First time...and overwhelmed!

[erinbharris]

We're (myself, husband, 7 year old daughter, 4 year old son) planning our first trip to Anaheim for August 22-September 1st (dates flexible from the 21st to the 3rd). I am completely overwhelmed.



Here's what I know...

We think we should do 4-6 days at Disneyland. We want to take our time.

We want to stay somewhere with a nice pool, but also nice (and clean) rooms (I'm admittedly a hotel snob). Currently we have the Howard Johnson booked because I love the pool area, but not sure on the rooms. We've booked a kids suite (but may change to a queen suite because not sure I like that the door to hallway is in the kid area and not the adult area).

We don't want to do Universal.

We do want to go to San Diego.

So...advice would be great. If you could plan the ultimate trip, where would you go? I already have coupons for Legoland (the kids really want to go), and know that we'll go to the zoo (one day or two? wild animal park too?) and are debating Seaworld (should we go?). Would you just stay in Anaheim and drive back and forth to San Diego, or would you switch hotels and stay in San Diego for a few days?

Anything you can suggest would be much appreciated!

Thank you...from a very excited, but overwhelmed, newcomer!

Erin

 

[Brancaneve]

Going to WDW warrants being overwhelmed, but not for Disneyland. It's small enough that you don't have to have a serious plan to enjoy it.

Hojo is wonderful, and the pools are great. I like to consider myself a hotel snob, and I love it there! You won't find granite counter tops, slick new furniture, but it is very, very clean and the beds are excellent.

Just relax and enjoy!

 

[erinbharris]

That already helps, thank you. I'm a Hyatt kind of girl, so just wasn't sure--but the pool looks great.

We wanted to do Disney this summer (before our daughter is past the princess stage) but have heard that California is better than Florida because it's not as humid. So...Disneyland it is.

: )

 

[8timesblessed]

We are doing our first trip in May and are doing a week at Disneyland and after much searcing, we were going to go with HOJO until we found out we could use our timeshare and we were able to get into the Villas at the GC.

Then we plan to drive to Carlsbad and stay there a week and do Legoland, San Diego Zoo, Seaworld and we will do Universal while at Disneyland.

We bought the Southern CA city pass because it seemed like a great deal for all those things. I know there are other passes that don't do Universal but do the Zoo and Wild Animal park.

Have fun!!!

 

[HydroGuy]

We're (myself, husband, 7 year old daughter, 4 year old son) planning our first trip to Anaheim for August 22-September 1st (dates flexible from the 21st to the 3rd). I am completely overwhelmed.

The week of Aug 22 will be overwhelmingly crowded, FYI.

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

"The Psychology of the DLR Annual Pass Holder" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2244322

I would lean towards DLR at the end of your trip.

So...advice would be great. If you could plan the ultimate trip, where would you go? I already have coupons for Legoland (the kids really want to go), and know that we'll go to the zoo (one day or two? wild animal park too?) and are debating Seaworld (should we go?). Would you just stay in Anaheim and drive back and forth to San Diego, or would you switch hotels and stay in San Diego for a few days?

Unless you decide on only one day in SD, get lodging down there. I would recommend the zoo over the WAP, and SW is a lot of fun, beautiful and frustrating (if you want ride the rides or buy food).

 

[erinbharris]

I thought I had it all figured out--was told that last 2 weeks of August would be less busy because US schools head back then...not so much?

So...I need to be back home by Friday, September 3rd. Are we better off to push the holiday back, do San Diego first, and do Disney the 29th-2nd or 3rd?

 

[erinbharris]

For that matter...are we better off going in July or earlier in August in terms of crowds? Will prices be any different?

Thanks again...I'm so glad I found this board!

 

[HydroGuy]

I thought I had it all figured out--was told that last 2 weeks of August would be less busy because US schools head back then...not so much?

That is old thinking. Since the AP program has grown so much over the last year or two it has changed a lot of previously held beliefs.

So...I need to be back home by Friday, September 3rd. Are we better off to push the holiday back, do San Diego first, and do Disney the 29th-2nd or 3rd?

For that matter...are we better off going in July or earlier in August in terms of crowds? Will prices be any different?

Thanks again...I'm so glad I found this board!

July or early August will be better than the week of Aug 22. Aug 29 will be better than Aug 22. If you can go earlier in the summer that is the safest bet. Aug 22 is the week the AP blockout lifts. Read the AP Psychology link I gave. It talks about Aug 2009. See this post in that link http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33401005&postcount=147

 

[Amy and kids]

We are going to fly into San Diego and rent a car to drive up to Anaheim. While in Anaheim we are doing a 5 day park hopper so we can be a bit more leisurely. We got the Go LA card to do a couple tours of LA/Hollywood and also use it for Legoland. (we got a 2 day card) After we are done with DLR we will drive back down to San Diego for 2 nights when we do LL and a beach day, possibly go whale watching. We are also going to do the Pirates Dinner Adventure show.

