Best Time ?

[bmorr1963]

So we've decided to go to DL for our first time after numerous trips to WDW. We have three children ages 6, 8 and 10. We plan to have this trip in 2013.

Our big question is timing. The three options are..............

June-July
Sept - Oct
November

If we go with the Sept-Oct OR Nov time period we will do so knowing we have to pull them out of school. Five days for a Sept-Oct trip or two days for a November trip that we will plan around some scheduled school time off.

So ---- what do you suggest. I have no idea if the crowds in June or July will sway our decision as we would rather not take the kids out of school ---- but would consider it if it's too crazy in the summer time period. With Cars Land a year older hopefully it won't be bad like I hear it was this summer, but still, were nervous on our first trip being monopolized in lines.

Finally I have heard that September on there's a chance some rides begin to be closed down because of the shorter hours.

Ah the decisions ---- your thoughts will help. Thanks.

 

[Cinderpamela]

First off glad to hear you are planning a trip to Walts first park!

I would recommend you check out hydroguys tips thread... if you page down he has a whole section with articles on the pros and cons of each season. That would be a great way to get up to speed on your choices.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

With that said, we like to go the week after Thanksgiving, we get to enjoy the Christmas decorations and once the weekend after Thanksgiving has passed the crowds get pretty light on the following Mon-Thurs. Plus there aren't usually as many closures unless its a major refurb.

We have also gone mid September and it was really nice crowd, and weather wise but had more closures.

 

[d1gitman]

Not sure about the crowd factor but i would vote for June. We lived in SoCal for a year and in June the locals complain about "june gloom" but to be honest, coming from New England, June Gloom was pretty awesome. Not too hot, not too cold. My experience with that time of year is beautiful days, sky covered with clouds (not rain clouds) so it was bright and cheery out but not beat down by the sun since it was covered.

July gets hot, dry but hot.

We did DLCA for the 4 days prior to Thanksgiving day. The area we lived in had no school for entire week of Thanksgiving, something i wish schools around here would do. That day before Thanksgiving became a madhouse beginning in the early afternoon.

When we do WDW we really don't do rope drop (excecpt last Christmas due to crowds). At DLCA as locals we quickly converted to rope drop people, i would probably suggest the same.

We used to pull our DS11 out of school for a week to do WDW when he was in kindergarten, 1st & 2nd grade. As he moved up the grades (now 6th) we abandoned that practice as it became clear to both our DS and us parents that it was too much of an impact on him to catch up.

 

[d1gitman]

Also, from what i've been told on these forums, DLCA still allows stacking fastpasses to use after the printed return time. This is extremely helpful in planning ones day, making getting to the park in teh AM even more beneficial.

Regardless of your FP strategy, be sure to research which attractions do and don't have FP. Don't assume that the same attractions at WDW with fastpass have fastpass at DLCA. For example, Toy Story Mania...no FP at DLCA. Matterhorn does not have FP either. Just because an attraction is a major attraction, there isn't necessarily a FP for it at DLCA

 

[HydroGuy]

So we've decided to go to DL for our first time after numerous trips to WDW. We have three children ages 6, 8 and 10. We plan to have this trip in 2013.

Our big question is timing. The three options are..............

June-July
Sept - Oct
November

If we go with the Sept-Oct OR Nov time period we will do so knowing we have to pull them out of school. Five days for a Sept-Oct trip or two days for a November trip that we will plan around some scheduled school time off.

So ---- what do you suggest. I have no idea if the crowds in June or July will sway our decision as we would rather not take the kids out of school ---- but would consider it if it's too crazy in the summer time period. With Cars Land a year older hopefully it won't be bad like I hear it was this summer, but still, were nervous on our first trip being monopolized in lines.

Finally I have heard that September on there's a chance some rides begin to be closed down because of the shorter hours.

Ah the decisions ---- your thoughts will help. Thanks.

For a first trip I would recommend against September or early November.

This thread will help you understand your options.

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

 

[tanyaewa]

We have done end may, end sept/oct and will do end nov/ dec.

All are relatively manageable crowds.

May has nice weather, short hours
Sept/ oct has nice weather, Halloween decor
Nov/ dec has coolest weather, Christmas decor

Parks close early midweek, fewer fireworks and shows midweek. Be sure to have at least one weekend to have long hours and full show schedule.

IMO July would be too busy.

My boys 7 & 9 enjoy less crowds. But don't care if there are fewer show options.
Operating hours have a big impact on the trip. If the parks close at 8 or 9 it's tough to leave and come back. You have to be the type of group that can power through. Which we are.
I just realized for our nov 29-dec 2 trip that I was planning a night in the park when we arrive Thurs but likely it will close at 8/9 so will revamp the plan a bit. Good to be aware of that. Although it is great for our boys to have a few early nights. All food for thought! Good luck!

 

[Monica D]

I vote for September-October; it's my favorite time to go.

I try to avoid the summer months like the plague because I hate the crowds. We did go in mid-June a few years ago and it wasn't too bad, but early fall is still best. When I was a kid we would go in November and I remember it being VERY crowded. Plus, the weather can be unpredictable. May is another good month, if you can do it.