Have we gone insane? DLR in August

[Bookworm31]

My sister and I have made the snap decision to take a trip to DLR for 3 days (Aug10-14, we live in Canada so flight time factors in). We have only gone during low seasons before, about 7 years ago.
We know almost nothing about tackling the parks in summer and I'm sure things have changed in the last decade. I've read every bit of info I can get my hands on, but the thought of summer crowds is still scaring me!
We are both willing to be in the park all day, and I am thinking about getting a subscription to Ridemax. Not sure if we plan to hop.
Any helpful summer trip tips and reassurances would be appreciated!

 

[ILUVALASKA]

It will be hot and crowded. Go with the flow. At least you don't have to mess with FP plus. You might make a few meal reservations.

 

[Soccer and Swim Mom]

We will be there August 3-8. We live in Houston, Texas so we are used to the heat. I am just trying to prepare us for the huge crowds and long lines.

 

[Congo Queen]

You can have a fun trip in August for sure. No worries. The main tip is to not be in the parks during the hottest most crowded part of the day (midday). Get to the parks at opening in the morning and enjoy the cooler temps and lighter crowds between 8am (7am with early entry) and 11am. During those morning hours ride the rides that will have long lines later in the day (major E ticket attractions/Peter Pan etc). Do not spend your precious morning hours eating or shopping. Save that for midday when it is getting really hot and more crowded. Eat an early lunch at 11:30am to avoid big noon time lunch crowds and shop a bit in the air conditioned stores, and they get out of Dodge! Head back to your room for a swim in the pool and a nap, and do not come back to the parks until sun down when it is cooler. You'll have a blast. I love going to Dland with my sister.

 

[Nonsuch]

...trip to DLR for 3 days (Aug10-14...

We will be there August 3-8. ...

Both of you are missing Saturday, often the slowest day of the week (due to the triple AP blockout).

Your visits are before August 18, when the both Southern California APs return

 

[hfrank90]

Is it better to go on that weekend vs. during the week ?

 

[hyperminimalism]

We're going in August around that time, too. We'll be in the Anaheim area from the 10th to the 15th, and DL/DCA somewhere in that week. I'm just trying to figure out if Monday would be a better day to incorporate into the DL/DCA schedule (Mon/Tues/Wed) as opposed to (Tues/Wed/Thurs). Keep in mind the park hours do change that week to 9 a.m. - 11 p.m. at DL and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. for DCA, which I'm assuming means they're expecting slimmer crowds. That week, SoCal and SoCal Select passes are blocked, but the Deluxe and Premium passes are still valid.

My advice, though, for going in summer is to:

1. Get there early (You'll have better luck getting onto the rides you want to go on when the gates open or even an hour before if you can manage it)

2. Have a loosely planned day Know that the crowds come around 10-ish (depending on the operation hours) and stay until about after the fireworks

3. Take lots of breaks inside the park because the heat can get to you. Stop for a drink and stay hydrated. Grab a healthy snack for energy. Or just sit down in a cooler, shaded spot and relax your dogs!

4. If you can go back to your hotel (we can't considering we're not staying on site and it would waste precious time away from the parks xD), take a break and come back after lunch time, maybe around dinner time

5. It's good that you've got 3 days, which is another recommendation of mine. Breaking up the trip helps so much because if you can't get on a ride on a certain day for whatever reason, you can usually manage to get on another day

6. Don't be afraid! Yes, it is more crowded in the summer, but it is manageable as long as it's not a holiday or some kind of celebration day for whatever reason (Gay Days, Grad Night, a marathon, etc). I have been in the summer time for the last few years, and we have had a great time each trip. It's why we keep coming back! Of course, the crowds aren't ideal, but you make do. A lot of it is just based on perspective and what kind of attitude you go into the park with.

 

[winkytink]

I'm noticing people are suggesting that Saturday will be a BETTER day than Thursday, which is typically better crowds-wise. Why is this? We were actually planning on going Thursday, August 14 due to this info. Sorry to threadjack; just curious.

 

[Bookworm31]

Unfortunately Saturday is out (work schedules, BLEH!), but at least we can leave the parks during the mid day peak so that will help. I wasn't aware it was a good day to go in summer otherwise we might have tried to juggle
My sister echos the sentiment of "be calm, a good attitude makes a good trip", which is kind of clashing with mt Type A personality but I will survive!
Does anyone have suggestions for managing the heat? The temperature here barely hits 30 degrees(Celsius) in the peak of summer and I have sensitive skin that burns just from sitting next to a car window in direct sunlight - and I don't want to be stuck in long sleeves and a turtleneck my whole trip.

 

[HydroGuy]

My sister and I have made the snap decision to take a trip to DLR for 3 days (Aug10-14, we live in Canada so flight time factors in). We have only gone during low seasons before, about 7 years ago.
We know almost nothing about tackling the parks in summer and I'm sure things have changed in the last decade. I've read every bit of info I can get my hands on, but the thought of summer crowds is still scaring me!
We are both willing to be in the park all day, and I am thinking about getting a subscription to Ridemax. Not sure if we plan to hop.
Any helpful summer trip tips and reassurances would be appreciated!

The typical response to folks who visit DLR in the summer and were "afraid of summer" is that they were "pleasantly surprised". Summer crowds are rarely "insane".

If you do everything wrong then you can make an August trip into an unpleasant experience. If you make a few simple, smart decisions, you will stack the deck in your favor of having a good experience.

The PP by hyperminimalism lists a few of those simple decisions. IMO one of the best decisions is to stay at a nearby, walking distance hotel.

If you have not found it yet, this may help:

"Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

 

[5forMickey]

We went in August 2012 and it will go down as my least favorite time to visit. We live in a cooler climante also and anything about 80 for me is extreme. I was surprised that the crowds were worse during that trip then when we had gone in June or July and vowed to never go again in August (instead I choose the week between Christmas and New Years this year ).

With that being said ....... a bad day at Disneyland is always better than a great day somewhere else IMO . You have received some wonderful advice about going early, resting in the afternoon, and making dining reservations. I'm sure if you follow that advice along with just knowing it will be crowded you will have a wonderful time.....and no matter what, your in Disneyland, that has to bring happiness!!!

It will be hot --- sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen!