**** Official 2014 AUGUST - Disneyland thread ****

[lifeguardette]

I should also introduce myself! I live in Victoria, BC, Canada with DH and our 8 year old DS. DH and I own a computer consulting company along with a couple of computer stores. DH and I went to DL for our honeymoon and we've taken DS to DL 5 times since 2011. This august trip was a bit unplanned, we were just there last September and then again a few weeks ago in March. Our trip in March was not a great trip because DH and DS both got sick so since we have APs that expire mid September, we decided to make a makeup trip in August! We're actually heading to Ontario in July to visit family and then exactly one month after we get home we are off to Disneyland! Our first trip we went all out and stayed in a 2 room suite in the DLH but after that the lure of the motels across from the entrance has just been too great to resist! I keep debating one of the DLR hotels but I love being able to go from room to entrance in 5 minutes!

Hey, I'm from the lower mainland!! Nice to see another BC' er on the DIS!

 

[gerilyne]

Lots of days to really enjoy it sounds wonderful!! We dont' like to book in a lot of meals either - we are there for the RIDES

So you like August that much hey? Can you give me an indication on how long the lines typically are in August?

Oh and can ANYONE see my ticker?? For some reason I can't get it to show up for me.

Well haven't been to DL in a month other than Aug since I was little so I don't really have much to compare to but we prefer the longer hours (we hit rope drop at 7 take a break after lunch and then head back in late afternoon until almost close). We found we can ride almost everything we want with shorter lines in the first several hours which makes the rest of the day a bonus. With the exception of RSR wait times seem to average 30-90 minutes depending on the time of day and we utilize fast passes during peak times. We do prefer earlier in the month before the blocked passes become unblocked. I know that first day when they do become unblocked is crazy so we moved our dates up a few days to avoid it.

We are looking forward to taking our time and just enjoying being there.

Now to get thru 4+ months

 

[Aladora]

I LOVE BC!!! It's been WAY too long since I've been there though

Which is your fave hotel across the street? i wish we had gotten one that close but DH couldn't resist the new Ayers - all brand new looking, with a great price, great breakfast and fresh cookies in the evening. LOL

I don't really have a favourite, they are all pretty similar in terms of quality. The Desert Inn and Suites is one that we have now stayed at twice and I actually have a reservation both there and at the Del Sol for our Aug trip. The Del Sol is less expensive but the DI&S has a-freakin-mazing wifi. Like, good enough to stream Netflix good.

We have also stayed at the Park Vue Inn and also the Castle Inn.

The Castle Inn was fine, it was a last minute trip we planned last September in less than 3 weeks so we kinda took what we could find. My only issue was that it was quite a bit further than the other places so by our last few days the walk seemed SOOOOOO far. In reality it was an extra half a km each way but since we always go back to the room mid day for a rest, it meant an extra 2km walking every day.

We stayed at the Park Vue Inn before they reduced the amenities. When we stayed there they still had the gift basket on arrival, free bottled water and fruit in the lobby at all times, the breakfast and also the "dinner" hour where you could get a hot entree and some other snacks. For the price difference between the PVI and say DI&S, the extra amenities made it worth while. However, they got rid of the gift basket, the water and fruit and the dinner hour but did not seem to reduce their rates accordingly. That combined with a few negative experiences posted here made us look elsewhere.

I'm a finance person so for me, I always look at the cost/benefit analysis. We can either go to DL once a year and stay at one of the DLR hotels or we can go 2 or 3 times and stay at a motel on Harbor Blvd.

Location is always the main factor for us. I will usually only look at motels that are between 1520 S. Harbour and 1650 S. Harbor.

But short answer is, I will typically pick DI&S, especially if I book far enough in advance and get a smoking cheap deal!

