Need some advice and perspective on a possible trip.

[Tasscrapper]

I was wondering if anyone can help give me a perspective on the benefits and disadvantages of going to Disneyland in either August or September. We have points with Shell vacations we have to use by the end of September. My younger kids don't get out of school until July 2nd and we can't go anytime during that month. They get back in school on August 16th. It's possible that I might be able to get them put on a different track so that they can be off in September (they are in a year round school). My oldest is going to be a junior and starts school August 26th.

I am seriously hesitant to pull my 16 year old out of school for a week and I'm not positive about the younger ones.

My other concerns:

1. Crowds. We haven't been for a couple years and at the time it seemed like the regulars on the board were seeing shifts in when the crowds were. So, does anyone know what the expectations for August compared to September would be? I know that it is obviously not low season but would one time expect less than the other?

2. Heat. I looked at the average temps for both August and September and there was only a two degree difference. Would mid September feel any cooler than mid August? There are two people in my family that get over heated very easily.


Our other option would be to bank the points with RCI but I have no clue how we would then use those. My husband did say he would stay home with the 16 year old but I don't really like that option either. I just don't know what to do and was hoping to get an outside perspective.

Thanks.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

if it were my family, I would just go in August when it works for your kids vacations. Heat-wise, there is not much difference between Aug-Sept. As long as you don't go at the very end of August (which is the unblocked time for So Cal passholders), you will be fine.

Go, and have a great time!

 

[skiingfast]

My other concerns:

1. Crowds. We haven't been for a couple years and at the time it seemed like the regulars on the board were seeing shifts in when the crowds were. So, does anyone know what the expectations for August compared to September would be? I know that it is obviously not low season but would one time expect less than the other?

2. Heat. I looked at the average temps for both August and September and there was only a two degree difference. Would mid September feel any cooler than mid August? There are two people in my family that get over heated very easily.

1. September is much better than August for crowds. September is a offseason month when rehabs happen. With a slow September hourse are shorter, entertainment limited to weekends. Mid August is a when it goes from busy to less busy. But can have some hiccups where things get worse when APs are unblocked. Because of expected extra big crowds due to new attractions those hiccups may be a more pronounced upturn in crowds going against a time when they should be dropping.

2. Weather is fairly similiar in Ausust and September, but September brings cooler nights more warranted sweat shirts.

IMO I wouldn't switch schools on planning Disney visits, I would looks at the merrits of the schools themselves.

 

[I'm_Wishing]

This is something you might want to consider also, if you go in late September the Halloween decorations will be up and that is by far our favorite time to go. I think that the first MNSSHP is on Sep 30 so if you could go then I think you would really enjoy it. Just a thought, but I think any trip to Disneyland is a memory you shouldn't pass up.

 

[Tasscrapper]

Thanks for the input guys. By the way I wasn't thinking of changing schools just the track. Our school has four different tracks that run through out the year. It makes family vacations hard because the younger ones have only 6 weeks off during the summer with the track they are on and July is a dead month in the respect of being able to go places.

 

[TeddiBarra]

September would be a great time to go, IMO. The weather is trickier- it can be just as hot or it may be quite a bit cooler (esp toward the end of September). I don't like going in August, IMO. But the points raised were correct- probably shorter hours, potential for overlay closures (I don't think any of the big rides in DL will be down for refurb. Big Thunder has just been closed, Matterhorn will be just DONE (it will be closed in August the whole month) with refurb. Indy ... was closed earlier (not for a long time though) Splash was down like 8 weeks too already this year... Space Mt won't be closed except for the days of OVERLAY (same w/HM). Now, I guess DCA could be a totally different ballgame, but I honestly would be surprised by Sept. DL refurbs....