Best time for Disneyland in Anaheim with Baby

[shellbell44]

I have a 5 month old and 8 year old. We are looking to visit Disneyland in Anaheim Saturday & Sunday October 15 & 16, 2016 or the 1st or 2nd weekend in November. The crowd level says 9 for Oct 15-16. Halloween would be wonderful to see, but I'm wondering if this busy weekend would be too overwhelming with a baby. My husband isn't a fan of large crowds either. Do you think it's worth the crowd? If we went the 1st or 2nd weekend in November is that much slower? Is it too cold to bring a baby in November? Thank you!

 

[dec2009mama]

FYI --- second weekend of November (nov 10 to 13) is the avengers half marathon weekend, race weekends usually have higher crowds

IMO -- there isn't really a slow time for disneyland but you may want to consider the first weekend in Nov?

 

[gottalovepluto]

I feel like I recently saw a thread on somebody asking about similar dates in Oct and having difficulty with hotel availability but for the life of me I can't find it! Anyway, you might want to look at hotel availability for both dates and go from there.

 

[SMD]

The first weekend will likely be the Christmas special taping and soft open for Christmas. If your husband doesn't like crowds, would he be willing to take the baby out of the parks during the middle of the day when it's most crowded?

 

[meggles]

First weekend of November is Dapper day, so likely quite crowded.

 

[tlovesdis]

All three of those weekends will be busy. Halloweentime has become uber popular! The first weekend in November is Dapper Days, a special dancers parade in Disneyland, and usually the taping of the holiday parade. The second weekend will be the start of the holiday season, officially, and the half marathon. Hard to say which will be less crowded!

Any chance you can go during the week?

 

[Imdboss]

Since all of those times will be quite busy I'd look at which dates you can get the best rate on a hotel. That might also give you an idea of when it will slightly less busy. We took DS when he was 5 months and it was fabulous! It was so fun to watch his eyes light up with all the scenery. I also really enjoyed the baby center for a quiet area to feed and change him. Might be a good place for your DH to getaway from the crowds and rock the baby while you take your older one on a ride.

 

[crystal1313]

We were there last November and it was 90 degrees!! I would just pack layers and have a blanket for the baby. I am guessing you will be wearing the baby? I second the baby center comment, life saver! We brought my youngest son at two months in December (years ago) and I wore him in a moby wrap, he stayed really warm. For nights I bought him one of those bear hooded sleeper/footy pj's and he was happy.

 

[shellbell44]

Wow, thanks everyone! We will stick with October 15 & 16 & I will make sure my baby & husband take a break when its busiest. I appreciate the tips!

 

[Chiomaca]

I'm taking my DD for Avengers Weekend (note to self: start running again) and she'll be just about 4.5 months then. We've done DL with each of my nephews at similar ages and just really dialed everything back. We stay on property or really close (across the street) because we don't want to deal with parking or shuttles when they're bad at waiting. We start relatively early, usually at rope drop, and plan for a long hotel break during the middle of the day. We go back in the evening, after dinner, and stick with a lot more people watching and easy rides. Baby swap is essential! I second the layers recommendation, the evenings can be quite chilly. Rent a stroller, too. They're not that expensive and it saves you from worrying about your own stroller.

 

[offwithyourhead]

IMO I'd rather take a baby when it's a little cooler out than when it's hot. You can keep a baby warmer and adjust temperature with layers easily, keeping cool isn't as easy and hydration is a worry.

Just plan to go slowly. Add one more day if you can, and do everything at a slow pace. DL is DL, there will always be crowds. Not having to rush will make you feel as though the crowds are more tolerable.

 

[shellbell44]

Thank you for the excellent advice! I appreciate the help.