2nd vs 3rd week in August

[Tabarr06]

We are planning a trip in August. I am debating between the second and third weeks. We are from Arizona so the heat doesn’t bother us. I have tried to do extensive research and have seen different opinions. I am hoping to get a tie breaker vote here. I see that the pass holders are back in the third week in August. But so are the schools for a lot of the California districts. Do the pass holders really outweigh all the kids out of school? Many different websites that predict crowds say that the third and fourth weeks of August are less busy but others say that the pass holders can throw the predictions off. Most of the rides from past years close down starting the 4th week of August. Most if not all are still going the third week. Also, in past years they start shortening the park hours in the 4th week of August. We will only be attending during the weekdays to help avoid crowds. It is probably just a toss up. I bet with max pass it will be amazing regardless. Thanks for the help

 

[Winnowill]

We are also from Arizona, and I will tell you that heat at DL makes a HUGE difference. Most of the parks don't have much shade, many of the queues are out in the open, and when it's really hot it's pretty miserable. We've been there on days when the temps have hit mid-90s, and, while it's still fun, eventually you run out of steam. That said, the weather in August in Anaheim can be just about anything. We were there early-mid month a couple years ago and the temps were mostly in the 80s, but the day we left it got into the 90s and was triple digits later that week. You never know.

That said, you're more likely to hit lower crowds later in the month when kids go back to school. The third week would be pretty good, I'd think - you'd be there before things start going down to install Halloween overlays, but crowds should be a little lower because of schools going back - that definitely trumps the return of the passholders.

 

[longboard55]

Later August will have lighter crowds. Remember, pass holders show up late, so the mornings will be wide open

 

[figment_jii]

I would tentatively go with the second week in August when the APs are still blocked out. Schools trickle back into session throughout August, though I suspect the AP blockout tend to be tied to the larger school districts in SoCal (e.g., LAUSD). I think the return of the AP holders may have an impact on the parks, even on the weekdays (especially in the evenings), although some of this depends on when Pixar Pier debuts. If it debuts after the AP blockouts go into effect, then I would expect an influx of AP holders coming into the parks to see the new overlays for the first time once the blockout ends. If the Pier debuts before the blockouts, then the impacts of the AP might be more limited (but still pronounced on weekends).

 

[SeiterClan]

I would tentatively go with the second week in August when the APs are still blocked out. Schools trickle back into session throughout August, though I suspect the AP blockout tend to be tied to the larger school districts in SoCal (e.g., LAUSD). I think the return of the AP holders may have an impact on the parks, even on the weekdays (especially in the evenings), although some of this depends on when Pixar Pier debuts. If it debuts after the AP blockouts go into effect, then I would expect an influx of AP holders coming into the parks to see the new overlays for the first time once the blockout ends. If the Pier debuts before the blockouts, then the impacts of the AP might be more limited (but still pronounced on weekends).

I agree with this but have never been in the summer ever & am from Arizona too! We are going at the very beginning of August(the 2nd-4th I think) because my kids go back the 8th. I'm wondering if

We are also from Arizona, and I will tell you that heat at DL makes a HUGE difference. Most of the parks don't have much shade, many of the queues are out in the open, and when it's really hot it's pretty miserable. We've been there on days when the temps have hit mid-90s, and, while it's still fun, eventually you run out of steam. That said, the weather in August in Anaheim can be just about anything. We were there early-mid month a couple years ago and the temps were mostly in the 80s, but the day we left it got into the 90s and was triple digits later that week. You never know.

That said, you're more likely to hit lower crowds later in the month when kids go back to school. The third week would be pretty good, I'd think - you'd be there before things start going down to install Halloween overlays, but crowds should be a little lower because of schools going back - that definitely trumps the return of the passholders.

Thanks for sharing this! OP-We are from AZ too but have never been in the summer but taking a 3 day trip there at the very beginning of August(2nd-4th) & are hoping the heat won't be too bad! I would go before the AP blockouts & stick to weekdays like you mentioned before. Wondering if we will be able to do a lot even though we have the 3 day 1 park-per-day passes (won them so not upgradeable to PH's :/)??? We will be staying onsite & probably using MaxPass & hoping to take breaks if we need to if the heat is unbearable. Thinking we would do 2 days at DL & 1 at DCA...is this a good plan? I would welcome any strategies to get everything done especially with only one day at DCA!

