Disneyland August 14-19. What to expect?

[Luvmy2Js]

We are headed to Disneyland August 14-19 with friends of ours from New York. I had posted a few weeks ago asking about May but since our friends are flying out to Ca for the first time they really wanted to stay longer and I am thrilled that they will be able to extend the trip by moving it. I know the parks will be busier than they would have been in May but I am just kind of wondering what to expect so I can warn them. We are staying at the Disneyland hotel for our entire Dland stay and then down to San Diego for a few days. I know it will be hot but I am a little concerned about crowds since we both have 4 year olds and 2 year olds. I was hoping maybe some schools would be back in session already but am not counting on it.

Thanks for any advice for us. Is anyone else planning an August trip?

 

[ter-moo]

We've gone around this time the last couple of years, and it IS crowded. However, if you do a couple of things, it'll keep you sane:

1. Get the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland and use one of the touring plans in the back. It saves decision making, time and it really works!

2. GET UP in the morning and get to the parks for EE (when it's available) or before opening time. I know getting everyone up and ready is hard, but it'll be a godsend to you when you see how UNcrowded it can be early in the morning, plus it's not so hot.

3. Take afternoon breaks. When it starts to get crowded around lunchtime, get something to eat (either in the park or DD) and then go back to your hotel for a swimming/nap break. Come back later and enjoy some shopping, shows or some of the less-crowded stuff.

4. Buy some breakfast stuff like cereal and milk, etc., so that you can feed the kids in your room in the mornings without spending time waiting at a restaurant. This will help immensely with getting everyone to the parks early.

The best part about going at this time of year is that everything is open, the hours are long and there's more going on (parades, fireworks, Fantasmic, etc.) every night.

You have a long time to see stuff, so take it easy and enjoy yourselves!

 

[Luvmy2Js]

Thanks for the tips. We do a few of those things every time we go to Disneyland. None of us are big breakfast people so we just always make the kids oatmeal in the room and then pack snacks. I think that the other family though is pretty big on breakfasts and I really don't want to be pushy on their vacation. I am looking forward to the extended hours though and staying onsite so that going back to the hotel and swimming during the hottest hours won't be a huge deal.

What week of August do you normally go?

 

[dizzyami]

I know Gilbert, AZ schools are back in session by then - and I am pretty sure most of all AZ schools are back to school by then - hopefully that will help a bit on the crowds.

 

[ter-moo]

What week of August do you normally go?

Last year we were there August 13-16. (Our school up here near San Francisco starts around the 22 or 23.)

A couple of years ago, my husband and I went toward the end of the month, and my son and I went once around the 20th or so.

 

[Luvmy2Js]

Thanks again for the replys. I think our schools in central Ca. are back in session the 13th so hopefully it is a trend and a good amount of schools will be back in. I remember last year that the resort hotels had AP rates the last two weeks of August through the end of September so hopefully that is a good thing.

 

[tracer]

Last year (2006) we went Aug 26 for 4 days and in 2004 we went Aug 21 for 4 days. We wait until school starts to go. Both rtips were not crowded and very enjoyable. The weather is nice, although it can be hot that time of year.