hotels
16. Best Time To Visit DLR
17. Early Entry at DLR vs. Extra Magic Hours at WDW

Also consider following "HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

Here is an excerpt:

16. Best Time To Visit DLR

First let’s talk about crowds. As described elsewhere, DLR visitors have a much higher percentage of day visitors than WDW. This is a result of the large population base in Southern California who are within an easy day’s drive. This means that weekends are typically more crowded than weekdays. And holiday weekends are worst of all.

One other dynamic working for you is the notorious Southern California traffic. The traffic on the freeways there highly discourages locals from visiting DLR on weekdays. And if they do, it will be very hard for them to get to the parks for opening – which is all the more reason to get an early start at the parks. For those day-trippers, they will not have anywhere to rest all day and many of them will be tired and ready to leave by late afternoon or early evening. This is all the more reason to take a hotel break in the afternoon and come back to the parks when the day visitors are calling it quits.

So at DLR you should plan your trip for weekdays, especially during busy periods. But during low season this dynamic changes a bit. Even during low season weekdays are less crowded than weekends, but the problem with low season weekdays is that shows are cut back or even not offered. This includes fireworks, parades and Fantasmic. This makes it difficult to see these shows. So if you go during low season you may need to use a combination of weekdays for lower crowds and weekends for shows.

The least crowded day of the week to go to the DL park is Wednesday. If you are doing a day trip this is even more true because EE (Early Entry) is not offered on Wednesdays at this time. Here is a list of least crowded days of the week at DL which basically reflect that the further away from the weekend, the better:

1. Wednesday
2/3. Tuesday/Thursday
4. Monday
5. Friday
6. Sunday
7. Saturday

 

[belle&beast]

Thanks for the info. Hydroguy, I just skimmed your guide for WDW vets and it has just about everything I need!!! I did ask for a quote from Dreams Unlimited- they have a package that includes San Diego, so we will see how that turns out. I am really excited to see "where it all began" but I have to admit that I am a little intimidated, too, especially traveling without my DH.