April versus June and Changes to DL/DCA

[KatieCharlotte]

Do you recommend the first week in April or mid-June or mid-July for a one-in-a-lifetime trip to DL/DCA for WDW veterans? I can't take my high schooler out of class for week, unfortunately. I have read very mixed information about crowds that week in April -- it is NOT Easter week but coincides with some California spring breaks. My kids can get overwhelmed in crowds, but I assume it's going to be crowded any time school is out. We will have four days in the parks (broken up by a beach day and a lounge at the pool day) with afternoon breaks, and my DS will likely qualify for a DAS card.

One consideration is the number of attractions expected to reopen in "summer" 2017. Should we expect these not to reopen until July? The Rivers of America area attractions and the railroad are not headliners but are the kind of low-key attractions that give my kids a break. Tom Sawyer Island at WDW has been one of my DS's favorites since he was a toddler. We'd also like to see Fantasmic, and my Marvel fan DD would like to try the newly imagined ToT. Am I forgetting anything else that will be reopening or changing in the summer? I've heard rumors about Monster's Inc and possibly other unique attractions closing for a Marveland, but is that still years away?

 

[kirstie101]

All I can really say is that the later you plan the trip for, the better your chances of all the ROA attractions being open again. In April they're probably not going to be open.

 

[jammyjam25]

April – Probably lower crowds than June or July but you do run the risk of hitting spring break crowds. Fantasmic, ROA, etc. will not yet be open. Guardians of the Galaxy re-theme of TOT is not scheduled to open until May so unavailable if you go this date.

Mid-June – GOTG re-theme open (if stays on schedule). Possibility of ROA attractions being open but likely higher crowds due to a lot of schools being out at this time. Also have to watch out for grad night dates depending on when in June you look.

Mid-July – high summer crowds but long park hours. Best likelihood of ROA attractions being re-opened.

Anything about Monster's Inc. or other attractions closing for a rumored "Marvel Land" are just rumors at this point, no idea if/when any of that would start happening if it turns out to be true.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

We picked April, the very last week. Hoping to avoid most spring breakers and find a bit of a lull (hah ya right.)

A long time ago they had estimated that ROA would be open so we were excited but after we booked they've said more like Summer. So if you want any guarantee of hitting as much as you can, I guess I'd go for high summer crowds. Longer waits, but longer hours. Depends how much you feel like you can pack in and how upset you'd be if a major ride favorite was closed.

 

[Epek]

Crowds mid-June aren't at their peak yet and the weather is milder. That's probably what I'd choose.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I would choose Mid June, too. Not quite as busy as July/August, yet still considered high season and most attractions will be open.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I would pick mid-July if I was strictly basing my decision on maximizing my chances of having the most attractions up and running. June might have the possibility of better weather but not necessarily smaller crowds.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

We picked April, the very last week. Hoping to avoid most spring breakers and find a bit of a lull (hah ya right.)

A long time ago they had estimated that ROA would be open so we were excited but after we booked they've said more like Summer. So if you want any guarantee of hitting as much as you can, I guess I'd go for high summer crowds. Longer waits, but longer hours. Depends how much you feel like you can pack in and how upset you'd be if a major ride favorite was closed.

This will probably be our only trip to DL while the kids are still at home, because Florida is much more convenient for us. So, I'd like to maximize our ability to see attractions that are unique to DL or different at DL. I just don't want to regret going when it's packed and hot, if there's a significant difference between spring break, June and July. One crowd calendar shows very low crowds for the first week in April, but I'm not really believing that.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

This will probably be our only trip to DL while the kids are still at home, because Florida is much more convenient for us. So, I'd like to maximize our ability to see attractions that are unique to DL or different at DL. I just don't want to regret going when it's packed and hot, if there's a significant difference between spring break, June and July. One crowd calendar shows very low crowds for the first week in April, but I'm not really believing that.

