Mid-week crowds week of Aug 9th

[lugnut33]

Trying to plan a two coast Disney trip (DL from Aug 12-15) and WDW the next week. So, how will the crowds be mid-week? I was hoping some of the kiddies would be back in school, but it doesn't appear that's the case in So. Cal. Can somebody shed some light on how crazy it will be?

 

[cinderella_mom]

It's very hard to predict August, though mid-week should be better. I've been to DL when it should have been crowded and wasn't, and vice versa. Most kids in SoCal don't go back to school after Labor Day (9/1).

 

[blackjackdelta]

We always do mid August-and it has always been hot and very busy. I have a picture somewhere showing the crowd at CA prior to noon mid week. I will try to find and post it.
Week days are always better no matter what, and getting there early always allows you to do more.

Jack

 

[lugnut33]

We always do mid August-and it has always been hot and very busy. I have a picture somewhere showing the crowd at CA prior to noon mid week. I will try to find and post it.
Week days are always better no matter what, and getting there early always allows you to do more.

Jack

I just don't want it to be a zoo, otherwise I could just go spend a week on the beach instead of CA and DL.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

That's pretty early in August for any of the schools to be back. They usually go back in mid to late August. I'd expect the crazy summer crowds until late August honestly.

 

[HydroGuy]

I just don't want it to be a zoo, otherwise I could just go spend a week on the beach instead of CA and DL.

I have never seen it be a zoo mid-week summer. Busy, yes. A zoo, not really.

 

[lugnut33]

I have never seen it be a zoo mid-week summer. Busy, yes. A zoo, not really.

I can cope with busy, but a zoo would not be fun.

I decided to check out a few other places, like Hilton Head and holy cow, is that place expensive!! I'd much rather go to DL.

I mentioned it to my kids and they already dubbed it the Triangle Tour, since we'd leave from Wisconsin, Fly to DL, and then fly to WDW.

 

[CindyH]

We'll be there at the same time, actually. I think it will be crowded, more so as the day goes on, and definitely busier on the weekends.

Should not be as bad as an actual holiday though, like Thanksgiving, Xmas, etc.

 

[DLR29]

I was there last year that time. Lines (at their peak) were about:

Space: 45-60 min
Nemo: 120 min (although it was brand new, lines shouldn't be that long this summer)
Peter Pan: 45 min
Matterhorn: 30-45 min
Big Thunder: 30 min
Pirates: 20 min
Haunted Mansion: 15-20 min
Soarin: 45 min
Tower of Terror: 20-30 min
California Screamin: 30 min

Those are all just approximations. There were many walk on attractions such as:
-All 3D movies
-Jungle Cruise
-Winnie-the-Pooh
-Snow White/Pinocchio
-Monster's Inc.
-Paradise Pier rides (except Screamin and Mulholland Madness)

However don't let those line waits scare you. It did not get that crowded until noonish or later. Definitely take advantage of the morning hours (8AM (7AM on Magic Morning days) to 10AM especially) and late evening hours (10PM-midnight) when lines are shorter. Also use FP as much as possible. The only time the park seemed crowded was during the fireworks and Fantasmic.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

That is also the week before the Disney Cruise Line repositioning cruise leaves the Port of LA so there will be an influx of people leaving on that cruise who are visiting DLR for a few days before (I know cuz I am one of those people ).

 

[lugnut33]

Thank you DLR29 for the detailed response. Very helpful indeed.

Miss Jasmine, can I ask how much that cruise wound up costing you? I remember looking at that cruise and thinking, "that would be fun but it's so expensive". I also thought, that's right during hurricane season and I'm a chicken when it comes to oceans.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I PMed you the price. It being hurricane season didn't bother me too much since I live where I could be hit by one. I am used to feeling like this sometimes.