DL in August, or another year?

[pixarmom]

I've seen and posted on a few other threads about this, but was hoping for some opinions on this specific question!

The background: We're WDW vets and have WDW APs. We have three boys (ages pre-school to pre-teens) and they have been to WDW several times, but this would be their first visit to DL. We booked a room-only reservation at GCH for August 21-23, and our dates are firm because they coordinate with our extended family's traditional Newport Beach vacation.

I've read (and recently, re-read!) all of the relevant Hydroguy tips and so I know it's going to be crowded and why, and I saw that blackjackdelta said "never again" to the August post-blockout! With all your wonderful tips here, and our WDW planning experience, I'm not concerned about getting on our priority rides - we're always at rope drop at WDW, and we make efficient use of FP and rider swap. But I'm very concerned about moving around the park and general atmosphere. (Also, DHS is our favorite WDW park, so we're planning to spend a good amount of time at California Adventure - that may make a difference.)

So the question is whether it's crowded enough Saturday, August 21 (blocked), Sunday, August 22 (blocked only for the cheapest socal APs) and Monday, August 23 (block lifted entirely) that DL experts recommend skipping DL entirely this year, and waiting until another year when our family plans Newport for June/July instead of late August. I'd really appreciate any thoughts you all could share!

 

[blackjackdelta]

I've seen and posted on a few other threads about this, but was hoping for some opinions on this specific question!

The background: We're WDW vets and have WDW APs. We have three boys (ages pre-school to pre-teens) and they have been to WDW several times, but this would be their first visit to DL. We booked a room-only reservation at GCH for August 21-23, and our dates are firm because they coordinate with our extended family's traditional Newport Beach vacation.

I've read (and recently, re-read!) all of the relevant Hydroguy tips and so I know it's going to be crowded and why, and I saw that blackjackdelta said "never again" to the August post-blockout! With all your wonderful tips here, and our WDW planning experience, I'm not concerned about getting on our priority rides - we're always at rope drop at WDW, and we make efficient use of FP and rider swap. But I'm very concerned about moving around the park and general atmosphere. (Also, DHS is our favorite WDW park, so we're planning to spend a good amount of time at California Adventure - that may make a difference.)

So the question is whether it's crowded enough Saturday, August 21 (blocked), Sunday, August 22 (blocked only for the cheapest socal APs) and Monday, August 23 (block lifted entirely) that DL experts recommend skipping DL entirely this year, and waiting until another year when our family plans Newport for June/July instead of late August. I'd really appreciate any thoughts you all could share!

I would not skip it. You understand the rules and make good use of the FP system you will have a good time. I just do not see the crowds getting any lighter for the times you have mentioned.

Jack

 

[Dobie]

I would go, too. It is easy to maneuver in the morning.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

We went in early August last year. I really didn't think the crowds were that bad. My concern is the heat. It's freakin hot! We had very mild weather, lower 80's, but in the park it felt like over 100. I can't imagine what 90's would have felt like. Stay hydrated and plan some pool time if you can!

 

[blackjackdelta]

We went in early August last year. I really didn't think the crowds were that bad. My concern is the heat. It's freakin hot! We had very mild weather, lower 80's, but in the park it felt like over 100. I can't imagine what 90's would have felt like. Stay hydrated and plan some pool time if you can!

Last year was the coolest temp wise for our August trip than it has been the last 10 years.

Jack

 

[NVDisMom]

We went two years ago in August and would do it again. Getting there at rope drop, utilizing FP, an afternoon break at the pool, and spending a great deal of time in CA are all important for this time of year. You've got it covered!

 

[pixarmom]

Thanks for all of the responses and the encouragement! And thanks blackjackdelta, for your response to our situation and the choices we are considering. All very helpful!

These boards quickly convinced me that pool time in the afternoon at DL is a must. Especially with everything so close - it's still hard to believe what I see on the DLR map! So we are definitely all prepared for pool time (except for our oldest son - he resists any kind of break when a Disney park of any kind is open for business - he will need to adjust for this trip!)

I was thinking about making ADRs for restaurants in CA (Wine Country) and Disney hotels (Storyteller's - maybe one other), so that we can avoid going into Disneyland Park at dinnertime - is that a good strategy? Blue Bayou looked like lots of fun for the boys, but it might be stressful to get there.

And we'll do one morning at Disneyland Park - I wonder if it's better to try that on Sunday (weekend, but some APs are blocked and it's Magic Morning) instead of Monday (weekday, but no APs are blocked and no Magic Morning.)

Thanks, again!!

 

[amjt660]

We have gone 5 times in August and always have a great time.
With your WDW experience and understanding of Fastpass you will have no trouble at all.

The parks open early and stay open late so if you have a group that can handle it be there for rope drop, gather fast passes all day but do not use them, go for a swim, come back around dinner and use the FP for the rest of the night.

