Planning 3 night in August...any tips?

[lmhall2000]

It's been 18 years since we've been to Disneyland...I think California Adventures was just opening? Our kids are all grown (18-22) and we want to stay at the Disneyland Hotel...liked the California hotel but it's going under refurbishment at that time and would rather not deal with it.

We are open on travel dates (August 2-14)..
1. Is there a better time of the week to visit these dates? Do California schools go back in August or September?
2. We were going to buy the California something pass that gives us 3 day tickets with one Magic Opening option plus a day at LegoLand...will my older kids like Legoland?
3. Are there any food places not to miss that I would need to book in advance...not sure if they do reservations like at DW.
4. Any different special features at the Land that we should not miss? Our kids are Disney fanatics and love all the 'cool' special touches...
5. How is the weather in August? Is it easy to go back and forth from park to Disneyland Hotel? Wondering if we can go early, go back to pool during busy times and go back later?

Thanks so much for your help! This year all three will be in college (empty nesting) and celebrating our 25th...so want to make this a great trip for all!

 

[pblack]

It's been 18 years since we've been to Disneyland...I think California Adventures was just opening? Our kids are all grown (18-22) and we want to stay at the Disneyland Hotel...liked the California hotel but it's going under refurbishment at that time and would rather not deal with it.

We are open on travel dates (August 2-14)..
1. Is there a better time of the week to visit these dates? Do California schools go back in August or September?

I believe most CA schools go back mid-end of August. Not 100% on that though. I'd say go during the week if you can. Weekdays should still be less busy than weekends.

2. We were going to buy the California something pass that gives us 3 day tickets with one Magic Opening option plus a day at LegoLand...will my older kids like Legoland?

Can't comment, never been.

3. Are there any food places not to miss that I would need to book in advance...not sure if they do reservations like at DW.

I'm partial to Blue Bayou, which you would need a reservation for. Carthay Circle also seems to be a popular choice among a lot of people on here.

4. Any different special features at the Land that we should not miss? Our kids are Disney fanatics and love all the 'cool' special touches...

Cars land at night shouldn't be missed. The lamp that stays lit for Walt above the fire station. I'm sure others will have more on this.

5. How is the weather in August? Is it easy to go back and forth from park to Disneyland Hotel? Wondering if we can go early, go back to pool during busy times and go back later?

August, like any month in CA, can be temperamental. Generally it's pretty warm in August. Definitely easy to park hop and go back and forth between the hotel to the parks.

Thanks so much for your help! This year all three will be in college (empty nesting) and celebrating our 25th...so want to make this a great trip for all!

See responses above. Have fun and happy 25th!

 

[Nevada Jen]

I seriously doubt your older kids would like LEGOLAND. I do not think its a good use of a day for a group of your ages in Socal.

 

[figment_jii]

1. Is there a better time of the week to visit these dates? Do California schools go back in August or September?

The majority of the schools seem to start up in mid-to-late August, but there are a few in September.

2. We were going to buy the California something pass that gives us 3 day tickets with one Magic Opening option plus a day at LegoLand...will my older kids like Legoland?

I have personally never been to Legoland, but my understanding is that Legoland is geared for younger kids (under 12 is what I've most commonly seen stated).

3. Are there any food places not to miss that I would need to book in advance...not sure if they do reservations like at DW.

Yes, Disneyland has an ADR system similar to WDW, with a few differences. ADRs come available 60-days in advance, one-day at a time (there is no +10days for on-site guests). If you go online right on the 60-day mark and nothing is available for your restaurant of interest, it's much more likely that they haven't loaded it into the system yet (opposed to already being fully booked). ADRs are not as hard to come by and there are often pretty prime restaurants/times still available with less than a week to go. Like WDW, there is a $10 per person no show fee. The most popular ADRs seem to be those for the dining packages and the Blue Bayou.

4. Any different special features at the Land that we should not miss? Our kids are Disney fanatics and love all the 'cool' special touches...

There are a lot of different things to do/see at DLR. What kind of things are you looking for? This thread (Unadvertised things to do at Disneyland) from a while go has some fun things listed.

5. How is the weather in August? Is it easy to go back and forth from park to Disneyland Hotel? Wondering if we can go early, go back to pool during busy times and go back later?

I would go expecting hot weather, but weather can be variable so pack both hot and cool weather (think layers). I think it's pretty easy to get from the parks to the DLH. It's not a long walk (about half a mile).

 

[lmhall2000]

Super helps! Good tip on Legoland, will bypass the CA pass and just go with 3 day park passes.
Thanks for the link! Great stuff there!

 

[cruisehopeful]

2. We were going to buy the California something pass that gives us 3 day tickets with one Magic Opening option plus a day at LegoLand...will my older kids like Legoland?

Legoland has almost nothing for adults. My husband and I still enjoy going through there, but it's basically a walk thru for us. If you were going to do something else in San Diego area on the same day, it may be interesting to go if any of you like Legos. I'd only add it on to a beach day or something like that.

5. How is the weather in August? Is it easy to go back and forth from park to Disneyland Hotel? Wondering if we can go early, go back to pool during busy times and go back later?

It can be very hot. It's easy to walk back and forth to your hotel. There is also the monorail which you can board in tomorrowland and it will drop you off towards the end of Downtown Disney, which is pretty close to your hotel. Security has changed you will have to go through security/bag check whenever you leave your hotel to go back to downtown Disney and the parks. The line is usually short from that side.

