What would you do?- WDW or DL

tiggertabi

Mouseketeer
Joined
Feb 20, 2008
Messages
301
So my 40th birthday is this summer (August) and my husband and I were planning to go to Disneyland and San Diego for the occasion. However, now that SWGE is opening there at the end of the May, I have been so nervous about crowds around August 5-8 that we talked about switching to a WDW trip. Yet, when I looked at pricing there are NO deals with now for rooms in August (pre Star Wars).

So, I guess Dis experts:
1) do you think Disneyland is just going to be miserable to deal with in August
2) do you think WDW is going to offer any more discounts for pre-SWGE travel?

What would you do?
 
What are your plans for San Diego? Did you want to do DL and DCA Parks? Are the 5th and 8th travel days? Where are you traveling from?
 
There are folks who were able to move up their WDW vacations to avoid the SWGE madness, so I'm doubtful there would be more discounts for pre-SWGE stays. And even if I'm wrong there, I have a feeling they would be snatched up by folks who are currently still looking for the same.

I think the heat and humidity of WDW in August is also something to consider, especially compared to DL.
 

What are your plans for San Diego? Did you want to do DL and DCA Parks? Are the 5th and 8th travel days? Where are you traveling from?

Original plan was to do a few days in SD and then drive up and do 2-3 days at Disneyland (both parks.) A week in total (we're coming from Maryland, DC area so flight is a long one.)

I think WDW would be more like 4-5 days total because a) we go every couple of years so we've been recently b) no kids so a little less packed
 
San Diego zoo is a must.
Disneyland is Disney’s best park by a mile. Not debatable.. so anytime we are in Cali. DLR for 4 days is a must! I would not hesitate one second and go to DL
Also if you can go to El Porto beach just above Manhattan beach.
 
I would stick with San Diego/DL. SWGE will hopefully suck up all of the people if you do rope drop for both. Plus, it’s a new place that you haven’t been yet.
 
I’m from MarylandDC area too, not important but just figured I’d throw that out there. Anyway I heard that with SWGE they’re going to give people staying on site at DL an “appointment” time to visit the land where a specific amount of time is allotted to visit the area, so you enter and exit at a specific time. They’re hoping this will cut down on crowding but it will no doubt still be super crowded. Just do what you think will work best for you.
 
I would stick with DL as well. We went two summers ago in mid July and it was a blast! I didn’t think the crowds were nearly as bad as summer WDW crowds at all and the weather was amazing! We were also there not long after Guardians of the Galaxy opened - not quite 2 months after and only a few weeks after Maxpass started and I was worried about both of those but we had no issues at all. We were able to get a fast pass as soon as we got in the park for Guardians and Maxpass worked great- I loved it so much better than WDW’s system!

We also did LA and San Diego over a week. Did some tourist stuff in LA, went down to San Diego and came back and went to DL and CA for a day each. I really wish we had had a third day though. We were SO rushed, especially at DL that I think you need 3 days min.

I wouldn’t say that DL is hands down the best park though. I actually enjoyed CA more. There are a few things at DL that I liked better but overall I think I still like MK better.
 
I grew up in Anaheim, so I definitely feel like DL is home for me, and I love it! It's so much further, we only get there once a decade I feel . :) I was just going to deal with it, but I was just worried that the crowds would be overwhelmingly full. It sounds like, by the time we would go, they will not be doing the reserved entry either, which might be good, but might mean that more people will be showing up? I think we might just chance it!
 
I would pick whatever appeals to you most. I prefer WDW to DL hands down, so I would go to FL.
 












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