Disneyland newb - how much time and what time of year?

[nkereina]

We are in the preliminary planning stages of a Southern California vacation next summer and Disneyland is a must-do for us. We are flexible with our dates, but are considering this week next year - last week of August into Labor Day weekend. Anything to be concerned about this week in terms of crowds or events?

I tentatively have planned for us to arrive at our DL hotel around 4pm on a Tuesday, full days at the parks Wednesday and Thursday, and Friday morning before leaving around 1pm to drive to San Diego.

Is this enough time to cover both parks? Should we add a day?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Well, DL is planning to open SWGE by next summer (around June?), so that will change the crowd calendar beyond anyone's current estimates. This week traditionally has been pretty good crowd-wise, but with SWGE... no one really knows what the crowds in DL will be like... or how those crowds will affect DCA. Some things to keep in mind generally: HM is down now for the Halloween overlay -- this usually happens about 3 weeks before the opening of Halloween Time, so count back from when the opening day of HT is announced. DLR tends to go to low/non-peak scheduling by the last week in August (i.e. shorter hours, lower staffing, nighttime entertainment on weekends only, etc.) -- be aware of this and keep checking the entertainment schedules to see if this will affect any of your plans. I'm in the group that says it never hurts to add a day at DLR! It's always nice to have an extra day to do shows or TS/character meals, re-do your favorite rides, have time for a beach visit or more time by the pool, etc. And if there are heavy crowds for SWGE, then an extra day to fit things in will be welcome so that you don't have to stress as much over your schedule.

 

[j9isawesome]

Next summer is expected to be a mad house with Star Wars Land likly opening around June. I would add another day, Maxpass, & a lot of patience to your plans. There’s a thread on here for Surviving Summer 2019 that you might want to check out. Good luck.

 

[chickapin parterre]

southern California vacation.....three day weekend......the Friday of Labor Day weekend and you are leaving at 1:00.....to see all the bumpers.....to San Diego?

 

[nkereina]

southern California vacation.....three day weekend......the Friday of Labor Day weekend and you are leaving at 1:00.....to see all the bumpers.....to San Diego?

Why do you think I'm posting here? To get advice because we have never been to California before. I did say we are in the preliminary planning stages. Instead of criticism, perhaps an alternative suggestion might be more helpful

 

[mom2rtk]

If you're looking at late August keep an eye on AP blackout dates. Those AP blackout days can make or break your trip. Days right after a big blackout period are intensely busy. If they block SWL for the summer for most APs, those first weeks after they open to them will be ugly. Also try to avoid dates just prior to a prolonged blackout period.

 

[tarheelalum]

Leaving Anaheim at 1pm to drive to San Diego on Friday of Labor weekend would probably not be good when you consider traffic. I'd leave at least at 11am at the latest. Even then you will still encounter significant traffic in San Diego county.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Leaving Anaheim at 1pm to drive to San Diego on Friday of Labor weekend would probably not be good when you consider traffic. I'd leave at least at 11am at the latest. Even then you will still encounter significant traffic in San Diego county.

I would try to rearrange so your drive to San Diego is Thursday late am or even later pm (after 7:00 pm) or 10:00 am Friday morning. The traffic Friday through Labor Day will be brutal. Or maybe you could even look into taking the train. It might not save you much time but it would be much more enjoyable than gridlocked traffic.

I would personally give yourself three full days to experience the parks for the first time. Parkhoppers would be ideal. I think Star Wars Land is going to change everything and you should expect big crowds no matter what if you choose to visit after it opens.

 

[chickapin parterre]

Why do you think I'm posting here? To get advice because we have never been to California before. I did say we are in the preliminary planning stages. Instead of criticism, perhaps an alternative suggestion might be more helpful

It was not criticism, but a reality that Labor Day Weekend in California is the perfect storm. School has already been in session, so folks looking for that last fling that a 3 day weekend provides, Southern California is a culture onto itself, nothing compares to it in the US in terms of vehicle traffic and then you have all those families who live in close proximity.....been high anxiety ridden about SWGE....three day weekend, one day to stand in line for SWGE and one day for rest and one day for the BBQ at Grandpa's house.............so folks who know about the social culture of Labor Day weekend....they are going to position themselves for that perfect week in August...hmmm...three day weekend allows me to catch up on my rest after spending that week before at Disneyland.....alas,...... many of us here have different perspectives about what SWGE opening is all about....I am of the thought process that SWGE will be a hard ticket till after Labor Day....which makes the process even worse because folks will be hoovering about to enter SWGE....be it pre-purchased ticket, a wrist band or fastpass that distributed all passes in the first two hours of park opening

 

[theluckyrabbit]

If you're looking at late August keep an eye on AP blackout dates. Those AP blackout days can make or break your trip. Days right after a big blackout period are intensely busy. If they block SWL for the summer for most APs, those first weeks after they open to them will be ugly. Also try to avoid dates just prior to a prolonged blackout period.

