New to Disneyland

[bruin086]

My family and I have been to Disney World nearly a dozen times (we are DVC owners), but we've never been to Disneyland. I have some questions I'm hoping you all can answer!

How does August weather in Disneyland compare to August weather in Disney World? We've been to WDW in August twice and vowed to never do it again, it is just way too hot. We now prefer to go October or later in the year. Is Disneyland warm and humid as WDW in August? or is it bearable? August works nicely with school schedules now that our oldest is in 3rd grade.

How do DL crowds compare to WDW crowds in August? does DL get packed?

Where would you recommend we stay? we have 4 kids (8,6,4,1) and our inlaws usually come with us too. We usually get 2BR at a DVC resort. I understand it's very hard (and expensive) to get a Disney owned hotel at DL. Are there other hotels closeby that would be able to fit us? any similar 2BR type resorts in close proximity? ideally a hotel with a nice pool and a waterslide.

We typically spend 9 days in the parks at WDW. It allows us to do each park twice (and MK 3 times). DL is smaller, how many days is enough to see it all twice?

What else should we know about DL? FYI we are in Massachusetts on the east coast which is why we've always gone to WDW

thank you!

 

[Consumer]

Check out this pinned thread that's been around since 2013 in this very forum you just posted in.

 

[bruin086]

thanks I'm also interested in answers to my specific questions

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Disneyland is always crowded, packed even, almost every day of the year. Not a joke. Just is.

August is hot in Southern California but not usually as humid as Florida. Weather in the 80s or 90s most days.

There are some DVC units at the Grand but they are competitive to book. You could do a quick search on Google or TripAdvisor to look up highly rated options close by, but don't expect much beyond Residence Inn.

5 days is more than enough for most people, 9 would be excessive beyond reason. You should definitely take time to see the LA/OC area if you've never been before; unlike Orlando where there's nothing to do outside of parks, this area is a cultural treasure trove.

 

[BasiltheBatLord]

4 days if you want to do everything twice. That's much longer than most people stay fyi, more than 3 days is excessive imo.

 

[MarvelCharacterNerd]

Normally August is not awfully hot and humid (as noted above, 80's-90's normally) but this summer was an exception. The last few weeks have been hellaciously hot and the humidity was killer. Anaheim has had records broken the past few weeks with temps reaching above 100. I think it was 108 record high the other day?

So... you never know.

But agreed as noted above - 4 days is plenty to do everything twice for your first visit.

As for crowds - summertime is the time when most passes are blocked out (from June until mid-late August), but the tourists show up en masse. But I still think it's lighter crowds than when the passes are unblocked.

 

[choco choco]

Strongly agree with Basil. Even at a leisurely pace, you will not need more than three days. Four days is overkill and excessive unless you really are wanting multiple repeat experiences of many things. Please visit some of the rest of California, it can be a blast.

 

[TP2000]

My family and I have been to Disney World nearly a dozen times (we are DVC owners), but we've never been to Disneyland. I have some questions I'm hoping you all can answer!

You'll have to excuse us, as we're a rather small group of regulars in this website backwater, and routinely we get East Coasters or Europeans who claim to be WDW regulars and swoop in demanding we help plan their first trip to Disneyland. One guy showed up a few weeks ago, carpet bombed the forum with his endless questions about taking to Disneyland his precious little children that we were all supposed to be enamored with as if he was the only man who had ever fathered children, then he left and never even had the decency or humanity to say "thank you" in a single post.

So we get cranky with people who don't check the well researched and pinned threads about this exact topic on this forum. But you seem pleasant enough, and have already responded to the thread. Plus, you are from Massachussetts and as a native West Coaster I'm not ashamed to say that later in September and October I start pining for a real New England lobster roll that I've had in Mass or Maine. We just can't do lobster rolls here in California, no matter how hard the celebrity chef tries or how many times the gorgeous yet snotty restaurant hostess in the tight blouse tells us it's worth waiting for.

So....

How does August weather in Disneyland compare to August weather in Disney World? We've been to WDW in August twice and vowed to never do it again, it is just way too hot. We now prefer to go October or later in the year. Is Disneyland warm and humid as WDW in August? or is it bearable?

Nothing is worse than the weather in August in Orlando, with the exception of Calcutta during monsoon season on a particularly bad day. During a Calcutta garbage strike.

August in Anaheim can get toasty, and the SoCal sun is bright and golden hot that time of year. It will be slightly muggy, and the locals will complain about it endlessly. But realize SoCal locals are a surprisingly provincial bunch in general, and they have no real experience with actual weather in particular. This past August the first half of the month was cooler than normal and delightful in SoCal; temps in the low to mid 80's, dry humidity. The last two weeks of August it started to really heat up more towards normal, and then the last week of August a bit above normal with temps in the 90's and a tad muggier. We're currently having a heat wave that started like clockwork on September 1st.

I'd compare Anaheim in August to an average day in April in Orlando, or a warm day in July in Boston.

