The Good, The Bad & The Ugly - August

[seeking pixie dust]

Tell it to me straight - what's DL like in August. We're thinking of planning for 3 days at the DL parks and a day at Legoland. We'll probably stay offsite. My kiddos are 2, 5 and we just went to the World in December. I'd love anyone's advice/feedback as I've never been to DL. We're planning to stay offsite. Thanks.

 

[Mike_M]

Our last trip was the middle of August and the only thing was the heat. We were drinking a lot of water to keep hydrated and I even remember a couple kids from other groups that looked dehydrated and a one or two that got sick in line. Crowds were average for summer months and I can't really think of anything negative to report (Aside from the heat which really took me by surprise). Avoid soda, stick with water and it won't be an issue.

 

[Michelle2]

We went August 12-17 and found it not bad at all. Of course, I did hear from other people that CMs told them that it was much more slow than a typical summer.
In the afternoon and evenings it did tend to be more crowded, but it always seemed manageable. I have never ever gone when kids are off school, and it was the first time we tried any season other than SLOW season.
I can remember waits at faster loading rides like Buzz, Thunder Mountain being about 20 - 30 minutes mid day/evening.
More popular rides like Space Mountain I can remember it getting to 50 - 60 minutes throughout the day, I think even a few times throughout the week it may have gotten to 80 or 90. Soarin about 50-60 minutes, Toy Story Mania was about 45-60 minutes as well. These times are all afternoon waits, if you go earlier, or with fastpasses they would be less than that. That is mostly what we did for the more popular ones, so that is why I cannot remember much what their times were. I don't think we waited much more than 15 minutes for a ride. If it was too long, we just hit it earlier another day, or used fastpasses for it.

I can remember almost walking on to Pirates mid day....and was very surprised once on a Saturday having only about a 5 minute wait on Autopia and Astro Orbiter at about 10:30 am! That shocked me since the park had been open since 7 am.... so I don't know if it was luck, or not, but we had a great time!

 

[Escape2Disney]

We have been to DL 6 Augusts in a row. Though the crowds are a bit heavier, we have always had a great time. Here are a few things we've learned to do to deal with heat/crowds:

- We bought hydration packs. These were the best investment EVER!

- We booked at least one restaurant reservation a day. This was usually an early dinner. It allowed us to get out of the late afternoon sun and regroup. When the the kids were younger, they never seemed to know they were hungry until they were cranky! Early reservations solved that issue!

- We tried to stay out of DL from around 1-4. We'd either go back to the hotel for a rest or go to DCA. The crowds in DL seemed so much heavier during the afternoon, we opted to be elsewhere.

- FASTPASSES!! Before I became disabled (and routed through different lines), the fast pass was our best friend! I particularly liked that you don't have to go during the window on the ticket - just as long as you go after the start time.

Hope these tips help!

 

[seeking pixie dust]

Thanks for the tips everyone. We've been to Florida in August and September, so I think we can manage the heat. We'll bring lots of water. I'm really excited to check out DL...I think I may actually like it better.

 

[PinkBudgie]

We always go in the summer. Last summer it was for the last few days of July, so almost August. I might be odd but I kind of like the heat. Being out on a hot day reminds me of DLR.

As for crowds, I didn't find them horrible. It was worse on Jan. 2 this year. We'll see if the crowds are worse this year or not. Hard to tell. Of course, evenings are always more crowded.

 

[goofycathy]

You couldnt pay me enough money to go to DL in July or August, my parents used to tote my sister and I around when we were little in the summer months and all I can remember was being miserable! It wasnt until I was an adult and went during the off season that I realized how much I missed due to the heat and how much more I was able to enjoy myself without having to worry about the weather!

 

[mechurchlady]

With the use of guidebooks and online information plus fastpasses and getting to the parks early means you can get a lot done early in the day and then do other things in the evening like the parade and fireworks. I will be going in every month if I can because that is my home. It is doable but not like off season when you walk into an empty park and onto all of the rides with no line.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

Our first family trip (with DS5 and DD4) was in Aug '07. The crowds were definitely there, but I thought that they were manageable.

For Fantasyland, I would definitely take advantage of the Magic Morning early entry. The only downside to MM is that it starts so early. In the summer, DL's regular opening time is 8:00am, and MM starts at 7:00am. Since it's a good idea to be at the DL/DCA entrance area 30 minutes early, that means you would need to be at the entrance at 6:30am. DL's Fantasyland rides have no FastPass, and some of the longest lines in DLR will be for Peter Pan, Dumbo, Matterhorn, Alice in Wonderland, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, and Mad Tea Party. (But it's common to see these 6 attractions (and more?) during a Magic Morning.) Here are 2 excellent threads about Magic Mornings:

"Critique of MM/EE" by Hound 109
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1392671

"Magic Morning (Early Entry) Super Thread" by DLR29
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403

I hope that your off-site hotel is within walking distance to the DL/DCA entrance. Being able to walk to DL/DCA in 5 to 10 minutes is very convenient. The following thread is about walking-distance hotels/motels:

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

Unlike WDW, where the fireworks are almost never canceled, at DL the fireworks can be canceled due to winds aloft. For that reason, it's best to plan to see the fireworks on your first night, and not save them for your last night. Here's another HydroGuy thread about the fireworks:

"HydroGuy's Fireworks Rule"
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199851

During your trip you should see Fantasmic and the Electrical Parade (in DCA) on separate nights.

Your 5 y/o may like the Jedi Training Academy. Here's another good thread about JTA:

"Jedi Training Academy Tips" by Hound 109
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1478699

My DD4 loves getting autographs from characters. She was hooked the instant she saw another child getting autographs. It might be a good idea to buy an autograph book as soon as you can. Our books are filled with photos and they make a nice keepsake.

I recommend all of the threads in the HydroGuy Tips Compilation sticky (at the top of this forum), especially the FastPass threads.

Here are 2 more HydroGuy threads:

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

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets"
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

For touring information and getting ideas for itineraries, I highly recommend
www.ridemax.com. I think RideMax is a very good planning tool, and it costs $15 for 3 months ($25 for 1 year).

Is there any chance that you can stay in DLR a 4th day? I'm of the opinion that 4 days is better for a first trip.

This DISboard should be able to answer nearly all of your questions.

HTH

 

[Jennifer03]

I went to Disneyland in August in 2005 and it was cloudy and quite chilly that day. This is definitely not typical August weather in Anaheim, but it can happen.

 

[SeattleTink]

We went last August 22 - 29 and it was great.

I have been all times of the year and there are positives and negatives anytime you go.

August is great because it is warm and riding the water rides that time of year is fantasitic! The hours are long - so there is more time in the park. We also found that the last half of August is slightly less crowded since some kids are back in school in CA.

As long as you have a plan, anytime of year is managable! Read Hydroguy's tips, collect fast passes and enjoy the sun!

We are going again in August this summer.

 

[prncssmel]

We have gone in August several times because that is when my birthday is. It is crowded but totally manageable if you plan for it. Check out all the tip links posted above; use FP and baby switch. And take breaks in the afternoon.

The heat doesn't bother me; it is 100+ in Utah in August. We have been to FL in August and September. If you can do that, you will be fine in DL. DCA has a fun water play area for little kids, which is great in the summer.

 

[WannaBeAPrincess]

Thanks for the tips everyone. We've been to Florida in August and September, so I think we can manage the heat. We'll bring lots of water. I'm really excited to check out DL...I think I may actually like it better.

I was just going to say, if you can handle Florida in August, you can definitely do Southern California's summer.