Crowd levels 1st week of June vs. 2nd week of October

[Flamingomo]

Hi everyone,
I have never been to DL before, just DW, and wanted to know what the crowd levels were during June and October. I know DW is super crowded in June and has gotten more crowded in October in recent years, so I just need to compare. We were just in DW the first week of December 2007, and it was a dream. VERY low crowds, no wait for rides and temps no higher than 80 and not a drop of rain. We are hoping to get to DL in 2009 if things fall into place where they need to. We have two kids ages 7 and 4 who are both itching to go there too.

Thanks!
Maureen

 

[mo3bys]

We have prefered October. That is our favorite time...Well that is except for December. The first part of December was the best

 

[issapowers]

Just got back yesterday. crowds in my opinon were unbelievable. Seems like everyone was starting their vacation this week. one hour waits + for many of the rides, it was a hot day, and lines for food, stores, beverages, were packed. The pooh ride was about a 15min wait which I've never had to wait for that ride, (not a complaint though, 15min wait was awesome for my toddler) My husband took her on pooh while I went to the candy store to purchase us some treats. I was still in the line at the candy store when my husband and daughter got off the pooh ride.

I've never been in October before, but I just found our trip very uncomfortable, Now i have a toddler and a baby, which is way more work for me, so maybe it will be different for having older children?

 

[PrincessIM]

We were there from May 30-June 4th. It was busier than I had expected. It wasn't too bad first thing in the morning but it just kept building throughout the day. I would think that October would be less busy.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

We did both this year. We went the second week of October in '07, and then we were there last week. October was WAY more crowded. We were able to ride everything and then some last week. Although I will say this year was more crowded then early June in the past. Which to me just says, there is no such thing as a slow time anymore! We liked October with all the decorations, but too many schools are out for fall break. Last week we saw some groups with field trips, but even though it was worse then years past, it still didn't touch what we experienced in October. We probably wouldn't do an October trip again after that. The crowds were miserable for us.

 

[Catgyrl]

We did both this year. We went the second week of October in '07, and then we were there last week. October was WAY more crowded. We were able to ride everything and then some last week. Although I will say this year was more crowded then early June in the past. Which to me just says, there is no such thing as a slow time anymore! We liked October with all the decorations, but too many schools are out for fall break. Last week we saw some groups with field trips, but even though it was worse then years past, it still didn't touch what we experienced in October. We probably wouldn't do an October trip again after that. The crowds were miserable for us.

Yuck... I was hoping nobody would say this. I'm going from October 19-24, and was hoping it wasn't too bad. Oh well, I guess it's good that we'll have 5 days. Might have to dust off the RideMax plans after all.

 

[EMAW]

I second (or third? lost count) the surprise of the recent crowd levels. We were there from May 31- June 6 and it was a lot more crowded than I expected. The wait times for the 'popular' rides were at least 45+ minutes and the parades all required super advanced scouting.

 

[quest4dl]

I also just got back from 4 days in the parks and the crowds were worse on Mon and Tues than on the Saturday! Turns out there was a convention and since it is summer, more families probably attend.

 

[honeymom]

We have found that even if we go during busy times, that if we strategize, maximize fastpass use, go at park openings and use mm's when available, we do not experience the line problems.

Is there really any time at DL that isn't crowded anymore?

 

[JadeDarkstar]

the end nov-begging dec was grate. were going this year begging of oct i excpect more crouds with the halloweed party andstuff but i dobut it will be like june. i will never go dieiring the summer in less its not my trip to plan. my planing would be oct nov dec. mostly for bdays so close i can wrap it up in it, pluse i burn easy and get over heated more then i use to so trying not to go when its over 105..or in AZ over 112

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Many Arizona schools have a week-long Fall Break the second week of October. We went to DL during Fall Break last year and it was PACKED. There were THOUSANDS, not hundreds, but THOUSANDS of people in line waiting to get through the turnstiles in the mornings, and I'm talking like 30-40 mins before opening. There were hoards of guests everywhere -- it was shocking and difficult to get around with such large crowds.

We were just there, June 3-5, and it was also really busy, but not as crowded as it was during Fall Break.

I hope you can find the perfect time to visit the parks!

 

[Husker Mickey]

Well, we went the 3rd week of Oct. last year and are planning the same trip this year. It wasn't so bad, crowd-wise. It was way better than Easter '07. The weather was great and we made the most of our days with early morning go-go-going and a mid afternoon break. It worked great for us. Don't forget to utilize fastpass to the max.

 

[Jake's Mom]

We went Sept 30-Oct 10th last year and it was CRAZY busy. I'm talking full capacity at the park by 2pm on a couple of the days. It was really not enjoyable.
We just went this year from May 28-June 6th and although it was busy, it was totally managable. As another post mentions, take advantage of magic mornings, Fast passes etc and it's not too bad. I would definitely go the same time again, but never again will I go in October!

 

[ACDSNY]

Yuck... I was hoping nobody would say this. I'm going from October 19-24, and was hoping it wasn't too bad. Oh well, I guess it's good that we'll have 5 days. Might have to dust off the RideMax plans after all.

I think you'll be fine on your dates. The heavier crowds seem to be earlier in the month. I was surprised last year how light the crowds were on Halloween week.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

Yeah I remember the week after we got home, everyone was saying the crowds were better. I was bummed! LOL So seems like later in the month might be a better choice.

 

[kingshockey04]

We went Sept 30-Oct 10th last year and it was CRAZY busy. I'm talking full capacity at the park by 2pm on a couple of the days. It was really not enjoyable.

I'm a little worried now, I have a trip planned for Oct. 1-4th....I hope this year it won't be busy again.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

I'm a little worried now, I have a trip planned for Oct. 1-4th....I hope this year it won't be busy again.

Well, I hate to say Gay Days at DL is Oct 3-5. So you'll be smack in the middle of those crowds. Get there early, and use those FP.

 

[janc]

I'll be there the 3rd week in Oct. I am not going to let the crowds bother me. I am going to enjoy all the Halloween decorations and hopefully sunnier weather then what I will be leaving at home.

 

[Flamingomo]

Thanks everyone for all of your great info. So if these are the busiest times, what about 1st week of February/last week of January? Or is that rainy season in CA? When IS the best/least crowded time to go?

 

[JadeDarkstar]

1st week of dec or last week of nov seemed good last time