Which Day Would Be Best/Worst? (What would you choose?)

[Princess351]

I have the opportunity to go to the parks on either Aug 10th & 11th (Sat & Sun), OR on Aug. 18th & 19th (Sun & Mon.) Both of these choices include an 'iffy' circumstance as the first option includes the CHOC walk, and the second includes the day the APs are unblocked. Given the choice, which option would you choose?

 

[mauihawaii12]

We were choosing between both weekends and chose the 10th and 11th. Rooms were cheaper. BUT if Monday is an option I would always choose that so I would go with the 18th and 19th.

 

[twodogs]

Reports here have been Mondays have been very busy lately, more than the weekends even. So something to consider. I personally would go when the APs are still blocked. I think the AP block out calendar makes the most impact of almost anything (other than a national holiday, last day of a multi-day So Cal ticket promo or pouring rain) on the crowds. So I would go with the earlier dates.

 

[mauihawaii12]

Reports here have been Mondays have been very busy lately, more than the weekends even. So something to consider. I personally would go when the APs are still blocked. I think the AP block out calendar makes the most impact of almost anything (other than a national holiday, last day of a multi-day So Cal ticket promo or pouring rain) on the crowds. So I would go with the earlier dates.

Schools are still out though they will be back in session the week before that.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Schools are still out though they will be back in session the week before that.

Not all school districts go back in August in Southern California. And for schools that affect DLR crowds, we're talking about Southern CA, Northern CA, OR, WA, AZ, NV, and UT. That's a LOT of districts. And Southern CA school calendars include traditional, year round, and home schooling. And don't forget the college students -- there are several colleges and universities near DLR, and some of those students don't go back until Sept. or later. All this to say: there will still be quite a few students who won't be back in school that early in August, so don't make plans on low/er crowds based on that assumption. And if those students have passes, they can still hit the parks after school gets out. I agree with the pp that the AP blockout calendar will have a bigger impact on crowds.

 

[NorthernCalMom]

Another vote for 10/11 here over 18/19. My prediction is that the parks will be a madhouse on the 19 (and Mondays have been reputed to be pretty busy already in recent times).

 

[CherylGonz]

We will be there starting on the 18th and I’m assuming the 19th at DL will be busy and this is the reason why we will visit SWGE on the 18th. Would it be better for us to start the day at DCA even though it’s EE? We do plan on being there right at opening and my thinking is that everyone will head to SWGE and this would free up the rest of the park and we should be able to get some rides in before our break. Do locals tend to get there at rope drop?

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Such a tough choice. Either one could end up really taking away from one of your park days. The parks open late on 8/11 (10 a.m. I believe) and will be slammed with CHOC walkers. Monday 8/19 will probably be insane at DL... maybe DCA won’t be as bad? It’s hard to say, could be just as bad. Are these really your only two options?

 

[Princess351]

Thanks for all the advice! I was leaning toward the weekend of 10th/11th, and I think you guys kind of confirmed what I already thought: Avoid the first day of unblocked APs! I know CHOC walk Sunday will be busy, but I agree that it *shouldn't* be as bad as Monday the 19th.

 

[ravensnhokies]

I have another better day choice I'd like to ask.... out of Sun Aug 11th or Mon Aug 12th, which day would the better day to go to the parks, the other day to take off. I was leaning towards Sun bc HSM will be open on Sun, closed on Mon, but now I'm worried about the CHOC walk day crowds. We are going to the parks on Sat 9th so we will be able to ride HSM pending no shutdowns, but I do love the ride so much Id be bummed only 1day as an opportunity. I guess another question is how bad will the crowds be on CHOC day?

Really appreciate the advice!

 

[tarheelalum]

I'd go with the CHOC walk crowd. The AP crowd will probably be worse.

 

[Chickinvic]

Schools are still out though they will be back in session the week before that.

In Southern California I think they go back the week before Labour Day. I was so scared one year to have to go that week before Labour Day (thinking it would be super crowded before kids went back to school), and was pleasantly surprised that their kids had just gone back to school. Being from Canada, school always started after Labour Day.

 

[cinnaminny]

Thanks for all the advice! I was leaning toward the weekend of 10th/11th, and I think you guys kind of confirmed what I already thought: Avoid the first day of unblocked APs! I know CHOC walk Sunday will be busy, but I agree that it *shouldn't* be as bad as Monday the 19th.

Good choice!