It won't rain in August in Anaheim. It's nearly statistically impossible. (I probably just jinxed that for you. Sorry!)

How do DL crowds compare to WDW crowds in August? does DL get packed?

As has been said, Disneyland is always crowded. Early August is actually less crowded because more AP's are blocked out those days. It won't be tragically busy, but do expect wait times and some lines for food and shows, and general crowds milling about.

Where would you recommend we stay? we have 4 kids (8,6,4,1) and our inlaws usually come with us too. We usually get 2BR at a DVC resort. I understand it's very hard (and expensive) to get a Disney owned hotel at DL. Are there other hotels closeby that would be able to fit us? any similar 2BR type resorts in close proximity? ideally a hotel with a nice pool and a waterslide.

Many, many options for you in the Anaheim Resort District. It has 20,000 hotel rooms within a couple miles of the park, many are within walking distance. Check Expedia or your fave vacation planner, and let the endless options unfold for you. It will depend on your preference in lodging and any hotel programs you favor; Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, etc.

We typically spend 9 days in the parks at WDW. It allows us to do each park twice (and MK 3 times). DL is smaller, how many days is enough to see it all twice?

As has been said, three days is best. Four days for true Disney fans, or if you want to stretch the days with stuff like a guided tour or plenty of naps and pool time each afternoon. The two parks in Anaheim, Disneyland and DCA, have as many rides and shows as the four WDW parks combined. Disneyland in particular is an embarrassment of riches, with twice as many rides as Magic Kingdom in WDW. You will be kept busy for three days, but it's all within walkable distance!

What else should we know about DL? FYI we are in Massachusetts on the east coast which is why we've always gone to WDW.

If you can, try and avoid flying into LAX. Your first choice in airports is John Wayne Airport, or airport code SNA. It's a 20 minute drive from Disneyland without traffic, and it's like comparing a well run Nordstrom in a luxury mall to a crowded, dirty Walmart on pay day. LAX is the Walmart in that scenario.

Even if you change planes, arriving at John Wayne instead of LAX makes the entire experience better. Long Beach Airport is a good second option, and only 25 minutes from Disneyland with a similarly well run airport operation as John Wayne.

And finally, keep a close eye on this forum closer to your arrival. You can get the latest info on Genie+ strategy, operating hours and showtimes, etc.

thank you!

You're welcome! Have a real lobster roll for all of us here, and we'll be even.

 

[bruin086]

You'll have to excuse us, as we're a rather small group of regulars in this website backwater, and routinely we get East Coasters or Europeans who claim to be WDW regulars and swoop in demanding we help plan their first trip to Disneyland. One guy showed up a few weeks ago, carpet bombed the forum with his endless questions about taking to Disneyland his precious little children that we were all supposed to be enamored with as if he was the only man who had ever fathered children, then he left and never even had the decency or humanity to say "thank you" in a single post.

So we get cranky with people who don't check the well researched and pinned threads about this exact topic on this forum. But you seem pleasant enough, and have already responded to the thread. Plus, you are from Massachussetts and as a native West Coaster I'm not ashamed to say that later in September and October I start pining for a real New England lobster roll that I've had in Mass or Maine. We just can't do lobster rolls here in California, no matter how hard the celebrity chef tries or how many times the gorgeous yet snotty restaurant hostess in the tight blouse tells us it's worth waiting for.

So....


Nothing is worse than the weather in August in Orlando, with the exception of Calcutta during monsoon season on a particularly bad day. During a Calcutta garbage strike.

August in Anaheim can get toasty, and the SoCal sun is bright and golden hot that time of year. It will be slightly muggy, and the locals will complain about it endlessly. But realize SoCal locals are a surprisingly provincial bunch in general, and they have no real experience with actual weather in particular. This past August the first half of the month was cooler than normal and delightful in SoCal; temps in the low to mid 80's, dry humidity. The last two weeks of August it started to really heat up more towards normal, and then the last week of August a bit above normal with temps in the 90's and a tad muggier. We're currently having a heat wave that started like clockwork on September 1st.

I'd compare Anaheim in August to an average day in April in Orlando, or a warm day in July in Boston.

It won't rain in August in Anaheim. It's nearly statistically impossible. (I probably just jinxed that for you. Sorry!)



As has been said, Disneyland is always crowded. Early August is actually less crowded because more AP's are blocked out those days. It won't be tragically busy, but do expect wait times and some lines for food and shows, and general crowds milling about.



Many, many options for you in the Anaheim Resort District. It has 20,000 hotel rooms within a couple miles of the park, many are within walking distance. Check Expedia or your fave vacation planner, and let the endless options unfold for you. It will depend on your preference in lodging and any hotel programs you favor; Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, etc.



As has been said, three days is best. Four days for true Disney fans, or if you want to stretch the days with stuff like a guided tour or plenty of naps and pool time each afternoon. The two parks in Anaheim, Disneyland and DCA, have as many rides and shows as the four WDW parks combined. Disneyland in particular is an embarrassment of riches, with twice as many rides as Magic Kingdom in WDW. You will be kept busy for three days, but it's all within walkable distance!