I have been at peak Spring Break time and it's busy..really busy, but not summer busy. You're pretty much guaranteed to not have ROA open in April however. June starts getting hot, but remember that in CA it's a mostly dry heat vs FL muggy heat. (I say mostly because I'm from utah which is even MORE dry haha!)

Of all the times you listed, if I were in your shoes and might not be back with everyone I'd probably shoot for June and hope stuff is back up.

 

[SMD]

If you happen to hit the last week in June before a lower level AP block out, it will be very crowded. If you go any 4 days in a row you'd be lucky to have 2 lower crowd days. Even with taking 2 days off, you can really only expect lower crowd levels on 1-2 days. The parks are always busy.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

If you happen to hit the last week in June before a lower level AP block out, it will be very crowded. If you go any 4 days in a row you'd be lucky to have 2 lower crowd days. Even with taking 2 days off, you can really only expect lower crowd levels on 1-2 days. The parks are always busy.

We will make sure to avoid that week, thanks. I need to learn about AP block outs and other crowd factors that don't apply to WDW. We won't have to pick our specific dates for a long time if we go in the summer. If we travel from mid-week to mid-week, would it make more sense to take Fri-Sat or Sat-Sun off from the parks, or is that not important in summer?

 

[SMD]

We will make sure to avoid that week, thanks. I need to learn about AP block outs and other crowd factors that don't apply to WDW. We won't have to pick our specific dates for a long time if we go in the summer. If we travel from mid-week to mid-week, would it make more sense to take Fri-Sat or Sat-Sun off from the parks, or is that not important in summer?

Nope. It's a total toss up. Disney could announce a promotion with a few days notice and people will stream into the parks if they're interested.

 

[azdisneylover]

If it will be the only time you ever go to Disneyland, I would say to go in July, but plan to be at the gates when they open, grab fast passes, take a break in the afternoon to swim, nap, catch a movie and go back into the parks refreshed in the late afternoon or evening to have more fun. If you stay on site, you get Magic Morning into Disneyland Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday, and, Early Entry into California Adventure on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. That first hour before the park opens to everyone makes a big different for us when we go.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

If it will be the only time you ever go to Disneyland, I would say to go in July, but plan to be at the gates when they open, grab fast passes, take a break in the afternoon to swim, nap, catch a movie and go back into the parks refreshed in the late afternoon or evening to have more fun. If you stay on site, you get Magic Morning into Disneyland Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday, and, Early Entry into California Adventure on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. That first hour before the park opens to everyone makes a big different for us when we go.

Sadly, I don't think we can afford to stay in a DL hotel, at least not for the whole trip. We will take advantage of the one Magic Morning that comes with our tickets. Plus fastpasses, the DAS card for my son who has Tourette's, and single rider for the only coaster rider (me).

 

[Butterfly123]

We have gone early to mid July on a few trips, and we really like it. Yes, it is crowded, but so is spring break! And with the longer hours you can get going early, take a nice long break mid day, and still have plenty of time in the evening when it's cooler. I love the warm summer evenings in Disneyland! And the full entertainment schedule with longer hours works out great.

We have gone mid June and prefer the weather, but those grad nights are hard to work around.

When my kids were younger we would go in April during their spring break, but over the years it became more and more crowded, and ended up feeling worse than July to us as far as crowds.

 

[azdisneylover]

Sunday, April 23rd is Dapper Day at Disneyland. You can check out the dates and perhaps you can go then. You can get discounted room rates as well as tickets. There are many from this board who go every year. People dress us so nicely! I love it. www.dapperday.com I hope you can make it work and stay on site the whole time you are in CA.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

Sunday, April 23rd is Dapper Day at Disneyland. You can check out the dates and perhaps you can go then. You can get discounted room rates as well as tickets. There are many from this board who go every year. People dress us so nicely! I love it. www.dapperday.com I hope you can make it work and stay on site the whole time you are in CA.

Unfortunately, we're limited to the first week of April (spring break) or after the first week of June. It would be way too difficult for my DS to miss a week of high school. Dapper Day does sound like my style. I will have to put in on my Disney bucket list for after my kids are grown.