 

[BriannaRuth]

1. Is there a better time of the week to visit these dates? Do California schools go back in August or September?

We usually go the 3rd week of August and have had pretty good luck. By then, some of the schools have gone back but most passes are still blocked. If you wait any later than that, you start to get things closing for refurbs or Halloween overlays. Don't be scared to go on a Sunday during this time; it's often not very busy, especially the first half of the day at DL while DCA has EE.

2. We were going to buy the California something pass that gives us 3 day tickets with one Magic Opening option plus a day at LegoLand...will my older kids like Legoland?

Probably not, unless they're really into legos.

3. Are there any food places not to miss that I would need to book in advance...not sure if they do reservations like at DW.

Blue Bayou would be my "not to miss" restaurant. You will definitely need reservations, but you don't usually need them that far in advance. Food is not anything special but the atmosphere of eating inside Pirates is great. Arrive 20 minutes before your reservation time and tell them you'll wait for a table on the water. With a group of adults, I'd also try to fit Trader Sam's in, especially since you're staying at the DLH. They don't take reservations and it can be tricky to get a seat, but it's really fun. If you're up for a splurge, the Chef's Counter at the Napa Rose at the GCH is awesome, especially if you're open to trying new things and like wine. I also like Wine Country at DCA because I think it's fun to see all the wineries that have a Disney connection on the menu. They do take reservations but again, you won't need to make them very far in advance and could probably even go without them. I'd also recommend WOC Dessert Party. Not for the food but for actually getting to sit down and not have to wait in line an hour before for a spot.

4. Any different special features at the Land that we should not miss? Our kids are Disney fanatics and love all the 'cool' special touches...

There's a fairly recent thread on this as far as rides go ... https://www.disboards.com/threads/things-to-watch-for-on-different-rides.3596451/ I just bumped it for you.

5. How is the weather in August? Is it easy to go back and forth from park to Disneyland Hotel? Wondering if we can go early, go back to pool during busy times and go back later?

It's hot during the day but can get cool at night, especially if you're watching WOC, etc. We always go back to the DLH in the afternoon for downtime and return in the evening. It's about a 10-15 minute walk if I remember correctly.

 

[oakleycat]

As an adult who has been to Legoland many, many times (Lego obsessed boys), I would not waste a day of your trip there unless any of you LOVE lego. The rides/shows/activities are targeted to very young kids (my 10 yo is getting to old) and for adults, its pretty much just a walk through of the models in Miniland. They are pretty cool, especially the Star Wars ones, but most are getting a little worn at this point and definitely aren't worth the admission price.

 

[lmhall2000]

Thanks all!! You are all so helpful!! Since we're at the 60 day mark, I was able to make my ressies at Carnation Cafe, New Orleans Cafe, and Blue Bayou...the food didn't suit our style at Ariel's Grotto or we would have booked there...don't want to waste precious riding time doing their character breakfast
I have touring plans for fast passes and maximizing ride times/parades etc. Just bought our tickets online through Disney, I could have saved $15 buying at another source, but didn't want to chance it..
We just have single day tickets, not park hoppers...
Can anyone comment on Souvenir Sippers? If we buy one on day one, can we use it at the other parks? Or is it just a one day only kind of thing, we don't drink sodas often, but at $3.50 a drink. with five people, that can get crazy!
We definitely will do Counter Service all day in California and one counter service in Disneyland...are there any we shouldn't miss? Thanks!!

 

[BriannaRuth]

Can anyone comment on Souvenir Sippers? If we buy one on day one, can we use it at the other parks? Or is it just a one day only kind of thing, we don't drink sodas often, but at $3.50 a drink. with five people, that can get crazy!
We definitely will do Counter Service all day in California and one counter service in Disneyland...are there any we shouldn't miss? Thanks!!

They don't refill Souvenir Sippers at DL/DCA. I think it's a California state health regulation. However, a friend of mine mentioned to me that if you have a Sipper, they will let you take it with you on some of the rides rather than throwing it away like they would a regular paper cup. I haven't personally confirmed that.

Counter service -- in DCA we like Pacific Wharf for their salads and soups/bread bowls. And a trip wouldn't be complete without a Chile Cone Queso or any of the weird popcorns at Cozy Cone. Popcorn flavors change daily; I've had the dill pickle and the pizza and liked both of them. I also really like the Red's Apple Freeze they serve there. The family likes Flo's for the ambience, looking out on RSR and 50s theme, although the food is just average. I really like the corn dogs at Corn Dog Castle. One of my DDs and DH always has to get a turkey leg from the cart at DCA.

In DL, I like the French Market. I like their food better than the other CS cajun food place that's closer to POC that I can't recall the name of. Also like Bengal BBQ for their bacon wrapped asparagus. They have chicken and beef skewers as well, but they can sometimes be a little dry, esp. the chicken. We always go the the Hungry Bear; I also like their salad and the kids can get chicken nuggets there. The Plaza Inn is good for fried chicken at lunch/dinner. I am one of the few people, evidently, who is NOT a fan of the corn dogs at DL ... way too much breading!

 

[pblack]

I second the French Market. I also recommend checking out the Disneyland Daily facebook page. She has some wonderful tips, tricks, and daily guides to maximize your days at the parks.