This map shows all the places near Disney:

Accommodations near Disney

 

[Dreamer2012]

I am so happy to have found this Aug thread!! My DD16 and I have done WDW Princess Half a couple years - last year doing The Glass Slipper Challenge! Which led us to wanting to earn our Coast to Coast Medals so....we are signed up for the Dumbo Double Dare 8/30&31! This will be our FIRST DLAND trip! My oldest daughter (25) will join us in this race and my oldest son (27) will be cheering us on! We arrive 8/27 and depart 9/5 - 9 NIGHTS! We are booked at Stovall's (but thinking a lot about DLH- we love being onsite at WDW and wondering if staying offsite will feel "less magical". We are feeling a bit lost trying to plan - totally missing our dining plan...and not knowing what to do. Right now our itinerary looks like this:
8/27= Arrival & explore
8/28=Expo & explore DTD?
8/29=Park Day - light walking mostly acquainting
8/30= 10k & eat & rest
8/31=Half Marathon & spa in afternoon
9/1= thinking maybe TMZ Hollywood Tour?
9/2 - 9/5 = we'll have 3 park days & 1 free day
Our flight is in the evening on 9/5
Oh ya we're from Ct!
Questions= Stovall's OR DLH?
Can't wait to share planning & tips!!

 

[Rubygoose]

Hi there! I'm joining the August group! Plans aren't fully confirmed yet, but we had been waiting to hear from the specialist doctor if DS was going to need surgery, and we found out that he doesn't need surgery after all! So, now we can go ahead and start booking our August trip! Well... almost. DH starts a new job on Monday, so he's going to wait a couple days to ask his new boss for the time off. It would look pretty bad if he asked for vacation days on his first day at work! Actually, he was going to e-mail her on Friday to ask for the time off, but I convinced him that wouldn't be a very good first impression.

If it all works out and he gets the time off, then we'll be at DLR from Aug 21-28th, staying offsite, possibly at HOJO's from the 21st-24th and then at DLH from the 24th-28th. But if DH gets his way, we'll spend the entire 7 nights at DLH. (I don't know why he's so against a split stay. I'm the one who will do all the packing up!) We will be celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary, so we'll get a babysitter one night and possibly do the Fantasmic Dessert seating. We will also be renting a car for a day and heading to Legoland as a day trip. I've been saving up air miles so I'll be getting 3 of our 4 5-day park hoppers for free and then upgrading them to AP's so that we can take our time this trip and visit the parks on arrival and departure day, which we haven't done in the past. We will likely visit again before August 2015, so upgrading to AP's makes sense for us. I'm calling this our "buy one - get one free" trip!

A little bit about our family: We're from Victoria (*wave to the other BC''er on this thread and my municipality neighbour in Esquimalt ) and this will be our 4th trip to DLR as a family. DH went once with his mom and sister when he was 8 or 9years old. We've been twice in September and once in July. I'm a substitute teacher and I've recently started working towards my diploma in special education. DH works for the provincial government. He is switching ministries and has just moved up to a Director position that he starts on Monday. Once he found out he got the job, I right away asked if that meant we could get AP's and he thought that was a great idea!
As for the kids... DD is 6, turning 7 in July. She loves the big rides, the characters, the waterslides at DLH... pretty much everything about DLR! She's a pretty high energy kid. DS is 4 and a little more sensitive and cautious, but he did ride all of the rides that he was tall enough to ride on our last trip. His favourite movie is toy story and his favourite thing to do at DLR is flirt with Tinkerbelle! As a family, our favourite ride is Splash Mountain.

 

[Aladora]

Hi there! I'm joining the August group! Plans aren't fully confirmed yet, but we had been waiting to hear from the specialist doctor if DS was going to need surgery, and we found out that he doesn't need surgery after all! So, now we can go ahead and start booking our August trip! Well... almost. DH starts a new job on Monday, so he's going to wait a couple days to ask his new boss for the time off. It would look pretty bad if he asked for vacation days on his first day at work! Actually, he was going to e-mail her on Friday to ask for the time off, but I convinced him that wouldn't be a very good first impression.