Works for me everytime.

Max

 

[Judy from Boise]

another good tip for busy times is a commitment to close the park down (hence the need for post pool time naps). You can always get in a queue for a popular ride about 15 minutes prior to park close, afterwards enjoy the cool and crowdless stroll out of the park.

 

[dmked]

We are going in August! We have been in August twice before, it wasn't bad at all. Of course, I have never been any time except for peak season

 

[sierranevada]

I go a lot in August and have no problems with the crowds. Weekends are always busier but as others have said, you know the FP strategy and rider swap and you are much closer to the hotel for the afternoon pool break at DL than at WDW. So I say definitely go and have a magical time!

Dinner - I don't think it would be stressful to go into DL for Blue Bayou. But another restaurant to consider would be ESPN Zone (DTD) - the food is good and the kids might like playing the games upstairs. As far as the DLR hotel restaurants, Storyteller's (at GCH) is okay but I prefer either Hook's Point or the perennial favorite - Goofy's Kitchen (at DLH). Wine Country Trattoria in DCA is good and so is Naples in DTD.

Have fun!

 

[HydroGuy]

I've seen and posted on a few other threads about this, but was hoping for some opinions on this specific question!

The background: We're WDW vets and have WDW APs. We have three boys (ages pre-school to pre-teens) and they have been to WDW several times, but this would be their first visit to DL. We booked a room-only reservation at GCH for August 21-23, and our dates are firm because they coordinate with our extended family's traditional Newport Beach vacation.

I've read (and recently, re-read!) all of the relevant Hydroguy tips and so I know it's going to be crowded and why, and I saw that blackjackdelta said "never again" to the August post-blockout! With all your wonderful tips here, and our WDW planning experience, I'm not concerned about getting on our priority rides - we're always at rope drop at WDW, and we make efficient use of FP and rider swap. But I'm very concerned about moving around the park and general atmosphere. (Also, DHS is our favorite WDW park, so we're planning to spend a good amount of time at California Adventure - that may make a difference.)

So the question is whether it's crowded enough Saturday, August 21 (blocked), Sunday, August 22 (blocked only for the cheapest socal APs) and Monday, August 23 (block lifted entirely) that DL experts recommend skipping DL entirely this year, and waiting until another year when our family plans Newport for June/July instead of late August. I'd really appreciate any thoughts you all could share!

IMO the more important thing is you know what you are getting into rather arriving and being overwhelmed.

Should you still go? On a DLR board like this there will be a strong bias towards following thru on your trip. For me I would try to avoid the worst crowds when I can but am not afraid to push thru with crowds when I can't. It depends on your comfort level navigating crowds.

If you got one of the recent great offers for GCH you are not likely to see that come again in summer until the next down economy so that is a reason to go this year. You will have one full blockout day and that is also a reason to go.

Would you go to WDW instead this summer? That is another reason to go to DLR. Much better weather even when DLR is at its hottest time of the year in August.

There are good reasons to go and good reasons to delay until a better time when you might have a little more flexibility with dates.

I think if you took a poll you would get a lot more heart votes (go to DLR this summer and again for the Newport trip) and not as many head/bank account votes to to choose which is best.

If you have to choose one I think you will have a better time at DLR if you delay. But then will the Newport trip be in June? If so that could be worse than late August. July will have a more reliable crowd level.

HTH

 

[jenpace]

We have APs and go to DL 4-5 times a year...but usually only in the off season to avoid the crush of the crowds. Last year we went in August because my youngest dd has an August birthday. We all came away saying "never again!". It just happened to be the week that the So Cal passholders were unblocked and was a nightmare with the packed crowds.

I see that your stay is scheduled during the same thing: the week the So Cal passholders are unblocked. Is there any way that you could tweak the timing a little? If you went the week before it could mean a huge difference in your experience...

Of course there are ways to maximize the fun and minimize the bummer of the sea of humanity that will be there but the bottom line is this: when it gets that crowded, in spite of the best strategies and approach, sometimes you literally can't move which besides being frustrating can be really frightening for little kids...and some adults too.

 

[pixarmom]

It depends on your comfort level navigating crowds.

If you got one of the recent great offers for GCH you are not likely to see that come again in summer until the next down economy so that is a reason to go this year. You will have one full blockout day and that is also a reason to go.

Would you go to WDW instead this summer? That is another reason to go to DLR. Much better weather even when DLR is at its hottest time of the year in August.


If you have to choose one I think you will have a better time at DLR if you delay. But then will the Newport trip be in June? If so that could be worse than late August. July will have a more reliable crowd level.

HTH

Thanks, again, to everyone for all the thoughts and tips - this is a tough decision and I appreciate hearing from everyone.

We did get a great rate at GCH, and have been excited to stay there.

