Disneyland last week in August

[Frozen2014]

Not looking at this year, or even the next (as we have a cruise book for 2016)...but thinking of the future as would love to either return to Disney World again or go to Disneyland. The thing is our DS is getting older so we'll get to a point where we don't want to take him out of school. This means that our options are Christmas time (no way), our March Break (possibly but I know crowds and $ will be up) or week before labor day (Orlando is too hot). We're in Canada so we go back later than some schools in the States.

So what is Disneyland like the week before labor day in terms of

• weather in California
• crowds
• cost

 

[Aladora]

We've done that week a few times and have really enjoyed it. We're also in Canada so school is always back right after Labour Day so no worries about taking DS out of school.

It's hot but we had hotter temps the time we were there mid September. Sunny and we have never had rain. (keeping fingers crossed!)

Crowds were high but not as high as March Break. It seemed to get really busy just after lunch but we always go back to the hotel for a mid day break anyway.

Depending on where you want to stay, the costs vary. If you are looking at onsite, August is expensive. If you are looking at offsite and you book at least 6 months in advance, you can get pretty great deals. We're going the second last week in August this year and I booked our hotel in March and got a great rate of $89/night, offsite. Flights can also vary depending on where you are flying from and when you book. I found a fairly good price flying from YYJ but we have also flown from SEA if the price is significantly better.

 

[kim3339]

A tip about Labor Day Weekend, DL also always has the DL 1/2 marathon weekend. It goes from Thurs-Sun, most crowds arriving on Friday; it won't be a big impact during the week, but it will over the weekend. Hotels during those days will fill up fast, so try to book rooms as soon as you decide or they come open.

During the weekend, there are crowds like PP mentioned, but it's not like crazy holiday crowds. POC is about 30-35 min, Indy is usually around 40-45. Also HM generally closes that week to start the Nightmare Before Xmas decorations.

 

[Frozen2014]

Thanks for the tips. So we would be better to go from a Mon to Fri then, right?

At Disney World I would only stay onsite, but don't think this is as necessary at Disneyland.

I think I heard there is little rain unlike Orlando? And is it an uncomfortable heat or more tolerable?

 

[kim3339]

I think if you go Mon-Fri, you won't have to deal w/ the race crowds and depending on if you leave early in the morning for the airport you won't have to worry about road closures.

No rain usually that week at least. B/c it's CA, weather-wise there could be a heat wave or coastal fog in the mornings or hot and humid; all of which there has been over that weekend the past 10 years or so. More so than not, it will be mid-high 80s around that time. But aside from the heat wave and the 1 year a few years back w/ the humidity, it's more tolerable.

 

[Aladora]

Thanks for the tips. So we would be better to go from a Mon to Fri then, right?

At Disney World I would only stay onsite, but don't think this is as necessary at Disneyland.

I think I heard there is little rain unlike Orlando? And is it an uncomfortable heat or more tolerable?

When we have gone the last week in August, we did Sun-Thurs and that seemed to work well, I did not want to be there over the long weekend.

I've never been to FL so I can't compare but I can say that in 8 DL trips we have seen rain exactly once and that was for less that 2 minutes. Seriously, it was such a quick shower that I don't think we had time to walk from the exit of BTMRR to anywhere under cover before it was over.

 

[IDigDug]

We've gone that week at least three times. The crowds seemed to pick up the Wed./Thurs. before Labor Day as the race crowds start to show up for the weekend. Also, Haunted Mansion usually closes that week for the Holiday overlay and last year, I believe, Fantasmic! did not run during that week. It did run on Sat/Sun. So you might want to include a Saturday/Sunday if HM or F! are important to you. I think the parks closed slightly earlier and opened a little later on the weekdays. I seem to remember 9am-10pm for DL.

 

[Frozen2014]

We've gone that week at least three times. The crowds seemed to pick up the Wed./Thurs. before Labor Day as the race crowds start to show up for the weekend. Also, Haunted Mansion usually closes that week for the Holiday overlay and last year, I believe, Fantasmic! did not run during that week. It did run on Sat/Sun. So you might want to include a Saturday/Sunday if HM or F! are important to you. I think the parks closed slightly earlier and opened a little later on the weekdays. I seem to remember 9am-10pm for DL.

9am - 10pm hours are fine with us but...OMG...that could be a deal breaker. Haunted Mansion must be up for DD and I and Splash Mountain must be up for DS.

 

[Rubygoose]

9am - 10pm hours are fine with us but...OMG...that could be a deal breaker. Haunted Mansion must be up for DD and I and Splash Mountain must be up for DS.

We went on Aug 21st last summer and were able to ride HM at the beginning of our trip, but it was closed down for the overlay on the Sunday or Monday. Everything else was up and running the rest of our trip.

 

[DaveNinja]

If you time your trip right, to have the "last august weekend before the labor day weekend" included, you should still be able to ride HM and see Fantasmic. This year could be different, though, since Labor day is later in Sept than the past few years. Its also usually pretty hot in late august

 

[Frozen2014]

If you time your trip right, to have the "last august weekend before the labor day weekend" included, you should still be able to ride HM and see Fantasmic. This year could be different, though, since Labor day is later in Sept than the past few years. Its also usually pretty hot in late august

Thanks...our next Disney trip won't be until 2017 or 2018 (just doing research and thinking ahead now) so will make sure to check out ride closings, specifically the Haunted Mansion if we do come. DD (and I) would be devastated if it was down when we came.