Orange County first week school Aug 20-24

[flash277]

The only week that fit into my schedule is Sunday August 19th to Friday August 24th. I see that the schools around there start on the 20th.....Did we get lucky a bit, or are the crowds still gonna be Summer large? our first trip to Disneyland all the way from NY.

 

[flash277]

Oh, I also see the SOCAL AP tickets come off blackout on the 20th, wonder how that would affect my week with the blackout lasting all of July and up to August 19th

 

[summerw]

Honestly, it will probably be pretty crowded. We AP holders are a big force at DL and I went in January, the first day after that short blackout, and it was a pretty crazy day. With CarsLand opening during the blackout, it may be beyond. It should be better in DL over CA and may actually not be too crazy at DL--definitely plan DL over CA on the 20th and probably 21st too. The good news is the AP holders always like to cruise in later and don't have access to Magic Morning Hours. If you plan for the busier rides (new Matterhorn, Peter Pan, Alice, the Mountains or any meet n greets) early in the day or get FPs, you could get a lot done pretty easily. Good luck. I think you'll be fine with a little planning.

 

[MAH4546]

Among the worst crowds of the year - it's the week after summer AP blackout is lifted.

 

[dreamcruiser]

Hi...I'm planning a one day visit to DL the middle of this month. (somewhere between July the 19th to the 24th. Can someone who is familiar with crowds in the summer please tell me which day of the week might be less crowded?

 

[HydroGuy]

Hi...I'm planning a one day visit to DL the middle of this month. (somewhere between July the 19th to the 24th. Can someone who is familiar with crowds in the summer please tell me which day of the week might be less crowded?

If you are visiting DL it would likely be a Wednesday. DCA is hard to say but I would go for a Tuesday or Thursday.

 

[OC_stacylace]

There are a few of us that don't go back until after labor day as well. (in south Orange County)

 

[kjs1976]

Awesome. We are going the 18-22. Only time we could get the cheapest flight!

 

[Started With a Mouse]

Among the worst crowds of the year - it's the week after summer AP blackout is lifted.

Ditto. Probably the worst crowds of the year (2nd only to opening weekend in Carsland).

 

[AddictedtoDoleWhip]

I have always found toward the middle-last part of August seems to me at least to be pretty crowded because people want to either get their last disneyland visit in before school starts and it's a great way to end summer.

And the SoCal black outs will be lifted. So yes, busy.

 

[KateDrake]

Will it be busy? Yes. But will you still have a great trip? For sure.
From what people have been reporting, it is only Cars Land that is really busy, and the rest of the park and DL have been quite manageable. So while they are busy, if you have a good game plan you should be fine.
There is a great thread going on this very topic on the board, which of course I can't figure out how to link to now. But gist of it is that everyone has been making doom and gloom predictions about how horrible it would be over the summer, and it has really been quite pleasant. So I'm sure you guys will have a great time! Just come with a good touring plan, arrive early, use Fast Pass, and you should be set!

 

[dreamcruiser]

If you are visiting DL it would likely be a Wednesday. DCA is hard to say but I would go for a Tuesday or Thursday.

Thanks for the info...wouldn't ya know I am arriving on a Wednesday and leaving the next Wednesday..lol. I plan on only visiting DL, not DCA. I guess I should plan on either a Thursday or Tuesday then. As an aside, I'm staying elsewhere and taking a shuttle in for the day, so I need to plan my day as well as I can!

 

[kailuagirl]

Just curious, how come your not planning to visit DCA? It's a great park and so close to DLR and easy to park hop back and forth.

 

[Stimpy]

ok

 

[Stimpy]

hmmm

 

[flash277]

Damn you AP Holders Haven't you heard of the Yogi Berra-ism: "No one goes ther anymore, it's too crowded"

Seriously though, as a AP Holder, even with blackouts, if you're a day tripper, wouldn't you know by heart the times of the year when it's the least crowded and go then?

Thanks to KateDrake for giving me some hope that it won't be too bad. I'm having nightmares that the parks are gonna be overwelmed with people. We are longtime WDW Vets, so I know how to deal with "crowds" but I'm not gonna wait any longer than an hour (more like 40 minutes) on any ride. It's our first time to Disneyland, so if we have to miss RSR, so be it, hopefully there won't be too many long lines

 

[dreamcruiser]

Just curious, how come your not planning to visit DCA? It's a great park and so close to DLR and easy to park hop back and forth.

If your question is directed at me, I am only interested in DL, and with one day, I want to make the most of it. I'm a WDW veteran and get to visit DL very infrequently.