8/19-20 or 9/28-29?

[Ross3half]

Which option do you think will have lower crowds: 8/19-20 or 9/28-29? These are the only options we have available for a visit this year so just curious if one is definitely better than the other. Thank you!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Since consistently predictable low crowd times don't really exist at DLR any longer (especially since the 60th anniversary), I'd say your choice depends more on what you'd like to see. Do you want to see HalloweenTime at DLR (a super fun time in the parks)? Your second set of dates will certainly fall during that time and will most likely hit one MHP (probably on the 28th). Your first set of dates falls during Pixar Fest, so if you want to see the Pixar Play Parade in DL, PTN in DCA, and Together Forever fireworks in DL, along with all the special Pixar Fest food and merchandise items, then August it is! Which would you rather see? Both date choices will likely be crowded, but not Christmas week crowded. (HalloweenTime may be a bit more crowded, but that is such a great time at DLR!) So just go with whichever theme appeals to you more.

 

[Ross3half]

Thanks for the info! I just wanted to make sure one wasn’t significantly typically more crowded for some reason. We could also go 7/5-7 but I’m assuming that will be super busy in the heart of prime summer time, right?

 

[DizneyMommy]

Most of Arizona goes on Fall break during your September dates.

8/20 is the first day SoCal AP’s can get back in after the summer and since Pixar Pier opened.

I would actually go 7/5. It might be the slowest time because AP’s are blocked out and July 4th is on a Wednesday. The crowd calendars seem to agree that will be moderate, light light but not high, crowds. But it will be hot.

So pick your poison lol.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... We could also go 7/5-7 but I’m assuming that will be super busy in the heart of prime summer time, right?

Don't assume that "super busy in the heart of prime summer time" is a bad thing. As the pp said, the lower APs will be blocked. And the parks will be prepared for summer crowds, which means: longer hours, more staffing, most/all rides up and running at full capacity, full entertainment schedule, longer restaurant hours, etc. This makes a huge difference. Your August dates have that, too, but as the pp pointed out, the AP block lifts on 8/20, which = more crowds. And a drawback to your September dates is that Disney may be on the low season schedule then. (And if there is a MHP and you don't attend, whichever park the party is in will close early that night and the other park will be very crowded with non-party goers.) Just some more things to think about.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Go in July. The longer hours and better staffing/more entertainment makes a big difference. All of the times you can go might be very crowded. You will have a better experience with longer hours and more things open to do.

Your Sept dates are good if you want to see the Halloween decorations, which are spectacular. You have a risk of needing to buy a Halloween party ticket for one of those nights. That will cost around $100/per ticket about what you are already paying for day time admission.

 

[MacMama0930]

I suggest the Sept dates with a Halloween party. We went those dates last year and had a great time. Halloween brings crowds but more crowds in October than September. I think most of the schools typically do their fall breaks in October, no?

We did October in 2016 and it was insanely busy due to school breaks but Sept was awesome! We love the Halloween party!!

 

[Ross3half]

Thanks everyone! I actually had my August dates wrong that DH can get away from work. It's 8/24-25 if that has any impact on the August option. Thank you again for all the helpful feedback!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... I actually had my August dates wrong that DH can get away from work. It's 8/24-25 if that has any impact on the August option...

That would make me narrow the choices to July or September. The August dates are right before CHOC Walk (Aug. 26th), so there may be some crowds coming into town for the Walk. The morning of the 26th will be very crowded. And I think the lower AP blockout lifts on Aug. 20th, so that will increase crowds, too. Lastly, the Aug. dates fall right into that gray zone of will-or-won't HM be down yet for the Halloween overlay. (And we won't know the official date until the dates for HalloweenTime get announced.) If HM is a deal breaker for you, go when you know for certain that it will be up. If you love the overlay, choose Sept. If you love the classic version, choose July.

 

[Ross3half]

We're not big HM fans. We've done it once with the overlay and once without and have skipped it every other visit. We've been for Halloween and loved it but don't necessarily feel the need to go for Halloween theme again, unless it happened to work out that way. For the August dates, we'd be there Friday/Saturday so it looks like A/P aren't blocked that Friday but they are on Saturday if I'm reading the calendars correctly. We'd be flying out Sunday morning, so we wouldn't at the parks on the CHOC walk day.

Hmm, such big decisions! Thanks again to everyone for you input!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

In that case then, personally, I'd still go with July because the lower 2 APs will be blocked for all your dates. Also, you'll know for sure that the hours will be longer and the entertainment schedule full. You won't know that for certain for your August dates -- the parks could be on low season scheduling by then (i.e. shorter hours, lower staffing, weekend only nighttime entertainment -- which means all shows will be packed because there are fewer shows, etc.).

 

[Ross3half]

Thanks again for all the helpful input! July it is!

 

[DizneyMommy]

Yup, I'd still go with July. Local AP's will be getting their fix before school starts in August. Friday could be crazy. We get a Fall break and it starts 9/28 through 10/16, thats roughly when most of AZ, some of Nevada and some of Utah are out as well.