 

[christieCA]

I asked the same question last year. We ended up going with the second week and it was amazing. Of all of our trips in the past 5 years, it was definitely the most manageable. We were there Monday - Thursday. I think the combo of some schools being back and AP being blocked was the perfect storm. We had our decision forced because we wanted to see the Electrical Parade and that was the last week for it.

 

[PHXscuba]

The ever-helpful "it depends" from me. We were there for an anniversary trip at the beginning of the third week of August last year -- first two days SoCal APs were opened up after the summer blockout, and the day after the MSEP ended.

Second week will have last of summer peak rates for hotels and fewer discounts. Second week will probably have longer hours, more entertainment, and few ride closures. Third week will have better discounts, but some closures and shorter hours. We thought Haunted Mansion would be down but instead Space Mountain was.

Our experience: We found that the third-week mornings were great -- we stayed in the GCH (at a good rate) and used the 8 a.m. EMH. We also used MaxPass and took long afternoon breaks and stockpiled several MPs for the evening. We got the dining package for Fantasmic because it was so new and it was really worth it to me. I noticed a spike in the evenings, especially the NOS area near Fantasmic.

And third week had a few things that could only be explained by a larger percentage of AP holders. For example: the "double rider line" through the exit for Monsters Inc. is not very well known -- I didn't know about it until about a year ago. This trip it was full up when we tried it, the other three trips I took over the past year there wasn't a wait at all. APs know the park

Although I was concerned about going right when those APs opened up, I think it was less of a factor than I feared. I think being there early and using MaxPass would make a bigger difference than which week you go.

PHXscuba

 

[SeiterClan]

The ever-helpful "it depends" from me. We were there for an anniversary trip at the beginning of the third week of August last year -- first two days SoCal APs were opened up after the summer blockout, and the day after the MSEP ended.

Second week will have last of summer peak rates for hotels and fewer discounts. Second week will probably have longer hours, more entertainment, and few ride closures. Third week will have better discounts, but some closures and shorter hours. We thought Haunted Mansion would be down but instead Space Mountain was.

Our experience: We found that the third-week mornings were great -- we stayed in the GCH (at a good rate) and used the 8 a.m. EMH. We also used MaxPass and took long afternoon breaks and stockpiled several MPs for the evening. We got the dining package for Fantasmic because it was so new and it was really worth it to me. I noticed a spike in the evenings, especially the NOS area near Fantasmic.

And third week had a few things that could only be explained by a larger percentage of AP holders. For example: the "double rider line" through the exit for Monsters Inc. is not very well known -- I didn't know about it until about a year ago. This trip it was full up when we tried it, the other three trips I took over the past year there wasn't a wait at all. APs know the park

Although I was concerned about going right when those APs opened up, I think it was less of a factor than I feared. I think being there early and using MaxPass would make a bigger difference than which week you go.

PHXscuba

Good point! What is this "double rider line" through the exit of Monsters you speak of?

 

[smartlabelprint]

I agree with this but have never been in the summer ever & am from Arizona too! We are going at the very beginning of August(the 2nd-4th I think) because my kids go back the 8th. I'm wondering if


Thanks for sharing this! OP-We are from AZ too but have never been in the summer but taking a 3 day trip there at the very beginning of August(2nd-4th) & are hoping the heat won't be too bad! I would go before the AP blockouts & stick to weekdays like you mentioned before. Wondering if we will be able to do a lot even though we have the 3 day 1 park-per-day passes (won them so not upgradeable to PH's :/)??? We will be staying onsite & probably using MaxPass & hoping to take breaks if we need to if the heat is unbearable. Thinking we would do 2 days at DL & 1 at DCA...is this a good plan? I would welcome any strategies to get everything done especially with only one day at DCA!

I think 2 in dL & 1 in DCA will help. Use your early entry!

 

[PHXscuba]

Good point! What is this "double rider line" through the exit of Monsters you speak of?

If you ask the CMs outside the ride (under the sign), they have some paper passes, very much like the single rider line passes for other rides. They allow you to go through the exit and you fill the third row of the ride vehicles, two at a time. So "double rider line." That line was nearly empty every time except the trip I detailed above.

My friend and I found it by accident. We had walked up to the Monsters ride and were deciding whether to wait in the 25-minute line. The CM asked if it was just the two of us and gave us the pass and instructions. Very helpful -- I think the ride is cute but I don't think it's worth the 20-30 minutes wait it gets on busier days.

PHXscuba