Considering recent SoCal AP attendance trends, would early July be better than June?

[Mugglemama]

we've been planning an extended visit to DLR for next summer. we'll be buying the deluxe AP's, but rather than make the trip down to Anaheim 2 or 3 times during the year from Boise (which equals 4 days of driving PER trip), we've decided to just do one long trip. we'll probably be in the parks for around 10 days.

sooo, we can't go until the first week of June at the earliest, because we're treating the in-laws and our 2 nieces to a few days at the parks, as well, and we have to wait for the nieces to get out of school for the summer.

but after reading what a lot of people say about the drop in crowds once the SoCal AP'rs are blocked out, i'm wondering if we wouldn't be better off, crowd-wise, if we went in July? maybe the second week, after 4th of July has passed?

i'd really appreciate anybody's input on this! if i have to choose between better weather and lower crowd levels, i think we'd be better off dealing with the heat as opposed to the crowds.

opinions? suggestions? THANKS!!!

 

[DangerMouse]

I like your thinking, Mugglemama. I would definitely plan a time after the local AP's are blocked out, and with 10 days and all the entertainment going, I think early July would be a great time to go.

 

[Leofoenget]

be sure to check your Delux blockouit days for July. Sounds like you are staying for a long time. I have gone at the end of June 2x and it's quite nice. (after the so cal's lowest level are blocked out that is.)

 

[camouseketeer]

I went in early July two years ago (July 7 - 10, 2008) and it was wonderful. It certainly wasn't empty, but it wasn't crazy crowded. The weather was great. I like that time of year.

 

[Mugglemama]

thanks so much all of you for your input! i really appreciate it!

i should have clarified...we'll be in town for closer to 2 weeks, as we have family and friends to visit in the area. i will double check, but i think we're only blocked out on saturdays with the deluxe pass? so, we'd use those saturdays to visit.

i've heard sundays at DLR are typically pretty busy (i personally have never once been to disneyland on a sunday), so i'm not sure we'd really attempt to go into the parks on sunday, either. for the last 8 years, we've only gone into the parks on weekdays.

the GREAT thing about buying these passes is that we'll get to do another really long DLR visit next year too (before the AP's expire), without having to pay for tix! woohooo!

ETA: i've just checked the calendars...SoCal AP'rs are blocked out continuously beginning July 3rd and running through August 21st. 4th of july falls on a sunday next year. so i'm thinking our best bet is probably july 5-12 and 15-19.

ugh, i don't know though. maybe late august would be less crowded? it's so hard to tell anymore!

 

[MAH4546]

ugh, i don't know though. maybe late august would be less crowded? it's so hard to tell anymore!

No. Late August is mobbed.

If you want to use the APs again next year, go early August in 2010 so you can use them in early/mid-July in 2011.

 

[DangerMouse]

ugh, i don't know though. maybe late august would be less crowded? it's so hard to tell anymore!

Late August is going to be busy again with S. Cal AP's being allowed back in the parks. I would go with those dates in July, and then try to go again in 2011 during off season in May.

 

[Mugglemama]

great, got it! thanks again!!

 

[Brady's Mom]

DH and I went mid July this year and it was HOT! But, we also liked the extended hours, the entertainment every day and going back to the hotel to have a nap and/or swim in the middle of the day.

Early morning was the absolute best! DH and I were the only 2 people in our boat on Small World and there wasn't anyone in the boats in front of us or behind us. It was like having small world all to ourselves.

It got progressively busier after about 11 am and of course, hotter, but we just left and came back when the sun was less intense and we had rested. We are Deluxe AP holders and we were there for a long weekend, so on Sat. we just went and did some other stuff. It worked out really well.

I think DLR was crowded when we were there - not off-season empty or anything - but we were able to do everything we wanted to and more and had a really great time. I would totally consider taking my kids during the summer now that I know what to expect. We were even able to get the Ent. rate at HoJo for all of our days. They came open at the last minute and I got them just before we left. Worked great for us!

 

[HydroGuy]

I like your thinking, Mugglemama. I would definitely plan a time after the local AP's are blocked out, and with 10 days and all the entertainment going, I think early July would be a great time to go.

I totally agree with DM which is typical. I would wait until after July 4 next year but not late August. The crowds for the new World of Color show will be overloaded with AP holders otherwise.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

FYI: The weekend after the 4th (July 9-13) is the MLB All Star Game which will be in Anaheim. The fanfest will be at the Convention Center. I would expect a lot of people to be in town that weekend, with mom taking the kids to the parks while dad gets his baseball fix....

 

[wrightut]

We went in early July this past summer. We were there on July 7th - 9th (Tues - Thurs after July 4th) and it was wonderful. We got there at opening on two of the days and, with judicious use of FP, never stood in line more than 25 minutes. The crowds did build during the day and it was very very crowded during the evening that we stayed for fireworks and Fantasmic but the weather was great and the crowds were manageable - better than I expected.