First time...and overwhelmed!

[drichey25]

I am a little confused and I am sure it mostly has to do with having a new baby and not getting enough sleep, but I always thought the summer time was the time to avoid. We are planning on going at the end of the school year. I thought May 19-21 would be perfect, but after reading all the posts this sounds like a really bad idea. Our other options would be June 2-4 or June 16-18. Would either one of those work better? What about the crowds from regular tourist? Doesn't June start getting crowded with them? Our goal is to avoid crowds and long lines if at all possible. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[erinbharris]

Thank you for the tips on SD. I hadn't thought of it that way before--but going at the beginning makes the most sense to us now.

Our plan now (hopefully...if dh can change holidays, if not then we'll have to do SD August 27/28/29 and DLR the 30th-September 4th) is to go...

SD July 1-4 (with a beach day in there), DLR July 5-11th (our check out would be a Sunday and we would probably stay away from DLR on the Saturday too)

or

SD July 8-11, DLR 12-18th


Does anyone want to chime in on what they think would be best out of those options? HydroGuy, what do you think?

We could do later in July or early August, but that is our best chance for good weather here (and hey, we take advantage of good weather when we can get it!) so we'd rather stick close to home those few weeks.

: )

 

[Leofoenget]

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?

LA Schools are on year round tracks.

 

[HydroGuy]

I am a little confused and I am sure it mostly has to do with having a new baby and not getting enough sleep, but I always thought the summer time was the time to avoid.

People used to think that way. It is not that summer is uncrowded, it is that crowds are moderate as opposed to non-blockout times which have the potential to be insane like June and late August 2009.

I thought May 19-21 would be perfect, but after reading all the posts this sounds like a really bad idea. Our other options would be June 2-4 or June 16-18. Would either one of those work better? What about the crowds from regular tourist? Doesn't June start getting crowded with them? Our goal is to avoid crowds and long lines if at all possible. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

May 19-21 depends entirely on when World of Color opens. Most years May 19-21 (Wed-Fri) would be pretty light.

This year June 16-18 will be all blocked out and that is good. However, June 16 and 17 are grad nights. See "The Scoop on Grad Nights at DLR in May and June" - www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2298400. For that matter, so are May 20 and June 3.

If it was me and those were your only three dates, I might stick with May 19-21 if you really want low crowds. June 19-21 might be good but there are two grad nights and thus two nights where DLR closes early.

 

[HydroGuy]

Thank you for the tips on SD. I hadn't thought of it that way before--but going at the beginning makes the most sense to us now.

Our plan now (hopefully...if dh can change holidays, if not then we'll have to do SD August 27/28/29 and DLR the 30th-September 4th) is to go...

SD July 1-4 (with a beach day in there), DLR July 5-11th (our check out would be a Sunday and we would probably stay away from DLR on the Saturday too)

or

SD July 8-11, DLR 12-18th


Does anyone want to chime in on what they think would be best out of those options? HydroGuy, what do you think?

We could do later in July or early August, but that is our best chance for good weather here (and hey, we take advantage of good weather when we can get it!) so we'd rather stick close to home those few weeks.

: )

I think if you have to stick with late August you have better dates now. If you can change then either of your July dates will work best. Note July 4 is an American holiday. Arriving at DLR on July 5 will come after the holiday. See "List of American Holidays" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1937849

 

[erinbharris]

When is the anniversary? Is there any advantage to going that week?

 

[HydroGuy]

When is the anniversary? Is there any advantage to going that week?

July 17. And no advantage. The potential disadvantage is a slight bump in crowds for the die hards who just have to visit DL on its birthday.

 

[erinbharris]

Perfect, thank you!

Ok...today my job is phoning hotels and seeing what we can get. I called Howard Johnson yesterday but it was the 1-800 line and I'd rather call in house today--they were way more helpful. The 1-800 person could only tell me that there were no suites available at all...which I find a little hard to believe, but we'll see!

: )

 

[Madzac]

Cant help you with hotels and dates and such, but our last trip we had kids 4 and 2 and we spent the first three days in SD and then went up to Anaheim for three days. We had a hotel in both places. It was great. Our kids LOVED Legoland and Sea World both. The zoo was just so so, we wouldnt do it again. Didnt do the wild animal park. Three days at DLR was pretty good for us. Four would have been better.