And in response to the question about WDW, if we skip DL, we would consider an additional short trip to WDW while our APs are still active, but probably during value season to avoid crowds/heat! (That's why I didn't post this on the WDW boards - I know the answer there!) But we've been excited to see the original - earlier this month, we had to pry our oldest away from One Man's Dream at DHS - he is really interested in Disney history.

Future Newport trips with a DL add-on depend on those rental schedules. We've gone in June, July or August (and once in November) and changed properties a number of times over the past 25+ years. But I would definitely lobby for July!

So good point that we would have one blocked day. We would also have one partially blocked day. It's that last day (Monday) when the block lifts entirely. I wonder if we could take advantage of the first few morning hours on the day the block lifts, and then head to Newport mid-day. . .

 

[Huff]

Since you like DHS you will probably spend most of your time at California Adventure. Crowds at DHS are a fraction of what they can be at Disneyland.

That said lines mid-day can be 30-60 minutes for Soar'n, Grizzly Rapids, Toy Story and to a lesser extent Scream'n.

Tower of Terror can get up to 60+ minutes at peak day but generally I've found it averages 30 minutes or less. Also, the posted wait time is almost always greatly exagerated. Return times for FP's at Tower are often much better than Soar'n.

Grizzly Rapids will have bad lines mid day on a sunny hot day. Bring a poncho and enjoy almost no line after dark.

Short waits for Bugs, Muppets, Monsters, Maliboomer and Turtle Talk.

Go at rope drop to Disneyland. Get FP's early for Space and Indiana. Collect any other FP's you can. Head to California Adventure and enjoy. Late evening head back to Disneyland and use the FP's collected earlier.

Big Thunder often has short lines late night during or after Fantasmic. Splash often has short lines late night.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Grizzly Rapids will have bad lines mid day on a sunny hot day. Bring a poncho and enjoy almost no line after dark.

Bag the poncho and enjoy the ride.

Jack

 

[Brady's Mom]

One thing I didn't see mentioned in your considerations is that you will have MM privileges on Sat. and Sun since you are staying at GCH. That gives you that extra FL hour that can be a great start to your day, also Buzz and Space are usually open during MM.

 

[HydroGuy]

Bag the poncho and enjoy the ride.

Jack

For August on GRR, ditto! We don't need no stinkin' ponchos! The climate is arid and you will like having the moisture.

 

[Sherry E]

We went in early August last year. I really didn't think the crowds were that bad. My concern is the heat. It's freakin hot! We had very mild weather, lower 80's, but in the park it felt like over 100. I can't imagine what 90's would have felt like. Stay hydrated and plan some pool time if you can!

I totally agree with this. I know there are some people who don't think that our weather is that hot or that unmanageable, but two things are important to mention: 1) no matter what the temperature number says, it feels much hotter than that number when you are doing a lot of standing in the sun, or a lot of lining up with tons of people around you (like in DLR, for example); and 2) people who are very sensitive to heat and get sick, or who get sunburns very easily (despite copious amounts of sunscreen), can have a very miserable time in 80-degree weather, let alone anything hotter, which August tends to be (July is more 80's weather; August and September tend to climb higher than that).

So if you have anyone in your group who is sensitive to heat or sun and gets heat exhaustion or worse easily - and lots of people do - just be prepared and drink water all day long, wear big, obnoxious hats, cover up as much skin as you can stand, get lots of pool time and be prepared. It can be tough! Even though hot and humid in Florida (swamp territory) is bad for obvious reasons, hot and dry in SoCal (desert territory) is bad for other reasons!

 

[blackjackdelta]

I totally agree with this. I know there are some people who don't think that our weather is that hot or that unmanageable, but two things are important to mention: 1) no matter what the temperature number says, it feels much hotter than that number when you are doing a lot of standing in the sun, or a lot of lining up with tons of people around you (like in DLR, for example); and 2) people who are very sensitive to heat and get sick, or who get sunburns very easily (despite copious amounts of sunscreen), can have a very miserable time in 80-degree weather, let alone anything hotter, which August tends to be (July is more 80's weather; August and September tend to climb higher than that).

So if you have anyone in your group who is sensitive to heat or sun and gets heat exhaustion or worse easily - and lots of people do - just be prepared and drink water all day long, wear big, obnoxious hats, cover up as much skin as you can stand, get lots of pool time and be prepared. It can be tough! Even though hot and humid in Florida (swamp territory) is bad for obvious reasons, hot and dry in SoCal (desert territory) is bad for other reasons!

The pavement soaks up the heat and then radiates back up to you so you get bombarded from the top and bottom. I watched a number people going to first aid just because they did not hydrate enough and trust me, HEATSTROKE can kill you very quickly, the bodies cooling mechanism shuts down and it is very hard to treat when heat exhaustion goes into heat stroke.

Jack