Best guess/advice for the least crowded week in August?

[kittycruize]

Hi everyone!
We are still trying to figure out what week in August would be the least crowded to come to DL! We have been to WDW many times, and this will be our first visit to DL! What week do you think will be the least crowded? I have looked at the black out dates, and still can't seem to figure it out. And I know with Carsland opening, it throws things off. Anyone have any advice for me? I would really appreciate any thoughts!

 

[skiingfast]

The best week is probably going to be the last week, the 26th to 1st of September. Many kids will be back in school.

The worst week will probably be the one before since SoCal APs are unblocked the 10th to 24th.

 

[Michelle064]

We'll be there the week of Aug 13. Hoping some of the CL insanity will have died down by then. Our plan is to head right to CL on park opening.

 

[HydroGuy]

The best week is probably going to be the last week, the 26th to 1st of September. Many kids will be back in school.

The worst week will probably be the one before since SoCal APs are unblocked the 10th to 24th.

I agree with Ski.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

... SoCal APs are unblocked the 10th to 24th.

I think Ski meant to type the 20th to the 24th.

August 20 (Monday) will be the first day that the SoCal Select APers can use their AP to visit Cars Land. I don't know about the rest of the resort -- it's possible that the huge crowds in Cars Land will shorten the wait times in DL -- but I think it's a safe bet that Cars Land will be really crowded the week of August 20 to 24.

Here's the AP Blockout Calendar:
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/passes/blockout-dates/

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I don't know that there really will be a week in August where the crowds will be significantly lighter. Although a lot of schools go back in August, there are also a lot of schools that don't go back until after Labor Day. This year, Labor Day is September 3rd, and I would expect DL to be insane at that time.

There is a lot happening at the Resort this year throughout the summer, so people will be coming to experience it.

I'm just trying to help with some realistic expectations.

 

[kittycruize]

Can anyone tell me if the resort availability is any indication of how busy it will be? August 30 to Labor day is sold out at PP and DL hotel, yet I can get in August 16 for 4 nights. Does this mean anything? I understand the Marathon is going on Labor Day weekend, but still don't get if hotel availability means anything for crowds due to the marathon! Help!

 

[rtfelt]

Can anyone tell me if the resort availability is any indication of how busy it will be? August 30 to Labor day is sold out at PP and DL hotel, yet I can get in August 16 for 4 nights. Does this mean anything? I understand the Marathon is going on Labor Day weekend, but still don't get if hotel availability means anything for crowds due to the marathon! Help!

Because so many people who go to DLR are locals, who don't get hotels, I don't think that's always a very good indication of park crowds. The last two weeks of August is when the local "Southern California" passes get unblocked, they can be very busy weeks, but generally the last week is slower than the 3rd week. The 3rd week gets clogged with all the locals, who have been blocked out the whole summer, who want to get in as soon as possible. On marathon weekend, a lot of people need accommodations but don't necessarily go into the parks to play.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Traditionally, the busiest weeks at DL are the 3rd week of August and the week between Christmas & New Years.

 

[kittycruize]

So, would you all say August 16 to 19, or August 30 to September 3rd, would be busier?

 

[HydroGuy]

So, would you all say August 16 to 19, or August 30 to September 3rd, would be busier?

I would say Aug 16-19 will be busier. Not hugely busier. But Aug 16-19 will likely have longer park hours while Aug 30 will have HM down for holiday prep.

I personally would chooce Aug 16-19 in a heartbeat over Aug 30. But if having crowds a little lower is that important then Aug 30 is your best bet. Aug 20-27 I would avoid at all costs - even though some years it turns out not to be as busy as some of us expect.

 

[kittycruize]

Thanks Hydroguy!!! Can you elaborate on why you would choose August 16, other then HM possibly being down? Being it will be a holiday weekend, will they really have shorter hours? We need to decide which week tomorrow, so am desperatly trying to figure this out! The main reason we would choose Labor day weekend is the extra work day off, but if August 16 will be less busy, we would for sure choose that week! I am leery of August 30, as the hotels are really booked up!

 

[kittycruize]

Anyone have thoughts on August 16 weekend vs August 30th weekend? We are buying our air today, and really would appreciate advice! We are spending so much money on this trip, we just want to make sure we are doing the right thing!

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks Hydroguy!!! Can you elaborate on why you would choose August 16, other then HM possibly being down? Being it will be a holiday weekend, will they really have shorter hours? We need to decide which week tomorrow, so am desperatly trying to figure this out! The main reason we would choose Labor day weekend is the extra work day off, but if August 16 will be less busy, we would for sure choose that week! I am leery of August 30, as the hotels are really booked up!

The weekend hours will not be shorter. The weekday hours may be. But not by much going by history.

See "Historical DLR Park Hours, Entertainment and Refurbs" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2291124

In late August 2011 (see Aug 29-30) DL hours went from normal summer hours of 8AM-Midnight to 8AM-10PM. Also Fantasmic did not show on those nights. So reduced entertainment.

If there was a summer when DLR changes things up and keeps max hours all the way thru Labor Day, this would be it. So who knows?

Some people are OK with reduced hours, entertainment and an HM refurb. That works better for folks who visit a little more frequently that I do. If we only get one trip per year I want it to be with everything going. That is just me.

I would choose Aug 16 because then I know HM will be up and everything else. Aug 30 is getting into a little bit of grey area for closures. And I just do not think the crowd differences will be that big. But others could feel differently.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

If there was a summer when DLR changes things up and keeps max hours all the way thru Labor Day, this would be it. So who knows?

I would choose Aug 16 because then I know HM will be up and everything else. Aug 30 is getting into a little bit of grey area for closures. And I just do not think the crowd differences will be that big. But others could feel differently.

I agree with this .

 

[luv2plan]

You may have already decided, but orange county schools do not go back until Sept 6. San Diego schools go back late August.
Also, So Cal AP are blocked out Sat & Sun Sep 1/2 but not Monday, Labor Day.

Happy Planning!

 

[mrswh]

You may have already decided, but orange county schools do not go back until Sept 6. San Diego schools go back late August.
Also, So Cal AP are blocked out Sat & Sun Sep 1/2 but not Monday, Labor Day.

Happy Planning!

SoCal AP are blocked both the 16th and most of Labor Day Weekend, but I would think that more kids nationwide would be back in school by the 30th than the 16th, so that would theoretically reduce the # of out of towners on the 30th. If Disney is reducing hours and entertainment, that's a sign that they think it will be less busy then. Personally, I don't care about HM and won't stay at the parks past 10 p.m. anyway. And you're always going to get fireworks on the weekend - so I'd go the 30th.

Whatever you decide- have fun!