Who survived the heat wave?

[kangamama]

It was so, so hot -- and so much more crowded than I thought it was going to be. I actually had my own toddler-style meltdown on our last day because I was just in disbelief as to how difficult our trip had been. But like someone else said, the cast members really saved the day (all three days we were in the park). They were kind, and friendly, and on several occasions went out of their way to make our experiences better. They really brought the magic, and it made all the difference for me.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

It was so, so hot -- and so much more crowded than I thought it was going to be. I actually had my own toddler-style meltdown on our last day because I was just in disbelief as to how difficult our trip had been. But like someone else said, the cast members really saved the day (all three days we were in the park). They were kind, and friendly, and on several occasions went out of their way to make our experiences better. They really brought the magic, and it made all the difference for me.

I had my mom-fit on Wednesday morning last week. You aren't alone. Woke up seriously mad at the world for our terrible misfortune catching the Santa Ana's. I refused to get up early. I didn't have another sandblasting in me. I was so mad. I *may* or *may not* have proclaimed the entire trip was a mistake and that I was going to stay in bed until Saturday and we were going home.

 

[kangamama]

I had my mom-fit on Wednesday morning last week. You aren't alone. Woke up seriously mad at the world for our terrible misfortune catching the Santa Ana's. I refused to get up early. I didn't have another sandblasting in me. I was so mad. I *may* or *may not* have proclaimed the entire trip was a mistake and that I was going to stay in bed until Saturday and we were going home.

I hope it got better for you! We had ducked I to innoventions when I fell apart. Stumbling into that giant xbox commercial was the icing on the cake for me and I just started crying and blubbering. After getting it out of my system, I puller up my big girl pants and stated something along the lines of, "I refuse to spend my last day in Disneyland like this!" And stomped off to take my littlest to meet tinkerbell. Things turned around after that. Lol. This was Tuesday last week, and we had just endured the stampede that was "magic" morning (never again!), and it was out third, and last, day at the park. We headed home on Wednesday morning. I thought my toddler was going to blow across the parking lot or our hotel.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I hope it got better for you! We had ducked I to innoventions when I fell apart. Stumbling into that giant xbox commercial was the icing on the cake for me and I just started crying and blubbering. After getting it out of my system, I puller up my big girl pants and stated something along the lines of, "I refuse to spend my last day in Disneyland like this!" And stomped off to take my littlest to meet tinkerbell. Things turned around after that. Lol. This was Tuesday last week, and we had just endured the stampede that was "magic" morning (never again!), and it was out third, and last, day at the park. We headed home on Wednesday morning. I thought my toddler was going to blow across the parking lot or our hotel.

I made the most of the rest of the trip. We did get out on Wednesday. Took it slow. We dodged the heat & sun the best we could. My youngest was already badly sunburned & windburned from the previous days so being out in the thick of it wasn't an option. Not gonna lie, if I let myself think about it while we were there I'd feel disgusted & angry. I tried to just focus on my family & the precious time with them.

DL early hour was such a waste. The lines for what was open were nuts. And it was so crowded. I felt like we left after 6 park days and still missed a ton of stuff. Things were either closed for refurb, down temporarily, crazy long lines (sorry, nothing is worth standing in the sun for 45 minutes), unshaded, or by the time we got around to something we were over the heat, crowds, and aching feet. We were pathetic, I tell you!

Overall we had a good time. I wouldn't say great. For the $$ spent we've certainly had better. I'm glad I went so I don't wonder anymore. We enjoyed seeing friends during the trip. And, again, family time is a valuable commodity with older teens.

 

[sweeteypie1118]

We left DL on the 26th after being there 6 days. I was SO glad we missed those temps. I do not handle heat well!! We did a DW trip at the end of August one year and I swore I would never go again in the summer. I was very worried what it would be like in CA when we woud be there. We got lucky

 

[Brewmeister]

Yep, we were there from the 29th through the 5th, and only the 5th (DTD and airport day) had decent temps.

Both the temps and the crowds were much worse than our trip three years ago. We asked several CMs about the crowds, and some were puzzled as well and some claimed that Anaheim/San Diego were still on spring break(?).

As others have said, the early hours at DL were crowded, but the Saturday morning DL was early enough that we got to ride a lot of our first choice rides before the bigger crowds hit. DCA EMHs were great except that RSR was down each morning until after park opening.

DS4 ended up being comfortably over 40", so he was able to ride everything that he wanted, including RSR. He even worked up the courage to try ToT and came off smiling but saying he didn't want to ride it again until our next trip (probably in three more years). Splash and Big Thunder were his absolute favorites. DD22m, however, took almost the whole trip before she warmed up to the rides, despite being the fearless one at home. We will probably hold off on any further park trips until she is 5-6 just so she is more aware of what is going on. DS at 17m, by contrast, loved everything three years ago, also.

All in all, we were glad to be there and had a lot of fun, but we are willing to wait a while before going again.....and maybe try a February or October trip.

 

[Kristina4109]

If you're going to do October and you hated the heat wave I'd say go for late October. We did the first weekend in October this past year and the Santa Ana's were UNBELIEVABLE.

Actually canceled World of Color, the fireworks and balloon selling the first night we were there. Watched the palm trees dancing in the wind from our room in the Paradise Pier.

We often go late September/early October because that's when my daughter's birthday is. It has the potential to be nuclear hot. By contrast, when we went for my birthday (mid-June) this past year, we had June Gloom in the morning and it only warmed up in the afternoon.

No matter how hard you plan, the truth is, sometimes the weather just misbehaves.

 

[SixteenFeet]

Also, if you're going to be at DCA, be sure to wear sandals or similar shoes that can get wet and stop by Bugsland to cool off in the splash pads. I think I saw a couple different splash pads there and it helps a LOT to get squirted real good once and then your wet shirt will keep you oh-so-comfy for a good couple of hours. Lots of adults were taking advantage of this (including me). The only drawback is if you have a kid who is adverse to getting shot with an arc of water I had one of each (one who burst into laughter and one who burst into tears) but they were both very comfy and cool for the next few hours while they dried off waiting in line in the sun

 

[CassieF]

I'm local but still went both May 1st and 2nd, both with my two year old niece. We took it slow, and the second day I really tried to do more indoor things (Tiki room, Linclon, Aladdin) but of course my niece would be "all done" after a minute or two. It was nice to not have an agenda and not have to rush through, knowing we have been and will be back to do everything. I felt really bad for the poor characters, sweltering in their costumes!