Tell me about Disneyland end of August

[Frozen2014]

We're thinking of going to Disneyland the week leading up to labor day (2017).

Can you tell me about:

• weather
• crowds

Also, in general I know for Disney World there are advantages to staying onsite (early hours, earlier booking of fast pass). Are there advantages to staying onsite vs offsite?

 

[Indiana Scott]

Avgerage temps are in the upper 80's to low 90's (last year was especially hot but it was the exception) .

 

[Frozen2014]

Crowds?

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

During the day it should be pleasant crowd wise as most of the schools are back in session. You may see an uptick in guests in the afternoon as people get off of work-all passes are unblocked during the last week of August (check weekends).

Onsite-vs-offsite is a constant debate here. If you are going to be there at a real busy time with some weekend days thrown in, then onsite benefits are more in play for us to get in early. That being said, we rarely stay onsite as we do not really feel the costs justify it. We can stay across the street for two trips versus the costs of staying onsite for one and we are relatively close enough (400 miles) that we do make multiple trips per year. But we have already checked off the bucket list for each resort, so that may play more into a decision for others as well.

 

[Frozen2014]

Good to know that the bulk of the day should be ok in terms of crowds. Thanks.

I guess without fast pass that onsite vs offsite isn't as "critical" at Disneyland. For us, main upside was being able to book FP early. Also at DW, our hotel was Disney themed so it was adorable and we loved having the whole experience. At Disneyland, it's not so much, right? If there is a hotel across the street in walking distance, then this should be good. We would most likely rent a car anyways if we are travelling elsewhere.

Another important question for end of August....are Haunted Mansion and Splash Mountain generally open at that time (i.e. not in refurbishment)? Those are our favorites amount our family members. I know hat they do a special Halloween version of HM so I fear that one may not be open.

 

[figment_jii]

Another important question for end of August....are Haunted Mansion and Splash Mountain generally open at that time (i.e. not in refurbishment)? Those are our favorites amount our family members. I know hat they do a special Halloween version of HM so I fear that one may not be open.

Haunted Mansion usually closes in late August to have the Nightmare Before Christmas Overlay installed. It takes about 18-days to install, so it depends on when HalloweenTime is slated to start (they often won't announce this until mid-summer). The current guessing is either September 9 or 16 in 2016, which means Haunted Mansion will likely close either August 22 or 29, respectively. Splash Mountain does not have an overlay that is regularly installed, so it's hard to say if it'll be open or not (I'd guess yes, but things can close without notice and refurbishments do not necessarily follow a set pattern).

 

[Disney Lvr of Old]

Splash is usually still open at the end of August due to the heat. HM goes down usually the last week of August; I'm going 3rd week of August this year purposely so I didn't miss HM. Check out the Halloween super thread - that should help answer the closure question on HM. I already asked about last year and HM was closed from 8/24-9/10.

Not sure if I copied this properly!- http://www.disboards.com/posts/55575555/

 

[mgd]

I have been there several times in mid-late Aug, usually very hot but manageable crowds, the later in Aug the better. Early Sept (outside labor day) is often even quieter and hotel rates lowest, but a few rides usually down.

 

[SMD]

Labor Day weekend is a race weekend. Beginning on Thursday the crowds will increase dramatically, and the race expo is at DLH. It frequently tops 100 degrees for part of the day in early September, I would expect that to continue this year. You may also want to check when the lower level AP blocks end this year, as those tend to bring crowds as well.

 

[BriannaRuth]

We frequently go that week (last week of August) because my kids are still out of school but CA schools are back in. Crowds are not bad. It is hot but nothing like DW hot that same time of year because DL doesn't have the humidity that DW has.

The DL hotel is very Disney-themed. The PPH is not. The GCH doesn't scream Disney like DLH but is themed. We've stayed at AK in DW and it reminded me a little of that, without the animals. Other than theming, the DLH does have a fun pool if you have kids. GCH pool is also very nice but doesn't have the big kids slide area that the DLH has. The DLH also has Trader Sam's, which is it's own benefit.

The pools at the good neighbor hotels are pretty mundane, with the possible exception of the Hojo for younger kids (although it's been awhile since I've been there.)

