Best time of year for first timer at Disneyland?

[TIGGERmetoo]

I would love to plan a trip to Disneyland next year and would like some advice as to when the best time of year would be to choose as a first time. I would prefer warm weather and we will try and use our DVC points in getting a reservation at 7 months out. Any suggestions would be helpful. TIA.

 

[mdmost]

I think any time would be a good time to go weather wise with the exception of July to early October as that seems to be the hotter time in inland California. We've gone around Christmas and it was still warm enough to go to the pool.

If you are wanting the true Disneyland experience without holiday overlays such as Halloween or Christmas, I would try for some time in February after President's Day to early March (before Spring Break). After that late April to early June is also good as you avoid all the local Spring Breaks and school is still in session. May might be the best month. There's really no true slow time now post-Covid and with Magic Keys being weird/hard to get. I think we'll see a lot more Southern California ticket deals in place of Magic Key purchases.

Anaheim, CA
Weather averages

Overview

Graphs

Month High / Low(°F)Rain

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January 70° / 48°5 days

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February 71° / 49°5 days

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March 73° / 51°3 days

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April 75° / 53°2 days

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May 77° / 58°1 day

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June 81° / 61°0 days

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July 86° / 65°0 days

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August 87° / 65°0 days

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September 87° / 63°0 days

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October 82° / 59°1 day

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November 76° / 53°1 day

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December 70° / 48°4 days

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[BadPinkTink]

I would love to plan a trip to Disneyland next year and would like some advice as to when the best time of year would be to choose as a first time. I would prefer warm weather and we will try and use our DVC points in getting a reservation at 7 months out. Any suggestions would be helpful. TIA.

There is no best time. It depends on what you want to achieve and your expectations.

 

[James33]

Historically before summer is when Disneyland do their large refurbishments, during the “low season”, and that’s when they typically offer the SoCal passes to locals, from Jan-May. This season the big one was Pirates, which is scheduled to be reopened June 30. Summer is when all the rides are open, along with all the nighttime entertainment, which may be the best time to experience “pure” Disneyland. Halloween and Christmas have their own vibe and can be a lot of fun.

Recent Summers have had lighter crowds when lower passes are blocked out and no SoCal passes are offered, but with no Keys offered, reservations, increased demand, and the CA Resident offer, it’s hard to say what will happen. I’m guessing crowds will be still be heavy, but if you get Genie+ and LL+, you should still have a good time.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I have only been to Disneyland 2 times (non local from the east coast) and have only gone during early-mid May where the crowds were really manageable. I don't remember either time being extremely crowded, though be aware that on some days California Adventure closes early due to grad nights. Both times we were able to get a 1 bedroom at the Grand Californian at the 7 month mark. Studios were 100% booked up so don't expect to get a studio at all unless you own there. This was before the pandemic and the second time was right before Galaxy's Edge opened so I wouldn't expect the crowds to be as low as they were when I was there.

 

[mouschievous]

If you're trying to book VGC at 7 months, then you need to plan based on that honestly. Choose the times when VGC tends to not book up as fast, if there is one. From that standpoint, I would think January, except MLK weekend, February except Pres. Weekend, and then mid-late April through Mid-May might be the best times. Possibly mid-late August? But Sept-Oct is Halloween, and Nov-Dec is Christmas, and of course summer is summer.

If VGC weren't an issue, then I would suggest Thanksgiving weekend. It's my absolute favorite time to go.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I would choose summer (after Memorial Day to Labor Day). Best chances for everything to be up and running full speed with long hours and full entertainment every day of the week. Avoid holiday weekends and special events if possible.

 

[Louis63]

The 2 best times for me personally are January just after they take down Christmas decorations and early November usually the 1st week after the Christmas decorations are up

 

[Gypsybear]

As a person from Texas, who visits often, I can say that weather-wise, we love going in October. The days are a bit more manageable in terms of heat. Usually in the mid to upper 70s by day, and dipping as low as 60s by night. We take light jackets, stuff them in the lockers, and we're good for the day.

As far at other times, I think it would depend on what you are trying to do. If you want the holidays, and can deal with the crowds, you're golden. If you want LOW crowds, then Feb is usually a good month.

Just try and keep track of refurbs on the schedule, and work around those if you need.

Our next trip will be for Halloween, so again, October for us.

 

[V.I.N.CENT.]

We go at least once a year. Holidays are great if you visit frequently and want a change, however the crowds last year were unbearable for us. Our new sweet spot is the last two weeks of August. Yes, you may deal with heat issues, but schools are back in session and most rides are up at that time. Chances for lower crowds and a full experience are mush higher.

 

[mdmost]

As a person from Texas, who visits often, I can say that weather-wise, we love going in October. The days are a bit more manageable in terms of heat. Usually in the mid to upper 70s by day, and dipping as low as 60s by night. We take light jackets, stuff them in the lockers, and we're good for the day.

