Best time of year to go?

[soonerfan2008]

With the new military discount out, my friend and I are going to make a road trip and hit up DL sometime next year. It has to be before Sept, but other than that, we can go anytime.

When is the best time as far as crowds/weather/special events, etc?

Thanks!

 

[Stacerita]

With the new military discount out, my friend and I are going to make a road trip and hit up DL sometime next year. It has to be before Sept, but other than that, we can go anytime.

When is the best time as far as crowds/weather/special events, etc?

Thanks!

There really isn't a "best" time to go. I should say, the best time will be different for each person. It would depend on what you really want out of your trip and what you can do without. If you want great weather, usually you will find that it is during busier times. Late hours, busy, special events, busy. By going off season you can avoid huge crowds and the heat. But weather can be iffy.

 

[skiingfast]

Very begining or end of summer. Hours will be longer but crowds lighter as kids will still be in, or going back to school.

 

[HydroGuy]

With the new military discount out, my friend and I are going to make a road trip and hit up DL sometime next year. It has to be before Sept, but other than that, we can go anytime.

When is the best time as far as crowds/weather/special events, etc?

Thanks!

This is a question on which the answer depends. For me best weather means warm and little chance of rain. That means May-August. As for crowds, I want it to be more crowded. Well, not really, but what I want is a high season time when all rides aree up and shows are maxed out and that means more crowded times. So I like high season.

Other people may think summer weather is not good - too warm and prefer spring or fall. And other people may prefer less crowded times because of small children in the family or someone with a mobility issue.

So here are some bigger picture guide lines that may help:

"Choosing When To Visit DLR: Summary of High and Low Season and When Each Happens " www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=36509602

 

[DisMike]

Hydroguy is the man. What he said.

For me, I like nice weather and low crowds but all the rides up and running. I've had great luck the first week of November and the first week of May. The hours are shorter but the longest wait time we had was 15 minutes so you have more time doing and less time in line.

Just MHO.

 

[DisneyMax74]

I have to say that for us the best time by far has been September. I know you said it has to be before then but that for us has been the best.

We have gone in Sept the last 4 years in a row before this year. (This year we went in October)

In sept, you have greeeaaat weather. Not too hot, not cold. The crowds have not been bad at all, keep in mind we do most of our days during the week and one weekend, either sat or sunday. The Haunted Mansion is down but usualy that is all that is closed. You still get fireworks on the weekend, maybe during the week too, I cant remember.

But if you are looking for very nice weather and low crowds with what seems like 99% of the attractions going, September cant be beat for our money.

 

[DahliaRW]

I have to say that for us the best time by far has been September. I know you said it has to be before then but that for us has been the best.

We have gone in Sept the last 4 years in a row before this year. (This year we went in October)

In sept, you have greeeaaat weather. Not too hot, not cold. The crowds have not been bad at all, keep in mind we do most of our days during the week and one weekend, either sat or sunday. The Haunted Mansion is down but usualy that is all that is closed. You still get fireworks on the weekend, maybe during the week too, I cant remember.

But if you are looking for very nice weather and low crowds with what seems like 99% of the attractions going, September cant be beat for our money.

We were there a couple of years ago in September and it was 95. And super crowded (last week, right before Halloween parties started). I would recommend going earlier in the month. But you will miss HM then.

 

[HydroGuy]

I have to say that for us the best time by far has been September. I know you said it has to be before then but that for us has been the best.

We have gone in Sept the last 4 years in a row before this year. (This year we went in October)

In sept, you have greeeaaat weather. Not too hot, not cold. The crowds have not been bad at all, keep in mind we do most of our days during the week and one weekend, either sat or sunday. The Haunted Mansion is down but usualy that is all that is closed. You still get fireworks on the weekend, maybe during the week too, I cant remember.

But if you are looking for very nice weather and low crowds with what seems like 99% of the attractions going, September cant be beat for our money.

It depends on the person. You can read posts over the last month about several people who were "devastated" about some of the closures. This September was not only HM but also Space Mtn for about a week, and Toy Story Mania and the Aladdin stage show most all month. That is four major attractions if you hit the wrong week. The last two Septembers have had Fantasmic down.

Further, after Labor Day the entertainment and park hours were dramatically reduced on weekdays.

