Planning for August

[disneyderns]

So we're in the process of planning for our August trip to SoCal - We were originally going to just get 2 day hopper tickets (we're staying 3 nights in Anaheim area)...but I convinced DW to go for the 3 days (which really means 5 days) because it was under $100 to do so!

To get everyone up to speed...
When we go to WDW we tend to sort of go commando - we leave the hotel early and get back late. The kids (current ages 2 and 9) end up taking short naps on the "boring" long attractions - TTA, hall of presidents, train, etc. That being said we also go during October which has reasonable crowds and temps...

Our hotel dillema - this was an unplanned trip so we are really trying to keep the budget under control. Because we are going in August we know that crowds will be much higher than we are used to, and the temps will also be up there - which will probably change our touring strategy. This means we will actually be spending some time in our hotel and pool. I can get some pretty great deals through hotwire, however most of them are probably not within walking distance. The amenity level and cost ratio goes up obviously the farther away from the parks - is it really worth it to potentially sacrifice amenties for convenience???

I know this is really wordy and I sound like I'm rambling, but being the vacation planner in my household I really like to get things right!

 

[blackjackdelta]

We always go in August and have a great time. I also do commando but getting alittle bit slower and taking my time to look and appreciate everything. We started out with those "great deals", it was not worth the time it takes up to move around and get back and forth.
We do mid day naps and stay on site now. I can get much more in than I use to by not wasting my time going somewhere that is not Disney.
There are places right across the street you can get reasonable deals and have a 5 minute walk or less.

Jack

 

[HydroGuy]

We always go in August and have a great time. I also do commando but getting alittle bit slower and taking my time to look and appreciate everything. We started out with those "great deals", it was not worth the time it takes up to move around and get back and forth.
We do mid day naps and stay on site now. I can get much more in than I use to by not wasting my time going somewhere that is not Disney.
There are places right across the street you can get reasonable deals and have a 5 minute walk or less.

Jack

I and Jack think alike on this one. To me it is not worth it to save a few dollars on hotels and really put yourself behind the eightball on transportation to the parks and taking afternoon breaks.

Let me be totally clear on this - taking afternoon breaks at DLR is a whole different ballgame than WDW. Especially for high season like August, afternoon breaks can really enhance your visit. And especially if you stay within walking distance. The park hours, easy park hopping, visitor mix (way more locals at DLR on day trips) make afternoon breaks much more valuable.

IMO one of the mistakes some WDW vets make at DLR is they undervalue the walking distance hotels. WDW vets are so accustomed to buses and boats and trams and monorails that they do not grasp how awesome it is at DLR to be within 5 minutes of the park gates. There are literally some hotels at DLR where your hotel room door is closer to the park gates than some of the bus and boat drops are to the park gates at WDW.

OK, here are some more links that may help:

"Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

"HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862