What would Aug. 17-20 be like?

[disneyfanzz]

We have been to Disneyland many times, but we always go during the off season. We are thinking of going this year August 17-20. Will we hate it? How crowded is it? I really want to go but not if I only get to ride 5 rides in a day.

 

[teatime]

We are going from the 9th thru the 26th. Im praying most kids are back in school !

 

[Mugglemama]

we went at that time summer before last. it was very crowded, but we used RideMax and followed it to the letter and got on everything we wanted to, multiple times.

personally, i wouldn't do august without RideMax, but that's just me.

 

[teatime]

 

[teatime]

I do a half a park a day, ride what all rides there is in fantasy land first thing in the morning, ( sending DD to get fast passes for space) when we have seen this part of the park and have done all there is to do, we head over to our motel and eat, and then swim, get some down time, then head over to DCA for the next 4 hours. ( half of the park there ) head back over to disneyland for fantasmic and fire works the first night, and every day there after head for the rides while others are enjoying the fire works and fantasmic. we leave by 10:00 pm and hit the sack for the next day. it works out well for us and we get to do everything. next day the other half of the park
Weekends we start our day in DCA and get the big rides done early, then see shows and enjoy the sites and sounds and people watch.

 

[disneyfanzz]

I have never heard of Ridemax, but I have used Tour Guide Mike at Disney World. Is it like that?

 

[Mugglemama]

I have never heard of Ridemax, but I have used Tour Guide Mike at Disney World. Is it like that?

RideMax is a computer program that spits out an itinerary for you, with rides and attractions that you choose, so that you can find the shortest wait times for the date(s) you are visiting the parks. it's VERY cool, and worked EXTREMELY well when we used it.

go to their website and check it out. it's like $15 for a 3 month subscription, and during that time you can design as many itineraries as you want.

when we used it, i printed it and put the pages in those vinyl page protector sheets, and just carried it around the parks with me, rolled up or thrown into the back of the stroller. the page protectors keep the ink from running if water somehow gets on your itinerary (which, during august, is pretty likely - for some reason it seems there's always water dripping or splashing from somewhere, whether you're on a ride or not.

 

[DianneMcLean]

It's very hot in August, I would wait a few weeks and go around the 13th of September - you don't even need fastpasses, no schools are out of session, not even colleges. The only families who are there are homeschoolers (they have a conference Sep 14-17) It might get a little more crowded at night from the locals who do date night, but do other things at night and you will be fine.

 

[disneyfanzz]

I know the heat can be bad. We went last year the last week of September and the crowds were not bad. The only problem this year is that my oldest son is starting middle school and I don't want to pull him out of a new school/new situation during the first month.

 

[blackjackdelta]

We have been to Disneyland many times, but we always go during the off season. We are thinking of going this year August 17-20. Will we hate it? How crowded is it? I really want to go but not if I only get to ride 5 rides in a day.

If that is all the rides you want to do......We always go at this time of the year and love it. It is, busy and you need a plan. Do things early, take mid day breaks, stay late. Be in shape!!!Stay hydrated. Use the fatpass system and stay away from the lemmings. This is the only time of the year we can get away, so we try and make the best of it.

Jack

 

[Mugglemama]

It's very hot in August, I would wait a few weeks and go around the 13th of September - .

idk...we went last year on sept. 29th and 30th, and it was low 90's both days!! we'd gone the 3rd week of august the year before and honestly, it didn't feel any cooler to me last september.

 

[Mike_M]

We were there during those dates back in 2007 and it was really hot (So hot that we were drinking nothing but water the whole trip just to keep hydrated). I will say this though. Besides the weather, the rest of the trip was perfect. The crouds / lines weren't too bad and there weren't any negative experiences that I remember. If you don't mind the heat, I think it will be fine.

 

[disneyfanzz]

Thank you everyone for your comments. You've made me think that I can handle this. I can deal with heat. I am a planning freak. We will be to the parks early and use fast pass. I think I am ready for the challenge. Disneyland here we come.

 

[disneydreamer74]

We were there during those dates back in 2007 and it was really hot (So hot that we were drinking nothing but water the whole trip just to keep hydrated). I will say this though. Besides the weather, the rest of the trip was perfect. The crouds / lines weren't too bad and there weren't any negative experiences that I remember. If you don't mind the heat, I think it will be fine.

I agree with Mike M, We were there for 3 days last Aug. 18-21. I was surprised that the crowds were not worse. I talked to a local woman and she said a lot of the kids were in school. Mornings were least crowded, then around noon it got much busier, at that time we went back to the hotel for a dip in the pool b/c it was really warm. Then at about 4 p.m. we went back to the parks and it was still somewhat crowded, but by time the fireworks were done, it really thinned out. Since during that time DL is open until midnight, we took full advantage of it. LInes were very short from 10 p.m. until midnight. It was a great experience. Hope you have fun