Crowded Disneyland?

[Glynis]

Hi all, I am just back from a FABULOUS trip to DL, and have been discussing it with a neighbor of mine. She's only been once when she was a child, and now she has 5 children who have never been. She and her husband have been discussing a trip, but they want to go at a time when they won't have horrendous crowds. Can any of you tell me when the least crowded times at Disneyland are? Also, can you tell me, generally, when schools start and end in So. Cal? Thanks for any help. I'm trying to ensure that they have as wonderful a time as my family had.

Thanks.

 

[iceskatejen]

One of the best times is early Dec. Crowds are fairly low (though weekends are always crowded), the park is beautiful with all the Christmas decorations, and everything is running.

 

[carmel]

Shhhhhh Jen - that's when I'm going and I don't want the secret to get out!

 

[adisneymama]

How is the weather in Dec? Also, what about early May? How are the crowds then?

 

[Glynis]

How is the weather in Dec? Also, what about early May? How are the crowds then?

I'd like the answers to those questions myself. I think Dec. would be a fabulous time to go, but I don't know if there's enough time to plan and budget for my neighbor. I'm interested in Spring as well. How crowded is it from March to May? Weather is also a factor.

 

[LucyKate]

We went early December and it was a fabulous time to go. Weather was cool to warm (though cold at night) and mid week there were no queues for anything - we walked straight on Splash, Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Peter Pan etc.

The Christmas decorations look sensational and the holiday makoeovers of Small World and Haunted Mansion are wonderful. You also get cheap rates at hotels and have no problem getting seats at Blue Bayou (we turned up on a Sunday night and got a water seat in half an hour - no reservation) or at character meals.

But to give you a few more options I found this graph very helpful http://www.scottware.com.au/theme/feature/crowds.htm

 

[Earstou]

Weather in Dec. can be cold. One trip we left the park and went to Target to buy hats and gloves. I also bought a jacket. We were then able to enjoy the rest of our trip! Our other Dec. trip we didn't need any of this!

 

[cardaway]

December can be very cold and WET. We went Dec. 2002 and the temp never got over the 50's and spent most of time in the 40's. It also rained quite often, and unlike WDW, DL doesn't drain very well. Puddles everywhere all day. Made walking interesting on those days.

The lack of crowds was awesome. We got to ride Splash Mtn three times in a row without leaving our log. They just asked us if we wanted another go around when we hit the station. We figured we were wet from the rain already, why not? Once you're soaked, you're soaked!

Low crowds but you sure do look forward to the indoor rides and shops because of the indoor heat and shelter.

 

[JMouse]

We're booked to go this February coming up... Any ideas on how the crowds and weather are during mid February?? We're going from the 21 - 27. Any help is appreciated!!

Jared

 

[LucyKate]

Jmouse - this graph http://www.scottware.com.au/theme/feature/crowds.htm indicates February has low crowds, apart from President's weekend. It also has a graph for Disneyland weather patterns for the year.

We must have been lucky - we found December quite mild, even warm some days (low 60s) but it certainly got cold quickly after sundown so bring coats, hats, gloves and put them in a locker until nightfall.

The one day it rained, it was only a mild sprinkle, but the place was deserted, southern Californians certainly don't like rain (but it's great for visitors as it means no queues).

 

[Me40Diz50]

Well since I have a pass and I always renew, All the months that are not the summer months never seemed to be that bad for me, because the summer is soooo bad, and beleive it or not, when people walk aroung there in the Hot summer it makes it worse, they don't think, they make pushng a stroller harder, i think the sun gets to them. Schools out here, traditonal ones are usually out middle of Jun and back by end of Aug/start of Sept, then year around are off then on, depending at the tracks the kids are on. I like the fall months and the early spring months for not so busy, Disneyland can let you know, if you tell them you want to vacation in less crowds, when i have called they have said to me, that wednesday are less busy out of all the days, but that might be just one persons idea. Some rides have single rider passes, so if your party doesn't want to go on a ride and only you do, then ask for a single rider pass, you just get on and get off, no waiting. Plus there is stroller swaps, so you can stand in line and the person watching the child in stroller can go right away when you get off, with the stroller swap (that you will ask for before they get in line). there is alot of ways to beat the lines and make time. Also if you get a fast pass you don't need to be back at the time it says, they take EXPIRED fastpass tickets, as long as it is for the day you got it. so you go and get your fastpasses and look when your aloud to get another, get another one and if your on the other side of the park, no worries, they will always except them even if they are expired, just don't arrive early. Hope that helps!

 

[camouseketeer]

We went in very early February, late April, and mid September. Early February was the best in terms of crowds. None of the FL rides were more than 5 minutes. (We didn't do the big rides because I have two DD's under 3). The weather was great in the low 70's

Our late April trip was horrible. I'm sure the summer is worse, but the crowds were pretty bad and waits for FL rides were 20 minutes at least. We were far past Easter, but we must have hit late spring breakers. It was also getting warm, mid-80's. I would avoid late April.

I avoided summer like the plauge. A friend of mine went mid July with her DD3 and DS2 and said she'll never go back in the summer. She said it was so crowded, she couldn't move her stroller.

Our mid September trip was lovely. FL rides were 5-10 waits just after opening and bigger rides like BTMRR were about 15 minute waits. The weather was great - upper 70's.