If it all works out and he gets the time off, then we'll be at DLR from Aug 21-28th, staying offsite, possibly at HOJO's from the 21st-24th and then at DLH from the 24th-28th. But if DH gets his way, we'll spend the entire 7 nights at DLH. (I don't know why he's so against a split stay. I'm the one who will do all the packing up!) We will be celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary, so we'll get a babysitter one night and possibly do the Fantasmic Dessert seating. We will also be renting a car for a day and heading to Legoland as a day trip. I've been saving up air miles so I'll be getting 3 of our 4 5-day park hoppers for free and then upgrading them to AP's so that we can take our time this trip and visit the parks on arrival and departure day, which we haven't done in the past. We will likely visit again before August 2015, so upgrading to AP's makes sense for us. I'm calling this our "buy one - get one free" trip!

A little bit about our family: We're from Victoria (*wave to the other BC''er on this thread and my municipality neighbour in Esquimalt ) and this will be our 4th trip to DLR as a family. DH went once with his mom and sister when he was 8 or 9years old. We've been twice in September and once in July. I'm a substitute teacher and I've recently started working towards my diploma in special education. DH works for the provincial government. He is switching ministries and has just moved up to a Director position that he starts on Monday. Once he found out he got the job, I right away asked if that meant we could get AP's and he thought that was a great idea!
As for the kids... DD is 6, turning 7 in July. She loves the big rides, the characters, the waterslides at DLH... pretty much everything about DLR! She's a pretty high energy kid. DS is 4 and a little more sensitive and cautious, but he did ride all of the rides that he was tall enough to ride on our last trip. His favourite movie is toy story and his favourite thing to do at DLR is flirt with Tinkerbelle! As a family, our favourite ride is Splash Mountain.

Oh yay! Another Victorian here!

Do you sub in SD61? I wonder if DS has had you teach him? He's ASD so if you specialize with special ed kids you might have met him!

 

[Rubygoose]

Oh yay! Another Victorian here!

Do you sub in SD61? I wonder if DS has had you teach him? He's ASD so if you specialize with special ed kids you might have met him!

No, I sub in SD62. Victoria is a lot more formal with their call out system, and you have to take whatever shift you get. Also, if you don't work x number of days, they drop you from the list. But Sooke lets teachers call their subs directly and you don't get penalized for turning down work. I've enjoyed subbing because I don't have to do a lot of planning or report cards and I can take time off whenever I want (like going to DLR in Sept in 2011 and 2012). But DS starts kindergarten in the fall, so I'm hoping to get a contract this fall.

 

[Aladora]

No, I sub in SD62. Victoria is a lot more formal with their call out system, and you have to take whatever shift you get. Also, if you don't work x number of days, they drop you from the list. But Sooke lets teachers call their subs directly and you don't get penalized for turning down work. I've enjoyed subbing because I don't have to do a lot of planning or report cards and I can take time off whenever I want (like going to DLR in Sept in 2011 and 2012). But DS starts kindergarten in the fall, so I'm hoping to get a contract this fall.

I have a friend who teaches music at Sooke Elementary and I'm not sure if he still is but I know he was a TOC for SD61 and 62.

What a small world this is sometimes.

 

[Rubygoose]

I have a friend who teaches music at Sooke Elementary and I'm not sure if he still is but I know he was a TOC for SD61 and 62.

What a small world this is sometimes.

I know him! His wife TOCs there sometimes too.

 

[ScottyK86]

Decent amount of people going in August!

More about our group, my Mother, her partner, my Grand parents and my partner and I are flying from Australia to meet my Sister who lives in Canada to celebrate her 21st. Currently my sister is unaware that my partner and I coming, so that will be a surprise for her. Most of the family is looking to go to a park on the day of my sisters birthday but my partner and I are looking getting a 3 or even 4 day hooper, also thinking that one of our alone days would be an ideal time to pop the question.

Probably staying at the Disneyland drive Super 8 to save money.