We are taking a short trip this month and only have three days in the parks. Wish we could go back down to SD as we loved it!!!!

 

[erinbharris]

Thank you for your input, I appreciate it. I think we'll do 3 nights and 4 days in SD--go to Sea World one day, the Zoo another (I have heard mixed reviews...but our zoo is TERRIBLE and the kids really want to go) Legoland for one and the new Legoland water park (opening in June) for one. Then we're going to go to Anaheim and do 5 days/6 nights at Disney. We debated if this was too long, but we're ok with short days if they kids have had enough (is there such a thing?).

 

[HydroGuy]

FYI, I forgot about this:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/9178/Disneyland_Resort_Update

This and That

...Anaheim plays host to both the Major League Baseball All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 13 at Angel Stadium, as well as the Major League Baseball All-Star FanFest July 9–13 at the Anaheim Convention Center. The weeklong schedule of events means added crowds for the Disneyland Resort, during what should already be a busy week as Disneyland marks its 55th Anniversary.

I used to live near there and am a baseball fan, but have a hard time seeing how this would significantly affect crowds at DLR. However, if you want to be abundantly cautious go after the All-Star game clears out.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Here's a link to our S CA visit last mid July ~ http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32765258&postcount=1

Good luck with your planning ~ I'm taking DD for her B~day, 7/3 - we'll be there for the 4th of July weekend ~ we'll see how it goes!

 

[erinbharris]

It seems like I can't pick a perfect date!

I managed to book a 2nd room at Hojo for July 11th-18th. We'll do SD first, and will fly into the area on the 7th or 8th...leaving the 18th. Just depends on flights. My husband needs to make a decision on holidays this week--so its either July or that really late date in August/September. Part of me wants to stick with August (I'm a teacher and my son is starting kindergarten...end summer with a bang)...but part of me wants to have August to relax (I'm a teacher and my son is starting kindergarten ). So...I have 3 days to make a decision!

I can't wait. I haven't been to Disneyland since I was 8 (my daughter tells me that was a LONG time ago) and I can't wait to see it all through their eyes.

 

[erinbharris]

And thanks DisneyMomma81...I'll be sure to check out the July thread if that's when we decide to go! Have you been for the 4th weekend before?

 

[DisneyMomma81]

No I haven't but visitors over the 4th last year said it was pretty good, I hope that weekend is similar this year.

 

[erinbharris]

I'm sure it will be great!

Just a question...I got Hojo for about $130 a night, is that about as low as I'll get it for summertime?

 

[Leofoenget]

I'm sure it will be great!

Just a question...I got Hojo for about $130 a night, is that about as low as I'll get it for summertime?

http://www.hojoanaheim.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=14&sid=967557ac604946c63383a3085106f2d1

not sure when you are going, but here is a good link to the Entertainment rates

 

[Kayla's Mom]

Just a question...I got Hojo for about $130 a night, is that about as low as I'll get it for summertime?

Keep checking the link just posted for the entertainment rate - they add dates quite often and sometimes not until the very last minute!

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

We are also planning our first trip to DL after many trips to WDW. I read all of the first timer posts to try to maximize knowledge. I just wanted to jump in to say thank you to Hydroguy for the wealth of info! Very informative!

We are also going to see the Red Sox play the Angels so my week isn't negotiable (7/24 thru 8/1). It is nice to see that crowds may not be horrible that week!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I'm sure it will be great!

Just a question...I got Hojo for about $130 a night, is that about as low as I'll get it for summertime?

Phew that's high ~ I don't think I'd stay @ HoJo for that price and I love it there, what sort of room is this? If it's a kids suite I suppose that's OK but for 2 Qs or 2 doubles that's too high IMO.

For DD's B~day trip I have Motel 6 booked ~ http://www.motel6.com/reservations/motel_detail.aspx?num=1066

7/2 & 7/3 are $62
7/4 & 7/5 are $50

Of course I'd rather stay @ HoJo but these prices can't be beat, I'll keep an eye on HoJo for the ent rate, I was able to get it for our 2 nights last July *mid month, weekdays*

I'd also stay at the Anaheim Plaza again ~ we stayed for $54 or so per night 2 nights last Sept. http://anaheimplazahotel.com/