Is August a crazy time to go to Disneyland?

[Sally95]

Help! I have to go to CA for a wedding in August and I am considering taking my 6 and 4 year old to Disneyland for the first time while we are there. Is August crazy busy? I heard you are all the experts on Disneyland. Any advice?

 

[wendypooh22]

I personally stay away during the summer because it gets so darn hot! I would imagine that the parks would be pretty full and even worse on the weekend...

 

[tinkerbelt]

Yeah, August is still pretty bad - the summer crowds don't usually taper off until mid-September, IME.

The last time we went in August, it was so crowded that we could hardly do anything, and we were miserable. It is also very hot in August still. It can be pretty miserable when it is hot and crowded.

If you decide to go, get there early, before most of the crowds show up and before it gets too hot. Bring your own snacks and drinks so that you don't have to wait in line all day to buy them. It's much easier and cheaper to buy an insulated lunchbox and bring juice and bottled water. If you have a stroller, you can keep it with you, or you can rent a locker for $5.

Try to do Fantasyland in the morning, and then in the afternoon when it is hot, stick to more indoor or shaded stuff, like the shows or the Princess Fantasy Faire. There is a play area at DCA that has water for the kids to play in, and there is a playground in Toontown that has a hose that sprays water.

Don't expect to be able to do a whole lot of stuff, especially with two little ones. It is definitely do-able, just not quite as easy as in the winter or spring.

 

[Danauk]

We are doing our DL trip in August (we have no choice as we are teachers in England and August is our time off). I am not worried about going at this time but the reason for this is because I plan so much and learn everything that will help my trip. I plan to make sure we do what we really want to do and do not have expectations to do every single ride in the park. We have been to WDW both in August and over Christmas and New Year and on both trips we did not find it busy and did everything we wanted to. I really think the reason for this though was because of the pre planning learning. If you are realistic and figure out what you really want to do, get to the parks early, I am sure you will have a great trip.

 

[HydroGuy]

Help! I have to go to CA for a wedding in August and I am considering taking my 6 and 4 year old to Disneyland for the first time while we are there. Is August crazy busy? I heard you are all the experts on Disneyland. Any advice?

Do it wrong and August can be a negative. Do it right and it can be a lot of fun. I have gone to DLR during the last summers in August.

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

 

[autumnbaby9]

If you go totally unprepared August can be pretty bad.

Go with the mind set that is will be HOT and crowded. Have a plan made up (I used ridemax on my last trip and it worked really well) and try to take a break mid-day when the crowds and heat are at their worst.

 

[Sally95]

Thanks everyone! This is all very helpful. I'm nervous, but I think it is doable. I haven't been back in 20 years so I am anxious to go.

 

[pegster56]

During summer months when kids are on vacation is really a tough time to go. Parks are really crowded and you can not do as much as if you went when schools are in session. However, if that is when you can go, going then is better than not going at all. After all, we all have to get our Disney fix in whenever there is opportunity!