Advice on first DL trip! need help with timing, how to plan, how much time, etc

[TashK]

We were there in the last week of September 2016 from a sat-fri staying at GCH with 5 day hoppers so we had a few early entry's.
At that point normal opening hours were 10am, except on the Halloween party nights, it was 9am.

Closing was 6pm on party nights, except for Friday which was 7pm. DCA stayed opened to 10pm.

Fireworks were on fri/sat/sun only. There wasn't any night parades only Pixar parade at DCA and the Sound Sensational at DL.

Crowds were horrendous fri-sun after 1pm.
Monday-Friday they were light until 1pm and bearable after.

 

[PiratesMansion]

That's great. Thanks everyone. Unfortunately the summer would be too hot for us.

Just in case you're saying that based on WDW- the California summer is not nearly as brutal as Florida. It's only really hot from about 12-5; before and after its much much cooler and pleasant. There's no humidity either, it's a dry heat.

If you're just not a fan of heat in general, then feel free to ignore.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

With a group that large, I would really recommend the 5 day hoppers. With a large group that includes older and younger people, you won't move as quickly as you could if you were alone. Having the extra time to get from place to place, to relax and enjoy all the details and atmosphere of Walt's original park (and there are tons of details!), to hear the live music and see the shows (more than once, if you want to), etc. no matter what the weather or crowd situation is a real sanity helper. Being able to say to your little ones that you will grant their wish to ride Gadget's Go Coaster X times in a row because you have the time is magical. If you really aren't sure whether you'll visit DLR again, then take the time to enjoy the parks as much as you and your family can this time.
There are lots of hotels with suites (some have large suites or you could do two suites next to each other) across from/close to the parks. The city of Anaheim will not allow short term rentals after Feb. 2018, so I wouldn't go that route. Also, you can't beat the energy savings and convenience of being right by the parks. Some of the hotels across the street on Harbor are actually closer to the gates than the on site hotels.
Earlier in the summer can be nice weather. Not too hot, very manageable warmth, low humidity. June has "June Gloom" (marine layer in the mornings), so you can get a lot done early in the day without being hot. You'll have longer hours and the full nighttime entertainment schedule every night of the week.
September is fine as long as you know about Labor Day, the Half Marathon, HM down for the HMH overlay (late Aug. until Halloween Time starts), Halloween Time and the accompanying crowds, MHP, warm weather (Sept. is not "cool, fall weather" in Southern California!), etc.
November is fine as long as you know about Veteran's Day, Holiday Parade taping, Dapper Day, Holiday Time starting and the accompanying crowds, Thanksgiving and school breaks, etc. Weather should be nice and still warm enough for swimming.
Basically, choose the times that will work best for your family's schedule. Don't guestimate what you think will be DLR's best schedule. You cannot predict that with certainty. Once you know your best time frame, folks here can help you work out how best to organize your time in the parks.