 

[happygirl5644]

Another Victorian here, really hoping to go the latter half of August. We did the same week a few years back and I really enjoyed it. We already have plans to go December 2014, but I don't know if I can wait that long! Last year we were there at the end of May and then October. I think it might be time to consider APs! Rubygoose and Aladora, do you fly out of Victoria, or go to YVR or Seattle? And I'm trying to decide which travel credit card is better... Alaska or Westjet - any thoughts? Cheers

 

[Aladora]

Another Victorian here, really hoping to go the latter half of August. We did the same week a few years back and I really enjoyed it. We already have plans to go December 2014, but I don't know if I can wait that long! Last year we were there at the end of May and then October. I think it might be time to consider APs! Rubygoose and Aladora, do you fly out of Victoria, or go to YVR or Seattle? And I'm trying to decide which travel credit card is better... Alaska or Westjet - any thoughts? Cheers

Yay, way to represent, Victoria!

By my calculations, if you are going to DL twice in a 12 month period for 5 days each trip,then you are better off getting the Deluxe APs.

5 day PH: 275.00 on way.com X 2 = 550.00
Deluxe AP on way.com = 475.00

Even right from the DL website it is a better deal.
5 day PH: 300.00 X 2 = 600.00
Deluxe AP: 499.00

Our first 4 trips we paid more than we needed to because we did not do the math. You do miss out on the one MM entry by not getting the PH but you gain the 10% discount!

As for flights, we have done both ways. Our first trip we went crazy and there was no budget. We flew from YYJ to SNA. We were not sure if DS was going to even like DL so we wanted to go all out that trip. After we found out that he loved it as much as I did and we wanted to make DL a part of our lives, we looked at prices and how we can do more than 1 trip a year!

We've done the YYJ-SNA on Alaska a few times but only if I could get a decent price. The other times we have taken the Clipper to Seattle and flown SEA-SNA. The drawback to that way is that I need to factor in the cost of the Clipper, taxi to the hotel, the cost of the hotel because we always take the earliest flight out and then the same in return, hotel and taxi to the Clipper. Also, with Alaska you have to pay for bags so that's an extra $100 round trip for us. (2 bags X $25 each, there and back)

Because we are going in August and the Coho has better sailings, this trip I am debating which way to go. I am leaning towards driving over on the Coho, doing a park and fly at a hotel and then catching the earliest flight back to SEA and catching the early evening Coho. If I have the numbers right, that way will save us almost $500 since we can take Southwest from SEA and not have to pay the baggage fees.

As for the credit card question, I don't have either. We have a Mastercard that gives us not only cash back on everything we buy but we also get travel protection when we buy trips with it so we never have to buy the extra insurance. I've debated the Alaska card since we usually fly with them but I wasn't sure if the companion ticket could be used for a YYJ-SNA trip. If so, then it might be worthwhile to get a return flight for $193 ($75 annual fee plus $118 ticket.)

Sorry, I am a finance person so I run these numbers all the time...I usually have a spreadsheet with the different options.

 

[Rubygoose]

Another Victorian here, really hoping to go the latter half of August. We did the same week a few years back and I really enjoyed it. We already have plans to go December 2014, but I don't know if I can wait that long! Last year we were there at the end of May and then October. I think it might be time to consider APs! Rubygoose and Aladora, do you fly out of Victoria, or go to YVR or Seattle? And I'm trying to decide which travel credit card is better... Alaska or Westjet - any thoughts? Cheers

We've flown several different ways. Our first trip the kids were little, almost 2 and 4. DS was free to fly because we came back a week before he turned 2. That trip we flew Alaska Air from Victoria to SNA. Our second trip, we flew at the same time of year, a week before DS turned 3, so he was free in the parks. Westjet had a "kids fly free" promotion, but this was 2012 and before Westjet flew between Victoria and Vancouver. All Westjet flights from Victoria were via Calgary, with lengthy layovers, so we took the ferry to Vancouver the night before and did park-n-fly at Holiday Inn in Richmond. Last year DH and I each got the Alaska Airlines Master Card, so we each got a $99 companion code and 25,000 miles each. We found a flight from SNA to Victoria for 12,500 miles + $5, so we booked our return flight for 4 or us for $20! The cards had a $75 annual fee, but when we signed up there was an error and they didn't mention this, so we had the fee waved for the year. We flew to SNA on air canada operated by united. This nice thing about that was we could pay in Canadian funds.

