Disneyland Rookie - Spring Break and SFO

[jimbostacks]

Hey California veterans.

I ususaly hit WDW at Spring break and can manuever the crowd pretty good. With Disneyland having two parks, if you are there at rope drop...are the crowds tolerable? it seems like each park has more attractions, so hopefully the there are many choices for crowds to spread out?

Plu, since my family has never been to Califonia, I was thinking baout flying into SFO and doing the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, etc... then hit 101 and go down the coast for Big Sir and other coatal stops for a couple days.

Has anyone else tried a similar trip or have advice on whre to stop along the coast? THANKS!!!!!

 

[skiingfast]

DLR is very busy during Spring break just like WDW. Sure the crowds spread out over the many attractions but it doesn't make it much better just long lines everywhere. You still want to FP the big attractions.

Plan on having 2 full days and maybe 3 days in SF. There is a lot to see and do there. It's an incredible toursit city. I'd also suggest you make use of CityPass while there.
http://www.citypass.com/san-francisco

A couple days down Highway 1 on the coast is great. You can see redwoods nead Santa Cruise. The Monterrey Bay Aquarium. Great scenery and some hike in Big Sur. Hearst Castle. Stopping in Monterey or Salinas if you leave SF late is good. Otherwise there are some big gaps between towns. San Simeon has some hotels, as does Morro Bay. From there it's not far to San Louis Obisbo which is where you would get back on the 101.

Also if you haven't read the DLR guide for WDW vets.

 

[newmouse82]

We were there for spring break last year and even though the crowds were nuts we did everything we wanted to more than once. We had a 5 year old and a 1 year old and we chose not to wait in the big lines but came back later, apps work great.

 

[TravelingJen24]

We have been there a couple of times during that time. There is no doubt that it is busy, however, if you can handle WDW you can definitely handle DL. We just come back the room for a break during the day and swim or take a nap and then head back in the evening. I don't think there is any slow time any more.
As far as San Fran. I would just be careful to not be too tired by the time you get to DL after driving across California. San Francisco is great though and that is a beautiful time of year to visit.

 

[mrswh]

As others have said, spring break is pretty crowded. Yes, if you arrive at rope drop, you'll be in pretty good shape. In my experience, the crowds don't get really thick until after 11:00. The staggered opening times of the two parks helps as well - you can hit rope drop at 8:00 at Disneyland, ride for just under hours, pick up some fastpasses for later, and then go over to CA's 10:00 opening and get ahead of the crowds there. The CA parks tend to get very busy during the afternoon hours and thin out a little at night when the daytrippers go home. If you get an early start, break in the afternoon, and go back in the evening, you will be fine. The disadvantage of Disneyland vs. Magic Kingdom is that it is smaller, so when it's crowded, it feels *much* more crowded. The walkways are narrower, and there is just less space for all those people. When it gets very crowded, be prepared to moo!

 

[HannaBelle]

I am going to tag on a bit and ask all of the vets to compare early June to mid March for crowds and weather.

We are in the planning stages for our 2013 trip and will be a bunch of DL rookies as well! We are still trying to decided whether to travel during spring break or the second week of June.

 

[skiingfast]

I am going to tag on a bit and ask all of the vets to compare early June to mid March for crowds and weather.

We are in the planning stages for our 2013.

First week of June. This won't be at all be true this year but for 2013 it will. In 2013 an early Easter will slide many Spring breaks forward into March. In June a major development won't be opening.

This year,2012, I would suggest mid March over early June. Mid March is the shoulder season that begins Spring break, so it's medium busy. Early June may be when Carsland opens and brings in huge crowds. That date is not known, so it's just a gamble to go early June as it's a probable time for new attractions.

ETA, weather is better in June, warmer and drier, and not likely very hot.
Average seasonal weather data--->http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158

 

[mousireid]

When is it officially Spring Break 2012 in CA?

 

[sonnyjane]

When is it officially Spring Break 2012 in CA?

So many schools...so many dates. In general it's going to be mid-March to mid-April, with Easter being April 8th this year, so heavier crowds closer to Easter week.