Best time to visit during summer?

[Mama_Cass]

We are looking at planning a trip this year and unfortunately July and August are our only options. I can see many pros and cons to each but also wondering if crowds and heat will be much different between the two. We have the ability to go the end of August when everybody is back in school, but we can also go anytime before then, including July when a lot of passes are blocked out and their should be minimal shutdowns. Looking for some input on what other people would prefer. Thanks!

 

[scrappinginontario]

We visited the end of Aug is 2022 and really enjoyed ourselves. Many of the schools were back in session so crowds were lighter than at other times during the summer. Weather was also great! We visited the 3rd week of August.

 

[mdmost]

We normally go in early June but couldn't do that this year because of other obligations through the bulk of summer so we chose the first full week of August. It's right in the window before school starts back up for our teens. The only issue with end of August now is you're now going to hit the start of Halloween and I don't know what that will bring crowd wise. The passes won't be blocked and I feel Disney pushed up Halloween's start because of previously lower crowds in that time. Halloween starts August 22. You wouldn't get the normal Haunted Mansion because of the changeover to the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay. There's also something a tad jarring about Halloween decorations in August.

I would opt for July since the passes are blocked and the climate's a little nicer. I've seen some say on here that July is a pretty decent time to go crowd wise. You'll get the full 70th Birthday decorations. I would think it would be wise to not go on the actual birthday in late July.

 

[Aspencreek]

We did a trip this past summer right at the very end of August and into the 1st day of September. Had a fantastic time with moderate crowds and (luckily) very nice weather. Best part for me was getting to see all the Halloween/Fall decorations. Love Halloween but refuse to go to the parks in October anymore due to the insane crowds. So for us it was the best of both worlds getting the fall vibes without the crazy crowds. If you aren't so much into Halloween though we have done mid-July trips a couple times in recent years and those were also better than I would have guessed for crowds.

 

[joseph821]

August is a great time to visit. I have done trips in mid August 2023 and late August 2024. I went to the first OBB night. Very fun.

 

[juxtapose]

We did end of July in 2021 so it's been a while but we had (to us) really nice weather. Lots of locals were saying it was too hot for them, but we didn't find it bad. Crowds were lower than when we went in May 2019 and October in 2022. I think it was actually warmer in October when we went than in July.

 

[Mle8308]

When does the HM typically shut down for the transition to the holiday theme?

 

[Wedgeout]

Notice end of August has been great. Schools starting early & early it seems. Weather hit and miss but evenings usually pleasant. I like that week into the Labor Day weekend range. A lot of Los Angeles area residents get out & head out of town. Now with Oogie Boogie bashes starting end of August, the Fall season decoration transitions been happening earlier too.

 

[joseph821]

When does the HM typically shut down for the transition to the holiday theme?

I would expect it to go down around August 7th, 8th, 9th, or 10th..Halloween Time starts on Friday August 22. It usually takes 10-14 days for the overlay installation.

 

[LAS2AMS]

Most schools in SoCal start in mid-August. For reference, LA Unified starter on August 12th this school year. Crowds during the second half of August are among the lowest of the year. Same is true at WDW.

 

[tarheelalum]

I'd go around the 4th of July. We have been several times around, and on the 4th, and it has not been bad at all. It's also usually a little cooler than August or September which are often really hot months. But if you also want to go to the beach, I wouldn't go around the 4th. The beaches and freeways are packed during that time but if you are just going to Disneyland, I highly recommend it on the 4th of July weekend.