Last week of August or the week after Thanksgiving?

[connorlevismom]

We are planning our 1st DL visit and these are the two times we have it narrowed down to.

Is one better than the other, and why? Weather? Crowds? It seems like Disney in general is just way more busy on both coasts, but I would like to try and pick the least crowded of the two times I have to pick from.

Thanks!

 

[Grammy4Lizzy]

The last week of August, the locals are not in school yet and the soCal AP can be used, so this is busy time. The weather is pretty warm and humid.
The week after Thanksgiving is lower crowds as long as you mean after Sunday. The weather is better, not as hot or humid. But hot weather sneaks up on you in SoCal.
I would go in Noveber early December. The Holiday decorations are out and you might even get a party.

 

[figment_jii]

It depends a little on what you want to see/do.

Last week in August will probably be fairly quiet in the parks, especially during the week days. Haunted Mansion will most likely be closed to have the holiday overlay installed. The park will be transitioning to HalloweenTime, but it will not be in full swing yet. Nightime entertainment, like fireworks and Fantasmic!, are usually only presented on the weekends (Fri-Sun). The parks will probably be operating on moderate-to-long hours (e.g., 9 am to 10 pm on weekdays for DL, slightly shorter hours for DCA). I would say that the weather could still be warm, but it's probably past the worse of the heat.

The week after Thanksgiving will also probably be okay in the parks, although the weekends will likely be busy. The Holiday/Christmas season will have started, which means the Christmas Parade will be running along with nightly fireworks and WoC. F! will probably only be running on weekends (based on historic operations) and the weekend (first weekend in Dec) is often Candlelight Procession which can mean high crowds in DL. Both HM and IaSW will have their holiday overlays in place. The parks will probably be operating on moderate-to-long hours (e.g., 9 am to 9 pm on weekdays for DL, slightly shorter hours for DCA). I would say that the weather can be variable, but I would plan on cool(ish) days and nights, with a chance of rain.

 

[HydroGuy]

We are planning our 1st DL visit and these are the two times we have it narrowed down to.

Is one better than the other, and why? Weather? Crowds? It seems like Disney in general is just way more busy on both coasts, but I would like to try and pick the least crowded of the two times I have to pick from.

Thanks!

You have some good responses already. This also may help:

"Choosing When To Visit DLR: Summary of High and Low Season and When Each Happens" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=36509602

 

[disneyobsessed808]

Before this year, I probably would have said the week after Thanksgiving. But so far since living in Southern California, I've noticed that the best/lightest time in terms of crowds at the parks for me was in late August/early September. The holiday crowds seem to just keep growing from year to year.

Of course, there are pros and cons to everything. August is going to be hotter, and December weather is nice. December also benefits from holiday decor and it is pretty beautiful if you haven't been to Disneyland during the holiday time.

 

[Epek]

I have been at both of these times for two years in a row. I completely agree with the poster above me. End of August is much less busy, but can be hot! The weather in December is practically perfect during the day, chilly at night, but it was more crowded plus the crowds were bigger this year than last year. I expect next year will be the same.

The decision comes in what you want to see. Christmas or Summer time? Pay attention to the annual refurbs for the times and historical hrs and when the attractions run. Neither time is unmanageable as far as crowds.

Good luck with your decision and have fun!

 

[TheDoleWhipper]

Both of the times are pretty manageable, crowdwise. Before, the couple weeks between thanksgiving and the start of christmas break had pretty low crowds, but as a PP mentioned, the secret is now out, and there is now even more people there at that time. If you go the last week of august you will catch the tail-end of summer entertainment and hours, all while having low crowds. I think that the refurbishments don't start until september, but keep in mind that HM might be closed for it's seasonal makeover. Good luck deciding!

 

[MinnieMom13]

You've narrowed your potential visits down to my two favorite weeks of the year!

It's wonderful to fly in the Sunday after Thanksgiving as the crowds leave and the prices drop. The Christmas decor is amazing. You'll likely need jackets in the morning. We switched into pants only once.

The last week of August is now our go-to time because my kids are now too old to pull out of school. Again, crowds go down and so do the prices. The temps get into the 90s some days, so we have lunch reservations in order to eat in air-conditioned buildings.

If you have younger kids, I'd go the week after Thanksgiving in case that eventually isn't an option for you. I also recommend going to see Disneyland at Christmas time at least once.

 

[disneycat321]

If you're making your decision solely based on crowd levels, I would think late August would be less crowded. However, you really can't beat the ambience and magic of Disney at Christmas time, which is what you would get the week after Thanksgiving. It depends what you want and whether or not that holiday feel is important to you.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

We went the week after Thanksgiving this year, the decorations were beautiful. We had two days of pretty consistent, heavy rain (one day more than the other). We did it, but it was kind of a pain in the rain, but lots of people enjoy DL in the rain. The crowds were much lower when it was raining, but when it wasn't, the crowds were really bad. It was difficult to even move around in several areas of the park. We ended up leaving around 6. At one point they stopped letting people in, because the entrance area was so packed. Our app said it was 90% capacity, it's not even enjoyable when the park is that busy.

 

[asunutgirl]

Some large school districts are changing their calendars next year - with many kids going back to school by Aug 25th. So I would think that the crowds would be pretty light by then.