Saying that 99% of the attractions will be available in September I think is an overstatement - and can lead to people who do know not better being "devastated" too.

Usually most everything is up until Labor Day and then the rest of September is really a crap shoot - like most other off-season time periods. Some people are really fine with this. Others not so much.

 

[kiwitravel]

100% with Hydroguy on this... For us coming from halfway around the world we want warm weather and more importantly everything running... We have gone twice at the end of June which is right at the start of the summer and also mid August which is at the end of summer. August was warmer and clearer, our first year we had the June gloom... You also get fireworks every night so no chance of missing them due to high winds cancellations. Also the parks are open much longer which compensates for the bigger crowds.

Having said that if you follow Hydroguys rules for FP collection and go to the park right on opening like us you will find that you are not in any line longer than 15 minutes anyway.

 

[soonerfan2008]

Thanks for all the replies. Since we just did DL in March 2009, as well as 3 trips to WDW in 2010, I'm ok if we miss some attractions.

Weather and low crowds are the two biggest items of concern, so it seems like the first week in May might be a good option. September would be nice, but I have a little girl starting kindergarten then. Not that I care if she misses school (I will be one of THOSE that pulls their kids from school for travel, former teacher, life experience trumps school at least half the time, etc.), but I don't want her to miss the first few weeks.

We will be two moms (and maybe two grandmas) traveling with 4 kids, ages 4.5, 3.5, almost 3, and 1, so late nights are not really necessary. We will likely do one late night until park closing. Again, I've done the solo trip with kids since DH is in the military, so I'm not concerned about that angle.

I really appreciate the feedback from everyone.

 

[DisneyMax74]

It depends on the person. You can read posts over the last month about several people who were "devastated" about some of the closures. This September was not only HM but also Space Mtn for about a week, and Toy Story Mania and the Aladdin stage show most all month. That is four major attractions if you hit the wrong week. The last two Septembers have had Fantasmic down.

Further, after Labor Day the entertainment and park hours were dramatically reduced on weekdays.

Saying that 99% of the attractions will be available in September I think is an overstatement - and can lead to people who do know not better being "devastated" too.

Usually most everything is up until Labor Day and then the rest of September is really a crap shoot - like most other off-season time periods. Some people are really fine with this. Others not so much.

Well I did say "what seemed like 99%".

Maybe it's because we just didn't care about some of the things that were down. I did mention HM is down when we go. But Fantasmic was up when we were there mid Sept last year. It was actually the first time we had ever seen it.

I don't want to misslead anyone, we just have a great time in September and maybe we have been lucky but the last 4 years we have gone we have had awesome weather and crowds have not been bad at all. We always did everything we wanted 3-4 times in 5 days and everything else 1-2 times.

October however was an entirely different story. Crowds were huge compared to when we have been going in Spet. And we were quite dissapointed with the whole "Halloween" aspect of it. To be fair we did not attend the Trick or Treat party. I'm sure that was great.

Like I mentioned, September is the best for our money. I'm sure others have their own opinion.

Of course, evern when it sucks, Disneyland still Rocks!

 

[mrsxsparrow]

I love love love late January or early February. Kids are back in school, and everyone who came for the holidays is gone. I go at least twice a month and this has been the least crowded time, in my experience. Every ride was pretty much walk on, and I don't remember anything major ever being down. This time period has spoiled me and now I think every other time period is crowded

 

[HydroGuy]

Well I did say "what seemed like 99%".

Maybe it's because we just didn't care about some of the things that were down. I did mention HM is down when we go. But Fantasmic was up when we were there mid Sept last year. It was actually the first time we had ever seen it.

I don't want to misslead anyone, we just have a great time in September and maybe we have been lucky but the last 4 years we have gone we have had awesome weather and crowds have not been bad at all. We always did everything we wanted 3-4 times in 5 days and everything else 1-2 times.

October however was an entirely different story. Crowds were huge compared to when we have been going in Spet. And we were quite dissapointed with the whole "Halloween" aspect of it. To be fair we did not attend the Trick or Treat party. I'm sure that was great.

Like I mentioned, September is the best for our money. I'm sure others have their own opinion.

Of course, evern when it sucks, Disneyland still Rocks!