Need opinions on August vs September dates

[I<3MyGoldMiner]

Due to my husbands work schedule we can only fit our next trip in August 3-7 or September 12th-15th. I want to get one last trip in before our AP's expire because we're not sure if we well renew them or not for next year.

Hotel rates are outrageous for both options and just keep rising We hate crowds and don't do the big rides because we have a toddler. Is that week in August absolutely packed and not even worth it? We went on a Sunday night in February and even with the rain it looked insanely busy that we didn't even bother going in the park. If that September weekend is the start of the Halloween season, anyone think that might be worse than August? Are weekends in August less packed then during the week?

Anyone think that rates might drop as the date gets closer and hotels haven't sold out? Thanks!!!!

 

[calilou]

I would pick September. It will be less busy than August plus the weather will likely be a bit milder (still warm). Even if the weekend is busy you have a couple weekdays that shouldn't be. I'm not well versed on the when exactly the Halloween décor will go up (check out the superthread for details), but it will be around that time. You may slide in right before though. As for hotel, I would make a reservation now just in case then keep an eye out for AP discounts for that time and cancel your original reservation. Last year they offered a late summer discount from mid August through September (and beyond I'm remembering). We're doing a September trip and this is what I'm planning for.

 

[kylie71]

I'm going Sept 7-12th, and the price is reasonable. They drop after Labor Day, and go up again for some reason the middle of the month. Could be Dapper week, or maybe a big convention?
Have your tried Get Away Today, they offer packages with free nights:
http://www.getawaytoday.com/destination/disneylandresortarea/

Good Luck!
--Lori

 

[figment_jii]

My guess is that the parks will be less busy during the September period in general, but your dates span Sat to Tue. Weekends in September, once HalloweenTime has started, will be busy. This year, the best guess is that HalloweenTime will start somewhere between September 12 and 18. I think there is a good chance you'll encounter fairly high crowds on Sat and Sun if HalloweenTime does indeed start on Sep 12. If it doesn't start until the 18th, then the weekend probably won't be that bad.

On another thread, another poster pointed out that there is a Solar Power Expo happening at the Anaheim Convention Center from Sep 14 to 17 and then Dapper Days is on Sep 18. I don't know how much of an impact the convention will have, but it's not a small convention (based on the number of Halls it spans at the Convention Center).

When did you go in February? I ask because there was President's Day weekend, Spring Dapper Days, a couple of cheerleading events scattered throughout the month. My generally feeling is that August is likely to be at least as busy as February on the weekends because folks are taking one last trip before school starts. The only "benefit" is that SoCal and SoCal Select APs are still blocked until late-August, although DLR blocks APs when they expect day visitors crowds to be sufficient to fill the parks.

Ultimately, I think you're going to be looking at busy crowds whichever period you choose, unless HalloweenTime doesn't start until after your September dates.

 

[I<3MyGoldMiner]

We went February 22nd-25th. Even the lines on that Tuesday morning were insane! I found a few hotels on get away today that we might end up trying out but I've always been lucky enough to get our rooms right across the street for $100 a night or less. The thought of paying $160 a night+ plus parking and taxes is driving me bonkers lol. The low crowds and cheap hotel rates are really no longer

I've got to commit to a date because I can usually get a better rate if I pay upfront with no cancellations. Now if only we had kept our Dapper day hotel reservation we would be ok. Thanks for all of your opinions

 

[Zbugz]

September is a lovely time to go, but hours are shorter, and entertainment options and shows are fewer, especially midweek.