We canceled our Alaska Airlines Mastercards, because we got Air Miles master cards instead. Then I decided that we'd use the air miles ones for park tickets and opened up Alaska Airlines cards again! Got another 25,000 miles each! The points account is separate from the credit card, so we didn't loose any miles when we canceled the card, and at one point DH was given 10,000 bonus miles for upgrading to some sort of special status. So, now this trip we're using one companion fare for one adult and one kid and miles for one kid both ways and the "miles and money" option for the other adult, where you can use 10,000 miles to 50% up to $100 off the flight or 20,000 miles to save up to $200.

Aladora: the companion code is valid on any return flight or one way flight, but not on "multi city" flights. So, you couldn't fly into SNA and out of LAX. It says $99 but it turns into $200 because $99 is the fare and you still have to pay all of the taxes and fees. The companion code isn't the draw for us, though. We just like the bonus miles! Since you're a family of 3, if you and your DH each got the card, you would get 2 companion fares and a total of 50,000 bonus miles just for being approved. Then, DH and DS fly using the companion code (full fare plus $99 plus fees) then you book a one way flight for 20,000 miles (most coach flights to SNA or LAX are 20,000 miles + $42, on the way back they are 20,000 miles + $5) with your miles. Then DH books you a return flight in your name using 20,000 of his miles. Sometimes you can find flights for 12,500 miles but the are usually at crummy times.

 

[wakica]

Now to get thru 4+ months

Yes, the waiting part is SSOOO hard!

I don't really have a favourite, they are all pretty similar in terms of quality.

I'm a finance person so for me, I always look at the cost/benefit analysis. We can either go to DL once a year and stay at one of the DLR hotels or we can go 2 or 3 times and stay at a motel on Harbor Blvd.

Location is always the main factor for us. I will usually only look at motels that are between 1520 S. Harbour and 1650 S. Harbor.

This map shows all the places near Disney:

Accommodations near Disney

THANKS!! And I agree - we'd rather pay less and go away more often

I am so happy to have found this Aug thread!!
....we are signed up for the Dumbo Double Dare 8/30&31! This will be our FIRST DLAND trip!

We are booked at Stovall's (but thinking a lot about DLH- we love being onsite at WDW and wondering if staying offsite will feel "less magical". We are feeling a bit lost trying to plan - totally missing our dining plan...and not knowing what to do. Right now our itinerary looks like this:
8/27= Arrival & explore
8/28=Expo & explore DTD?
8/29=Park Day - light walking mostly acquainting
8/30= 10k & eat & rest
8/31=Half Marathon & spa in afternoon
9/1= thinking maybe TMZ Hollywood Tour?
9/2 - 9/5 = we'll have 3 park days & 1 free day
Our flight is in the evening on 9/5
Oh ya we're from Ct!
Questions= Stovall's OR DLH?
Can't wait to share planning & tips!!

YAY! Welcome!!! I will put you down for The Dumbo Double Dare - you are SO BRAVE!!! 5K is the best I do for races! lol
I will also add in your park days and DTD.

Hi there! I'm joining the August group! Plans aren't fully confirmed yet, but we had been waiting to hear from the specialist doctor if DS was going to need surgery, and we found out that he doesn't need surgery after all! So, now we can go ahead and start booking our August trip! Well... almost. DH starts a new job on Monday, so he's going to wait a couple days to ask his new boss for the time off. It would look pretty bad if he asked for vacation days on his first day at work! Actually, he was going to e-mail her on Friday to ask for the time off, but I convinced him that wouldn't be a very good first impression.

If it all works out and he gets the time off, then we'll be at DLR from Aug 21-28th, staying offsite, possibly at HOJO's from the 21st-24th and then at DLH from the 24th-28th.

We're from Victoria

our favourite ride is Splash Mountain.

YAY! Welcome!!! I will add your info to the front page. If plans do change just let me know and I'll fix it.
I can't believe all the Canadians we have going in August! I guess we will all feel right at home

My fave is Splash Mountain too!! I call it my happy place. I love to put the music from Splash Mntn on at home and remember the happy feelings. LOL

Decent amount of people going in August!

