Help me pick an August week

[connorlevismom]

So we have it narrowed down to this August (although I have some hesitation because of the 60th celebration) and we have it narrowed down to 2 weeks.

I have check crowd calendars and one says one week is better and the other one says the other week is better.

So we are looking at the following 2 weeks:

Aug 7-15th. It looks like the AP blackouts are still in effect, but one calendar says it one of the busiest times of the year.

Aug. 21-29th. AP blackouts are lifted, but the other calendar says this is going to be a busy time.

So can an expert help me pick the right week?

I know that it is summer so there will be crowds, but we are used to busy WDW crowds and trying the other coast to see if we like it more. We are getting tired of the rat race that has become the WDW vacation.

We plan on renting a home and getting 5 day park hopper tickets and going to the parks during the weekdays.

Thanks!

 

[figment_jii]

How important is seeing the Haunted Mansion to you? Historically, the HM has closed at the end of August to have the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay installed. The HalloweenTime schedule for this year is in flux, but assuming it's starting around the same time frame, I would guess that HM will close on Monday, August 24, 2015. So if you were planning on only going during the weekdays (Mon-Fri), in your time window, you'd probably miss out on HM.

I don't know which crowd calendars you are using, but they all have their quirks. My guess is that the later into August you go, the less crowded it is likely to be, except perhaps the week following the end of the AP Summer Blockout (so, August 17th). That first weekend after the blockout ends is likely to be busy as folks who have not been able to go to the parks for months make their first trip back. This year, that might be busier than normal because of the 60th activities. None of the APs are solidly blocked out before the kick-off of the 60th, but they don't have a lot of time to see the events before the summer blockouts go into effect. So I would anticipate a "surge" after the blockouts end.

I suspect some uptick in crowds is expected ahead of the annual D23 convention held on August 14 to 16. The convention itself is held at the Anaheim Convention Center which is very close to DLR. I don't know how early the convention goers arrive, but I would guess that some will make trips to DLR while they are there.

 

[Fireflyblue]

I would personally go later in August. Disneyland isn't usually as crowded as WDW anyway. I have gone around the 3rd or 4th week of August before and its been great. While its not been empty it has been manageable. Bigger rides such as splash mountain, Space mountain and Indiana Jones will run possibly an hour or longer wait, but that is why you get fast passes for these rides. Also arrive at the park at opening. The morning hours are always the least crowded. Also during summer, Disney will run more vehicles on a ride track thus allowing for more people on a ride example California Screamin just has 3 vehicles running this past month, but in the summer they will have 5 or 6. A 5 day park hopper is more than sufficient. We have done a 3 day ticket before in the past and seen almost everything in the first 2 days and repeated favorites on the 3rd. Make sure to get Radiator Racer fast passes first thing on your california Adventure day. This line can get very long, but it does offer a single rider line too.

 

[HydroGuy]

There is a chance that the week of Aug 21 will have reduced park hours and entertainment. The week of Aug 7 will not. Crowds are likely to be less in later August. So it is a bit of a tossup.

The crowd calendars for DLR are meaningless IMO.

In any case, the week of Aug 7 wins for me personally.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

It's going to be hot and crowded no matter what. My personal choice would be August 21 since by then most local school districts will be in session so there will be fewer locals. However, you may run into more ride closures.