Best time to go to Disneyland in 2018

[Antasiac]

I have been to Disney World more times than I can count, but I have never been to Disney Land. I am looking to go to Disney Land now. When is the best time value and/or crowd wise to go in 2018?

 

[disneyland_is_magic]

There is a superthread with dates of school breaks and events to avoid, would you like me to tag you in it?
But honestly, go when is very best for you, busy times have LONGER days, more shows, more parades and fireworks. Slow times come as a trade off to lots of refurbishments, if this is your one trip, you really don't want anything closed.
Let me know if I should tag you?

 

[Niltiac]

The general advice that goes around these days is that crowds are too hard to predict to base all your plans around. The past year or two there have been quite a few people coming around saying "I'm here during the slow season - why is it packed?!" Meanwhile the times when it's predicted to be slow are also the times when Disney chooses to do refurbs - for example right now (January and February are traditionally off season) big parts of DCA and Main Street are behind walls. So first of all, consider whether you want to try to go during a low crowd time, but risk being surprised by crowds and refurbs, or whether you want to go during a busy season and just go in expecting crowds from the get go.

But you also asked about value and since we never fly, I'm not sure how much flight prices fluctuate throughout the year. If going during the off season makes a big difference there it might be worth it.

Traditionally Disneyland's peak seasons are Summer, Spring Break, Christmas/New Years, and random holiday weekends throughout the year. So that leaves January-April (except for Spring break) and September-November as traditional off seasons. The Winter/Spring off season seems to be when Disney plans most of their big refurbs, so I specifically avoided it when I made my first trip. The Fall off season tends to have fewer refurbs but it's also trickier to get the timing right for low crowds since there are a lot of random things bringing people into the parks. Halloween Time starts in mid-September so people come to see the decorations, then in late September the Halloween parties start, then in early October there's Gay Days and Columbus Day bringing in crowds, then Halloween itself, then Veterans Day and Thanksgiving and the start of Holiday Time in November. I believe all of those random crowd-drawing factors in Fall is what keeps them from planning massive refurbs during that time. I chose Fall for our first trip, mid-week in early October, and I thought it was perfect - but that was before the diamond celebration and crowd patterns have really changed since then. Nowadays it's pretty much agreed that October is a busy time. If I had to plan a first trip these days I would probably just pick a busy season so I can count on the most rides and shows being up and just deal with the crowds.

 

[Antasiac]

Yes, if you could do that, that would be awesome! Thank you!

 

[sherilaine]

After just planning our winter getaway to DLR (we live in Canada) for early March - and now seeing how much is closed in the parks - my answer would be go when it's a good time for you!! DLR is either going to be busy and trust me when things are being refurbished or rides are shut down - that makes the park feel very busy! When I go to plan our next trip I am not going to be frightened off by crowds but will look for a time that has longer hours and most likely has a lot open!

 

[Antasiac]

There is a superthread with dates of school breaks and events to avoid, would you like me to tag you in it?
But honestly, go when is very best for you, busy times have LONGER days, more shows, more parades and fireworks. Slow times come as a trade off to lots of refurbishments, if this is your one trip, you really don't want anything closer.
Let me know if I should tag you?

Yes, if you could do that, that would be awesome! Thank you!

 

[Antasiac]

The general advice that goes around these days is that crowds are too hard to predict to base all your plans around. The past year or two there have been quite a few people coming around saying "I'm here during the slow season - why is it packed?!" Meanwhile the times when it's predicted to be slow are also the times when Disney chooses to do refurbs - for example right now (January and February are traditionally off season) big parts of DCA and Main Street are behind walls. So first of all, consider whether you want to try to go during a low crowd time, but risk being surprised by crowds and refurbs, or whether you want to go during a busy season and just go in expecting crowds from the get go.

But you also asked about value and since we never fly, I'm not sure how much flight prices fluctuate throughout the year. If going during the off season makes a big difference there it might be worth it.

Traditionally Disneyland's peak seasons are Summer, Spring Break, Christmas/New Years, and random holiday weekends throughout the year. So that leaves January-April (except for Spring break) and September-November as traditional off seasons. The Winter/Spring off season seems to be when Disney plans most of their big refurbs, so I specifically avoided it when I made my first trip. The Fall off season tends to have fewer refurbs but it's also trickier to get the timing right for low crowds since there are a lot of random things bringing people into the parks. Halloween Time starts in mid-September so people come to see the decorations, then in late September the Halloween parties start, then in early October there's Gay Days and Columbus Day bringing in crowds, then Halloween itself, then Veterans Day and Thanksgiving and the start of Holiday Time in November. I believe all of those random crowd-drawing factors in Fall is what keeps them from planning massive refurbs during that time. I chose Fall for our first trip, mid-week in early October, and I thought it was perfect - but that was before the diamond celebration and crowd patterns have really changed since then. Nowadays it's pretty much agreed that October is a busy time. If I had to plan a first trip these days I would probably just pick a busy season so I can count on the most rides and shows being up and just deal with the crowds.

