End of August, how bad will it be?

[nancy drew]

We may be able to swing a trip at the end of August, and I figure DLR will have better weather than WDW. But I've read about the AP blackout lift and the convention, and am wondering whether it might be a bad time to visit. We did just visit WDW the week before Christmas, and we managed fairly well. We don't ride the roller coasters, my kids would love a swim break, and we will likely have a day trip or two to Sea World and Legoland.

So tell me about DLR at the end of August.

 

[skiingfast]

We may be able to swing a trip at the end of August, and I figure DLR will have better weather than WDW. But I've read about the AP blackout lift and the convention, and am wondering whether it might be a bad time to visit. We did just visit WDW the week before Christmas, and we managed fairly well. We don't ride the roller coasters, my kids would love a swim break, and we will likely have a day trip or two to Sea World and Legoland.

So tell me about DLR at the end of August.

If you did the week before Christmas you probably have seen it just as busy, maybe more.

Last summer they extended thier summer entertainment. Though most of that was because WoC was attracting max crowds and they wanted to keep riding the wave.

 

[suzy021372]

The later in August the better. Local kids will be back in school, so week days will be great. The weather should be great too. I am sure the crowds will be much better than WDW right before Christmas. Enjoy!

 

[GrandBob]

The later in August the better. Local kids will be back in school, so week days will be great. The weather should be great too. I am sure the crowds will be much better than WDW right before Christmas. Enjoy!

No no no no NO! Once the SoCal AP blackout lifts on Aug 20, the parks will be inundated with APs getting their Disney fix. Aug 20 or earlier would definitely be the way to go! But I understand that the OP may not be able to change her dates.

-Bob

 

[HydroGuy]

No no no no NO! Once the SoCal AP blackout lifts on Aug 20, the parks will be inundated with APs getting their Disney fix. Aug 20 or earlier would definitely be the way to go! But I understand that the OP may not be able to change her dates.

-Bob

See

"Understanding AP Blockouts and Impact on Crowds" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2365983

 

[Huff]

Last week of August through September have generally seen low crowds. Labor Day Weekend sees a moderate crowd but still nothing like mid summer. Saturdays and Sundays can be moderate even in the lower crowd seasons.

Disney almost always starts its discount specials in mid to late August after schools start and crowds lower.

Late August through October used to all be very low crowds but Halloween events at Disneyland have really driven up crowds in late Sept. and Oct.

Weather wise Disneyland is FAR better than Disneyworld in August. While Disneyworld sees sweltering temps and humidity, Disneyland will be hot but not the incredible sweltering days of WDW. Also, it cools off at night which doesn't happen at WDW in August.

 

[mystic_path]

My friend goes every year in late August, generally around the 23 - onwards, and she said rides can be walk ons.

 

[nancy drew]

Thanks for all of the input so far. I'd be looking at any of the last 2 full weeks of August, or possibly the last week of August/first week of September but that would be cutting it too close with school, I think. Preferably any time after August 14. We'd also want to do a day at Sea World and maybe a day at Legoland, so that could be figured into the plans if there were days that should totally be avoided at DLR.

 

[nancy drew]

Any further thoughts on visiting during the end of August?

 

[camouseketeer]

We were there August 18 - 21 last year. This was before the So Cal AP blackouts were lifted and it was still very busy.

It was my first August visit. We have been in July, and I greatly prefer July. It was less crowded and not as hot.

I have also been to DLR during Thanksgiving week and last year on Veteran's Day weekend when the Christmas season officially began. Both of those periods were crazy busy, more so than August.

I am guessing that the closer you get to September, the better you will be crowd wise, as more kids will be going back to school.

 

[SeattleTink]

Well, I will chime in.

We did the end of August last summer. Arrived on August 23 and left on September 1.

The Bad: It was hot! The first couple days it was 100 degrees. (But then it cooled down in to the mid 80's, which to me is perfect.) But, it didn't bother us too much. We took breaks in the afternoon to swim and went back into the parks every night around dinner time.

The Good: Lots of schools start in mid-August in SoCal. Weekdays the lines were pretty good. 5 minute wait on Pirates, 15 minute wait on Thunder Mountain. The worst lines are Space Mountain and Toy Story Mania. Luckily with Space Mountain, just use fast pass and you will be fine. Dining in Downtown Disney didn't require reservations, it was walk in and be seated within 5 minutes (we even had a party of 14 one day!) No problem.

There was LOTS of speculation on how HORRIBLE it was going to be last summer after the block of AP's would be lifted. This NEVER really materialzed. We were prepared for the worst, and delighted at how few people were really in the parks (compared to the speculation!)

