Summer Crowds???

[IBLarsen]

I just read an article on Micechat saying how the summer crowds have seemed fairly low. From all of you who have been recently, how has it seemed to you? How have wait times been?
Considering a fairly last minute trip the 2nd week of August. (Although I might feel cheated of my year long planning session/obsession that is the norm

 

[jollyball]

We were there last weekend and for part of Monday. Saturday and Sunday weren't very busy, but Monday was a lot more crowded.

 

[Mysteryincorp]

It's really been up and down this summer. We had one day in June before APs blocked out that was horrible. One day in late June that was amazing. Yesterday was super crowded but today looks pretty good! How's that for helpful! Lol!

Most Schools around here go back in late August, I would go as late in August as possible

 

[Totoro]

We experienced a good and bad days from June 26-30. As we moved closer to July 4th, the crowds seemed to get heavier. Particularly on Thursday, Disneyland didn't have Pirates and Thunder Mountain open at the start of the day and we found that we didn't get an opportunity to ride many rides that day.

 

[disneyfirsttimer18]

I've been checking the Disneyland app at different times and different days and the wait times listed make it seem up and down. It does give me a little hope that we will be able to ride rides without standing in line for an hour or more, in 2 weeks.

Yesterday, around 2:30 pm, they still had RSR fastpasses(9:00-10:00pm return) and Peter Pan had a 35 minute wait.

 

[stacy~**]

We were there June 30-July 6 and were very pleasantly surprised at how manageable the crowds were. Also FPs were readily available throughout the day.

 

[Angie 2016]

Busy but lighter than expected in late June midweek.

 

[clb79]

We got to the parks yesterday for our 1st Day at 3:45pm (Sun 7/17 Disneylands Birthday) expecting the worst. Only had 4 cars ahead at M&F booth and then got directed to Chip & Dale (ground level of the structure closest to tram). Had about 5 people in front of us at the DL gate (and that was the one closest to bag check). Walked through the tunnel right into the start of the 4:30pm Soundsational Parade and had curbside seating right in front of Lincoln. We did Pirates, BTMR, Pooh, HM, Jungle Cruise and BLAB by 7:45pm.

We walked over to ISAM and camped right behind the Alladin Oasis preferred viewing area at the start of the parade route and waited for about 30min for Paint the Night and Fireworks (both great views).

After we split up and did Astrojets with the younger kids while my wife and oldest son rode the Matterhorn we both got done at the same time (30min total) rode Star Tours on FPs we got while at BLAB earlier. Then we walked on AUTOPIA (5min) Nemo (5min) and then the kids got to be the last ones on the ASTROJET as the park closed.

We were shocked that we got that much done and it didn't feel as crowded as we expected or saw on our precious trip (way back during Halloween in 2009)

 

[Frozen2014]

It's really been up and down this summer. We had one day in June before APs blocked out that was horrible. One day in late June that was amazing. Yesterday was super crowded but today looks pretty good! How's that for helpful! Lol!

Most Schools around here go back in late August, I would go as late in August as possible

This is what is confusing, since as of Aug 22nd the AP blockout is lifted. So won't crowds be back up?

 

[IBLarsen]

Most of the schools across the country go back to school late August. (We are back Aug 22 in Texas) So I'm thinking crowds will be way down after that. Weekends will likely get busy with local AP's being unblocked. I remember taking the kids out of school late September to go and crowds were great! Getting to the age we can't do that easily

 

[quantumottle]

Agreed, crowds seem inconsistent, a low day followed by a busy day, but overall lower than expected.

 

[Mysteryincorp]

This is what is confusing, since as of Aug 22nd the AP blockout is lifted. So won't crowds be back up?

Yes, I think you're right. I think you will see a slight increase in the crowds the third week of August. I would probably skip that week.

If I had to choose I would pick the very last week of August, I would say by then the majority of schools here are back in session.
My second choice would be The first two weeks of August. I would anticipate the general summer crowds and would plan to go tues, Wednesday or Thursday. Monday and Friday seem to be the highest crowd levels.

 

[kwdw]

I was surprised that it was not as crowded as we expected on July 9, 13, and 14. Sure - there were people there - but we got in a lot of activities without bad waits. Great view of PTN on the 13th just second row back - only 30 minutes before the parade!

 

[GatorChris]

I just checked the DL app at 4:15 and sure doesn't seem very slow. SpaceMt and SplashMt both at 90, Indy at 60, Big Thunder and Matterhorn at 45. Are times worse than this in the summer? I was there last June a few days and it was tolerable in the mornings and crazy by noon. But I would say that times were close to what's posted today.

 

[Frozen2014]

We were originally looking at the last week in August, but really want to catch Haunted Mansion before it shuts down for the Halloween overlay. So now looking at 2 weeks before it.

P.s. -sorry OP as I didn't mean to hijack your thread.

 

[IBLarsen]

We were originally looking at the last week in August, but really want to catch Haunted Mansion before it shuts down for the Halloween overlay. So now looking at 2 weeks before it.

P.s. -sorry OP as I didn't mean to hijack your thread.

No problem on hijacking! All on the same topic of crowds, all good here

 

[Disney Lvr of Old]

When I checked hours for August you can tell they are expecting more crowds when AP's are unblocked. We are going 8/16-8/24. First week DL is open until 11pm and second week is open until 12am. They added an hour at the end to DCA as well.

 

[Frozen2014]

No problem on hijacking! All on the same topic of crowds, all good here

Thanks. Let us know what you decide (and when you go, how you found the crowds).
Can totally relate to your original post in liking the year long obsession and the planning and anticipation. We're looking at next August...lol

 

[Mysteryincorp]

I just checked the DL app at 4:15 and sure doesn't seem very slow. SpaceMt and SplashMt both at 90, Indy at 60, Big Thunder and Matterhorn at 45. Are times worse than this in the summer? I was there last June a few days and it was tolerable in the mornings and crazy by noon. But I would say that times were close to what's posted today.

Yesterday was awful. It was hot and crowded and people were super inconsiderate. But it was a Monday and Monday's and Friday's are usually the worst of the week. DCA was super crowded , even the lame Zephyr ride had a line!! I would have called yesterday a 9/10. I bet the rest of week slows down as temperatures are going to be scorching this week.

But on a good note, we got a curb spot for PTN about 45 minutes before parade started, right by the train station so we were able to scoot out very quickly after the parade.

 

[mich311e]

Yesterday was awful. It was hot and crowded and people were super inconsiderate. But it was a Monday and Monday's and Friday's are usually the worst of the week. DCA was super crowded , even the lame Zephyr ride had a line!! I would have called yesterday a 9/10. I bet the rest of week slows down as temperatures are going to be scorching this week.

But on a good note, we got a curb spot for PTN about 45 minutes before parade started, right by the train station so we were able to scoot out very quickly after the parade.

Ugh bummer to hear about the crowds!

We don't normally go to DL in the summer but I think we're going to go 7/31 - 8/2. I figured Monday would be crowded, it usually is, but yikes! I'll have to report back to this thread!