DisneyLand questions - never been there

[Mickey's sunshine]

What is the best time of year to go crowd wise and weather wise. Does it get really hot there? I dont want FL weather. LOL.

Do they offer any packages for hotels and park passes?

Any suggestions, must do's and donts?

 

[Mr Wes]

Best time to go, hmmm I would have to say Sept-Dec, and January. These are the times when schools are in session.
Weather wise, Anaheim can get in the mid to high 90's in the summer, but no humidity!

Don't miss World of color!

 

[Mickey's sunshine]

Out of Feb to May, what would be best?

 

[Mr Wes]

I would say May, Feb is also good but can still be a lil cold.

 

[colin25]

My favorite time to go is early May. The weather is good, crowds aren't bad, and as a personal favorite, the Haunted Mansion is in it's original form, and not Haunted Mansion Holiday(not that I don't like HMH, but I love the original so much more).

 

[PinkBudgie]

Everyone has their own opinion on when it is best to go. It depends on if you like long hours and everything running, or if low crowds is most important.

In my opinion, the best time to go is mid July. It can get hot, but not humid. The parks are open late. Most all shows and rides are up and running. It can be crowded, but mornings are not and with good use of Fast Passes, you keep your average wait time down to about 15-20 min. I just love the warm summer weather and long hours. That's just me.

If you go during an "off" time keep in mind that hours may be shorter and shows may not run everyday. Also, what season do you like? Would you like to see the fall decorations, the Christmas decorations, ect?

Yes, there are packages out there. AAA and Costco have some or you can go through Disney. We always book our hotel and then buy an annual pass to last us through two summers. Before we got APs, we bought tickets through AAA to get free parking and still booked our own hotel.

As for dos and don'ts- just read through the threads on this forum to get ideas. But DO plan to parkhop everyday. There is no reason not to.

Are you thinking of going within this year? Next year?

 

[Carmatts]

Like Pink Buggie said, you ask 10 people what the best time to go is and you will probably get 10 different answers. The best combo of lower crowds and good weather is early May. The kids are still in school and the weather is nice. The trade off is during the times with lower crowds there is reduced hours and shows. I would suggest if you go during a time when the crowds are lower you go during at least part of the weekend so you don't miss things like Fantasmic that only run on the weekends during slow season.

One thing to consider as well is Carsland opens next summer in DCA along with a whole new entrance to the park. It looks like it is going to be amazing.

 

[HydroGuy]

I will agree May is the best time for lower crowds and better weather. However, I also agree that it would be reall hard to do May 2012 right before Cars Land opens. Also, be aware that lower crowds means off-season and that works differently at DLR than WDW.

See

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


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

For weather see "Detailed Weather Data for DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158

 

[Mickey's sunshine]

thank you everyone for you answers.

I dont think we can do July. May is sounding good. Is the Fantasmic pretty much the same at DL and DW?

Do they have transportation from the airport (not sure which is closest) to DL hotels?

 

[Mickey's sunshine]

oh and thank you Hydro Guy for the links, I will check them out

 

[oc_tony]

Is the Fantasmic pretty much the same at DL and DW?

No, DL's Fantasmic is better! The only bummer is there is no seating like at DHS. The show takes place on the river and Tom Sawyer's Island, so everyone just stakes out their spot on the walkway around the river. It's easier to get a decent viewing location at the second show.

If you want to splurge, there is a dessert package in a separate seating area for $60/person.

 

[mousterpiece]

Is the Fantasmic pretty much the same at DL and DW?

I'd say no. About 80 percent of the versions are the same, but as the PP mentioned, there's no official seating area at the version in DLR. The best way to read up there is another of HydroGuy's tips, about Fantasmic.

 

[jlmarr]

What is the best time of year to go crowd wise and weather wise. Does it get really hot there? I dont want FL weather. LOL.

In my opinion, the best time to go is mid July. It can get hot, but not humid.

Funny you should mention that. We had some rain last night - a rare event in SoCal summers - and with the temp about 80° and humidity about 50% today it feels kind of Florida balmy to me. So any trip reports including July 31st might say something to that effect. (Of course it was 95° in Orlando today so no one should complain.)

 

[HydroGuy]

thank you everyone for you answers.

I dont think we can do July. May is sounding good. Is the Fantasmic pretty much the same at DL and DW?

Do they have transportation from the airport (not sure which is closest) to DL hotels?

Most prefer DL's Fantasmic to WDW's including me.

Here are your transportation options:

"Airport Proximity to DLR and Ground Transportation Information" by 3TinksAndAnEeyore www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2318297

 

[LavenderPeach]

Funny you should mention that. We had some rain last night - a rare event in SoCal summers - and with the temp about 80° and humidity about 50% today it feels kind of Florida balmy to me. So any trip reports including July 31st might say something to that effect. (Of course it was 95° in Orlando today so no one should complain.)

I was wondering if it was raining today at DLR. We're about an hour east, toward the mountains, and it's been raining a lot all day. I was thinking the same thing, that it feels like Florida here today with summer rain and humidity but it's definitely not the usual weather for SoCal. It's very strange.

 

[Buzzster]

We were just at Disneyland for our first visit. There are packages for DL but I find staying in a Disney Hotel too cost prohibitive. The Good Neighbor Hotels offer a nice value ( compared to on property ) and some are closer than Paradise Pier or the Disneyland Hotel.