So just how hot is it in the summer....

[global_mom]

Here is the story....we have been trying to visit Disneyland for the past 2 years and something always gets in the way. i have gotten great advice in this forum and we had thought we would go this coming March. Naturally, something came up that changed those plans. We then thought that we would go in May but ended up getting a Grand Villa at AKV at WDW to take the whole family. So again, no DL. We go to WDW several times a year and we are all dying to see DL.

To make up for the constant changing plans, DH says that we can go anytime this summer that I would like to choose, as long as airfare is reasonable and our budget works out.

So.....Just how hot is it in Anaheim in the summer???

We live in GA and our summers can reach 104 degrees. We dont want to be in a theme park if it is 104 degrees!!!! Is is that bad? Is it as hot as FLA?

Thanks for the help!

PS - what is the best time in the summer for crowd levels, we know to avoid July 4th and our kids go back to school by August 10th. Thanks again!

 

[iceprincess]

It rarely gets that hot here... but generally, the later in the summer, the hotter (Aug/Sept). Here, temps in the upper 80s are considered hot... 90s really, really hot, and it usually only goes over a hundred a couple of times a year unless we are having a really bad heat wave. Then again, it's dry heat, so you may want out of Georgia at that time anyways.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I would recommend the end of May, first part of June. Kids aren't out of school yet in California schools and the temperatures are still relatively mild.

 

[lulubelle]

The really important factor about our weather here is the low humidity. I have been to WDW in Florida three times. Once in March, April and October. It was so humid for us, we couldn't handle being outside for more than a few hours at a time. Anyway, I would recommend June as well. The weekdays are not too crowded and it should be lovely out - 70's to 80's. Weekends are packed no matter when you go, but still managable. Have a wonderful trip, planning is half the fun!

 

[audrabolster]

I live here and the later in the summer it gets, the hotter it is. There is no humidity, but the sun can be BRUTAL. make sure you really have a lot of sunscreen, and drink a lot of water.

 

[global_mom]

So it seems that the earlier in the summer, the better the weather?

If we had to wait and come the 2nd week in August would there be lower crowds (kids back in school?) that would make it worth braving the hotter weather?

 

[audrabolster]

I think that pretty much all summer until labor day is busy. I think a lot of people wait until the end of summer. I always think that a good way to gauge the crowds is to look on the website and see what the Annual Pass blackout dates are. Those will be the busiest times.

 

[Hound 109]

So it seems that the earlier in the summer, the better the weather?

If we had to wait and come the 2nd week in August would there be lower crowds (kids back in school?) that would make it worth braving the hotter weather?

Coming from Georgia, you'll love SoCal weather (all summer). Highs from 85-100, cooling down at night. BUT....VERY LOW humidity.

Your assumption on late Aug. - lower crowds doesn't apply. Schools in SoCal get out in mid June & are out till Labor Day. We went in early June with low (during the week) & moderate (Sunday) crowds.

A few things to consider:

- Castle is meant to be enjoyed from HUB. Don't expect to see much of it from entry.
- Read all of HydroGuy's tip threads on the sticky at the top of this page(HEY HE JUST POSTED....HIS TIPS CAN BE LINKED FROM HIS SIGNATURE IN HIS POST BELOW), but especially the DLR for WDW Vets thread. Essential reading.
- If you enjoy Deluxe or Moderate WDW resorts, you should stay at one of the 3 onsite DLR hotels.
- Know FP & EE very well. Know that you should "hop" every day.
- Know that you should avoid weekends & plan on at least a 3 night / 4 day stay.
- Know that you should plan on getting there at rope drop to max out on touring & to best avoid the crush of mid day "day trippers".

Have fun planning for Walt's park.

hound -

 

[HydroGuy]

Here is a thread that might help: "Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

1. Summers in Anaheim are way more tolerable than Orlando, as others have said.

2. The numerous hotels nearby - both onsite and offsite - makes taking afternoon breaks much easier and less time consuming than at WDW - and avoids mid-day heat while conserving energy for the fabulous evenings.

3. I grew up in Southern California and visit DLR in the summer regularly and IMHO the complaints one hears about heat at DLR are overstated. As noted in my link above, average high temperatures are in the mid-to-low 80's all summer. And early mornings and evenings are mid-60's to low-70's. No humidity to speak of and almost never any rain. If one will complain about that type of weather one will complain about anything.

I agree that the earlier in the summer you go, the less heat there is -as discussed in the link at the top. But even early August heat is very tolerable. Your best bet will be to go on Mondays-Thursdays. Since four days at DLR is about right for most people on a first trip, then I would highly recommend a Mon-Thurs trip.

 

[HydroGuy]

I think that pretty much all summer until labor day is busy. I think a lot of people wait until the end of summer. I always think that a good way to gauge the crowds is to look on the website and see what the Annual Pass blackout dates are. Those will be the busiest times.

