Disneynland "Seasons"

[jonsmom57]

I am planning a trip to DLR for the month of August - mid August.

Is that time of year considered peak?

Thanks.

 

[bradk]

should be. anytime kids are out of school is peak as far as I'm concerned.

 

[HydroGuy]

Mid-August is just coming off of summer peak season IMO. But remember that there is a big difference between summer weekends and summer weekdays at DLR.

 

[jonsmom57]

Do you mean a difference in crowds between summer weekends and summer weekdays at DLR?

I guess we chose August because my son is off for Summer vacation and we need about 10 days coming from the East Coast.

We would NEVER do August in WDW, I don't care whether they offer free dining or not, the humidity is terrible.

 

[HydroGuy]

Do you mean a difference in crowds between summer weekends and summer weekdays at DLR?

Yes, there is a significant difference in crowds between weekdays and weekends in the summer and pretty much all year. There are so many local day trippers that visit DLR (70% I have heard) and they tend to bunch on weekends. It is very different from WDW in this regard.

 

[bradk]

although to counteract that, the basic AP has block out dates which include weekends during peak seasons. of course you can buy a blockout pass or a PAP and not have to deal with that too.

the real question is how many PAPs are there vs. the regular APs.

either way, even though it's heavy on local traffic (which makes weekends a not-so-good idea year-round), it's still a vacation destination for the western half of the US.

 

[audrabolster]

I guess we chose August because my son is off for Summer vacation and we need about 10 days coming from the East Coast.

We would NEVER do August in WDW, I don't care whether they offer free dining or not, the humidity is terrible.

The weather here is pretty steamy too in August! Of course, not as bad as Florida.

I usually look at the AP block out dates to figure out what the numbers will be. In August the weekends are crazier than weekdays, but there will still be long waits.

 

[Hound 109]

The weather here is pretty steamy too in August! Of course, not as bad as Florida.

I think it's a matter of perspective. If you're from the NE or the South, the humidity in SoCal seems non-existent.

Orlando in Aug. is oppressive. At DLR the temps can vary (80 - 100) but the humidity is low (under 50).

Read HydroGuy's tip threads, especially his "DLR for WDW vets" thread. DLR & WDW are different in many ways. Lack of Humidity & Weekend vrs. Weekday being two of them.

 

[HydroGuy]

although to counteract that, the basic AP has block out dates which include weekends during peak seasons. of course you can buy a blockout pass or a PAP and not have to deal with that too.

the real question is how many PAPs are there vs. the regular APs.

either way, even though it's heavy on local traffic (which makes weekends a not-so-good idea year-round), it's still a vacation destination for the western half of the US.

The basic SoCal APs are usually blocked out every day during peak season. The deluxe APs are blocked out on Saturdays during peak season. See www.mouseplanet.com/misc.php?pg=blackout. It is my understanding that somewhere in the vicinity of 90% of all DLR APs are of the SoCal variety.

 

[bradk]

my bad.. sorry.. didn't remember/realize there were 4 different AP levels (wasn't always that way, was it?)

 

[jonsmom57]

Wow-so much info - thank you all for your tips. It sounds like the best thing to do would be to fly in on a Monday, do DLR for the next 3 days and then head over to the San Diego area and use up the other 3 days of the So. Cal Pass. Though I know it will be the weekend by then, but maybe take a couple of rest days in between.