Mad to go in August??

[PJackson]

Been looking at Easyjet flights for winter and tbh the prices are sky high (as high as they'd be for us to go in August say) and as Disney has the 40% off hotel off over the summer it's working out probably cheaper to go then.

DD1 starts school in Sept and we were going to go v early Dec for her to see Santa but tbh I'm having second thoughts about taking her out of school for a week.

So, thinking August for 4 nights - Sun - Thurs (prob 9th August) as that's looking good for dates etc.

Will it be unbearable?? I just can't stand the thought of crushes etc there.... We went end Sept 08 and it was just perfect.

What do people on here think about August and the crowds??

Thanks.

 

[cap'njack.]

I'd be slightly sceptical about school holidays myself.

I had a bit of a bad time in December due to crowds

 

[dixonsontour]

hi sorry not been Aug but agree i'd have second thoughts about taking DD out of school in Dec - she may be upset at missing the xmas party, not being picked for nativity etc esp if it is her first year

I'd plump for Aug. How are the prices looking for end Aug? that is supposed to be quieter - one level down from peak in the brochure and I think alot of schools in europe go back mid late Aug.

You'd also get tarzan and lion king show and fantallision and fireworks until 31st Aug.

When does she start school - here my friend's son doesn't start reception until 7th Sept so she would still have a few days rest before going to school

 

[Bolanette87]

I went in August a few years back.... It was a nightmare. We queued for about 2 hours for BTM! The choice was queue or do nothing.... Having said that, we still all had an amazing time and loved it so much! My Mum is desperate to go back sometime and do all the things she never got to do....

I will say though, I noticed you were planning on December- The opinions from last years trip reports seemed to suggest that this was more unbearable than the summer season. I didn't go then, so I can't vouch for this, but that was the opinion I took away from other people's experiences.

If you're used to minimal crowds, I think you'd find either of these times pretty hectic. I would probably plump for the summer season rather than December as you'll have the really late nights, evening parade and fireworks to look forward to, even if the parks are really busy....

Bob xoxoxoxox

 

[DLPdaft]

Its Christmas season weekends which are really really busy - November midweek, or first week of December midweek, last year were quiet and very doable, according to the trip reports .

I was also there November midweek Christmas season 2007, it was brilliantly quiet - we raced right through the Buzz queueing area and right onto the ride - there was no-one else in there!

 

[Belle's World]

You will have a great time whenever you go, however you will not do as much if you go in August than if you went at any other time of year except Christmas. The great thing about August is they try not to close any rides for refurbishment, you get later days in the park and all the shows/parades are on. However the same could be said for Early July and you wouldn't get so many crowds.

Ro

 

[PJackson]

Thanks for the replies. My Mum has been talking to friends at work with little ones and they've said avoid August at all costs as it's busy - one said it's actually v v scary when people are all leaving the park together etc. As a result Mum has said she doesn't want to go then

We can't go July as my DH is away with work until the school holidays start which is what is causing the issue really. What a nightmare!

I was thinking of doing Sat - Wed late November but then realised easyjet don't fly on a Weds!!! This would get us around DD1 having a full week off school.

I'm beginning to think we won't get at all now this year

I know it's been asked before but what's October half term like? I think I read Feb is better due to cold putting a few off and also as the hols are staggered...?

 

[britchic4]

October half term will be busy as it's Halloween week. We are going then though, even if it's busy it's doable. While your friend is right about the crowds on leaving the park, if you have a 4 yr old you are unlikely to be leaving the parks at August closing time. We went in Feb half term last year and it was SOOO cold. Not so busy as summer of course, but all school holidays are going to be busy.

 

[PJackson]

DD1 starts school on 7th September too. I don't think she would miss that much being taken out first week of Dec say - my biggest worry is rehearsals for the school play etc really. I know she'll miss some school work but I'm sure we could catch up on that - I'd be willing to take work home if need be but I've been told in reception that it would be bare minimum anyway for a few days out.

I don't fancy half terms at all really just Mum mentioned someone had said it's not as busy as summer but then as someone pointed out it's Halloween so a definate no for us!

I'm really upset as it's either take DD out or don't go I think...

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

How about going the 1st week of September, it might be as busy due to all the summer stuff ending on the 31st August.

