Best time to visit DL?

[kugelette]

Tying to pick the right time for our upcoming trip. The options are with the Monday through Wednesday of thanksgiving week, or late march (spring break). Thoughts?

Is DL around thanksgiving very Xmas-themed? We don't celebrate it and my son doesn't enjoy seeing the theming.

 

[mesaboy2]

Tying to pick the right time for our upcoming trip. The options are with the Monday through Wednesday of thanksgiving week, or late march (spring break). Thoughts?

Is DL around thanksgiving very Xmas-themed? We don't celebrate it and my son doesn't enjoy seeing the theming.

First question: are you asking about Disneyland (DL) in California or Walt Disney World in Florida?

Either way, both of your candidate weeks are very busy.

 

[kugelette]

Disneyland

 

[mesaboy2]

Both weeks there are busy too. As for your decorations question, I don't know how DLR does it, I can only speak about WDW. See this forum for DLR questions: http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=26. (This one is oriented towards WDW.)

 

[Sdobek]

I believe they start decorating for Christmas in early November. There are alot of christmas decorations especially along main street. I think everything but the resort hotels are decorated before Thanksgiving.

 

[sharonabe]

If the Christmas decorations will be a distraction, I'd plan on the spring break timing. Spring breaks are different all over the country, so your best bet for DL would be to see when the CA schools/universities are breaking.

 

[KateDrake]

Those are both very busy times at Disneyland, but it is still possible to have a great time.

If the Christmas decor is a worry, I would go for spring. However, they do decorate for Easter as well and have several Easter-themed events. Not sure if that is an issue for you guys or not, but wanted to give you the heads up!

My favorite time at DLR is in early October. Love the Halloween decorations, Haunted Mansion overlay and the perfect weather!

The Disneyland board here on the DIS is also amazing, I'd highly recommend asking any more questions you may have over there. You'll get a much better response. Hope you guys have a great trip!

 

[Itinkso]

DL will definitely be decorated for Christmas in November. The Christmas Parade taping takes place at DLR a week or two before MK's parade taping. DTD will also have all it's decorations and ice rink up by then.

Most schools in CA have their Spring Break the week before Easter and most students return to school the Tuesday after Easter. So, Easter Sunday and the following day can be quite crowded.

 

[Cyrano]

Moving to DL board

 

[figment_jii]

As the PP said, if seeing Holiday decor and theming is going to be problematic, then going around Thanksgiving is likely to be an issue. DLR is in full holiday mode by mid-November. Based on history, it's likely that the holiday decor (including parade, fireworks, rides, etc.) will be up and running by 11/10 or 11/18 (the Avengers marathon is making guessing a little harder this year, but no one expects the holidays to start the week of Thanksgiving). The parade is filmed in early November, so the first bits of decor will appear then.

I don't know if you have the same aversion to Halloween, but Disneyland will be Halloween mode starting 9/12 through 10/31 (probably actually through 11/2 (Sunday)). There isn't a lot of Halloween in DCA or DTD, but it's not completely Halloween-free either. Basically, starting from 9/12 through early-January DLR has some type of seasonal overlay.