End of August - Disney World or Disneyland

[Frozen2014]

We had the best vacation at Disney World last October and am dreaming of someday returning to either Disney World or even seeing Disneyland.

I'm from Canada and so I know the end of the summer is a good time in terms of crowds as most of the US kids are back in school. But I've heard that Orlando gets super hot with high chance of rain then. So which is better in terms of:

• less humidity / heat
• less rain
• smaller crowds

DW is closer to us, but the flight would be worthwhile if DL was more comfortable.

 

[allears]

I would vote for Disney Land. I live in the Philadelphia Metro area and ten years ago when my DD turned 18 and graduated from high school she asked for a trip to Disney, which took place the end of August. We opted for DL because none of us can stand the heat and humidity on top of crowds! Mind you DL was pretty crowed as it was the 50th Anniversary, and this year is the 60th. But we found it manageable and had an awesome time. I love the weather in Southern California at that time of the year. It can be very hot in the sun, but go into the shade and you feel cool. The nights are usually beautiful.

 

[Frozen2014]

Thanks for the response. Good to hear that Disneyland is more bearable than Disney World. SO they don't get low crowds that time of year?

 

[allears]

Thanks for the response. Good to hear that Disneyland is more bearable than Disney World. SO they don't get low crowds that time of year?

I'm not really sure about their crowds normally. It probably is a little lighter than the rest of the summer, but it is a big celebration year, so that could boost the crowds. I would still do it over Disney World at that time of the year.

 

[Satchmo128]

If memory serves, I think that the California schools don't start until Labor Day, Florida schools start in August. So, you still have locals visiting more since it is the end of summer in August.

 

[anniemae]

I think I would try Disneyland. I have always wanted to go there. FL schools start in Aug, but much of the Northeast and Midwest start in the beginning of Sept, so Disney world is full of people from the northeast and midwest. Lots of folks do final trips at the end of Aug before school. I was surprised at how crowded it was last Aug, definitely not empty. Aug is FL is really hot and humid and rainy. The heat is unrelenting.

 

[Frozen2014]

If memory serves, I think that the California schools don't start until Labor Day, Florida schools start in August. So, you still have locals visiting more since it is the end of summer in August.

Ah ok...so same as us here in Canada.
What about rain? Do they get the daily downpours like Orlando? I tried a search on precipitation and saw 0...so wasn't sure if this number was just not updated.

 

[Satchmo128]

Nope, not the same kind of daily downpours like FL gets. Weather is much better almost year-round in southern CA.

 

[Frozen2014]

Awesome...thanks for the replies. So in summary, for the end of August (right before labor day):

• Disney World wins in terms of crowds
• Disneyland winds in terms of weather

Then there is the whole measles scare...but that's another story.

 

[Drusilla99]

I live in so cal. IF it were to rain in August, it would be extremely strange. Temp would be in the 80's & 90's, but does cool a bit in the evening. Humidity is almost non existent here as well. Our schools start anywhere between beginning of August & Labor Day week. The annual passes open up & there aren't as many block out dates starting the third week of August. Also, because the resort isn't as massive as wdw, you can do more in less days. As far as the measles scare, I've been to dl twice in the past couple of weeks with my kids & didn't even think about it, the health department & clean up crews have gone through there since the news broke.

 

[Frozen2014]

I live in so cal. IF it were to rain in August, it would be extremely strange. Temp would be in the 80's & 90's, but does cool a bit in the evening. Humidity is almost non existent here as well. Our schools start anywhere between beginning of August & Labor Day week. The annual passes open up & there aren't as many block out dates starting the third week of August. Also, because the resort isn't as massive as wdw, you can do more in less days. As far as the measles scare, I've been to dl twice in the past couple of weeks with my kids & didn't even think about it, the health department & clean up crews have gone through there since the news broke.

Thanks. Great to hear that rain is rare in August in Califormia and there is no humidity. So it's another option as some point we'll get to a point where do don't want to pull our kids out of school . And good to hear that the measles thing is better now.

 

[cheekybulldog]

I would also add, aside from the weather at Disneyland, I would advise against Labor Day weekend. It's a Half Marathon weekend and the last weekend before school starts for most schools. So the crowds can be insane

 

[Frozen2014]

I would also add, aside from the weather at Disneyland, I would advise against Labor Day weekend. It's a Half Marathon weekend and the last weekend before school starts for most schools. So the crowds can be insane

....darn...it seemed like DL was a good option for last week before kids returned to school (after labor day for us in Canada). Sratch that idea.

 

[DizDaD7]

Just some food for thought...DLR albeit smaller is equally as awesome..In some aspects better. And this coming from a WDW of 10 times too...It's just different that's all. You can look for other things to do ( Especially on the weekends ) when the crowds over in Cali. will be very high....Either route you take, I'm sure you'll have a great trip.

 

[HydroGuy]

We had the best vacation at Disney World last October and am dreaming of someday returning to either Disney World or even seeing Disneyland.

I'm from Canada and so I know the end of the summer is a good time in terms of crowds as most of the US kids are back in school. But I've heard that Orlando gets super hot with high chance of rain then. So which is better in terms of:

• less humidity / heat
• less rain
• smaller crowds

DW is closer to us, but the flight would be worthwhile if DL was more comfortable.

To me this is a total no brainer. DLR in August every time. The weather issue trumps everything.

FWIW, same thing in July. Other months could all be debated. My experience is spring time weather is better at WDW but not so much to trump everything but just be a factor. But in August? Or July? Easy peasy. DLR.

Here is some more info from a thread I wrote on weather:

"Comparison of Weather For WDW and DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1711098

 

[Frozen2014]

To me this is a total no brainer. DLR in August every time. The weather issue trumps everything.

FWIW, same thing in July. Other months could all be debated. My experience is spring time weather is better at WDW but not so much to trump everything but just be a factor. But in August? Or July? Easy peasy. DLR.

Here is some more info from a thread I wrote on weather:

"Comparison of Weather For WDW and DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1711098

Thank you so much. Your WDW and DLR thread is awesome...super helpful in comparing the weather of the two.

 

[percywinchester]

I'm in Canada too!
My family went last August near the middle to end of the month for 9 days. It was extremely hot (probably about 35-40 everyday) but the crowds were bearable. I rode Splash Mountain one day about 6 times in a row at 9:00 at night; this was the same for many rides(ex: rode Dinosaur 5 times in a row, EE 3 times, BTMRR 7, and TSM 2). Even 7DMT was about a 20 minute wait, and at that time it had just opened.
The rain wasn't bad at all. If I remember correctly, it poured once or twice- all we did was bring rain ponchos and keep them in our pockets. There was the occasional rain (maybe once a day) but it never lasted for long.
I've never been to DLR, so I have no input on that side, but I hope this helped!

 

[Jennytoon]

I have never been to DL, but I would say it probably partly depends on how long you want to be there. We are some of those people from the Northeast that WDW is full of in late August -- we go then because we find the crowds to be quite manageable. Not gone, but very approachable and not a huge block to getting lots of stuff done.

We manage the heat by going for a longer period of time, arriving early at the parks not only because you can get more done but also because it is not as hot yet, and then leaving the park around noon to 1. We sometimes come back in the evening when it has cooled off. Both crowds and heat are more manageable in the morning and evening, and a break in the middle of the day is a popular strategy no matter the time of year at WDW, but if you only have a few days that's a lot of time to sacrifice and you might be able to have more longevity each day at DL which is smaller and more weather-friendly.

 

[john516]

DL. Was there at the end of August a couple of years ago and the crowds were light on the weekdays.