July or August to Visit DL??

[DisneyFans4]

We will be making our very first visit to DL and I wanted to know what month is better weatherwise.

When do the kids get out and start school?

Thanks!

 

[DangerMouse]

Both months are pretty hot and can reach high 90's. August is a little more humid than July typically.

Like everywhere in the country, schools are on varying schedules now so kids are out anytime from mid-May to mid-June. Some go back as early as July, others go back mid-August, and the last group seems to go back the day after Labor Day.

If you are looking for the least amount of crowds, I'd pick late as you can in August. Also read Hydro's tips on visiting DLR in Summer months:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

 

[tinkermell]

I think August might have a little fewer crowds?

As far as humidity is concerned. It is practically non existent compared to WDW. Dangermouse is from Arizona, so take that into consideration.

Sorry Dangermouse....I had to throw that in.

 

[DisneyFans4]

I'm sure the weather will be beautiful in August in DL to us. We always went to WDW in August but dealt with the heat because here in NJ when we left it was the same, only the humidity is tougher but we dealt with it since we were used to it so going to DL at the same time with that type of weather will seem beautiful to us.

So the kids go back to school midAugust like they do in Florida?

Here in NJ kids get out of school mid-June and start the day after Labor Day.

 

[HydroGuy]

So the kids go back to school midAugust like they do in Florida?

Here in NJ kids get out of school mid-June and start the day after Labor Day.

No, SoCal kids typically get out of school in mid-June and return after labor day. With the exception of the year round schools which are pretty much only at the lower levels.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Dangermouse mentioned they go back different times but some do midAugust so I thought that meant crowds would be at a lower level like Florida.

 

[ter-moo]

We've gone in August around the middle to late part of the month a couple of times before. It's crowded, but very do-able if you get up early and get to the parks when they open or for EE. I've noticed that the majority of vacationing people don't really start pouring in until around 10 am, and by then you can get a lot of the big attractions done, or at least have gotten a fast-pass.

We usually do shows and lesser populated rides in the crowded afternoons, or go back to the hotel for a swim.

My #1 recommendation is to get a copy of "The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland" and follow one of their tour plans in the back. It's never let me down yet!

 

[DangerMouse]

Dangermouse mentioned they go back different times but some do midAugust so I thought that meant crowds would be at a lower level like Florida.

Enough schools in CA, and surrounding states are back in session by mid-August, that there is a definite down-swing in crowds my mid-late August.

And yeah, I'm a desert rat, that's why I said the humidity is a "little" higher in August. But now that I see you're from NJ, I don't think you'll have an issue with it. Be aware that the last couple Augusts have seen 100+ degrees on some days in Anaheim. The average is still much lower, but it can happen, so be prepared.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Enough schools in CA, and surrounding states are back in session by mid-August, that there is a definite down-swing in crowds my mid-late August.

HydroGuy mentioned a few posts above that they go back after Labor Day


I know the humidity is like zero compared to where I'm from so I'm sure I'll love the weather in CA

 

[DangerMouse]

HydroGuy mentioned a few posts above that they go back after Labor Day

There are so, so many different tracks in schools (public, charter and private), that no one can definitely say "All the kids go back to school in CA after Labor Day." It's true that some of the OC schools go back then, but not all, and there are many surrounding counties in CA as well as Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Oregon and Washington that go back at varying times. I mention these close-by states because many of these families vacation at DLR since it is relatively close. And many also hold AP's.

A large portion of schools in these surrounding areas are already back in school by the second week of August, that it should make for fewer crowds than say, July, when just about every kid is out for summer break.

Clear as mud?

 

[Tink208]

There are so, so many different tracks in schools (public, charter and private), that no one can definitely say "All the kids go back to school in CA after Labor Day."

So true! I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and while the kids in my district go back to school on August 21st, I know of other districts that go back the following Monday, the 25th, and some that go back on the 27th, and yet others that go back the day after Labor Day.

Back in 2001, we went to Disneyland just past mid-August and it was warm, but we kept cool with the spray misters; and I swear it has been more crowded when I have been down there around the winter holidays than it was in that particular week in the summer.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Thanks DangerMouse!

Sounds like you know what's going on pretty well so I'll take your advice

 

[blackjackdelta]

Enough schools in CA, and surrounding states are back in session by mid-August, that there is a definite down-swing in crowds my mid-late August.

And yeah, I'm a desert rat, that's why I said the humidity is a "little" higher in August. But now that I see you're from NJ, I don't think you'll have an issue with it. Be aware that the last couple Augusts have seen 100+ degrees on some days in Anaheim. The average is still much lower, but it can happen, so be prepared.

The last 3 years we have done mid to last week of August and have never seen a down turn in crowds compared to June and July. Weekdays always better but still very busy and hot, but we come from an area that usually gets 105+ day after day in August.

Jack

 

[Dobie]

The last 3 years we have done mid to last week of August and have never seen a down turn in crowds compared to June and July. Weekdays always better but still very busy and hot, but we come from an area that usually gets 105+ day after day in August.

Jack

Oh Jack, you exaggerate. Kennewick isn't that hot. Most days it barely hits 101. Last summer was downright chilly.

 

[mshrm]

Ive gone in both months. Personally I prefer July because here in Iowa the kids go back mid August and I would like to be home and recover financially before I have to buy all the school stuff.

I thought both months were hot and crowded. However we had tons of fun each time weve gone no matter the month. We use ridemax each time and dont really pay attention to all the crowds, just follow our schedule and do our own thing, works out great!

 

[DisneyFans4]

Well August in CA I'm sure weatherwise will be much more tolerable than August in FL

I'm used to the heat and humidity that time of year in NJ but the humidity is way higher in FL in August so CA will be a welcome change. Even though the kids in FL go back to school mid-August it is still very crowded, however, it is slightly lower during that time but forget going there on the weekends which I already know I will not do in CA and will make those day shopping or pool days.

 

[Hound 109]

It's crowded, but very do-able if you get up early and get to the parks when they open or for EE. I've noticed that the majority of vacationing people don't really start pouring in until around 10 am, and by then you can get a lot of the big attractions done, or at least have gotten a fast-pass.

We usually do shows and lesser populated rides in the crowded afternoons, or go back to the hotel for a swim.

I'm bumping/quoting this because i agree with every word & this should be repeated about every 10 posts for people who "check over here" for the first time.

DLR is so different from WDW in that the first 2-3 hours of every day is BLISS & you can collect FPs (early) to use later...in the crowded evenings.

 

[HydroGuy]

We've gone in August around the middle to late part of the month a couple of times before. It's crowded, but very do-able if you get up early and get to the parks when they open or for EE. I've noticed that the majority of vacationing people don't really start pouring in until around 10 am, and by then you can get a lot of the big attractions done, or at least have gotten a fast-pass.

We usually do shows and lesser populated rides in the crowded afternoons, or go back to the hotel for a swim.

I'm bumping/quoting this because i agree with every word & this should be repeated about every 10 posts for people who "check over here" for the first time.

DLR is so different from WDW in that the first 2-3 hours of every day is BLISS & you can collect FPs (early) to use later...in the crowded evenings.

As many of you know I agree with this as well. If you do it wrong, a summer visit to DLR can be a drag. If you do it right it can be a lot of fun. I echo the sentiments above and more in this thread that many of you have seen but some may have not: "Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319