What to expect for a day-trip in August?

[megankj]

I'm in my early 30s living on the east coast, and used to go to Disneyland regularly as a kid since my grandparents lived in San Diego, but haven't gone as regularly since I was about 13. I've had a few trips to WDW, and did take a day-trip to Disneyland with a friend when we were in LA for a conference a couple years ago- but things change quickly in the world (and land ;-)) of Disney, so I thought I'd check back in.

I'm headed out to SoCal to visit my brother in August, and bringing a friend because he's never been to the West coast. We're spending most of our time in San Diego, but want to take a quick jaunt up to Disneyland. Right now I'm thinking the plan is just one day, focused on the original park- but we'd drive up the night before and stay till the next morning, so we can give my brother a break from house guests, and so we're not totally exhausted and can make the most of our theme park day. I'm looking at Wednesday, August 15th, which should dodge the Magic Mornings people.

I think my general plan (I'm a type-A person working on living more in the moment, and my friend is more laid-back) is to hit the ground running first thing and hit all the ride highlights by early afternoon. Then we could slow down and even take a break (I'm thinking we should check out a bar in the Grand Californian, and Trader Sam's) for happy hour/early dinner, and then come back mostly for nighttime entertainment and anything we missed. When I say ride highlights, I'm thinking: Space Mountain, Star Tours, Buzz Lightyear, Matterhorn, Peter Pan, Splash Mountain, BTMRR, Indy, Jungle Cruise, Pirates, Haunted Mansion. And maybe the teacups, lol. I might be forgetting something, but I think if we hit those, I'm good- and everything else is gravy.

Does that seem like a do-able general plan? What hours should we expect on a Wednesday in August? What about nighttime entertainment offerings- any chance we get all three (fireworks, Fantasmic, and a parade)? And what does Fastpass look like now- have they made any changes yet?

Thanks for any thoughts you have! I'm basically looking for the best way to handle the "musts" but still have time to relax so my friend doesn't kill me ;-). I do much better with planned spontaneity/relaxation.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

A lot will depend on when the Rivers of America re-open (along with the RR and Fantasmic!), and it's also unclear when Disney will roll out the Maxpass digital FP paid option - which will also impact more rides having FP. So, the timing on both of those may affect your trip considerably depending when they happen.

That's an ambitious list of rides if you're also hoping to hit parade AND nighttime shows AND take a break for Trader Sam's. I'll let someone better versed in the thrill ride strategy speak to that plan since I've been limited by my three-year-old for the past... Well, three years. If you're staying from before rope drop until midnight, you can probably hit a lot at the beginning and end of the day, but I'm not sure how realistic that all is.

There should be fireworks (weather permitting, I'd expect Soundsational to be running as the daytime parade since it comes back soon, and hopefully Fantasmic! is back by then.

 

[megankj]

When I say parade, I only mean if there's a nighttime one (I don't think the main street electrical parade will still be running- but if something replaces it?). I don't think either of us really cares about a daytime one unless we stumble upon it. And for any entertainment, I don't think we'll care about lining up too terribly early for a good spot- as long as we can see most of it.

Yeah, it's crazy to be only 5 months out and not know about Maxpass or the Rivers of America rehab! I guess that's why I want to be prepared, so I can figure out the best way to handle anything like that ahead of time, and then feel carefree in the moment, lol.

 

[Nevada Jen]

I'd look at the wait and return times on the app this Wednesday and see if that looks doable. This Wednesday probably the closest you will get to the same crowd situation before your trip. I tend to think you are going to have forgo Peter pan to make it work. I would enter at rope drop. Grab space fastpass. Ride Indy and maybe pirates of your time isn't up yet. Pull star tours fp. Ride space. Ride buzz. Ride star tours. Pull big thunder fp. Ride jungle criuse and haunted mansion. Ride big thunder. Take break. Come back and ride Matterhorn and do evening entertainment. During peter pan in there throws the whole thing off I think.

 

[SMD]

I'd look at the wait and return times on the app this Wednesday and see if that looks doable. This Wednesday probably the closest you will get to the same crowd situation before your trip. I tend to think you are going to have forgo Peter pan to make it work. I would enter at rope drop. Grab space fastpass. Ride Indy and maybe pirates of your time isn't up yet. Pull star tours fp. Ride space. Ride buzz. Ride star tours. Pull big thunder fp. Ride jungle criuse and haunted mansion. Ride big thunder. Take break. Come back and ride Matterhorn and do evening entertainment. During peter pan in there throws the whole thing off I think.

Their trip is in August. There are a lot of Wednesday between next week and August that will be much more crowded and similar to late summer crowds.

OP, August 15th is a Tuesday, not the Tuesdays and Wednesdays are that different. As for what to expect, heat and crowds. We don't know if there will be a night parade after MSEP closes, and as PP said, we don't know for sure if Fantasmic will be running by then. If you want nighttime entertainment, consider driving up a little bit earlier the night before and buying a 2 day ticket to add a half day to DCA so you can see WOC.

 

[megankj]

Yes sorry. it was as a typo. I meant Wed the 16th.

 

[Nevada Jen]

Fwiw the reason I said this Wednesday is that it is the last Wednesday before spring breaks start in earnest and it doesn't seem to die down until mid august after that. I think by August 15 you will have missed the bulk of summer crowds.

 

[megankj]

Fwiw the reason I said this Wednesday is that it is the last Wednesday before spring breaks start in earnest and it doesn't seem to die down until mid august after that. I think by August 15 you will have missed the bulk of summer crowds.

Thanks, that makes sense. With any luck we might hit that sweet spot where crowds have started to abate at least a little bit, but we still have mid-week fireworks, etc. I'm prepared for crowds- but hopefully the kind we can manage by arriving early/staying late and using whatever versions of Fastpass and single rider lines are offered!