Most of the family is looking to go to a park on the day of my sisters birthday but my partner and I are looking getting a 3 or even 4 day hopper, also thinking that one of our alone days would be an ideal time to pop the question.

Probably staying at the Disneyland drive Super 8 to save money.

GREAT choice on staying longer than one day AND on popping the question!! That will be SO COOL

Another Victorian here, really hoping to go the latter half of August. We did the same week a few years back and I really enjoyed it. We already have plans to go December 2014, but I don't know if I can wait that long! Last year we were there at the end of May and then October. I think it might be time to consider APs! Rubygoose and Aladora, do you fly out of Victoria, or go to YVR or Seattle? And I'm trying to decide which travel credit card is better... Alaska or Westjet - any thoughts? Cheers

YAY! Welcome!!! I will add you down as dates undecided. Just let me know when you have them figured out and I'll put you into your dates on the list.

 

[Rubygoose]

Decent amount of people going in August!

More about our group, my Mother, her partner, my Grand parents and my partner and I are flying from Australia to meet my Sister who lives in Canada to celebrate her 21st. Currently my sister is unaware that my partner and I coming, so that will be a surprise for her. Most of the family is looking to go to a park on the day of my sisters birthday but my partner and I are looking getting a 3 or even 4 day hooper, also thinking that one of our alone days would be an ideal time to pop the question.

Probably staying at the Disneyland drive Super 8 to save money.

How exciting! Have you thought about where/how you're going to pop the question? So many romantic spots to choose from... but I've read that you can ride story book canal boats during the fire works. That would be a magical way to propose, and if you mention it to a CM, they may be able to get you a private boat.

Do you know that Australians can get a 10 day parkhopper pass? I wish they offered those to Canadians too!

 

[ScottyK86]

How exciting! Have you thought about where/how you're going to pop the question? So many romantic spots to choose from... but I've read that you can ride story book canal boats during the fire works. That would be a magical way to propose, and if you mention it to a CM, they may be able to get you a private boat.

Do you know that Australians can get a 10 day parkhopper pass? I wish they offered those to Canadians too!

I am not 100% sure yet, I would prefer a quieter, secluded spot. I have been asking her what her favourite DLR areas are as we went there in 2012 and she fell in love with the place hence why I want to pop the question there when we go back.

Her favourite place was Cars Land which is awesome and all, but I wouldn't exactly call it romantic. She prefered DCA rather than DLP as the original park felt a little neglected in places, and I guess it is a little understandable given DCA recently had a $1.1 billion renovation not long before we went.

If I contact the park letting them know what I want to do, would they assist in doing something special? It would be nice to do something incredibly unique, but also not pay the earth.

10 days sounds great but unfortunately we are only in LA for a 5 days before heading off to New Orleans. Why do they offer them for Australians and not Canadians? Do they make you guys get annual passes?

 

[Aladora]

I am not 100% sure yet, I would prefer a quieter, secluded spot. I have been asking her what her favourite DLR areas are as we went there in 2012 and she fell in love with the place hence why I want to pop the question there when we go back. Her favourite place was Cars Land which is awesome and all, but I wouldn't exactly call it romantic. She prefered DCA rather than DLP as the original park felt a little neglected in places, and I guess it is a little understandable given DCA recently had a $1.1 billion renovation not long before we went. If I contact the park letting them know what I want to do, would they assist in doing something special? It would be nice to do something incredibly unique, but also not pay the earth. 10 days sounds great but unfortunately we are only in LA for a 5 days before heading off to New Orleans. Why do they offer them for Australians and not Canadians? Do they make you guys get annual passes?

I'm not sure if the would help you but as I always say, you might as well ask because the worst they can say is no but they might say yes. If you never ask then the answer is always going to be no!

 

[wakica]

Is my ticker showing up????

 

[Aladora]

Is my ticker showing up????

Sort of, the ticker is there but it's blank.

 

[Gisele]

Maybe the message flew off for a bit......