Crowds end of August

[ZIPBAGS]

Going for 5 nights Aug.26th-31st. I have read that after the 15th or so the crowds diminish as Cali schools go back into session. I went last year at the beginning of August for a day and it was pretty crowded.

Thanks!

 

[Argento]

This year LAUSD doesn't start school 'til the 7th of September so you may encounter crowds prior to then. The first couple of weeks after their schools are back in are ideal for those who prefer lighter crowds.

 

[ZIPBAGS]

Just spoke to my brother who lives in Northern California. His kids go back on the 22nd.

 

[Babybears]

We are planning our trip for that same time frame and hoping for some of the crowds to be a bit thinner. I know the AP's become unblocked the week before and certainly may have some impact, especially with all the new things to see at DCA this year. However, I am crossing my fingers that the week following the blockouts will be less busy than the week they become unblocked.

I am very much looking forward to it, but is sure is going to make for a long summer waiting for our "end of summer" trip! LOL

 

[blackjackdelta]

It will be EXTREMELY busy because the SoCal passes will be unblocked which have been blocked all summer, GOOD LUCK.

Jack

 

[Argento]

GOOD LUCK

Pretty much exactly my sentiments.

 

[DrClinky]

It will be EXTREMELY busy because the SoCal passes will be unblocked which have been blocked all summer, GOOD LUCK.

Jack

Crowd Calendar on touringplans.com says the crowds will only be 3s & 4s out of 10. That sounds good to me Does this sound right to others? I will be going that Tu, We, Th (the 28-30th).

 

[blackjackdelta]

Crowd Calendar on touringplans.com says the crowds will only be 3s & 4s out of 10. That sounds good to me Does this sound right to others? I will be going that Tu, We, Th (the 28-30th).

It is not right, TP never keeps up with what is going on..data is outdated and again with the opening of Carsland it will be CRAZY.

Jack

 

[SeattleTink]

It is really hard to predict, especially with the opening of CarsLand.

I have been to DLR many times the end of August, and in general it is my favorite time to visit. We have found that even though the SoCal schools might not be in session yet, the NorCal schools (for the most part) are back to school. We found this time to be really manageable crowdwise and weather wise it is nice and toasty (but that is the way I like it).

I would go in a heart beat the end of August. Just prepare for the worst, but hope for the best.

Have a great trip.

 

[TEK224]

The DL Half Marathon is Sunday, Sept. 2nd, so there may be people going out early to enjoy the parks before the race.

 

[GrandBob]

Have to agree with Jack. TouringPlans, while apparently well respected at WDW, has never gotten their data right for DLR. It's pretty uniformly dismissed around this board. And yeah, when the APs open up at the end of August and all the SoCal APs want to see the new CarsLand, I expect it to be a total zoo. Sorry.

-Bob

 

[skyway]

Schools start last week of August or the first week of September. Pretty much all schools should be started by the Thursday after Labor Day. Right after that the crowds are light.

 

[mystic_path]

I am going at the end of August as well (First time going in August). My friends family goes each year at this time and swear by it saying it is a fantastic time to go and that crowds are extremely manageable as schools generally start back around that time, or many people like to be done with their vacations and want to get back into the swing of things before school starts. However I am a bit weary with their theory this year with Cars Land opening, and like others mentioned the black out periods end for locals who hold annual passes giving them a chance to see Cars Land. So it is going to be a hard summer to predict. I guess all we can do is utilize those fast passes, take deep breaths and take the plunge. Either way it's Disneyland. It's pretty hard not to have a good time.

 

[disneydreamer74]

We are going August 22nd this summer, and in my experience August is the best month to go! I would not expect light crowds at all. But they will be manageable. You just have to be prepared when you go and have a plan. It seems to me that in August the crowds are different because there are many more locals visiting the parks since most border state children are back in school. ( We are taking our daughter out of school for this trip). So, odds are that at night the crowds should lighten a bit.

 

[Babybears]

I checked the AP Blockout Calendar and I think there is a ray of hope!

Okay, so while the So. Cal Passholders and So. Cal Select Passholders are blocked most of the Summer, I was happy to see that the So. Cal ones do have an opportunity to see Carsland, etc before they are blocked out for the Summer. So. Cal passes have 8 days in late June (17-19, 24-28) before being blocked out. So only the So. Cal Select passholders will have not had any opportunity to see Carsland as they are blocked from June 5th on. That's gotta help, right??

We went last June, right after Little Mermaid and the new and improved Star Tours opened, expecting craziness. We were pleasantly surprised. It was certainly busy, but managable. We just got up early and did the collect fastpasses early strategy and stayed ahead of the game. Also by staying onsite (which OP is doing) last year we were given two fastpasses per person good on any ride. This helped BIG TIME for Star Tours!! Another thing we found is that the new stuff was very busy, but it really helped free up other rides.

While "hopeful thinking" (I know), I am thinking a few things will help. Using the early strategy, you will probably gain a step or two on the Local newly unblocked AP's. Also, it would not surprise me at all if the Resort hotels offer a similar "fastpass promotion" as an incentive for staying onsite.

I agree with a PP that it will be awesome, no matter what, because after all this is Disneyland!!

 

[ZIPBAGS]

Where can I see the AP block calender?

Thanks!

 

[S. S. Columbia]

Where can I see the AP block calender?

Thanks!

There are links in the following thread:

"Understanding AP Blockouts and Impact on Crowds" by HydroGuy
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2365983

 

[ZIPBAGS]

There are links in the following thread:

"Understanding AP Blockouts and Impact on Crowds" by HydroGuy
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2365983

Thank you. Seems like the week I am there the AP holders get to come. So I am sure it will be crowded. Hopefully, with some areas back in school. They crowds will be manageable. Plus, we are staying at the Grand Californian. So I read that we can go in early on some mornings.

 

[GrandBob]

Plus, we are staying at the Grand Californian. So I read that we can go in early on some mornings.

Yes, as a guest at one of the Disney hotels, you get to use Magic Morning every morning that it's offered. Typically, that's the S and T days - Saturday Sunday Tuesday Thursday.

-Bob