Just Back from Late-August Trip!

[MinnieMom13]

My children (DS 12 and DD 11) and I just returned yesterday from our August 24-29 vacation. A great time as always! Some random thoughts:

We stayed at the Paradise Pier Hotel. This was our first time staying in a view room at this hotel as I worried that it would be too loud from the park and road noise. The noise wasn't a problem, and the view was fantastic! I received a PIN code from Disney prior to our trip, but the link showed prices above the regular Disney site. We stuck with our 20% off Orbitz deal.

We had table service reservations for lunch at Café Orleans, Blue Bayou, Wine Country Trattoria, and Storytellers Café. Stopping for a table service meal at lunch is a great way to relax and re-hydrate.

If I hadn't known the New Orleans Square had been changed for the Club 33 expansion, I wouldn't have even noticed. The refurb on BTMRR was noticeable though--loved it! Smooth track and great effects. Two other rides that surprised me were RSR (Fastpasses still available at 2:30 on Wed.) and POC (not used to seeing such long lines for this ride during the last week of Aug.). A pleasant surprise was the number of "excuse me, I need to catch up to my family" line-wedgers (is that a term?) was greatly reduced compared to other trips.

As Washingtonians, we make one trip a year to DL. We can't go during the last week of August next year because we'll be on a cruise (yeah, I know, life is rough). I can't figure out when we can go next. Now that both kids are in middle school, I don't want to pull them during the school year for a vacation. Maybe July? As someone who goes only during the low season, I think it may be too big of shock to our system. We've had the luxury of E-ticket rides with under 20 minute waits.

Time to put on my Haunted Mansion shirt, load my Disneyland soundtrack into the CD player, and download some photos!

 

[AnneUCSB]

Sounds like you had a great trip! Thanks for sharing

 

[bellazachmom]

July of next year would be a fun time to go - just in time for DL's 60th birthday!!

So glad to hear you had a great trip!

 

[sleepymouse]

We were also at DLR the same dates as OP. The crowds were great Mon-Thurs. I have never been before when RSR FPs lasted so late into the day. Too bad the FP ride line is not very efficient.

We were also in the parks last month (July 21-25). It was definitely busier - bigger crowds and longer waits - but not horrible. The worst is around Fantasmic and Fireworks time. My kids love BTMRR, POTC, HM and Splash so we always seemed to get stuck in those crowds. I was relieved that Fantasmic was no longer running every night last week. I will take the last week of August over July any day. Both can be very hot, so the lower crowd levels make the heat so much more bearable.

 

[DisneytheKid]

We like to get away during October. In WA, Do the schools get a "fall break"? It's a good time to start planning for if you do.

 

[Imdboss]

We like to get away during October. In WA, Do the schools get a "fall break"? It's a good time to start planning for if you do.

We don't start school until after Labor Day in WA so no fall break. We always go in October anyway (kids just miss a few days of school)! I love going that time of year even though it has become busier, just love the Halloween atmosphere. We do have a mid-winter break in February and have gone during that week several years ago which was fun but I did miss the Halloween decorations.

 

[Chlo83]

Hi we are looking at this week next year as British schools don't go back until the beginning of September. Were there any major ride closures or shows not running? Thanks so much!

 

[CassieF]

Hi we are looking at this week next year as British schools don't go back until the beginning of September. Were there any major ride closures or shows not running? Thanks so much!

After Labor Day fantasmic usually runs just on weekends and fireworks this year ran during the week for one extra week. Entertainment does seem to be cut back after Labor Day, as well as hours, but also crowds. Plus the weather can be quite warm, and this year it's be extra humid... But overall, it's a pretty good time to go!

 

[MaleficentRN]

Do you always go the week before Labor Day? I'm planning to go next year at that time and hoping for low crowds. Did you find the crowds got heavier as you got closer to the Half Marathon?

 

[BriannaRuth]

We normally go the week before Labor Day. The crowds are not bad at all Monday through Thursday but get significantly busier on Friday.

This year we also weren't able to go our regular time. We went the second week of August, and it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. It's the week before most CA schools go back as I understand, and the first week that the hours change to a one hour later open/one hour earlier close (which pretty much says right there that they expect it to be less busy). They still had F! and fireworks every night.

 

[cmpeter]

We try and go when we have the mid-Winter break in February. Watch out for President's day though...it can make that weekend crazy.

 

[MinnieMom13]

During the last week of August, the refurbs are typically Haunted Mansion beginning on Monday and going through early September, and Columbia from Tuesday-Thursday.