I think the best times to go are:
1.)Late Jan/Early Feb
2.) Mid September
3.) Early December
4.) Early November

Enjoy your trip!

 

[carmel]

I have to add that the crowds were so bad around Easter this past year, we are going to Disneyland the first week of Dec 2006 for the sole purpose of going at the lowest time of the year.

FL wasn't horrible as we got there when the gates opened. But, we couldn't even walk through Tomorrowland. I missed every single ride there. Missed out on Indy because the FP was out by the time I got there. Missed out on Soarin' because the lines were 1+ hrs.

I can't wait to go at an 'off' time.

 

[hydster]

We were there from 9-12 to 9-18 and it was UNCROWDED! It was almost freaky there were not more people around. The line to get into DL on main street didn't even stretch half way up the street. There were NO lines for anything not even the new space mountain. It's a great time because the weather is nice and most people are getting their kids in school, labor day has come and gone and so the crowds are lighter. We always go in Sept and were there on 9-11 and every year it's no lines. I think we used 1 fast pass the whole time we were there. We also went to Knotts and it was so empty that we could re-ride the new coaster over and over without getting off. The only thing that kind of stinks about Sept is that usually haunted mansion is closed getting ready for halloween and some of the rides are down for refurbishment. At DCA the only thing closed was the cool coaster but that was due to an accident. I can't think of anything that was closed at DL. It was so empty that we actually got tired of riding the rides over and over again. LOL

 

[Glynis]

We were there from 9-12 to 9-18 and it was UNCROWDED! It was almost freaky there were not more people around. The line to get into DL on main street didn't even stretch half way up the street. There were NO lines for anything not even the new space mountain. It's a great time because the weather is nice and most people are getting their kids in school, labor day has come and gone and so the crowds are lighter. We always go in Sept and were there on 9-11 and every year it's no lines. I think we used 1 fast pass the whole time we were there. We also went to Knotts and it was so empty that we could re-ride the new coaster over and over without getting off. The only thing that kind of stinks about Sept is that usually haunted mansion is closed getting ready for halloween and some of the rides are down for refurbishment. At DCA the only thing closed was the cool coaster but that was due to an accident. I can't think of anything that was closed at DL. It was so empty that we actually got tired of riding the rides over and over again. LOL

We were there at the same time you were. Sept. 10-16. It was really great, wasn't it? I was really surprised at the lack of crowds. Pleasantly surprised. We even got to go on HM before it closed for the Holidy overlay. September is my month of choice for going to DL.

 

[MousseauMob]

I think the best times to go are:
1.)Late Jan/Early Feb
2.) Mid September
3.) Early December
4.) Early November

I'll second the Late Jan/Early Feb - we've done this twice and it was wonderful. We walked right on the rides with no waiting. The oddest thing was watching BIL and SIL getting fastpasses for rides posted at a 10 minute wait, when in reality the 10 minutes was really the couple of minutes it took to walk through the queue and board.

One year we had unseasonably 80 degree weather in early Feb. so we had a GREAT time at the pool also. Additionally, we've found that early October was great also. We're trying late October this year - hopefully it will be as good.

 

[Albertan mom]

How is the weather in Dec? Also, what about early May? How are the crowds then?

We went in May. (15th-22nd) the weather was nice. We wore shorts or capris and t-shirts every day. It didn't rain once.

The crowds were good. I don't have other times to compare it to, but we thought they were light. Of course, saturday and sunday were wayyyyy busier then the weekdays.
We didn't have to wait in line. On a few popular ones (Thunder Mountain RR, Splash Mountain, Grizzly River Run) we had to wait about 10 minutes, or got fast passes.

The mistake we made was our first day was on a friday at DL, and it was busier. The Saturday at DL was quite busy, then Sunday at CA was quite busy. Then we did Monday at DL and it was totally dead. And Wednesday at CA was dead. So I wish we would have started on the quiet days.
There was school bands and stuff there on the satuday.

My tip-start on monday!! (or tues or wed) But make sure you have one weekend day, so you can see the parades, Fantasmic, Fireworks etc.. that aren't on on weekdays during low season.

Have fun!

 

[HydroGuy]

Just wanted to put in a good word for summer at DL. Yes, it is more crowded in the summer. But,

1. The park hours are longer
2. The weather is warm/hot and it rarely rains
3. With the warm weather, you can wear comfortable shorts and tee-shirts from 8AM until midnight.
4. There is no fear on Splash Mtn or GRR of getting wet
5. The shows and parades run every day
6. Any ride that can be operating is operating
7. IMO, the crowds give an energy to DL that is just not there at uncrowded times.

With good planning, the summer can be a lot of fun.

We had a blast at DLR on a four-day trip in early August this summer. We planned well, rode every ride at DL at least once, the big ones four times, and went on many rides at DCA. We never waited for a ride more than 20 minutes. The highest temperature we experienced was about 85 degrees.

 

[Cindyluwho]

I've found that the first two weeks of May are always very quiet at Disneyland. It's between all the school's spring breaks and end of school. We've never waited longer than 20 minutes for a ride and even that was rare.

 

[adisneymama]

I've found that the first two weeks of May are always very quiet at Disneyland. It's between all the school's spring breaks and end of school. We've never waited longer than 20 minutes for a ride and even that was rare.

Thank you so much! We are looking at maybe doing DL for DD 4th bday which is Mothers day week. Sounds like it is a good time to go!