DL January vs May

[dcdchar]

Hi everyone! Long time lurker first time poster here. I'm looking at going to Disneyland next year, and I need some help with deciding when to go. Either trip would be 3 days with park hopper.

The first option is January 9-23, with the most likely choice being 16-18, so that we would be there the 18th for the new fireworks/nighttime show.

The second option is going in May anytime after the 9th.

Which would be there better time to go, especially crowd wise? I know these are both off season times, so I want to make sure that at least 1 night is a weekend night so we have a chance to see fireworks/fantasmic/etc. I saw that DL is getting a new fireworks show, what about DCA, any chance paint the night is coming back? Also if WOC comes back does it run every night?

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I would pick May. The days are longer and less chance of rain.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I would choose May (not Memorial Day weekend). There always seem to be a lot of refurbs in January.

 

[Whistlebee]

I’d go in May just for the weather. January will be much colder. I’d expect May to be more crowded as people try and squeeze in a Disneyland trip before GE opens. Grad nights start in May but I don’t think that early.

 

[Whistlebee]

I would choose May (not Memorial Day weekend). There always seem to be a lot of refurbs in January.

Agree with this. There will likely be a ton of refurbs in January.

 

[FallsChurchDad]

Weather is a good point, but for early post-festivities January (Jan 7-9, for example), right now it looks like the only refurbs are Haunted Mansion, Astro Orbitor, and Grizzly River Run.

This is based on the attractions currently listed on the DL site and obviously could change -- and there will probably be a few more rides being refurbed in mid-January -- but it doesn't seem so bad.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Weather is a good point, but for early post-festivities January (Jan 7-9, for example), right now it looks like the only refurbs are Haunted Mansion, Astro Orbitor, and Grizzly River Run.

This is based on the attractions currently listed on the DL site and obviously could change -- and there will probably be a few more rides being refurbed in mid-January -- but it doesn't seem so bad.

They rarely give much notice for refurbs.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Another vote for May. Dates for Grad Nite have already been published for 2019. Do a search on this board. This year, I think they started as early as May 9th and ran through early June. Be aware of the last week of the current ticket promotion. The last few days of any promotion tend to be very busy in the parks. This year and last, Memorial Day Weekend was actually pretty nice crowd-wise. Saturday and Sunday were great; Monday was busier. With SWGE on the horizon and possibly opening or having previews by the end of May (no official word on that yet), I don't know if that will still hold for next year.

 

[tarheelalum]

I'd go in May. January/February are probably the worst months of the year to go to Disneyland. Much more likely to have rainy, cold weather and often tons of refurbs. Limited operating hours, reduced staff so the waits are longer and less entertainment/shows as well.