June vs. August

[Aggie96]

We are trying to decide whether to return to Disneyland the first week of June or the last week of August. POTC isn't really a factor, because we know we'll ride it eventually. So we're having trouble coming up with any huge reason to pick one week over the other. Any opinions on whether one of those times will be better than the other crowd-wise? We figure that in June, a lot of the locals will still be in school, but a lot of out-of-state families will be out. And in August the opposite will be true. But we aren't sure which of those two groups causes the crowds to be more of a problem. What do you think?

 

[Anewman]

We figure that in June, a lot of the locals will still be in school,

Yes and very many of those schools take field trips... Imagine the crowds being very big, with a large percentage of that crowd being 8th graders.

Depending on what weeks in June you do attend, park hours can be limited because they close early for Grad Nites.

 

[boosmom96]

The weather will generally be nicer in June. August will be very hot. The June hours are up, so you can get an idea of when Grad Nights are going to be.

 

[azgal81]

These are the dates for grad nights in June June 1, June 8, June 14, June 15, and June 22. On those dates the park will close at I think 9pm and there is generally no early entry day the next morning. Also in June you are right the kids will still be in school but you will have to deal with the field trips that take over the parks during the first week of June. I personally do not want to be in the park with a massive amount of middle schools so I won't go that week.

In August it will be hot, if you aren't used to hot that could be a problem. Seems like alot of schools go back the week before or the week after labor day. Last year we went the last week of August it was really nice. It was crowded but not horribly crowded. There were people but the wait times weren't that bad at all.

If I had to pick between the two times I would go the last week of August and because it's still considered summer you get the summer hours as well.

 

[ter-moo]

I'd go for the last week of August. The temperature isn't THAT bad, and since the parks are open late you can do a lot in the evenings and mornings when it's cooler anyway. Many schools start the last week of August, so you'll avoid some crowds.

June is (as others have already mentioned) full of grad nights, field trips and senior trip days. I think you'd have a fair amount of crowdedness then.

 

[Aggie96]

Thank you guys so much!! The heat won't bother us at all (we live in Texas and kind of like the heat), but a park full of middle schoolers just might. So if anyone has any different opinions, let me know. But for now I'll steer us towards August! Thanks again!

 

[hip]

We went last year June 6-10. There was only one grad. night during that time, and we didn't think the park was overrun with school field trips. We did not think it was overly crowded. We only waited 20-30 min. for the most popular rides. We collected lots of fastpasses and avoided lines as much as possible. The weather was comfortable. Our kids were 7, 6, and 4, so the shorter park hours didn't bother us. We had a great time and have already booked our plane tickets for June 5-10 this year.


Tricia

 

[blackjackdelta]

We were there mid August last year. The early hours in the park were busy but OK. About 1300 it started to get packed. Impossible to find a place to watch the fireworks from the hub unless you staked out a place 3+ hours earlier. Elbow to elbow in the early evening hours, started to thin out after the fireworks. Very warm, but we like the heat. Did afternoon breaks back at the hotel. Everything was doable as long as you planned and made reservations. Blue Bayou was the only disappointment.

Jack

 

[Texasfan]

We usually go the first full week or second week of June and have never had a problem with school groups. One night might close early, but we are usually so tired by that time it really does not matter. We actually try to stay on central time that way it is easier to get to the parks earlier later in the week.

 

[Aggie96]

Okay, now you guys have me right back where I started, but thank you for the opinions! It's great to hear from you who have been there during the times we're considering. And it's actually good to hear that the first week of June may not be too bad, because if we go the last week of August, our oldest daughter will miss three days of kindergarten after only having been going for a week. We'd rather not do that if we don't have to. Thanks for your help! And more opinions are certainly welcome.

 

[Ella1]

We were there for almost the whole of August 2004 and we didn't find the crowds a problem. Also the weather was nice and warm and not too hot for us.
This year we are going 30th June till 19th July, but I would have no problem with going in August again.
Love Ella