This is a very good point. Two of the lower AP blocks lifted last week, and the M&F structure closed for several hours a day, several days in a row as those passholders who had been blocked over the summer flocked back to the parks. It will only be more crazy with SWGE.

 

[mom2rtk]

This is a very good point. Two of the lower AP blocks lifted last week, and the M&F structure closed for several hours a day, several days in a row as those passholders who had been blocked over the summer flocked back to the parks. It will only be more crazy with SWGE.

I have a friend who visited DLR for the first time in 40 years last week (was there for a different reason so couldn't change her days). The crowds absolutely impacted her week in a negative way. I doubt she'll be back. I can't even imagine what it will be like when the APs open for SWL.

 

[nkereina]

It was not criticism, but a reality that Labor Day Weekend in California is the perfect storm. School has already been in session, so folks looking for that last fling that a 3 day weekend provides, Southern California is a culture onto itself, nothing compares to it in the US in terms of vehicle traffic and then you have all those families who live in close proximity.....been high anxiety ridden about SWGE....three day weekend, one day to stand in line for SWGE and one day for rest and one day for the BBQ at Grandpa's house.............so folks who know about the social culture of Labor Day weekend....they are going to position themselves for that perfect week in August...hmmm...three day weekend allows me to catch up on my rest after spending that week before at Disneyland.....alas,...... many of us here have different perspectives about what SWGE opening is all about....I am of the thought process that SWGE will be a hard ticket till after Labor Day....which makes the process even worse because folks will be hoovering about to enter SWGE....be it pre-purchased ticket, a wrist band or fastpass that distributed all passes in the first two hours of park opening

Thank you for this information. Your prior post came off as snarky and sarcastic, so I apologize if I misinterpreted it.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Thank you for this information. Your prior post came off as snarky and sarcastic, so I apologize if I misinterpreted it.

The more you hang around with us, the more you'll get used to us! (Most of us don't bite!) chickapin parterre is never snarky or sarcastic -- but he is well known around these parts for painting vivid word pictures.

 

[Cubbiecakes]

I have a friend who visited DLR for the first time in 40 years last week (was there for a different reason so couldn't change her days). The crowds absolutely impacted her week in a negative way. I doubt she'll be back. I can't even imagine what it will be like when the APs open for SWL.

This is why I don't go to DL anymore. We're trying a Halloween party to see how that will be, but any other time of the year... nope. DL is absolutely not worth dealing with the crowds.

 

[nkereina]

The more you hang around with us, the more you'll get used to us! (Most of us don't bite!) chickapin parterre is never snarky or sarcastic -- but he is well known around these parts for painting vivid word pictures.

LOL - good to know. Thanks!

 

[Catvondita]

Can't speak for time of year as I'm not a local but I would try if you can to do at least 2 days at each park

 

[blackjackdelta]

It will be 5 lanes of SOLID stop and go traffic from San Diego to anaheim and hoping there are no accidents. Not my kind of fun.

Jack

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

Thoughts...

• Can you sneak in a third (and maybe even a fourth) day at the parks?
• Maybe consider taking the train to San Diego to avoid traffic (disclaimer: I've never taken this particular Amtrak, but am a train journey fan in general)
• Check crowd calendars but be aware that Star Wars will change this a lot
• Love the advice about blackout dates
• Consider staying onsite for the EMH and definitely look into MaxPass

 

[mrsw94]

If you have Google Maps on your phone, pull it out several times tomorrow afternoon (accounting for the time difference if there is one) and check the drive times from Disneyland to San Diego. That will give you a decent idea of what you would be looking at as far as drive times go.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

The August 2019 blockout calendar is up. Deluxe is allowed back into DL on 8/19/19 and So Cal/So Cal Select are back 8/26/19. (For DCA, Deluxe isn't blocked for Aug. and the So Cal APs are back on 8/19.) I fear the OP's proposed dates will be very crowded. The best day in DL may actually be the Friday departure day since both So Cal APs are blocked that day.
For the OP: since you said your dates were flexible, would it be possible to do this trip before Aug. 19th? The parks would still be crowded because of SWGE fans, but having the lower 3 APs blocked should really make a difference.
And D23 Expo will be 8/23-25/2019, so you'll have hardcore Disney fans doing the pre/post Expo parks visit for SWGE, too. Last Expo they got to see the preview of the model for GE; now they'll want to see the real thing.