Disneyland in June

[mrstbalt]

Hi! We are taking our first trip to California this summer and
plan to make a stop at Disneyland. June-Aug, which is the
least crowded time to go? We have been to Disneyworld, but
at off peak times. Our girls will be 10 1/2 and 9 1/2 when we
go, any tips or suggestions would be great. Hope everyone had
a fun Halloween!

 

[KCmike]

We've been in the first week of June (which is still considered off season as the kids are still in school in CA) and we've been in the middle of July. June was moderate and July was definitely had more people but it stayed open till midnight every night and all the extras were on at that time. Also during the first week there is a good chance Little Mermaid won't be ready yet. The later the better in my opinion. You also have to factor in how AP's are blocked out.

 

[HydroGuy]

Hi! We are taking our first trip to California this summer and
plan to make a stop at Disneyland. June-Aug, which is the
least crowded time to go? We have been to Disneyworld, but
at off peak times. Our girls will be 10 1/2 and 9 1/2 when we
go, any tips or suggestions would be great. Hope everyone had
a fun Halloween!

First, offpeak at DLR does not work the same as WDW. Be sure you understand that before choosing dates. Try too hard to miss crowds and you may miss something else too.

See:

"What You Should Know About Off-Season at DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18462889

Second, DLR has some cool things opening either next May or maybe early June - according to rumor. A brand new Little Mermaid ride (same ride as coming to MK in 2012 I believe), Goofy's Sky School and Star Tours 2. I would be hesitant to plan for early June because of that because I might miss it.

See MiceChat's trackers here:

Disney California Adventure Project Tracker X
Disneyland Resort Project Tracker II

Third, DLR has some unusual crowd patterns that differ from WDW because they have a huge number of AP holders from SoCal. This has the made certain days in the last few Junes extremely busy.

See:

"Understanding AP Blockouts and Impact on Crowds" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2365983

Fourth, summer crowds at DLR are there but not extreme - usually. Even so, it is easier to work around the crowds at DLR than WDW because of the walking distance hotels and because there are so many day trippers.

See:

"Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319


Fifth, if you do go in June be aware of grad nights:

"The Scoop on Grad Nights at DLR in May and June" - www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2298400


And finally, for an overall intro to DLR see Mary Jo's excellent sticky thread and the following guide from my favorite DIS poster:

* DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here!

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[kaoden39]

We went June 13-19 this summer. It was busy but that was because it was the first weekend following the opening of WoC. From what I understand it usually isn't quite as busy. We really only had one really busy day and the was on a Friday.

 

[aml3679]

Hi! We are taking our first trip to California this summer and
plan to make a stop at Disneyland. June-Aug, which is the
least crowded time to go? We have been to Disneyworld, but
at off peak times. Our girls will be 10 1/2 and 9 1/2 when we
go, any tips or suggestions would be great. Hope everyone had
a fun Halloween!

We were there in September when all the kids were back to school and believe me when I say crowded. It was nice. Loved California Adventure the best - adult feel and atmosphere but I think it would be great for your girls. Nice air conditioned places to eat.

 

[kiwitravel]

We have done late June in past visits and this year did mid August. I can recommend both, being right at the start or right at the end of the busy season means everything is open and crowds are managable. I would have to say the crowds were a little less in August, the weather was very clear (no June gloom) but was a little too hot.

With new rides due to open in May I would probably favour August next year..

 

[blackjackdelta]

This last year crowds were less than the previous August's. We were thinking of June this year but my daughters wedding plans have changed so we will probably shoot for August 2011. I prefer to stay away from the times when the new rides open, it usually is pretty crazy.

Jack

 

[mrstbalt]

Thanks for all the input, links and everything! Disneyland is new for us
and we want to get the most out of it!

 

[kaoden39]

This last year crowds were less than the previous August's. We were thinking of June this year but my daughters wedding plans have changed so we will probably shoot for August 2011. I prefer to stay away from the times when the new rides open, it usually is pretty crazy.

Jack

Honestly, when I planned our June trip that WoC was opening then we would not have gone then.

Thanks for all the input, links and everything! Disneyland is new for us
and we want to get the most out of it!

Have you checked out RideMax? It can help you make the most out of everyday of your trip.

 

[shanni]

You guys are making me nervous!! We have a trip planned for the first week of June. Is it going to be a horrible time to go??