Not necessarily. When APs get blocked out crowds usually drop for awhile. Having few APers around does balance the otherwise increasing summer crowds to a large degree.

 

[Disneygirl0259]

YEs, i have to agree with hydro, I am much more used to dry hot weather then humidity like in Orlando

 

[global_mom]

You guys rock!! I will spend the next few days reading thru the provided links.

What we know for sure is that we plan to stay at the GC and we plan to be in DL for a Sun.-Thurs. w/4 day hoppers. I had heard that the weekends should be avoided. We are then going back to LA b/c we will fly into LAX and spend 2 nights in LA to see the El Capitan, American Girl Store, Walk of Fame, etc. Planning to stay at the Beverly Hills Hotel or something similar.

Compared to summer weather in GA and FLA it seems that SoCal weather is more comfortable. It will be a huge break to get away from our humidity which makes the heat so much worse. i guess that i will look at most dates that avoid memorial day, July 4th and labor Day.

Are there any weeks that typcially host large groups like the cheerleaders that I have heard about in March?

The planning would actaully be easier if we were not so flexible with our dates!!

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

Too hot for us! LOL We go in early June to skip the heat. Even then, this past June was hotter then we like it. There is SOME humidity there. No where near what you would see in GA. Were from Nevada where it is DRY as a bone, so we can feel a difference while at DL.

I'm sure you'd do okay since you are used to the heat. But we prefer mild temps so early June works best for us.

 

[global_mom]

our May trip to WDW, would you recommend going to DL the last week of May even though that week would contain memorial Day? What about the week after memorial Day? We cant go to WDW for 7 days and then turn around 2 days later and go to DL for 7 days but I might be able to rearrange the WDW trip.

I am over-analyzing aren't I?!?!

 

[Hound 109]

You guys rock!! I will spend the next few days reading thru the provided links.

What we know for sure is that we plan to stay at the GC and we plan to be in DL for a Sun.-Thurs. w/4 day hoppers. I had heard that the weekends should be avoided. We are then going back to LA b/c we will fly into LAX and spend 2 nights in LA to see the El Capitan, American Girl Store, Walk of Fame, etc. Planning to stay at the Beverly Hills Hotel or something similar.

Compared to summer weather in GA and FLA it seems that SoCal weather is more comfortable. It will be a huge break to get away from our humidity which makes the heat so much worse. i guess that i will look at most dates that avoid memorial day, July 4th and labor Day.

Are there any weeks that typcially host large groups like the cheerleaders that I have heard about in March?

The planning would actaully be easier if we were not so flexible with our dates!!

Sounds like a great plan.

- This Texan can state that SoCal is far more comfortable than Orlando (or Texas or GA) in the summer.
- Yes avoid the holidays.
- You'll love the GCH. Think Wilderness Lodge w/ a GF luxury feel.....oh, with a private entrance to both DTD & the DCA park.
- Continue to monitor these boards & I'm sure if there are conventions planned it will be discussed here. But really, unlike Orlando, the weekends are when you see the spike in crowds.
- Staying at the GCH works great with the philosphy of:

- Go DL early & tour w/o crowds & pick up FPs for later.
- Hop into DCA & pick up some FPs, tour if you'd like, ride Griz Rapids.
- Stroll thru the private entrance into the GCH for an afternoon rest & swim.
- Back to DCA or DL in the late afternoon or evening (via either the short walk thru DTD or thru DCA) for all the glorious DLR evening events.

Also, Consider a "beach day" on your travel day to Beverly Hills. Either the Orange Co. beaches or Santa Monica beaches would make for a great 1/2 day diversion (& very different from Atlantic beaches).

Have fun at Walt's park.

 

[Hound 109]

our May trip to WDW, would you recommend going to DL the last week of May even though that week would contain memorial Day? What about the week after memorial Day? We cant go to WDW for 7 days and then turn around 2 days later and go to DL for 7 days but I might be able to rearrange the WDW trip.

I am over-analyzing aren't I?!?!

Man....you sure do analyze things alot....

(just kidding )....I'm not looking at a calender, & will let locals comment, but:

- I would avoid DLR on Fri - Mon of Memorial Day Weekend. The days before & the days after shouldn't be a problem.
- I think it would be a GREAT time to visit SoCal.
- I would think Tues - Fri after Memorial Day would be a nice weather & crowds for DLR. (or the Sun - Thurs before the holiday weekend).

 

[Albort]

hmm, well i dont think you should worry too much...

Disney's little plan seems to be backfiring on them...

 

[global_mom]

hmm, well i dont think you should worry too much...

Disney's little plan seems to be backfiring on them...

You lost me? Disney's Plan? I may just be having a weak brain morning!