As far at other times, I think it would depend on what you are trying to do. If you want the holidays, and can deal with the crowds, you're golden. If you want LOW crowds, then Feb is usually a good month.

Just try and keep track of refurbs on the schedule, and work around those if you need.

Our next trip will be for Halloween, so again, October for us.

Halloween is a great time, especially with all the decorations. The weather can be decent to super hot at times. I do caution people that if you love the normal version of Haunted Mansion or are a purist, you will either be really perturbed or amazingly won over by the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay to Haunted Mansion. It's beautiful and unique but it still bugs me that this is up during Halloween since it's technically a Christmas decoration. I'd argue to keep Haunted Mansion it's normal version until November 1st and then do a quick turnaround to the holiday overlay.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

As a person from Texas, who visits often, I can say that weather-wise, we love going in October. The days are a bit more manageable in terms of heat. Usually in the mid to upper 70s by day, and dipping as low as 60s by night. We take light jackets, stuff them in the lockers, and we're good for the day.

As far at other times, I think it would depend on what you are trying to do. If you want the holidays, and can deal with the crowds, you're golden. If you want LOW crowds, then Feb is usually a good month.

Just try and keep track of refurbs on the schedule, and work around those if you need.

Our next trip will be for Halloween, so again, October for us.

As someone who lives here, just want to point out that the weather is sooooooo variable, especially in October. Although it’s possible for it to be in the 70s, I could also be in the 80’s and even 90s.

Also October and Halloween time is now one of the busiest times of year for crowds, so it’s good to know that if you plan to go in October. Earlier in October is better but by mid to late October it’s nuts.

 

[ThreeMountains]

I’m here right now and the weather is gorgeous. 70s to 80s during the afternoon, 60s at night, cloudy and cool in the morning with plenty of sunshine all afternoon. If I come back with my family, we’ll probably go around this time. Not too hot during the day but still swimming weather.

 

[GeneralTso]

For us--Fall. Disneyland does Halloween like none other. It's much better than WDW. They really go all out.

 

[DizMe]

I used to always go in October, but the crowds got to the point where I didn't like it anymore and Halloween isn't my favorite holiday anyway. I much prefer November before Thanksgiving, and right after Thanksgiving to about 2 weeks before Christmas. Lots of great holiday stuff and crowds aren't too bad, but be aware of Candlelight Processional weekend.

I often go in January because it's kind of a down time crowd-wise and my birthday is in Jan . It's not the best time for weather as it's not unusual to get rain at the time I go (last half of the month), but I don't really mind. Helps keep the crowds down and it doesn't usually last long. Downside is the park hours are reduced then, but there are usually good hotel rates to compensate.

 

[DLgal]

Mid to late June. Lower passholders are blocked out for summer, full entertainment schedules, minimal ride closures. Warm enough without being opprrssively hot.

 

[Gypsybear]

As someone who lives here, just want to point out that the weather is sooooooo variable, especially in October. Although it’s possible for it to be in the 70s, I could also be in the 80’s and even 90s.

Also October and Halloween time is now one of the busiest times of year for crowds, so it’s good to know that if you plan to go in October. Earlier in October is better but by mid to late October it’s nuts.

This is very true. I used to live in Thousand Oaks, and the weather truly is variable. But for the most part, we've had success with October. Also, we LOVE LOVE LOVE Halloween. Despite the crowds, it is still our fave time of year.

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

I think any time would be a good time to go weather wise with the exception of July to early October as that seems to be the hotter time in inland California. We've gone around Christmas and it was still warm enough to go to the pool.

If you are wanting the true Disneyland experience without holiday overlays such as Halloween or Christmas, I would try for some time in February after President's Day to early March (before Spring Break). After that late April to early June is also good as you avoid all the local Spring Breaks and school is still in session. May might be the best month. There's really no true slow time now post-Covid and with Magic Keys being weird/hard to get. I think we'll see a lot more Southern California ticket deals in place of Magic Key purchases.

Anaheim, CA
Weather averages

Overview

Graphs

Month High / Low(°F)Rain

---

January 70° / 48°5 days

---

February 71° / 49°5 days

---

March 73° / 51°3 days

---

April 75° / 53°2 days

---

May 77° / 58°1 day

---

June 81° / 61°0 days

---

July 86° / 65°0 days

---

August 87° / 65°0 days

---

September 87° / 63°0 days

---

October 82° / 59°1 day

---

November 76° / 53°1 day

---

December 70° / 48°4 days

---

Thanks!

 

[Chickinvic]

I don't think there is a really good time anymore. There used to be great times to go during the year with fairly low crowds, etc. Not any more. Just avoid the week between Christmas and New Years.

 

[MaxsDad]

How is November, more specifically a couple of days before veterans day? We will be in California for a wedding and planned on coming out early and visiting the parks on the Wed and Thurs before veterans day (Friday). We are WDW veterans so we are going to focus on things we can't do in Florida. WOC is a must, I didn't realize it may not run during the week so that would be disappointing.