Best Time to Visit DL/DCA

[DisneyFan0304]

When is a good time to go to DL/DCA? I'd like a time that's not too crowded, not too hot and they have all the parades and fireworks. Not too much to ask for, is it????

Thanks!!!

 

[HydroGuy]

When is a good time to go to DL/DCA? I'd like a time that's not too crowded, not too hot and they have all the parades and fireworks. Not too much to ask for, is it????

Thanks!!!

Honestly, that is too much to ask for.

This may help:

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

Good luck!

 

[ronandannette]

When is a good time to go to DL/DCA? I'd like a time that's not too crowded, not too hot and they have all the parades and fireworks. Not too much to ask for, is it????

Thanks!!!

Sadly, apparently it is. We were there in Monday, May 17 and it was the worst of all possible scenarios. No fireworks, tons of ride closures and prohibitive crowds on DL by mid-afternoon (DCA wasn't so bad earlier in the day). Every trip we've ever taken has been during that week (the week before your Memorial Day) and has worked well in the past. It was a total bust this time.

 

[HollyL]

In the past, I have gone the 1st - 2nd week of December, (mid week) and the crowds weren't bad at all, the weather was wonderful (but I prefer it to be on the cooler side) and all of the Christmas decorations were up and hardly any rides were closed. Because it was between two really busy times (Thanksgiving and Christmas) I guess a lot of people weren't going. Who knows. Of course, this was before Carsland opened, so it may be different now. I am hoping to be able to get a 2-3 day trip in this December (probably the 1st week). My 3 year old daughter is obsessed with the Nightmare Before Christmas, so I would love to do a Mommy/daughter trip since I just took my son this last time. That time of year is my absolute favorite time to go.

 

[HollyL]

And, if I remember correctly, there was a Christmas parade, and it snowed. Not too sure about the fireworks though.

 

[Midnightred]

We like to go in the summer. This way, there are more daylight hours, most rides are open, shows play everynight, and the weather is nice. I like warm weather so you can enjoy the hotel pool on your break. Anaheim in my opinion has very mild weather. Last summer we only felt hot one day. Yesterday here in my town in West Texas we broke a record, 111 degrees! Usually Anaheim seems to stay in the 80 degree range in the summer when we have been there, perfect!

Midnightred

 

[Drusilla99]

The beginning of dec & 2nd week of jan aren't bad. Weather is always a toss up, but this year we were in the 80's most of jan. Unless it's the weekend though, you probably won't get the fireworks in jan.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

I normally like to go to parks in spring (Mar/Apr last year were great at WDW, but early May weekends this year were ridiculous with FP+), but we are looking at heading out to DLR in 2015 and were thinking about going either the second week of Nov or the first or second week in Dec.

I don't want to miss a lot of the activities since we don't get out to CA nearly as much as FL (so won't have a lot of repeat trips that I know of in the future), so that is something to consider vs heading out during a busier time. However, as a personal point of preference, we would love it if there were no holiday themes. Would we be better trying something like June or would it be ridiculously June? I have a Governor's election year next year so anytime from Aug-early Nov is probably going to be out.

March and April have so many spring breaks and after this year's May (although maybe not the same type of crowd as WDW), I was thinking to skip Spring in the parks. I normally NEVER go to the parks in the summer, but CA might be different? Early fall is likely out, so then that leaves Nov or Dec. Is there any possibility the first week in Nov right after the election that there will be closures for putting up decorations? I would prefer a time when there are no ride closures and even better if there aren't decorations. Will they already be up by then?

We would prefer a cooler time (early May in FL basically did in my Seattle other half and I'm not wanted to repeat that again)...

What about late Feb/early Mar? Are there a lot of closures then?

Siigghh

 

[DisneyFan0304]

I went in early December last year and it was COLD!!! The holiday decorations, etc. we're great, but I was freezing. I'll have to keep investigating. Thanks.

 

[wynntx]

We like to go in the summer. This way, there are more daylight hours, most rides are open, shows play everynight, and the weather is nice. I like warm weather so you can enjoy the hotel pool on your break. Anaheim in my opinion has very mild weather. Last summer we only felt hot one day. Yesterday here in my town in West Texas we broke a record, 111 degrees! Usually Anaheim seems to stay in the 80 degree range in the summer when we have been there, perfect!

Midnightred

I live in West Texas too! We are in Midland, which only hit 100 or 101 yesterday. Where are you?

 

[Midnightred]

We are in Alpine, so hello neighbor! Our AC just went out!

Midnightred

 

[ashleysev]

I agree with checking the crowd trends link.

I've been in April, July, and December. We almost didn't go during our July CA trip because it was projected to be one of the busiest weeks to go (4th of July week), but we did and it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected. I was imagining WAY worse.

I think if you stay flexible that any day at Disney can be a good day.

 

[DisMike]

I normally like to go to parks in spring (Mar/Apr last year were great at WDW, but early May weekends this year were ridiculous with FP+), but we are looking at heading out to DLR in 2015 and were thinking about going either the second week of Nov or the first or second week in Dec.

I don't want to miss a lot of the activities since we don't get out to CA nearly as much as FL (so won't have a lot of repeat trips that I know of in the future), so that is something to consider vs heading out during a busier time. However, as a personal point of preference, we would love it if there were no holiday themes. Would we be better trying something like June or would it be ridiculously June? I have a Governor's election year next year so anytime from Aug-early Nov is probably going to be out.

March and April have so many spring breaks and after this year's May (although maybe not the same type of crowd as WDW), I was thinking to skip Spring in the parks. I normally NEVER go to the parks in the summer, but CA might be different? Early fall is likely out, so then that leaves Nov or Dec. Is there any possibility the first week in Nov right after the election that there will be closures for putting up decorations? I would prefer a time when there are no ride closures and even better if there aren't decorations. Will they already be up by then?

We would prefer a cooler time (early May in FL basically did in my Seattle other half and I'm not wanted to repeat that again)...

What about late Feb/early Mar? Are there a lot of closures then?

Siigghh

The first week of Nov is a great time to go. Disney takes down the Halloween stuff and puts up the Christmas stuff within days. The weather is usually really nice (high 70's to high 80's), the crowds are generally pretty low. The only ride that I've ever seen closed for Christmas decorations (give it at least a few days after Halloween) is Small World. All rides are open. Fireworks on the weekend not during the week. Generally wait times are in the 15 - 20 minute range except for some of the newer rides CL, TSMM. Great time to go.

Feb has tons of ride closures. March/April are really crowded because of Spring Breaks.

The weather in SOCAL is soooooo much nicer than FL. Similar temps but the humidity is nothing in comparison. You may bake in 90 - 100 degree weather (when it's there) but you don't melt. You can go on GRR or SM and get wet and you will dry out during the day. Won't do that in FL.

If you go non-holiday in Nov or Dec crowds should be ok but the way things seem to be happening in the last year or two there seems to be very few low crowd days anymore.

Good luck and welcome to DLR!

 

[DJT]

We had planned a trip for November 2013 but due to my parents' health, we had to cancel. Since that time both my parents have passed (very sad for me). Now we are looking at trying to reschedule a trip. I am wondering if November is the best time to go. Looking at the first week of November. We can go any time but thought November might not be too hot or too cold (love going to WDW the first of November). Is my thinking on track? This will be our first and only trip to DL.

Donna