Let me just say, that it is still summer. There will be crowds....but last year it was very managable, I dare say even nice.

I love end of August. You are pretty much guaranteed nice, warm weather and there are long hours every day. 8:00 a.m. - Midnight.

If I can convince my DH, we will be there again at the end of August this year.

 

[tholczer]

You will most likely have crowding the week of the 23rd when the blackouts lift for AP holders. Although if the weather is especially hot, the local crowds will mostly likely stay home. That's what happened last year anyway.

Your best week is the week after blackouts lift, starting Aug. 30. We used to go that second week for many summers and it was great. Even if it's close to back-to-school, beating the crowds is worth it.

Tracy

 

[blackjackdelta]

Well, I will chime in.

We did the end of August last summer. Arrived on August 23 and left on September 1.

The Bad: It was hot! The first couple days it was 100 degrees. (But then it cooled down in to the mid 80's, which to me is perfect.) But, it didn't bother us too much. We took breaks in the afternoon to swim and went back into the parks every night around dinner time.

The Good: Lots of schools start in mid-August in SoCal. Weekdays the lines were pretty good. 5 minute wait on Pirates, 15 minute wait on Thunder Mountain. The worst lines are Space Mountain and Toy Story Mania. Luckily with Space Mountain, just use fast pass and you will be fine. Dining in Downtown Disney didn't require reservations, it was walk in and be seated within 5 minutes (we even had a party of 14 one day!) No problem.

There was LOTS of speculation on how HORRIBLE it was going to be last summer after the block of AP's would be lifted. This NEVER really materialzed. We were prepared for the worst, and delighted at how few people were really in the parks (compared to the speculation!)

Let me just say, that it is still summer. There will be crowds....but last year it was very managable, I dare say even nice.

I love end of August. You are pretty much guaranteed nice, warm weather and there are long hours every day. 8:00 a.m. - Midnight.

If I can convince my DH, we will be there again at the end of August this year.

I was one of those people two years ago that experienced the craziness that went along with the unblocking. It was the worst I had ever seen in that time frame, it just did not materialize last year.

Jack

 

[HydroGuy]

There was LOTS of speculation on how HORRIBLE it was going to be last summer after the block of AP's would be lifted. This NEVER really materialzed. We were prepared for the worst, and delighted at how few people were really in the parks (compared to the speculation!)

I was one of those people two years ago that experienced the craziness that went along with the unblocking. It was the worst I had ever seen in that time frame, it just did not materialize last year.

Jack

There was lots of speculation and no one ever really figured out if the lower than expected crowds in late August 2010 was due to the extreme heat or due to SoCal AP holders changing their behavior from August 2009. Me, I am in the extreme heat crowd for the explanation. I will stick with going when APs are blocked.

 

[blackjackdelta]

There was lots of speculation and no one ever really figured out if the lower than expected crowds in late August 2010 was due to the extreme heat or due to SoCal AP holders changing their behavior from August 2009. Me, I am in the extreme heat crowd for the explanation. I will stick with going when APs are blocked.

I really did not think it was all that hot/warm and neither did my wife, so I really do not have a speculation. Since we do come from an area that is well into the 100 degree weather, it may have just been the acclimation down to the cooler temps????????It was just strange not to be cramped elbow to elbow when we went anywhere up until 2100 and after that the crowds were not heavy.

Jack

 

[SeattleTink]

There was lots of speculation and no one ever really figured out if the lower than expected crowds in late August 2010 was due to the extreme heat or due to SoCal AP holders changing their behavior from August 2009. Me, I am in the extreme heat crowd for the explanation. I will stick with going when APs are blocked.

Trust me, I read every word last year in prepration of my trip in August 2010 on what everyone thought would happen...and I have the greatest respect for both Hydroguy and BlackJack Delta. I know you guys know what you are talking about. And much of it is based on your own personal experiences.

I know I am lone wolf out on this topic...but I like a balanced perspective.

I think it is a great idea to know what "worst case scenario" could be and to prepare. But like a lot of things in life, it is a crap shoot.

I have another theory on why there were light crowds....maybe all the DIS people stayed away because of the scare "SoCal AP holders" had created? I'm just sayin???? just kidding.

Anywho, good luck to the OP. Hope you have a fantastic magical trip whenever you vist DLR.

Barbi

 

[HydroGuy]

I really did not think it was all that hot/warm and neither did my wife, so I really do not have a speculation. Since we do come from an area that is well into the 100 degree weather, it may have just been the acclimation down to the cooler temps????????It was just strange not to be cramped elbow to elbow when we went anywhere up until 2100 and after that the crowds were not heavy.

Jack

I am talking about the heat wave that hit Anaheim in late August 2010 right when APs came unblocked.