 

[blackjackdelta]

You guys are making me nervous!! We have a trip planned for the first week of June. Is it going to be a horrible time to go??

I do not think June is a "horrible" time to go but with a new "E" ticket ride opening the lines increase around the park on certain attractions. Just think that when those lines get longer other rides will be shorter and the weather seems to be always mild.

Jack

 

[kiwitravel]

What you will get in early June is a whole lot more locals as the Socal passes don't block out until the end of June, with new rides in the park it will be busier than normally but still quieter than July...

You cannot predict the crowds though, this trip we had a week before the socal APs unblocked and then a few days after and we noticed only a very slight different in crowd size, I had heard horror stories about full to overflowing parks in previous times on those first days of the APs unblocking but this year it didn't happen.

With this recession maybe fewer people are buying the APs...

 

[kaoden39]

I think that June is probably the best month during the summer.

 

[shanni]

Thanks for the reassurance!! I'll try to stop obsessing over it! This is our first trip, and I just want it to be perfect! I'm seeing though that any time we pick will have good and bad things about it. We'll just try to relax and go with the flow!

 

[kaoden39]

Thanks for the reassurance!! I'll try to stop obsessing over it! This is our first trip, and I just want it to be perfect! I'm seeing though that any time we pick will have good and bad things about it. We'll just try to relax and go with the flow!

One thing to think about that makes it a good time to visit is the fact that there shouldn't be ride closures, and the weather should be perfect.

 

[Piglet99645]

I thought I would hijack this thread instead of starting a new one. I've searched all I can about "June" on here, and I'm wondering

1. if there are any OFFICIAL dates for the new rides opening?

2. If we are arriving Wednesday June 8th in the evening, and June 9 is a grad night.... trying to decide how long to stay so that we don't kill ourselves trying to make the most of the park for our kids. We will have a 10 yo and a 5 yo (and maybe another adult and a 2yo). So I am thinking despite the "touring plans" suggested by the Unofficial Guide, we may just hit Fantasyland for a good portion of one day to make the little one happy.

3. I have only walked through California Adventures for about 1/2 hour one day by myself when I was killing off a parkhopper ticket in 2006...... is this a good park for the 10 & 5 year old? I've gotten the impression that it's not so much for the little ones.

Thanks!!

 

[HydroGuy]

I thought I would hijack this thread instead of starting a new one. I've searched all I can about "June" on here, and I'm wondering

1. if there are any OFFICIAL dates for the new rides opening?

I do not think so. There is good reason to believe the new rides will be open by June because that is what DLR does - gets new rides and shows open by May or early June to be ready for summer crowds. June 8-9 is in that zone of uncertainty. All of the rumors say the new rides will open in May...

3. I have only walked through California Adventures for about 1/2 hour one day by myself when I was killing off a parkhopper ticket in 2006...... is this a good park for the 10 & 5 year old? I've gotten the impression that it's not so much for the little ones.

Thanks!!

Not so much as DL, but yes.

- Animation Academy
- Turtle Talk with Crush (part of AA)
- Toy Story Mania
- Monsters Inc
- Its Tough to Be A Bug
- Soarin Over California
- Plus some more...

 

[skiingfast]

I
3. I have only walked through California Adventures for about 1/2 hour one day by myself when I was killing off a parkhopper ticket in 2006...... is this a good park for the 10 & 5 year old? I've gotten the impression that it's not so much for the little ones.

Thanks!!

I do not think so. There is good reason to believe the new rides will be open by June because that is what DLR does - gets new rides and shows open by May or early June to be ready for summer crowds. June 8-9 is in that zone of uncertainty. All of the rumors say the new rides will open in May...

Not so much as DL, but yes.

- Animation Academy
- Turtle Talk with Crush (part of AA)
- Toy Story Mania
- Monsters Inc
- Its Tough to Be A Bug
- Soarin Over California
- Plus some more...

I want to add in Flik's Fun Fair there are 4 attractions aimed right at little ones. Not the 10yo or parents but absolute perfect for a 5yo.

 

[HydroGuy]

1. if there are any OFFICIAL dates for the new rides opening?

See the Al Lutz article from today:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2625943

Al says that LM will likely open during Spring Break and ST is on track for May.

 

[Piglet99645]

Awesome. Thanks for all the info.

I love the planning.