First Timer heading down in August - Questions!

[Mrs. M. Mouse]

Hi All!
Dh, & dd's (6&9) are heading down (driving) to southern cali this summer with stops in San fran, Anaheim and San Diego. My questions are mainly for Anaheim.

We arrive Aug 24th and according to MousePlanet it's the week that the annual passes can return to the parks. Would we be better to go on the 25, 26 and 27 or on the weekend days which appear blocked out for AP's?

How far of a walk is it from the 2 front gates (DlLto DCA?)?

We're looking at booking HoJo but also looking at a few other options. Where have you stayed and what was your opinion of the hotel/motel?

I think that's all my questions for now! I've been busily reading all the info on here and figured I'd chime in with my own questions! Thanks!

 

[jlmarr]

It's about 100 yards between the two entrance gates.

I'd say you're better off going during the week rather than waiting for the weekend. Be sure to get to the parks at opening.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Definitely avoid the retun of the AP holders ~ can you go any earlier in Aug.?

 

[Mrs. M. Mouse]

No we can't go earlier unfortunately. We leave calgary aug 18th but we are stopping in San Fransisco on our way down so we won't actually get there until the 24th. we were trying to swing it that we got there earlier but even still there would be no way for us to get there before the AP's are allowed back!

 

[pixarmom]

I appreciate this thread! We are WDW vets/WDW AP holders, and we're taking our kids to DL for the first time August 21-23. (I went to DL several times as a child, but not since then!) Our dates are not flexible either - our extended family is meeting us for our traditional Newport Beach trip, so we're coordinating with that.

We made our GCH reservations with the new summer special, but I'm second-guessing our decision to bring our kids for the first time during a crazy busy time. So I'm with OP, and welcome/appreciate any suggestions!

 

[jlmarr]

No we can't go earlier unfortunately. We leave calgary aug 18th but we are stopping in San Fransisco on our way down so we won't actually get there until the 24th. we were trying to swing it that we got there earlier but even still there would be no way for us to get there before the AP's are allowed back!

I think the post-blockout crowds aren't nearly as bad as pre-blockout. Plus a lot of people will be in back-to-school mode. You should be ok.

 

[Raindown]

I think the post-blockout crowds aren't nearly as bad as pre-blockout. Plus a lot of people will be in back-to-school mode. You should be ok.

I agree, I don't think it is always true that non blackout days are bad. I've been to the parks on with all AP active and it was pretty light. I think I'll feel more of a swing in crowds in high v. low seasons/times.

EDIT: I was at the park Friday, and I saw a lot of training going on. Perhaps they were getting geared up for spring/summer.

 

[Mrs. M. Mouse]

Thanks! I was reading some of last summer's Trip reports just to see what the crowds were like and the writers made the crowds sound horrid! We have been to WDW and know to expect a crowd when we go to DL just want to be able to move through it while there!

Our bonus this time is we're going Stroller free!!!!!! ha ha ha...

Any tips on the best hotel to choose. I see from many posts that the HoJo is the one of choice but any other recommendations?

 

[Flitterific]

Thanks! I was reading some of last summer's Trip reports just to see what the crowds were like and the writers made the crowds sound horrid! We have been to WDW and know to expect a crowd when we go to DL just want to be able to move through it while there!

Our bonus this time is we're going Stroller free!!!!!! ha ha ha...

Any tips on the best hotel to choose. I see from many posts that the HoJo is the one of choice but any other recommendations?

HoJo's is definitely great, especially if you could get it with the Entertainment/AP rate (same 50% discount). The only other places I've stayed at are FFI (didn't like it much) and GCH ($$$ especially during the summer). I believe Carousel Inn & Suites has pretty good reviews if you want to stay on Harbor. I've also heard good things about Red Lion Maingate and Candy Cane Inn (both farther down Harbor). Is there anything specific that you are looking for in a hotel (i.e free breakfast, internet, parking, microwave/fridge)?

 

[HydroGuy]

I think the post-blockout crowds aren't nearly as bad as pre-blockout. Plus a lot of people will be in back-to-school mode. You should be ok.

Well last year the pre-blockout were extra extra bad and the post blockout were just extra bad. Blackjackdelta was there and he goes pre and post blockout in August and said never again post blockout. You can read about him and others in Aug 2009 if you go to my tips in my signature line and read the Pyschology of DLR AP Holders thread.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Well last year the pre-blockout were extra extra bad and the post blockout were just extra bad. Blackjackdelta was there and he goes pre and post blockout in August and said never again post blockout. You can read about him and others in Aug 2009 if you go to my tips in my signature line and read the Pyschology of DLR AP Holders thread.

Just add to what Trey already has posted. If you are stuck with the dates weekdays will be better than weekends and the crowds were the worst we had seen during the summer. We usually go every year in August due to work schedules. Follow Hydroguy's and other rules and you will have a good time.

Jack

 

[HydroGuy]

Well last year the pre-blockout were extra extra bad and the post blockout were just extra bad. Blackjackdelta was there and he goes pre and post blockout in August and said never again post blockout. You can read about him and others in Aug 2009 if you go to my tips in my signature line and read the Pyschology of DLR AP Holders thread.

I did not state this very clearly. Let me try again. Before the summer blockout in June the crowds were extra extra busy. When the summer blockout lifted in August they were still very busy. BJD goes in August before the blockout lifts and after, and last year he went after it lifted. And he said it was much more crowded than when he goes pre-lifting of blockout in early August. Hope that is more clear.

 

[engo]

We were there last year right before and after the lift of Blockout ( I think it was 4 days during blockout and 2 days after the lift of blockout ). The crowd was significant busier on the last 2 days but it was manageable. Just make sure you hit the park early everyday. I followed the thread about crowd level after we're back and got a feeling that the crowd was getting worse after we came back to Calgary (yeah we're from Calgary too!). Good luck and enjoy your trip!

This year we're going in mid June during local/SoCal AP blockout. Hopefully we will can manage to see WoC and F! Has anyone hear any news on how Disney arrange the viewing crowd for WoC? I'm hoping they have reservation like F! for WoC but who knows what's going to happen.

Cheers!

 

[blackjackdelta]

We were there last year right before and after the lift of Blockout ( I think it was 4 days during blockout and 2 days after the lift of blockout ). The crowd was significant busier on the last 2 days but it was manageable. Just make sure you hit the park early everyday. I followed the thread about crowd level after we're back and got a feeling that the crowd was getting worse after we came back to Calgary (yeah we're from Calgary too!). Good luck and enjoy your trip!

This year we're going in mid June during local/SoCal AP blockout. Hopefully we will can manage to see WoC and F! Has anyone hear any news on how Disney arrange the viewing crowd for WoC? I'm hoping they have reservation like F! for WoC but who knows what's going to happen.

Cheers!

They are going to herd 9000 people into the viewing area if you have a ticket for viewing that is.

Jack

 

[Mrs. M. Mouse]

we'd like a fridge and possibly kitchenette (if not too $$$) we would like a family suite so the kids have their own space. and free parking would be really nice lol

 

[engo]

They are going to herd 9000 people into the viewing area if you have a ticket for viewing that is.

Jack

Thanks! Hope Disney will release more info on how to get a viewing tickets soon.

 

[Mrs. M. Mouse]

They are going to herd 9000 people into the viewing area if you have a ticket for viewing that is.

Jack

ha ha ha ha that's funny! thanks!