Best time of year to visit DL?

[arkansasdisneyfan]

I would like to know when is the best time of year to visit Disneyland? I am interested in low crowds and nice weather. Is DL as crowded on average as WDW?

Thanks,
Terri

 

[Disneyland1084]

It's hard to say when the best time of year to go is since you prefer nice weather. That's usually in the summer. Last July I went on a week day and the crowds weren't bad at all. Just be sure not to arrange your trip around any special holiday or celebration. I'd suggest you go in October, but you risk going there when it's raining and having a lot of the cool rides shut down for refurbishment. I'm not sure about WDW since I've never been there.

 

[CalGal]

For best weather and low crowds, Sep. and Oct. are probably best. It rarely rains before Nov., and the weather is generally warm (sometimes too warm; it fluxuates a bit in fall). If you go after mid Oct., you should have a chance to see Haunted Mansion Holiday. As pointed out by Disneyland1084, off season will mean that some rides are closed for refurbishment. It also means that the parks hours are shortened.
Overall, I think the best time to go is mid Nov. or early Dec. It's not as warm, and you are more likely to encounter rain, but the holiday decorations can be so lovely.

 

[rsjj]

any time is a good time for dl!

 

[LeftCoaster]

I would vote for September / October too. Weather during that time of year is still warm and pleasant. Our "rainy" season usually doesn't even strike until the springtime.
Just did a check on weather.com and the average rainfall for Sept. & Oct. is .06 and .26 respectively.

 

[crazymomof 4]

We went in early October and it was nice weather in 2002. This year if you go in October you will miss POTC, and Small World if you come after the 17th until Nov 4. HM is closed Sept. 6-30. POTC Oct3-Dec. 12. Let me just say last year we went in December and it was about 85 degrees on average. The week before was cold though. We are going again this December when Pirates opens again. The decorations are awesome. Small World Holiday is beautiful. Haunted Mansion Holiday is cool too! Santa is on Main Street. We thought about going again in October but to us it is just not worth it to go without POTC. If you do go in December just make sure you leave by the 16 or 17 to avoid the Christmas crowds. Saturday is busiest at DL and Sunday is busiest at CA.

 

[yeartolate]

If you hit DLR in early December, the decorations are up and the crowds are tolerable.

 

[HaleyB]

The crowds at DL are not nearly as bad as the crowds at WDW parks. We went the week of July 4th on a Wendesday and had a great time. Non-Fast Pass lines were pretty long but with FP we didn't wait much and hit all the big to dos in one day!

In the Summer the weather is nice, often perfect and always managable. DL stays open to 10pm, 11pm, or 12 midnight. There are two parades, Fantasmic runs every night (also twice I think) and all stage shows are run more often. No rides go dark for referbs in the Summer (most often, or just one).

All other times of year the park closes much earlier, the shows are not as often or only on a few days a week. Fantasmic is not nightly and there is no second show. Major rides go dark sometimes several at a time for refirbs.

Locals like the winter because they get to go more often. When I lived there that is whet I would have said too. But now that I am half way across the country from DL I only go when the shows are running and the park has long hours.

 

[Dobie]

We typically go the last week of June, clearing out before the 4th. We always have a blast. We arrive when the park opens (typically 8) and rarely wait in line more than 10 minutes or so, until 12:30-1:00. We'll use Fastpass from around 11-1--I refuse to wait in line, I get enough of that at the grocery store!!! We head over to CA, have lunch, wander to our hotel, swim, rest, and head back in the late afternoon/early evening. In the evenings we mostly people watch, watch the parade/firewords/shows, ride quick loading rides like POTC. The weather is pefect; warm in the afternoon for swimming, but nice and cool in the mornings/evenings.

 

[redtwo22]

Expect DL to be very busy and crowded from now through summer, especially once schools are out and on weekends and holidays as 50th is in full swing and many regulars are also visiting. For best weather and smaller crowds I too would recommend Sept/Oct

 

[abby]

We went in mid april this year and it was great. Low crowds during the week and weather in the 68 to 70's warm enough to swim but not too hot.

 

[LucyKate]

Early December - we did this last year and it was sensational.

No crowds, no queues (we walked straight on to Splash, POTC, Haunted Mansion etc) and you get the Christmas Parade and decorations which just add a wonderfiul magic to the place.

Temperatures was high 60s to low 70s (but colder at night).

 

[lap3]

I agree with the others that September is a better time to go. You still have the warm summer weather but the crowds won't be as bad because the kids are back in school.

 

[momoftwo]

We just came back from Disneyland. It said in all the books that this past week before Memorial day was supposed to be the lowest for crowds. I have never seen so many people in all my life! It was crazy...after a day it didn't feel like the happiest place on earth... Just gotta keep thinking of the magic I guess!
One of the people I sat next too said that she figured this was because of the 50th anniversary...