We usually pay the $$ to stay onsite but this year are staying at the Sheraton.

 

[offwithyourhead]

It's hot, I got heat stroke my first trip. Local schools may be back in, but schools elsewhere may not be. Schools in some other places start the first week of September. It was fairly busy.

 

[Frozen2014]

Splash is usually still open at the end of August due to the heat. HM goes down usually the last week of August; I'm going 3rd week of August this year purposely so I didn't miss HM. Check out the Halloween super thread - that should help answer the closure question on HM. I already asked about last year and HM was closed from 8/24-9/10.

Not sure if I copied this properly!- http://www.disboards.com/posts/55575555/

Oh no...so most likely we would miss HM. It's my DD and my favorite at Disney Works and I would love to compare the two.

Sounds like it's still incredibly hot...but better than DW without humidity and rain.

 

[Disney Lvr of Old]

Oh no...so most likely we would miss HM. It's my DD and my favorite at Disney Works and I would love to compare the two.

Sounds like it's still incredibly hot...but better than DW without humidity and rain.

The dates aren't set in stone- I think it will depend on when Halloween season starts this year. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

 

[Frozen2014]

The dates aren't set in stone- I think it will depend on when Halloween season starts this year. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

Thanks. I would even start our vacation earlier if it meant we could catch at least one day of HM being opened. I'll have to do a search to check out the historical dates.

 

[figment_jii]

These are from my notes about previous years:
First Day Closed: Mon, 08/30/10; Start of HalloweenTime: Fri, 09/17/10 (Labor Day: 09/06/10)
First Day Closed: Mon, 08/29/11; Start of HalloweenTime: Fri, 09/16/11 (Labor Day: 09/05/11)
First Day Closed: Mon, 08/27/12; Start of HalloweenTime: Fri, 09/14/12 (Labor Day: 09/03/12)
First Day Closed: Mon, 08/26/13; Start of HalloweenTime: Fri, 09/13/13 (Labor Day: 09/02/13)
First Day Closed: Mon, 08/25/14; Start of HalloweenTime: Fri, 09/12/14 (Labor Day: 09/01/14)
First Day Closed: Mon, 08/24/15; Start of HalloweenTime: Fri, 09/11/15 (Labor Day: 09/05/15)

The start of HalloweenTime has been creeping earlier and earlier each year, which makes sense given its popularity. The general rule of thumb is that HalloweenTime typically starts somewhere within two weeks after Labor Day. Labor Day is Monday, September 5 this year, so if they follow the same schedule from 2015, it would mean HalloweenTime would likely start on 09/09/16. If they go back to the schedules from earlier years, HalloweenTime would likely start about 2 weeks after Labor Day, which would be closer to 09/16/16.

 

[SMD]

They could open HMH before the official start of Halloween time. IASWH has always opened before the official start of the holidays. We really don't know what "Halloween" will entail this year. For example, if there's no SMGG overlay, there's no reason to delay HMH because SM can't go down until after Labor Day.

 

[figment_jii]

Have they officially opened HMH prior to start of HallowenTime very often? It seems like for the last several years, HMH (and SMGG) have officially opened at the start of HalloweenTime.

 

[SMD]

Have they officially opened HMH prior to start of HallowenTime very often? It seems like for the last several years, HMH (and SMGG) have officially opened at the start of HalloweenTime.

I just don't see them delaying closing HM to put up the overlay if they decide to officially start Halloween on the 16th instead of the 9th. And if there's no carnival and no SMGG then why wait to reopen the ride? The decorations would be partially up, like they do with IASW.

 

[figment_jii]

I generally agree with you that starting HalloweenTime on 9/9 seems more likely than 9/16, but until last year, HalloweenTime tended to start the second Friday after Labor Day. So while it does seem more likely that HalloweenTime will start on 9/9 this year, it's within the realm of possibility that they'll push back the start date back to 9/16. It seems like the closure of Haunted Mansion in August is a balancing act between waiting until the majority of the summer season is over, and wanting to start HalloweenTime as early as possible.

 

[SMD]

See, my thinking is that they'll take down HM around 8/24-25 so that it will be back up sooner after Labor Day and have less impact on the other rides that will go down once the 60th ends.