 

[erinbharris]

I'm so glad I found this board because in all my searching most Disney tip sites still have it stated that the end of August will be less busy. I did read that link, and I get it--it will be less busy with tourists, but more busy with locals? I'm glad we didn't book our flights because almost did on Thursday night. So...we rethink ourselves and go early July?

 

[HydroGuy]

I'm so glad I found this board because in all my searching most Disney tip sites still have it stated that the end of August will be less busy. I did read that link, and I get it--it will be less busy with tourists, but more busy with locals? I'm glad we didn't book our flights because almost did on Thursday night. So...we rethink ourselves and go early July?

You know, everyone has different priorities. I am very partial to summer visits. That is my favorite time to go. I like the warmth, the longer daylight, the maxed out entertainment, and zero or minimal refurbs. So for me I would say go in July during the blockouts or early August.

I would say if anyone can avoid the week of Aug 22 they should. If you go the week of Aug 29 then, based on what happened last year, the parks will go to off-season short hours and reduced entertainment - and probably reduced crowds too. Some people like that.

See "Historical DLR Park Hours, Entertainment and Refurbs" - www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2291124

If you go in July or early August, I wrote some advice that may help - "Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

 

[tholczer]

Being a passholder, I can't speak to summer crowds since I'm always blocked out. But we have always gone the last week of August (the week after the blockouts lift) and had manageable crowds. Hydroguy spoke about early closings, but when we went last year on August 25 & 26, it was regular summer hours. The week after that, I believe it was 9:00 to 9:00. Waits were in the 20-40 min range.

And if you're a hyatt girl, you might want to rethink the hojo. We gave it a try one year and prefer the Disneyland Hotel. But it really does depend on how much you want to spend. We're local, so we only stay a couple of nights. If I had to pay for a week, I might change my tune

Good luck and have fun!

Tracy

 

[HydroGuy]

Being a passholder, I can't speak to summer crowds since I'm always blocked out. But we have always gone the last week of August (the week after the blockouts lift) and had manageable crowds. Hydroguy spoke about early closings, but when we went last year on August 25 & 26, it was regular summer hours. The week after that, I believe it was 9:00 to 9:00. Waits were in the 20-40 min range.

Thanks for sharing your experiences. A few things I hope will clarify for the OP...

I believe AP blockouts lifted Aug 16 in 2009. Park hours were maxed out until Sun Aug 30 so it was high season during your visit. Visitors like BlackJackDelta went the week of Aug 16 for 5-6 days and reported lines 100 minutes long. It sounds like lines were shorter the next week when you went.

This year blockouts are starting a week later (July 2) and ending a week later (Aug 22). Based on the fact that DL transitioned at the end of August to off-season hours (DL hours 9AM-9PM, DCA 19AM-6PM on Aug 31) I assumed that would happen again this year. Who knows? Maybe DLR will keep hours maxed thru Labor Day?

In any case I think the OP will be safer going during the blockouts than waiting until after and dealing with the uncertainty.

 

[Belle Ella]

I am on line with HydroGuy and I think your best bet would be to go during the summer blockouts - in fact, that's what I'll be doing and hitting DLR in middish July (14-18) which will also include Disneyland's 55th Anniversary.

 

[tholczer]

Earlier in the summer is definitely a more safe bet as far as hours go. And you certainly wouldn't want to get the off season hours of 10:00-8:00. Depends on how much of a crowd hater you are.

Tracy

 

[erinbharris]

Thank you everyone...this is giving me lots to think about.

Crowds...obviously I don't love them, who does? I'm ok with wait time for rides, but really don't want to wait 100 minutes for one.

I'm going to look into hotels for July and early August. I called Hojo earlier but they didn't have a suite available for a Sunday-Saturday stretch in July or early August.

I keep hearing about Candy Cane Inn...great reviews, but it doesn't look so great in pictures. My biggest wish is clean, comfortable bed, and good pool.

 

[OnePrincessMom]

Where can I find the list of AP blockout dates? Is that one the Disney site? TIA.

 

[erinbharris]

It's in an earlier post by HydroGuy...who seems to be a wealth of information!!

 

[mariezp]

Can't really make any recommendations for dates for your summer visit since we have always traveled in the fall but I did want to throw in my 2 cents for the San Diego portion of your trip. Your children should be a perfect age to enjoy Legoland. Be sure to check the dates of operation and hours before your go. I would probably choose the zoo over the wild animal park. If possible try to go to SD on the weekend to avoid weekend crowds at DL. And, finally, save DL for the last part of your trip since it will most likely be the highlight. If you go there first the others may pale in comparison. If you start with them they will be fun but the best part will be saved for last.

 

[HydroGuy]

Where can I find the list of AP blockout dates? Is that one the Disney site? TIA.

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

It's in an earlier post by HydroGuy...who seems to be a wealth of information!!