Crowds Aug 4-11

[limace]

We arrive tomorrow morning (!!!!!!!!!!!) and will be there til late afternoon on Tuesday, the 11th, with 5 day passes-so, 6 full days and two almost-full. Trying to decide which are our best days to maximize park fun time. TouringPlans has the busiest days this week, with Tuesday and Wednesday 8 or 9, dropping to 5-7 for the rest of our stay. Thoughts? I'm well aware of the inaccuracies of all the crowd predictions sites, so am interested to hear from the real experts on this board. If you had five park days in the next week, which days would you pick?

 

[MadeToLove]

Touring Plans has been way off this summer, not taking into account the popularity of the 60th Anniversary at all in their predictions. School is still out here (until the 18th for most LA schools and 26th for Orange Co), but at least the So Cal and So Cal Select Annual Passports are still blocked out for your trip, so that will help a bit (3rd week in Aug, when they come back online, and school still hasn't started back everywhere, should be awful). I haven't noticed either park being particularly better than the other on a particular day of the week in this last month, but definitely make the most of your mornings. Those first three hours are key, whichever park you choose. DCA is generally much more manageable crowd-wise than DL, but was still packed by mid afternoon most days this past month. I would say count on 8-9s everyday and just be prepared with sunscreen, spritzing fans, and water and snacks (because it is supposed to be very hot all week too) and long lines for everything.

 

[limace]

With all that being said, any suggestions which days to skip the parks in the next week? Are weekends really quieter than weekdays?

 

[Avery's mom]

No, weekends are no quieter at all. We found each day to be just as busy as the next. I think you may have to plan for crazy busy times every day and be pleasantly surprised if you get lucky. I agree with MadeToLove's post exactly. It will be hot - it will be crowded and by early to mid afternoon you will want to get out of the parks for a bit to cool off and rest.

 

[MadeToLove]

With all that being said, any suggestions which days to skip the parks in the next week? Are weekends really quieter than weekdays?

I'm sorry we can't be more helpful with days of the week for you. This summer really has been busier than past summers, so there is no way to tell. You may just want to play it by ear. Just make sure whatever days you pick, get there at rope drop and take advantage of the lighter crowds and cooler weather while the locals sleep in.

 

[Winnowill]

Most schools in the Phoenix area are starting back up this week, so Phoenicians won't be a huge presence any more. (My daughter's school is an exception, which is why we'll be there next week.)

We're looking forward to the nice, cool 85-degree weather.