Is DL as busy as WDW in the summer

[El&Asmom]

I'm trying to plan my next couple years worth of trips with DVC. (Can't hurt to plan too early).
Anyway, I was thinking of a DL trip in the summer since we would likely pair it with a trip to other parts of CA and make a longer trip. This would be easier to do in the summer with the kids out of school.
We have avoided WDW in the summer due to the crowds and the heat. Is DL as bad in the summers as WDW? We would likely go during the week rather than the weekend which seems important when reading about DL.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[DLR29]

I've been to DLR twice in June and twice in August. I've also been to WDW in July. To answer your question, it really depends on when you go.

Late June (before So. Cal APs are blocked out) is really crowded and probably feels more crowded than WDW because DLR is more compact. However, July this year hasn't been too crowded (based on reports of other DISers) and even the 4th was very quiet. Early August is also less crowded than late August because a lot of So. Cal AP holders (who are blocked out most of the summer) will want to visit one more time before school starts.

And definitely during the week because DLR's main attendance comes from locals, not vacationers unlike WDW.

 

[PinkBudgie]

We go to DLR in the summer. I suggest July or Aug. This year we went at the end of June and few days were crazy busy. Also not all the shows and everything are up and running until the end of June. It is hot, but nothing like when I went back east one summer where it was humid and might suddenly rain in the middle of summer. I was in Washington DC, not WDW so that maybe different. I can't say how it compares to WDW, but I don't find the crowds to be bad. Get there at opening and use FPs and you should be fine.

 

[Hound 109]

DLR:

- is far less humid in the summertime than WDW (& can get cool at night).
- rewards the early riser with no crowds & the ability to pick up 4-5 FPs the first 2 1/2 hours. In WDW the crowds are there at rope drop.
- doesn't require a bus to get to places....you use your feet....you can get ALOT more done in less time (if you want to).
- has the same number of attractions in two parks & has a next door DTD all separated by a 100 sq. yard esplanade (see the bullet above).
- is much easier to avoid crowds than WDW because so many of the crowds are "day trippers".
- is in a state that is FAR more scenic & interesting than WDW.

Have a great time considering a visit to Walt's park.

 

[El&Asmom]

Thanks for the replies.
Is there any way to find out when the AP blackout days apply?

July would actually be a good time to go as we will be celebrating my two younger dds b-days in Nov. Our oldest has a b-day in July so we could go for her b-day which I never thought we'd do since I try to avoid WDW in the summers.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Right now all the Socal APs are blocked out. They were blocked out at the end of June. The deluxe is only blocked out on Sat and July 4th holiday. I think July is a great time to go!

 

[GrandBob]

Thanks for the replies. Is there any way to find out when the AP blackout days apply?

Look on this page. It lists the AP types, and for each one you can click on "View Blockout Dates".

-Bob
P.S. Where in "Chicagoish"? I grew up in the western 'burbs; graduated from UIUC too many years ago.

 

[El&Asmom]

Look on this page. It lists the AP types, and for each one you can click on "View Blockout Dates".

-Bob
P.S. Where in "Chicagoish"? I grew up in the western 'burbs; graduated from UIUC too many years ago.

Thanks for the link.
We are in Glen Ellyn, so western burbs too. Though not many people know of Glen Ellyn, so it's easier to write Chicagoish.