Help - Aug 20-23 - plus LA

[junkpix]

Thanks in advance for your help.

Myself, DW, DD11 and DS8 will be staying at GCH from August 20-24. We land at LAX at noon-ish and leave GCH in the AM on the 24th. We are planning to spend Friday, Aug 20, in LA, plus one other day touring LA.

My problem is figuring out which 2 days to spend in DL/DCA. I know the AP holders are coming off blocked that weekend.

Of Sat, Sun, Mon, what would be our best 2 days to spend in the parks?

 

[whimsy87]

Well, all of the SoCal passes are still blacked out on Saturday (as well as the Premium pass), so that would probably be a good day. The SoCal Select pass will be the only one blacked out on Sunday. So on Sunday, you'll get all the people with the regular SoCal passes, and on Monday, you'll get all the people with the SoCal Select passes.

I would say Monday, maybe? The daytime should be fine because people will be at work. I hope. But I've never been on the days following a lift on the blackout dates.

But I would definitely plan for Saturday. Either way, it's probably going to be pretty busy at the park, so make sure you go in with a plan! If you get your plan and stick to it, you'll be fine, no matter what the traffic. We once caught three shows and rode all of the major rides (in both DLR and DCA!) on a day when the park was full to capacity. It can be done!

Edit: blackjackdelta is right, no blockout dates on Premium Passes. The Deluxe, SoCal and SoCal Select are all blocked out on Saturday.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Well, all of the SoCal passes are still blacked out on Saturday (as well as the Premium pass), so that would probably be a good day. The SoCal Select pass will be the only one blacked out on Sunday. So on Sunday, you'll get all the people with the regular SoCal passes, and on Monday, you'll get all the people with the SoCal Select passes.

I would say Monday, maybe? The daytime should be fine because people will be at work. I hope. But I've never been on the days following a lift on the blackout dates.

But I would definitely plan for Saturday. Either way, it's probably going to be pretty busy at the park, so make sure you go in with a plan! If you get your plan and stick to it, you'll be fine, no matter what the traffic. We once caught three shows and rode all of the major rides (in both DLR and DCA!) on a day when the park was full to capacity. It can be done!

I was of the understanding that Premium had no blackout days?

Jack

 

[monami7]

We will be there the 17 - 24th and I had thought that Saturday would be a good day to skip the parks. Now it looks like you think it is less busy that Sunday?
I would have never guessed that!Maybe I need to re evaluate my plan!

 

[whimsy87]

I always get the premium and deluxe mixed up. At any rate, three APs are blocked on Saturday, and only one on Sunday. And for the SoCal pass, it'll be the first time they're unblocked all summer.

 

[ZDARA1999]

We will be there the 17 - 24th and I had thought that Saturday would be a good day to skip the parks. Now it looks like you think it is less busy that Sunday?
I would have never guessed that!Maybe I need to re evaluate my plan!

Hi Monami7

Saturdays and Sundays are a toss up. You have your premium pass holders on Saturday along with your regular tourist crowds. It gets pretty busy in August with the tourist. Sundays you have your premium and delux pass holders, tourist and pin traders. If you are staying at one of the park hotels I would look to see which one has extended hours and take advantage of them.

 

[junkpix]

I was of the understanding that Premium had no blackout days?

Jack

OK. So having said that, I am still confused.

 

[blackjackdelta]

OK. So having said that, I am still confused.

Looks like every pass becomes unblocked on the 22nd. Is that what you are confused about?

Jack

 

[Hound 109]

If i was staying at the GCH for FOUR nights.....I'd get a 5 day pass (are they still buy 3 get 2 free?).

Even if i had a city tour or beach visit planned on 3 of those days, I'd be opening DL at least 4 of the days & enjoying the activities at DLR (both parks) at night.

If not a 5 day PH, then a 4 day....if not a 4 day, then a 3 day. My opinion is that the first 2 hours of EACH day can be more productive than the next 6-8 hours of any of the days one chooses. (Except off peak....which August is not.) & You'll be at the GCH....you can throw a rock & hit the turnstile!! ....& we haven't even talked about early entry....which you qualify for... EACH day it's offered. (What time zone will you be coming from?)

Have a great time at Walt's Park.

 

[junkpix]

Hound -

Thanks for the great points about opening the park each day. We are cominig from the east coast so early entry times won't be a problem the first couple of days. Plus we are WDW commandos and know how to open a park, get in, get out, rest and come back.

Realizing that, on Saturday and Sunday we can still do 3 park hours in the AM and head out for sightseeing on the day we planned.

Our itinerary looks like this (with modifications per your suggestions):
Fri 8/20 - LAX at 10:30AM, rent van, Hollywood on our own, GCH for dinner and pool.
Sat 8/21 - DL/CA all day - with long break in afternoon
Sun 8/21 - DL 7-10AM, touring LA, etc in the afternoon, dinner at DLH, pool.
Mon 8/22 - DL/CA - with long break in afternoon, WOC 10:15PM
Tue 8/23 - DL/CA 7-10AM, leave for Yosemite and later, San Fran.