Summer Trip thoughts and tips

[GatorChris]

I just returned from a business trip where I got to spend some time at DLR. And this is following spending a few days here two weeks ago when we were down for a wedding. Man, I love this AP! Anyway, I'm used to doing DL in the off-season, so here's what I learned from my summer trips.

• Coming here in summer helps me appreciate the off-season and cooler times. I won't be nearly as apt to complain about lines or crowds after a few summer days.
• Mornings are so much more important in summer than any other time. First, it's cooler. Second, the crowds are INSANE by 11am each day. Third, the crowds at 8:30am in summer are better than crowds at 10:30 (both 30 mins after opening) in November or Feb. When we arrived at 8:45 on a Monday at DL, we waited for about 2 trains on BTMRR, and then we walked over and walked on, literally walked onto Spalsh MT twice before any crowd showed up.
  
• Weekends are irrelevant. In fact, Sunday morning was noticeably less busy than a weekday. On a Sunday morning at 8:40, we waited for RSR in the main line for only 15 minutes. Maybe less. I guess Sundays are church days and the locals don't show until later. Even in LA!
• Gibson Girl ice cream is a great replacement for lunch or dinner on a super hot day.
• Those $15 mister-fans are worth every penny on a day with a high over 85. Every penny!!!
• Paint the Night - absolutely amazing, but watch the second show. Nothing is worth sitting in one spot for 2+hours in the blazing sun.
• The new World of Color was a lot of fun...in spite of NPH. That dude irritates! And when the sign says "Wet Zone", believe it. We got pretty wet, but not as wet as the people in the center. It's like the water jets were pointed at them. But it did feel good on a warm day...even on a cool night.
• Longer hours in the parks are better, but you better keep the trip short. After a few days, we're tired, the kids are cranky, and the ride home ain't so fun.
  
• The Tiki Room suddenly becomes tolerable when you realize it has A/C on 90 degree day at 3pm.
  
• A trip back to the pool is great, awesome even, when the days are very warm. We had a different attitude/latitude when we returned to the parks.

After all this, we got stuck near Santa Clarita in some giant fire. I can think of better ways to spend 2 hours.... And no, this didn't come from Disney fireworks that should've been cancelled.

I can safely say that after hitting DL in Feb, March, and twice in June, I'm ready for a 4 month wait until the next trip. That's the downside to the AP....there's a whole lot of supply that sorta decreases demand. Maybe in a month or two, I'll be ready to go at it again. But I'll wait until it's a little quieter and a lot cooler.

 

[chickapin parterre]

asking for your observation about sunday mornings...is it possible it suffers from -" it is going to be crowded, so no rush to be at the park, save our strength for Monday!!"

 

[KCmike]

Glad you had fun! Valuable info!

 

[minnie mum]

Add mister fan to packing list.√

 

[Tasscrapper]

GatorChris I could have written alot of what you just did but was afraid I would come across to negative. We went June 7-11 with an extra 3 days for me and two of the kids. Two of the days were actually 95 degrees and the humidity was horrible. I was so thankful for the cloud cover on some of the other days. There were a few extenuating circumstances this trip that made it hard for our family but the heat and the crowds really kind of killed some of the magic for me. I totally agree that it is key to get there early. 10:30 comes along and it's busy . . .11:00 gets there and it's uncomfortably busy when you add in the heat. Two days after getting home I cancelled our August trip and cried a little when I did. I wasn't sure if I was sadder about cancelling the trip or because I was willing to do so because of how hard the one we just finished was. We'll be back towards the end of October and hopefully the heat will be a little more bearable.

 

[GatorChris]

GatorChris I could have written alot of what you just did but was afraid I would come across to negative. We went June 7-11 with an extra 3 days for me and two of the kids. .

Yes! that's exactly when we were there but a bit shorter on length. That heat was oppressive like a government. Just sucked the joy out of the middle of the day.

 

[jeepnjudy]

Thank you for the tips... heading there in August as a side trip!

 

[brenda1966]

Shhhh...... don't tell anyone how magical and wonderful Sunday mornings are in Disneyland! Especially if you can get in for Early Entry. It's divine.

 

[J9001]

Good advice. Tiki room is a great resting and cool down place in the hot summertime... with a dole whip, no doubt!

 

[elaine amj]

I didn't think it could be so hot that it was oppressive. Part of the reason I chose DLR for a summer vacation is because I heard summer weather is so much better than WDW.

Oh well, if I can survive (and we managed fine) in WDW in August, I'm sure we can handle DLR

 

[Tasscrapper]

elaine amj I have been to Disneyland off and on for about 8 years now and never experienced anything like the first couple of days of this last trip. I think it was a bit of fluke weather but holy smokes it left an impression! I've been there in October with high 80's low 90's and managed just fine . . . if you can do WDW in August you are going to be fine! I actually had a mini mister fan on a carabiner instead of the full size ones and it was awesome too.

 

[Pixie Dust x3]

Thanks for the tips! We're going August 3rd and 4th since we'll be in the area for a water polo tournament, otherwise we would go when it's cooler. Two years ago we went in mid-July and it was definitely hot but we spent time in the Golden Horseshoe and a few other places to cool off. Coming from Sacramento I'm used to hot hot heat, but I don't like it.