Thank you! I looked at flights and it seems like I will probably go with the last week in July and first week in August. I am assuming that is still busy season since schools are out? I do not want rides to be in refurbishment or anything when I go.

 

[Niltiac]

Thank you! I looked at flights and it seems like I will probably go with the last week in July and first week in August. I am assuming that is still busy season since schools are out? I do not want rides to be in refurbishment or anything when I go.

I've never gone during that exact week but I would expect it to still be in full Summer mode since school will still be out. Also, the newly re-themed rides in DCA are scheduled to open in "Summer" (some people are predicting June), so if you go at the end of Summer like you're thinking I expect all that should be open even if it gets delayed a bit.

 

[Antasiac]

I've never gone during that exact week but I would expect it to still be in full Summer mode since school will still be out. Also, the newly re-themed rides in DCA are scheduled to open in "Summer" (some people are predicting June), so if you go at the end of Summer like you're thinking I expect all that should be open even if it gets delayed a bit.

Ok, that sounds great. I will prepare for the crowds. I’ve been to Disney World during Spring Break, so I should be ok crowd wise as long as I plan in advance like I usually do.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Thank you! I looked at flights and it seems like I will probably go with the last week in July and first week in August. I am assuming that is still busy season since schools are out? I do not want rides to be in refurbishment or anything when I go.

think this is good. Always check the lowest 2 passes for clock out dates. It will not be as busy in the evenings that way. Also, try not to go right before a block out goes *into* effect. Everyone will be going to get their last chance at the park.

 

[Antasiac]

think this is good. Always check the lowest 2 passes for clock out dates. It will not be as busy in the evenings that way. Also, try not to go right before a block out goes *into* effect. Everyone will be going to get their last chance at the park.

Ok, I will do that. I’m not a fan of how the Disneyland website calendar is and how they show the passes, but I will look at it closer this evening.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Ok, I will do that. I’m not a fan of how the Disneyland website calendar is and how they show the passes, but I will look at it closer this evening.

It looked good for end July first week August. But next trip it’s a good idea to check.

 

[DLgal]

July. Great time to go. Everything is open, parks are open 8am-midnight every night (DCA until 10pm).

Weather is good.

Crowds aren't as bad as you would think. Most APs are blocked all month, and even more are blocked every Saturday. Saturdays in July is my favorite time to be at Disneyland. I am a local who goes almost weekly year round, FWIW.

 

[HydroGuy]

Since everyone seems to be talking summer, I will chime in that summer is my favorite time to visit DLR. OP, check out these links:

"Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

"Choosing the Right DLR Area Hotel for You" www.disboards.com/threads/choosing-the-right-hotel-for-you.3656512/

https://www.disboards.com/threads/d...iews-hydroguys-tips-newbie-info-here.1072276/

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Earlier in August is better than later. Later in August, HM will close for the HMH overlay and the lower passes will be allowed back by the end of the month.

 

[mickeyboof]

Earlier in August was absolutely splendid. The crowds were heavy, but because there were many shows and firework viewing times the evenings were smooth.

Also, I simply prefer very crowded days with a 12a closing time to the not-so-crowded days with an 8p closing time.

 

[10SE]

July. Great time to go. Everything is open, parks are open 8am-midnight every night (DCA until 10pm).

Weather is good.

Crowds aren't as bad as you would think. Most APs are blocked all month, and even more are blocked every Saturday. Saturdays in July is my favorite time to be at Disneyland. I am a local who goes almost weekly year round, FWIW.

This advice is spot on, especially the Saturday part.

 

[TheBigErn]

What about December. How does DLP compare with Disney World (for those who've been to both)?

 

[Niltiac]

What about December. How does DLP compare with Disney World (for those who've been to both)?

I haven't been to WDW so I can't compare, but I can say that I've had pretty good luck in early December. I've gone during candlelight processional (the first weekend of December) and I was surprised how manageable the rest of the park was (the area around the processional itself was crazy of course). This past December we went from the 7th to the 10th and crowds weren't low per se, but they weren't too bad. The last week of December is a madhouse - I haven't gone at that time but I know that capacity closures are to be expected between Christmas and New Years.

 

[10SE]

What about December. How does DLP compare with Disney World (for those who've been to both)?

We went in early December (12/6 - 12/12) last year and I thought the crowds were pretty manageable. I'd definitely stay away from late December, but we found good hotel rates and felt it wasn't too crowded in the first half of the month.