Least Busy Time in the Summer at DL

[pokee99]

We may have to reschedule our spring break trip to DL...not sure yet, but I know the kids will be devistated if we have to.

DH is very grumpy about DL to begin with, but if we do postpone it, summer would be our only choice for another time.

What is typically the least busy week in the summer at DL? We'd be available from July 10 - Sept 3.

Thanks!

 

[DLR29]

Late August. Plus, Disney usually continues to run its entertainment schedule through Labor Day. However, the park hours may be slightly shortened (like DL: 9AM-11PM instead of 8AM-12AM) and you may encounter a ride or two already down for refurbishment, although I think this is not very likely as many refurbishments start in early September

 

[pokee99]

Thanks - I figured the last week of August would be ideal. But, I am guessing avoiding the labor day weekend is smart, correct? What about during the week leading up to that?

 

[DLR29]

Labor Day weekend has not been as crowded in the past as one might expect, but the crowds for the week before are probably very minimal because a lot of people are back in school.

ALTHOUGH (I just thought of this)...some days in late August, in the recent past, have been very very busy because of the AP holders who have been blocked out all summer who want to squeeze in one last visit before going back to school. Especially with all of the new offerings set to open this upcoming summer, we may see this again.

For example, both Southern California APs are blocked out throughout the whole summer UNTIL August 22nd. August 22nd-25th could be actually very busy because a great portion of DLR guests are locals, many having APs.

So now thinking about it, the week of Sunday, August 14th may not be such a bad week because those So. Cal APs are still blocked out but it would still be pretty late in the summer season.

 

[skiingfast]

Thanks - I figured the last week of August would be ideal. But, I am guessing avoiding the labor day weekend is smart, correct? What about during the week leading up to that?

Right, Labor day week gets busy, the last week of August is a bit better. The 3rd weekend of august can be good or bad. Last summer didn't duplicate the pattern of the summer before but be careful of when AP blockouts end because it could make for incredible sudden crowds.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

But wait ~ late Aug is when AP blockouts are lifted ~ I'd avoid those days for sure. DD and I visited DLR 7/3-7/6 last year *4th of July weekend* we had a great time ~ crowds were extremely manageable *except for 7/4 in the evening*

 

[blackjackdelta]

Right, Labor day week gets busy, the last week of August is a bit better. The 3rd weekend of august can be good or bad. Last summer didn't duplicate the pattern of the summer before but be careful of when AP blockouts end because it could make for incredible sudden crowds.

As SkiingFast stated, the 3rd week was not as bad(very doable) as the year before and really beware of the balckout dates. Crowd levels have been very unpredictable for the last couple of years.

Jack

 

[pokee99]

I guess it's hard to say with the summer, because everyone is making plans and thinking the same (July 4th weekend will be busy! Let's avoid that!). I am going to see what flights would be like for Aug. 15-22 for us. That could be ideal all-around. Thanks!

 

[MemoriesintheMaking]

We are going to be there Aug 14-19. We are planning for large crowds, but hoping for the best, since AP's are still blocked through that week. And I know not everyone starts school or sports commitments that early, but some do (or at least have their away-from-home vacations done by then in order to get ready for school), and hopefully that will help lessen the crowds a tiny bit.

Let's all hope for the best, and, hey, we'll be at Disneyland!! Yippee!!!

 

[HydroGuy]

I would say as close to July 10 as possible. As you get into July and then August the weather (on average) gets warmer, without any reall growth or dropoff in crowds.

Also, in late August the local AP holders have been known to really swamp DLR when something new just came out. Summer 2009 this was true but in 2010 not so much. Some people blamed the heat wave that happened at that time.

For me I would not think of going late August - unless it was the D23 Expo!

 

[Funball]

As SkiingFast stated, the 3rd week was not as bad(very doable) as the year before and really beware of the balckout dates. Crowd levels have been very unpredictable for the last couple of years.

Jack

I agree with jack.. its just so hard to really predict crowds in summer.. at least I think so

 

[DizNee Luver]

We were concerned about summer crowds when we planned our trip last summer but we were there the last week of July & into the first week of August. Yes, there were crowds but not nearly as bad as the ones we experienced the last 2 spring break trips we did. The weather was good, all the entertainment was in full swing & we never experienced horrible wait times. Take advantage of the FP's & take the afternoons to relax or swim back at the motel & you'll do fine!!!

I'd actually pick doing a summer trip again over spring time!!

 

[pokee99]

Yikes! Now this is all clear like mud!

I think if we do have to re-book, we may be restricted by flight availability anyway, so we may just have to roll the dice.

I think any way you slice it, you have to be prepared for crowds when you go during any times when the kids are out of school. I got me my Ridemax and everything planned out, so I feel as content as I can!

 

[Dobie]

I have been June,July, August for many summers and as long as (1) APs are blocked out and (2) we get there first thing in the morning, crowds are easy.

 

[pokee99]

I have been June,July, August for many summers and as long as (1) APs are blocked out and (2) we get there first thing in the morning, crowds are easy.

I noticed that APs are only blocked out on (mostly) Saturdays (from mid-march to mid-august). And those are just the Deluxe AP holders (not the Premier AP holders, that have no blackout dates?). So, when a Saturday is blocked-out, does that mean that DLX AP holders typically won't travel that week/weekend at all?

When I was searching for a list of AP blackout dates on these forums, I read some really scary posts about how busy it was last Thanksgiving week and last Christmas. So much so, that it completely ruined people's vacations and they had to do a do-over! I've NEVER read something like that before. That is very, very scary - esp. when people save up for years for their one and only dream vacation with their kids and it's just wall-to-wall people. Now I know why DH gets grumpy when I mention DL...

 

[DisneyMomma81]

A lot of APer's are S CA residents who can choose from 2 APs that are only available to them - they are blocked pretty much all of July and August. There is an AP that anyone can buy that has some blocked days ~ including 4th of July weekend and Thanksgiving weekend ~ we visited during these days last year and have no complaints about the crowds ~ the days leading up to the 4th of July and Thanksgiving were super crowded but the dates themselves and right after were great!

 

[LisainCalifornia]

Here is the calendar that I usually go by:

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dis...ame=AnnualPassholderSoCalBlockoutCalendarPage

That is the southern california annual passholders calendar. I ignored that one and yes--I was one of the ones that went Mon-Wed Thanksgiving week. It really was dreadfully crowded!! But we have also gone every summer for the last 10 years, and have done very well. We went last summer (last week of July) and it was great! Crowded, but not overwhelminly crowded. We had a great trip that week.

I think the thing with summer is that you have 3 months to pick from, and so does everyone else. This spreads out the crowds a bit, unlike Thanksgiving week which is only one week. So go have some summer fun at Disneyland!