 

[JoeSam]

I have been three times in August and honestly didn't find it that bad. My favourite time to go is midweek end November as it is very quiet but still with things going on. But, if you are prepared in August to get into the park by 8am, you will get a lovely couple of hours of relative quietness. You probably won't want to do the big ticket rides as your DD is so young, so with a bit of planning it will be fine. If you go back to the hotel in the afternoon, swim relax etc. and return for evening meal and catch evening entertainment if your DD is up to staying up that late, the crowds will not be nearly as bad as you might think. After fireworks, hang back a bit for the worst of the crowds to dissipate and walk back to the hotel. We have had a fantastic time every year!

 

[britchic4]

My DD starts school on 7th Sept too. Could you go in the first week of September? That should be a good week in terms of crowds.

 

[Jeccaboos]

Last year we went in August and although it was busy, I didn't find it horrific. We went Weds, Thurs and Friday and Friday was definitely far worse than the other two days so maybe avoid weekends if possible.

I am going this year from the 30th August til the 4th September. We were going to do the end of September but as the kids don't go back until the 7th - like many, it seems - we decided to do that week in the hope that it will be quieter than the height of summer.

 

[whittysmum]

Oh dear, we have booked to go in Aug, but then can't go any other time really, DS is 13 and in High school!! Never mind, at least it's Disney!! We went to WDW in Aug last year and that wasn't too bad, also been to DLRP end of Nov for weekend and didn't find that too bad either.

 

[Rachie B]

We went in Aug last yr ( fri - mon) and a wkend in dec

give me august any day !!!

yes, it was busy BUT not as bad as i had expected ( and no where near as bad as dec !)

the warmer weather,longer opening hours make up for it people didnt seem to be in so much of a rush to get everywhere,unlike dec where everyone is dodging the rain / cold etc and are miserable

we used EMH each day and fastpass where poss

never saw queues of 2 hours for anything ?!


didn't get to ride crush as thats always stupidly long but we did go on in dec as we were there early and ran to the queue

If you do go in aug,just plan carefully and make use of EMH and fastpass



x

 

[A Small World]

We have been end July/beginning August for the past 2 years and havent found it too bad. We are tied to school holidays and have found the summer saeson is good as the parks are open longer. We went in early for EMH then back to the hotel for a swim and rest in the afternoon then back into the parks. We ate our main meal most lunchtimes /early afternoon to give us a break from the crowds and to avoid eatig with everyone else in the evening.

Compared to the weekend we went in November it seemed so quiet

 

[Lisa_C]

I've gone both December and August. And I've got to say I prefer August! Here's my reasoning....

August is warmer. I found the crowds hard to bare in December and together with the cold I was miserable, in Disney! Having to jump into a store to warm up or fight the crowds for coffee was horrid. At least in August it's warmer and has a lazier feel to it.

And longer hours. With the inclusion of EMH you will have about 15 hours a day, fireworks every night (so if you miss them - like we did NYE, you can simply return the next day) Fantillusion in the warm evenings is lovely.

We have vowed not to return in December, Dad got punched in the stomach by a drunk reveller and my daughter got sat on in her pushchair trying to leave the park....

Saying that though, we're going in July as our kids are out of school on the Wednesday giving us a few days either side of the manic weekend we expect but we can cope with that if the sun shines!

Lisa.

(But the christmas decorations are very pretty and I am glad I saw them - once!)

 

[Rachie B]

Lisa i so could have written your post!!

totally agree

dont think we will be back at xmas again which is a shame as i was so looking forward to it

give me summer any day

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Lisa i so could have written your post!!

totally agree

dont think we will be back at xmas again which is a shame as i was so looking forward to it

give me summer any day

To me, give me the christmas season anytime over summer. I just love all the christmas decorations and christmas music (though I do go early December) but just as magical. I find when we have been first week of December (mid week) it has been very quiet.

 

[Lisa_C]

I think maybe it depends on what you want to do when you visit....whether it be August (warmth, extra hours, fireworks and extra parades) or Christmas (Disney snow (though we had real snow too), decorations, winter shows) each has it's own merits, and both are equally busy.

For me it's still August. I've done the Christmas thing and I was so upset that Dad and S.Mum didn't get the real experience that I also rave about. Sure it was lovely and NYE closed at (gasp) 1am BUT I was cold, tired, hungry and my daughter wasn't her usual self as she spent most of the time in the buggy so we could get through the crowds.

So maybe go once at Christmas to experience it, but for me, fireworks get me everytime!!

Rachie B - I'm glad you agree with me