Best time to visit this year?

[AZpharmacist]

I would like to make a trip out for the 60th anniversary and was wondering when the best time to go is. I already went for Christmas last year and dont want to go again around that time. I will be travelling with a 2 year old and my husband. We can go at any time this year. I'm looking for a time where the crowds wont be too bad but most attractions will still be open (although its fine if some are closed since we just went 6 months ago). Thanks!

 

[chickapin parterre]

week before labor day, many folks traditionally make plans to attend any type vacation during the last week of august. But what has happened for 2015 is that there is a whole week in September before labor day.So severe is that time lost, that schools districts in Oregon are looking to no longer use Labor day as start for school

 

[figment_jii]

The 2015 Calendar thread has a listing of some of the known events that will be happening in and around DLR, plus the school breaks that may impact DLR crowds. My guess says that your best chance at low(ish) crowds during the rest of this year is to aim to go during the weekdays in September (after Labor Day weekend). I would avoid Labor Day weekend if possible because it's a three-day weekend and it's when the Disneyland Marathon takes place, so the parks will be busy.

If you wait until after HalloweenTime starts, you'll see HMH and SMGG (otherwise, there is a chance those will be closed to have their overlays installed, if you go before HalloweenTime starts, but after Labor Day weekend), plus the parks with their Halloween decor. It's a fun time to see the parks (especially if you've already seen the Holiday season). Otherwise, early November is a possibility, but IaSW will likely be closed and possibly Jungle Cruise (both to get their holiday overlay installed).

 

[maltdizzy]

I vote the week before Labor Day myself.

Historically, after Labor Day, they shut done Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain for the Halloween makeovers (Haunted Mansion Holiday and Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy) and maybe two weeks after that the whole Halloween theming should be in place.

No one is sure about the evening entertainment this fall, but traditionally weekday fireworks end after Labor Day.

 

[figment_jii]

Historically, after Labor Day, they shut done Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain for the Halloween makeovers (Haunted Mansion Holiday and Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy) and maybe two weeks after that the whole Halloween theming should be in place.

Just to clarify, but Haunted Mansion usually closes in mid-to-late-August to have the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay installed. It takes about 18-days to install the overlay. Space Mountain closes for 4-days before the start of HalloweenTime to have the Ghost Galaxy overlay install. We do not yet know when HalloweenTime will start this year, but te guessing is somewhere between September 12 and 18 (based on history, it would start on Friday, September 11, but given the historical significance of that day, it seems unlikely that they'd start a festive season on that day).

No one is sure about the evening entertainment this fall, but traditionally weekday fireworks end after Labor Day.

Correct, but F! drops down to the weekend only schedule in mid-to-late-August. Mad T Party transitions to the weekend only schedule after Labor Day as well. WoC is traditionally presented nightly. We don't know about PtN yet.

 

[maltdizzy]

We do not yet know when HalloweenTime will start this year, but te guessing is somewhere between September 12 and 18 (based on history, it would start on Friday, September 11, but given the historical significance of that day, it seems unlikely that they'd start a festive season on that day).

I think I have to agree with Sherry E on this one...Halloweentime is historically the second Friday after Labor Day, I expect Sept 18th.

 

[figment_jii]

I'm curious to see what they opt to do as well. They may opt to wait until the 18th to start HalloweenTime because they'll still have seven weekends during the season (assuming they run HalloweenTime through Sunday, November 1 in this case) and it's similar to what they did in 2011 (Labor Day on 9/5 and HalloweenTime started on 9/16). Still given the popularity of HalloweenTime, I could also see them wanting to start it as early as possible.

 

[4Siamese]

I will give the unhelpful yet well intended...ANYTIME response.

 

[AZpharmacist]

Thanks. I was thinking right after Labor Day as well. I went on the Tuesday following Labor Day in 2010 and there were no crowds and Fantasmic was going on even though it was a weekday. I'll try to get 1 weekend day in to see Fantasmic though because I didn't get to see it in December. I'm okay with Space Mountain being closed as I'm pregnant and can't go on it anyways.

Plus I'm thinking that my daughter may actually know what's going on this time so she will probably get to pick most of the attractions. Well, she will be a little over 2 so we will see. She didn't care for any rides 6 months ago. Just the shows

 

[ashleysev]

I've been in April, May, July, and December. The crowds really don't bother me! We're going to try September or October this year.

 

[AZpharmacist]

I've been in April, May, July, and December. The crowds really don't bother me! We're going to try September or October this year.

Crowds don't normally bother me either but can be hard with a toddler in a stroller. In December, we went for 4 days and I was actually grateful that it rained for 3 of them because the 1 sunny day was just too crowded with the stroller. Although I have to say that I didn't find the lines to be much of an issue bc my child was only 17 months and not walking much. Now that she's 2, it will be harder to keep her occupied

 

[ashleysev]

Crowds don't normally bother me either but can be hard with a toddler in a stroller. In December, we went for 4 days and I was actually grateful that it rained for 3 of them because the 1 sunny day was just too crowded with the stroller. Although I have to say that I didn't find the lines to be much of an issue bc my child was only 17 months and not walking much. Now that she's 2, it will be harder to keep her occupied

Two in a stroller would be tough with the crowds. I would almost prefer a sling... but it's been a lot of years since I've had a little one! Mine turns 18 in October.