honeymoon at DL in July - will it be insanely busy?

[trish4bruce]

Hi,

We are splitting our California honeymoon betweeen San Diego and Disneyland. We will be at Disneyland from July 18 - 21. I know that this is a busy time but is it insanely busy? Historically for this time what has been the wait time for rides? I have been to Disneyworld many times but this is my first time at the Land. Can anyone reccomend some great places to eat? Also, what are the must see and do's? Oh and we will be staying at the Candy Cane Inn.

Thanks
Trish

 

[Pirate-Emery]

The three summer monthes are supposed to be the busiest of the year, and the 4th of July is the single biggest day of the year.

I've been to the parks just once during the summer (an early August if my memory is correct). I don't remember it being that bad.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

Last year we went in July, and honestly we'd never do it again! Of course last year was very hot, more hot then usual, that made it pretty miserable for us. Between the heat and the crowds we spent more time at the hotel then we liked (taking long mid day breaks).

The other factor we had while there was Pirates was going down through out the day, as well as Space Mountain and Splash. So that left a lot of people just walking around the park. Making the crowds seem worse I'm sure.

But yeah for us July is just too crowded. We like early to mid June in the "summer" months. This year were staying away from the summer months and going in May and October. That heat just got to me too much I guess!

 

[HydroGuy]

Hi,

We are splitting our California honeymoon betweeen San Diego and Disneyland. We will be at Disneyland from July 18 - 21. I know that this is a busy time but is it insanely busy? Historically for this time what has been the wait time for rides? I have been to Disneyworld many times but this is my first time at the Land. Can anyone reccomend some great places to eat? Also, what are the must see and do's? Oh and we will be staying at the Candy Cane Inn.

Thanks
Trish

First, check out this link for lots of useful info: "A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

Summer weekends are more crowded than weekdays, and it looks like your trip will span both. You should thus take maximum advantage of your weekdays.

Wait times for rides of course vary widely throughout the day so it is hard to answer this. If you want more info on rides and wait times, consider subscribing to RideMax www.ridemax.com. Here is my critique of RideMax:

"RideMax Critique Plus Conventional and Unconventional Usage on August 1-4 Trip" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885134

 

[dizcrazed]

yeah is is busy.I have annual pass to Disneyland and july and august are the months I stay away from. and it is usually very hot. but there are a lot of cute stores to keep you cool. Restaurants I would go to are the Blue Bayou and Rainforest cafe. those are really the only good ones at the dl resort. but just kick back and take it slow and you will have fun.

 

[limace]

We're in a similar boat-my husband may have a conference in Anaheim in July and I can't NOT go to DL if that's the case, but have never had to hit one of the parks when school was not in session. I'm scared! The heat! The crowds!

 

[HydroGuy]

We're in a similar boat-my husband may have a conference in Anaheim in July and I can't NOT go to DL if that's the case, but have never had to hit one of the parks when school was not in session. I'm scared! The heat! The crowds!

Sorry for sounding like a broken record to some of you out there, but as I have said in the past - summer time at DLR gets a bum rap. It is not nearly as bad as some folks make out.

Yes, there are more crowds. But weekdays are not that bad, and the parks are open longer hours (16 hours per day, and with Early Entry 17 hours). Plus all the rides and shows are maxed out, which suck up more people.

There are periods of heat in the summer in Anaheim, but if you look at historical data, typical high temperatures are in the mid-80's and high 80's on some days. We have been there the last two Augusts during the first week. The highest temperature we have encountered was 85 degrees. Some will remember last July hitting 100+ degrees a few times. That happens but is unusual.

If you are coming from out of town and staying at a local hotel, plan to leave during the afternoon when it is hottest and the lines are longest. Go for a swim and take a nap in an air conditioned room. Then come back at 5-6 PM to the parks refreshed when all of the day trip visitors are leaving and it is cooling off.

DLR in the summer is a blast. Get to the parks early, take an afternoon break, and then stay late each evening and it is a ton of fun.

 

[azgal81]

I wouldn't go then but I'm not a crowd type of person. I like walking onto rides with little/no line. I have heard about at least 90 minute wait times for the big rides in the afternoons but if you plan it right use fastpass and know what rides to hit first thing I don't see why you would have to wait that long.

 

[spazzyjazzy]

I usually go the second week in July every summer. It can get crowded but,during the week it isn't too bad. Last summer there was a heatwave that went through and it was horribly hot. We stuck it out though.