Crowds in July and early August

[belle&beast]

My cousin is getting married in San Diego on August 4, 2007. We are coming from Indiana, so I would like to make a vacation out of this trip. I know that crowds will be high at that time of year, but is there much difference if we vacation the last week of July into August or vacation after the wedding into August? Any input on this time of year would be appreciated. I will be traveling with DD3 and DD6 and DH will be with us for part of the trip, but can't leave work for long in the summer (he owns a landscaping business). Plus there should be lots of other relatives, too, but I am only planning for my immediate family!

 

[autumnbaby9]

Never been to DL in July but I was there the first week in Aug 03 and the crowds were terrible.

 

[belle&beast]

Never been to DL in July but I was there the first week in Aug 03 and the crowds were terrible.

Thanks, that's my fear, especially since we are used to WDW in January- little to no wait for most rides. Anyone else have any experience at this time of year? I would also assume that it is better to avoid weekends, would that help?

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks, that's my fear, especially since we are used to WDW in January- little to no wait for most rides. Anyone else have any experience at this time of year? I would also assume that it is better to avoid weekends, would that help?

The last two years we have been at DLR the first week of August. To answer your original question, I would not concern myself with whether late July or early August is better. They will both be about the same. Just go whichever time works best for you.

One caveat is that you should avoid weekends. If you use common sense, the crowds are completely manageable this time of year IMO. See "HydroGuy's How To Avoid Long Lines Rules" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199856. The benefit over a January visit is that all of the rides will be running, the shows will be maxed out, and the park hours will be maed out.

Don't let the fear of summer crowds keep you from having a great time.

 

[PinkTink63]

I have been there at the end of July, the beginning of Aug., mid August, and the end of Aug. It is pretty busy, but not unmanageable. This past summer was probably busier than the other times, because of the 50th. After being there the week after Christmas this past year, the July-Aug. crowd is nothing!
That wouldn't stop me from going! Just be prepared for it to be crowed and if it is not so crowded, what a pleasant surprise!

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

We went in mid-July this year, and we will never go at that time ever again. That goes for August too. It was just simply too hot and crowded. We usually go in mid-June, when the weather is mild and the crowds usually aren't too bad. Next year were planning an October trip. I'll never do a July/August trip again, between the heat and crowds it really took away from the fun we usually have at DL.

 

[spazzyjazzy]

We went in July. We always do. Never had a problem with the heat. But, this year was when that heat wave came through. We had never been to the parks when it was higher than 90 degrees. It hit 100 when we were there. It was such a different heat then what we were used to back home. We can always handle the crowds. The heat is what got to us.

 

[HydroGuy]

I have been there at the end of July, the beginning of Aug., mid August, and the end of Aug. It is pretty busy, but not unmanageable. This past summer was probably busier than the other times, because of the 50th. After being there the week after Christmas this past year, the July-Aug. crowd is nothing!
That wouldn't stop me from going! Just be prepared for it to be crowed and if it is not so crowded, what a pleasant surprise!

SoCal does have heat waves. Each of the last two years when we were there first week of August, the temperatures were in the low to mid-80's and delightful. In years past I have been when it was 100 degrees. If you have a nearby hotel (and you should) then this becomes a lesser issue because you take a 4-5 hour break mid-day when it is hottest and swim and take a nap. In this case, most of your park time is in the morning and evening and mid-day heat is not as much of a factor.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

We went in July. We always do. Never had a problem with the heat. But, this year was when that heat wave came through. We had never been to the parks when it was higher than 90 degrees. It hit 100 when we were there. It was such a different heat then what we were used to back home. We can always handle the crowds. The heat is what got to us.

I think we were there at the same time this year if I remember correctly?! It's the humidity with that heat that really got to me. Where we live (and I'm sure where you are too) we get the dry heat, it goes over 100 on many days of the summer here, but add the humidity it was just too much for us.

We did end up spending a lot of mid-day hours at our hotel. Which is not something we usually like to do. We like to start in the morning, grab lunch in the parks and we like to go back to the hotel around dinner time. Eat, relax, then hit the parks at night. So this trip was really different with that. We'd be there maybe 4-5 hours before the heat would hit, then we'd be in the hotel till the evening/night hours. I actually felt sick one day from it even, spent even more time at the hotel that day! We had gone in July one year earlier (2001) and the heat wasn't that bad, but it was hot. I guess we just prefer the more mild temps you get there in the late spring or fall!

 

[belle&beast]

I guess we just prefer the more mild temps you get there in the late spring or fall!

We definitely prefer milder temps, too, but are used to heat and humidity at home. Thanks to all for your input! I will be asking more questions as we get closer to making arrangements for our trip.

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

We were at DLR August 1, 2 & 3 of 2005.

There were crowds, but I never felt it was unmanageable. I don't remember waiting more than 15-20 minutes for any attraction, and I'd guess our average wait time was closer to 10 minutes.

We've been to WDW the first week of November in 2000 and 2003 and I didn't think that DLR the first week of August was significantly busier.

And, assuming your Indiana humidity is similar to my Minnesota humidity, temps in the 80's in Anaheim will be a piece of cake!

 

[SoCalKDG]

I've found that the Florida heat in Sept. bothered me more than Anaheims heat. This past summer was extra hot, with some humidity thrown in thats not normally there.

Just go to the pool at 1:00, grab a nice dinner aftwards around 4:30, be back in the park at 5:30-6:00 and you will miss the worst part of the heat and still have 9+ hours in the park. With a 5-10 minute walk to your hotel taking breaks is amazingly easy.

 

[stampinshauna]

This year we were there on Friday Aug 4 and Mon Aug 7. It was crowded, but doable. We chose not to wait in really long lines because we knew we would be going back in September. We took advantage of Fast Passes for the rides we really wanted to go on. If you are easy going and won't be disappointed that you can't do it all, then you will be fine. I used to say that I wouldn't go in the summer, but if it is summer or nothing, I'll take Disneyland in the summer. We avoided Fantasmic, the Parade, and fireworks so that we could do more rides when they weren't as crowded. Just plan some time to take it easy, enjoy a sit down meal, etc. Have a great trip!

 

[djm99]

My DF and I went in August 2005 - during the 50th. The first day (which was on a Sunday) - crowds were NOTHING - I was in shocked. The next two day at DL crowds were pretty busy but as stated by others, very manageable. The crowds at CA were low during our entire stay. As far as the heat - while were there it was barely 80 degrees. It was so cold in the evening - I had to buy something to cover up my DD - then 5. I found a $22 beach towel. The beach towel was warm and something that could be years for many years to come - their jackets were all over $40. Also, it was so cold - we didn't get in the beach waters that we visited. I was quite shocked at how cool California was in August - a jacket - that’s unfathomable to someone from St. Louis.

 

[belle&beast]

I'm glad to hear the crowds should be manageable. My DH is not sure how long he will be able to stay due to his busy season at work, I am planning to stay for the wedding and vacation, so I may be solo with 2 kids. However, we will have lots of extended family there, so we should be able to work it out so that we go at the same time.

Do you think the 50th anniversary affected the cowds, or were they pretty typical?