Hey all, long time no post. Got the bug to see the mouse again and I'm planning a week in Anaheim. Normally I try to go in May to avoid crowds and heat, but this year I have to be a common tourist and go during the summer now that my daughter (6) is in school. This will be first time for her on Splash.

Vacation option is June 14-21 or August. IIRC June is the better month of the summer and will not be as hot as July and August, correct? I know anytime during the summer will be packed hopefully by going during the week M-F (planning CA for friday should be less people than DL) and avoiding weekends it should be tolerable. Any flaws in plan?

I checked the Disney calender and have not found any issues with this time period. (please tell me grad week will be over by then) AK Air still has the kids fly free promotion through the 27th of June. Any reason to go later in the summer and not save the $$ with Alaska Air?

Finally, Costco travel has a package at the BW Park Place Inn 7 nights, Air for 2 adults and 1 child from PDX to SNA, 5 day park hoppers, 1 character bkfst, shuttle to airport. for $2020. Anyone know of any better options? This seems VERY reasonable.

I have always stayed at HOJO, good results but not available with costco package. Reviews for BW PPI seem OK.

Any questions or comments on plan would be very helpful. If plan is sound I will book trip in morning. THANKS

I went 2 years ago June 10-14th. I would choose to go again in June this year if we could get enough saved by then! But I loved it. My friend who lives in Burbank says that they have what is called "June gloom". But don't let the name freak you out. Its bascially a foggy/misty thing that hangs around in the morning, but burns off early in the afternoon. I personally believe that it helps keep it a bit cooler. Also the crowds for me were not bad at all. As long as you utilize the fastpass system.
This is all 2 years ago though, and taken from someone who doesn't freak out about lines. Its nothing like Lagoon, anyone from UT will know that! You wait 45 minutes in a line for a less then 60 second ride!!!!! Hopefully someone who can give you a little more insight will come along! Just thought I would throw my 2 cents in! Have a good trip! :D

We'll be there at the same time (at the parks Mon, Tues, Wed.). There is one grad night your week, Thurs. the 19th. We've also gone in June before and loved it. Definitely had to deal with some crowds, but not awful. Heat hasn't been a problem for us in June, one trip we were actually surprised how chilly it got some evenings, but I can't imagine any worse than you might have experienced in May!

ETA -- Does anyone know if Toy Story Mania is supposed to open around this time?

I have gone for two years in a row at the end of June. I loved going then because school had not let out quite yet, so it wasn't as crowded, but that last week for school they started to leave the park open until midnight.

I thought about going in August next summer, but everyone else's opinion was to go in June because of the weather and the crowds.

ETA -- Does anyone know if Toy Story Mania is supposed to open around this time?

I'm pretty sure TSM is supposed to open in May.

Given the OPs user name, I seriously doubt the "June Gloom" is going to be an issue! :D

I'd say push it to August, but that's only because I want lighter crowds on the trip I booked last night (June 16-21). ;-)

Like others said, there is the final grad night on Thursday the 19th. Looking at the calendar, this is the first week when closing time is midnight every day.

June gloom does help keep it cooler. Our hot "summer" months are really July, August, and September. With the gloom, you know how hot it's going to be later by how early it burns off. If it's gone by 8, you're in for a scorcher, lol. I have only been back to the park recently, so could not comment on the crowds, but weather-wise, I would definitely go for June, especially since it's cheaper, too!

I'm pretty sure TSM is supposed to open in May.

Thanks!

Thanks for the info! Does the park close early for grad night or is it still open until midnight? BTW, what is Toy Story Mania? a new show?

Unfortunately both parks close early on the 19th according to the DL website. DL at 9p and CA at 7p. Other than the 19th DL is open until midnight that week and CA is open until 9p.

Toy Story Mania is a new attraction at CA in the Paradise Pier section. It sounds fun, a kind of 3-D interactive ride.

BTW, what is Toy Story Mania? a new show?

Toy Story Mania is a new attraction, located underneath California Screamin.
It is an upgraded version of Buzz Lighltyear AstroBlasters. Featuring alot of your favorite Pixar characters. Since Buzz has his own ride already, I think
they are putting him in a host role at the beginning. Mr. Potato Head will be outside as the carnival barker, he is interactive and Don Rickles has recorded
many lines to use. The object of the ride is to score points in the ring toss
and other typical midway games. I hear that there are possible different endings based on your score. The buildings are taking shape, the Victorian
architecture is very impressive. It looks like the whole 5 year planned overhaul of DCA will be very nice.