 

[connorlevismom]

I think that we are going to try and do August. As much as I want to see the decorations for Christmas, I don't have to take the kids out of school in August. So we could do a longer trip and visit a few other places.

 

[sleepymouse]

We were there the last week in August this year, and the crowds were low. Many schools are already in session, and if you want to stay onsite, the rates for DLR hotels drop significantly. The heat is definitely the only negative.

We were also just there Dec 11-14. The 12th was awesome because it was pouring rain in the morning. This kept the crowds low all day. However, everyone flooded the parks the next day, and it was insane by noon. Just something to be aware of during possibly rainy season. Also, it seems as if there is no quiet time once the holiday season begins. That's what I have gathered, at least this year, from reading this board.

 

[todzwife]

I've been watching the weather/crowds since we left the week before Thanksgiving...the week OF thanksgiving was insane...the week after was busier than I expected (45 for pirates most days, 60 for haunted mansion). PLUS it rained. And it rained a LOT last week.

So crowd wise, I'm guessing it's pretty similar, but it's the weather you'll have to decide which you prefer. Hot or possibly rainy and cold.

 

[DnA2010]

Am thinking of the same time- last week of August- any more info regarding the local kids and if they will be back in school? We are o.k with heat, but would prefer lower crowds. Also, it sounds like Haunted Mansion is down during this time?

Thanks!

 

[figment_jii]

Am thinking of the same time- last week of August- any more info regarding the local kids and if they will be back in school? We are o.k with heat, but would prefer lower crowds. Also, it sounds like Haunted Mansion is down during this time?

The HM has typically gone down for installation of the HMH overlay around the last Monday of August, depending on the calendar. This year, it's not quite as clear when the HalloweenTime season is going to start. Most guesses thing that it will start in mid-September (as it has for the last several years), but the exact starting date is unclear. My guess says HM will go down around August 24th, so that it can re-open in the earlier part of mid-September.

In terms of local schools, LAUSD draft calendar indicates schools go back into session on August 18. This makes some sense to me because the summer AP Blockouts are lifted on August 17 (Mon). I don't know about other school in the area.

 

[cmrdgrs]

One thing to think about, and I'm not sure if you are talking about the last "full" week of August or the last week of August, bleeding into the first week of September. The week leading up to Labor Day, IMO is probably going to be busy. Over Labor Day is a Run Disney event. I'd go with the last full week in August, if August is your choice.

I have never traveled to DL over either one of these times. However, with the Legacy Fastpass system in place, if you go to the park at rope drop you can get a lot in on even the busiest day. I was just at DL over NYE and we had a great trip and were not slowed down too much by the crowds by getting there early and leaving early afternoon when the crush got really bad.

I happen to love DL when it is decked out for the holidays. It's a Small World is not to be missed at night. I love all the lights they put on the outside of the ride.

If you are looking to rent a DVC room during this time, the window for rentals is going to open up soon to non-VGC owners. Keep in mind that this resort is a very small DVC resort (23 studios, 23 1 bdrms, 23 2 bdrms and only 2 GV). It will sell out once the 7 month window opens. For August dates that will be very soon. For November dates you have some time. I have well over 100 individual visits to DL under my belt and love the VGC.

Happy planning!

 

[cmrdgrs]

The HM has typically gone down for installation of the HMH overlay around the last Monday of August, depending on the calendar. This year, it's not quite as clear when the HalloweenTime season is going to start. Most guesses thing that it will start in mid-September (as it has for the last several years), but the exact starting date is unclear. My guess says HM will go down around August 24th, so that it can re-open in the earlier part of mid-September.

In terms of local schools, LAUSD draft calendar indicates schools go back into session on August 18. This makes some sense to me because the summer AP Blockouts are lifted on August 17 (Mon). I don't know about other school in the area.

In my opinion the Haunted Mansion overlay is not to be missed. Very unique and cool and can only be found at DL. This adds to my vote for the week after Thanksgiving. The decorations for the HM overlay is super, super cool! A don't miss as far as I'm concerned.

 

[DnA2010]

Thank you for your input-
From reading some of the threads on here, we are considering a trip either the last week of August (August 24-28) or the following week (August 31-Sept 4)

We are thinking of M-Friday- do you think that entertainment will be only on the Friday? On our previous trip we loved WOC, but Fantastic was not on and the fireworks were cancelled due to wind- we would really like to see the fireworks and Fantasmic on this next trip.

If we were thinking Aug 24-28, then the window would open Jan 24th?

 

[cmrdgrs]

Thank you for your input-
From reading some of the threads on here, we are considering a trip either the last week of August (August 24-28) or the following week (August 31-Sept 4)

We are thinking of M-Friday- do you think that entertainment will be only on the Friday? On our previous trip we loved WOC, but Fantastic was not on and the fireworks were cancelled due to wind- we would really like to see the fireworks and Fantasmic on this next trip.

If we were thinking Aug 24-28, then the window would open Jan 24th?

Yes, I believe you are correct on the date for the 7 month DVC window. I'm not sure how far out schedules go on the DL website. I wish I could be more accurate for if/when Fantasmic, Fireworks and WoC will or won't be showing for August dates. Maybe a call to Disneyland hotel booking can help?