If you can, try and avoid flying into LAX. Your first choice in airports is John Wayne Airport, or airport code SNA. It's a 20 minute drive from Disneyland without traffic, and it's like comparing a well run Nordstrom in a luxury mall to a crowded, dirty Walmart on pay day. LAX is the Walmart in that scenario.

Even if you change planes, arriving at John Wayne instead of LAX makes the entire experience better. Long Beach Airport is a good second option, and only 25 minutes from Disneyland with a similarly well run airport operation as John Wayne.

And finally, keep a close eye on this forum closer to your arrival. You can get the latest info on Genie+ strategy, operating hours and showtimes, etc.



You're welcome! Have a real lobster roll for all of us here, and we'll be even.

This is incredibly helpful, thank you so much! Your comparisons to weather in Orlando and Boston particularly helpful. I didn't even think about the different airport options I'll have to research that. We want to make this the best trip we can. It's hard to go out west with 4 kids... thanks again

 

[truecoat]

I've visited Disneyland the past two years in early August. It was hotter this year but still not as bad as WDW. Crowds are busy but it's manageable if you do it right. We stayed at the Best Western Park Place Inn which is an older motel style but right across from the entrance and this afforded a mid-afternoon break for the young ones and worked out very well.

If you go after the 14-15th of August, expect the Haunted Mansion to be closed for the Nightmare Before Christmas changeover.

 

[J4546]

Id spend 4 days here but 3 at Disney and 1 at Knotts. Since your so close to it, might as well, its really a great park too!

 

[bruin086]

Is Knotts appropriate for young kids? Our kids ages are 8, 6, 4, and 1. It's also takes longer to do things with them so I feel like it will take us longer than the average family to do disneyland. Is Legoland worth it? Or a 4th day at DL?

We also really need a hotel that has suites with at least 1 extra bedroom and ideally 2, but grand California looks $$$$$$

 

[Californian Elitist]

Is Knotts appropriate for young kids? Our kids ages are 8, 6, 4, and 1. It's also takes longer to do things with them so I feel like it will take us longer than the average family to do disneyland. Is Legoland worth it? Or a 4th day at DL?

We also really need a hotel that has suites with at least 1 extra bedroom and ideally 2, but grand California looks $$$$$$

I went to Knott’s as a kid and enjoyed it. A 4th day at DL isn’t a bad idea, or you can do something that isn’t a theme park as well, depending on your needs and wants.

I would look into the Clementine. I stayed there a few years ago with my family and we slept comfortably. It’s a 20-30 minute walk away from the parks. Quite close if you have a car.

We stayed in the bi-level suite, which sounds like what you may be looking for, or at least close to what you’re looking for. It’s much more affordable than the Grand.

Suites Near Disneyland With Kitchens | Clementine Hotel Anaheim

Stay in cozy comfort at Clementine Hotel & Suites near Disneyland. Our studio, one & two-bedroom, & loft suites are non-smoking and have full kitchens.

clementinehotel.com

 

[Phroobar]

Is Knotts appropriate for young kids? Our kids ages are 8, 6, 4, and 1. It's also takes longer to do things with them so I feel like it will take us longer than the average family to do disneyland. Is Legoland worth it? Or a 4th day at DL?

We also really need a hotel that has suites with at least 1 extra bedroom and ideally 2, but grand California looks $$$$$$

Why spend your entire time in the Mouse Trap? Knotts is definitely appropriate for the kids. There are a lot of rides they can do and they have Camp Snoopy. Legoland is prime for kids your age. Anyone older than 12 would be tired of it. There is also Adventure City about four miles from Disneyland and two miles from Knotts. It is made up of lots of little kid rides similar to Camp Snoopy. It is an overlooked gem.

Adventure City Family Amusement Park, Fun Attractions & Games

Adventure City Amusement and Theme Park offers family fun featuring thrill and kiddie rides, the best attractions and entertainment, roller coasters, petting zoo, birthday parties and group outings, arcade games, and food/treats for the entire family.

www.adventurecity.com

 

[chadwpalm]

We also really need a hotel that has suites with at least 1 extra bedroom and ideally 2, but grand California looks $$$$$$

Many of the hotels right across the street from the parks on Harbor have 1 and 2 bedroom suites. They are popular, so you'd have to book ahead quite a ways, but would probably be much cheaper than the California.

 

[PiratesMansion]

Is Knotts appropriate for young kids? Our kids ages are 8, 6, 4, and 1. It's also takes longer to do things with them so I feel like it will take us longer than the average family to do disneyland. Is Legoland worth it? Or a 4th day at DL?

We also really need a hotel that has suites with at least 1 extra bedroom and ideally 2, but grand California looks $$$$$$

I think your kids could have fun at Knott's, but your kids are the exact perfect ages for Legoland. Should you return to SoCal you could probably go to Knott's then and be fine-the same won't be true for Legoland.