Thoughts on a trip in the August 19th-29th Period- Have never done summer!

[DnA2010]

We are pondering a trip sometime in the period of August 19th-29th- probably 3 park days sort of thing- if you were going to book during that period, which days would you pick? We've never visited the parks in the summer! Would love to read some thoughts on this period

 

[sleepymouse]

I would go as late in August as possible. It will be hot, but crowds should drop. I love going at that time of year.

 

[starlite_]

August is the best month imo. We did early August last year and it was a perfect trip (super hot one of the days, in case that affects your planning).

 

[RunnerMom71]

We have done our trip the last week of August numerous times. We love it because most schools are back in session & the crowds during the week can be much more reasonable. The only two downsides for us are:
1) Haunted Mansion is *always* down for re-theming to Nightmare Before Christmas (and I love both rides)
2) One year there were wildfires and the smoke was pretty bad: I was allergic to whatever was burning so that wasn't fun

When it gets hot in the afternoons we just head to the pools: but the last time we were at the parks - August 2021 - the pools were JAMMED PACKED at the Grand California. And that was when the parks were pretty calm- prior to Dream Keys being sold (that was a glorious trip - longest line 15 min).

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I would go as late in August as possible. It will be hot, but crowds should drop. I love going at that time of year.

Not too late or you end up in the Labor Day weekend (9/1 to 9/4).

 

[MikeRx]

FWIW, Labor Day weekend 2022 was 110 in the parks, yes 110 for real, even this family who’s lived in PHX for 23 years was spent by 12p and needed a break. August can be hot, but if you pace your day and take a break it can still be awesome. Crowds in late Aug have to be better than Labor Day, many schools in the west go back in early Aug.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

FWIW, Labor Day weekend 2022 was 110 in the parks, yes 110 for real, even this family who’s lived in PHX for 23 years was spent by 12p and needed a break. August can be hot, but if you pace your day and take a break it can still be awesome. Crowds in late Aug have to be better than Labor Day, many schools in the west go back in early Aug.

I was there. The heat was truly relentless. It sort of felt unsafe. We ended up leaving around noon as well.

That was unusual heat for us, though. We almost never get that hot here. But 90-100 is common for late summer/early fall.

 

[DnA2010]

I was there. The heat was truly relentless. It sort of felt unsafe. We ended up leaving around noon as well.

That was unusual heat for us, though. We almost never get that hot here. But 90-100 is common for late summer/early fall.

We were actually there for some of the heat wave in 2022 and were ok, as we had the Grand pool (won't have that on this trip) but were sad that there were almost no characters out, no monorail etc. We do get heat waves in the area of Canada where we live (crazy I know) so heat isn't really a bother.

 

[longboard55]

People complain about summer crowds, but the best thing is everything is usually open.

 

[YodaRulz]

We did August 19th-21st last year and it was amazing!!
Very low crowds and we were fortunate that it wasn't too hot. We stayed onsite at GCH and ate breakfast waiting in security line, did early entry at DL each morning and we were able to ride all the Fantasyland rides, pirates, indiana jones, jungle cruise, and thunder railroad by 10am. As someone mentioned before Haunted Mansion was closed for the holiday overlay this time of year.

We took a break and then did GE and Tomorrowland then headed back to GCH pool to relax and book our Genie+ for later. About 6pm we hit up DCA until closer to close then back to DL for the rest of the night and road everything we missed and then re-road the ones from the morning.

 

[StormyCA]

It's hot! Stay onsite if you can and plan pool breaks or just 'cool down' time in the room during peak heat. I rarely take breaks during the day, but I do in the hot months.

I'd try to aim for the time before HM goes down for overlay and after or close to school starting, if possible.

 

[mouschievous]

We did our first summer trip in July 2022. The pros are that you have longer hours and high staffing. Yes, it can get hot and crowded, but we took a mid-day break to get out of the heat and away from the people, which helped a lot. In that case, I would plan to stay someplace close so that you could easily take a break out of the parks.

 

[DnA2010]

Thanks everyone! We were there this past Sept at the beginning of the month when it was super hot and did fine, although we were staying at the Grand, and this trip def won't be unfortunately, but we would book something close.

 

[justinliew]

We did August, and found that taking a big break in the middle of the day helped. We were in an AirBnB so we walked back there, had a dip in the pool, made a cool lunch, and then had a nap, going back around 3-4 for the evening.