DL when would you go...Dec? Feb? Summer?

[Jperiod]

I have not seen the park open longer than 8am - midnight, expect for after hours events. I can remember going in early December and parks hours being to be 10am to 8pm.

10-8 hasn't been the case in many many years! I remember some 9-10 years, but even those are long ago.

 

[LKing]

I think weekdays during off season are something like 8 am - 10 pm with no fireworks. Weekends stay open a little longer and have fireworks.

 

[disneychrista]

10-8 hasn't been the case in many many years! I remember some 9-10 years, but even those are long ago.

Yes I understand that. It was 15 years or so ago.

 

[MonocularVision]

I always vote for summer:

• More entertainment options
• Fewer refurbishments
• Longer hours

That said, while there are no more “slow” times at Disneyland, I think you can expect it to feel busier from a crowd perspective in July and December over February but not necessarily from a wait time / line perspective because of increased staffing.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

We have gone end of Feb and it was cold and rainy, we had fun but the rain made planning days challenging and had to be flexible.

We are going end of july this year and hoping it will be great since its just when it worked for us to go honeslty.

 

[StormyCA]

BFF and I used to go in late Feb/early Mar and it was always a great time. Usually the only things closed for refurb were GRR or the late lamented Splash, but that's the normal down time for them and who wants to get wet in Feb anyway?

Crowds were manageable, weather was good (jackets in morning & night). I think we only got rain once, but it was our departure day anyway. BUT this was before Covid, and IMHO since then all bets are pretty much off as far as predicting crowds.

 

[Tinkaboo]

BFF and I used to go in late Feb/early Mar and it was always a great time. Usually the only things closed for refurb were GRR or the late lamented Splash, but that's the normal down time for them and who wants to get wet in Feb anyway?

Crowds were manageable, weather was good (jackets in morning & night). I think we only got rain once, but it was our departure day anyway. BUT this was before Covid, and IMHO since then all bets are pretty much off as far as predicting crowds.

Those were the days, my friend…and we thought they’d never end…but alas….

 

[cruisehopeful]

I'd rule out the February dates. The park hours will be shorter and more things will be closed for refurbishment.

December is a really nice time to go. Believe it or not, it can get really cold when the sun goes down and it'll be dark at 5:00pm. Does that matter to you? The holiday decorations are very nice at Disneyland and at the Disneyland Hotel.

July is a great time to go. Yes, it can be hot, but if you are staying onsite, it's only a few minute walk to the room to take a break. Crowd calendars are generally wrong for Disneyland. Don't use those at all. Just go when you would enjoy going the most. In spite of crowds and heat, I usually get a lot more done just because everything is open. People are more spread out since everything is open.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Feb for crowds. Dec for overall experience.

 

[gardenrooms]

I also wanted to add, you'll have plenty of time to do everything, christmas included, with 5 park days. And it looks like you're an AKL owner? We own VGC and loved AKL. I think it's the same designer. We like the 2 bathrooms in the 1 bedrooms at both resorts and watching the animals from the balcony of AKL and DCA from the balcony of VGC.

We, too love AKL and have VCG points. But...at peak travel times, we always find unless we reserve at our 11 months out, we're usually out of luck (whereas we have always been able to get a beautiful room at Kidani Village at 7 months). Also, do you have a trick to getting a theme park view? It has always been hit or miss for us, sometimes given poolside, other times park side but too low to see in (though I still love hearing the sounds - keep my slider open all night so I can hear the park "wake up".).

 

[Jperiod]

We, too love AKL and have VCG points. But...at peak travel times, we always find unless we reserve at our 11 months out, we're usually out of luck (whereas we have always been able to get a beautiful room at Kidani Village at 7 months). Also, do you have a trick to getting a theme park view? It has always been hit or miss for us, sometimes given poolside, other times park side but too low to see in (though I still love hearing the sounds - keep my slider open all night so I can hear the park "wake up".).

We always get a 1 bedroom, so that probably helps. Our park views are also hit or miss, but usually hit. I ask for a "world of color view" and give them 3 specific room numbers. I also ask when I check in and sometimes we've been switched to a better room. Now that the trees have grown so much, it's harder to have a good view, but I still enjoy watching the golden zephyr, goofy's sky school, mickey's fun wheel, and seeing the tops of the fountains in WoC with the music! Our last room was on the 4th floor and had a good view. I wonder if they did some trimming there.

 

[gardenrooms]

Thanks. We have to get the 2 BR now that the youngest is no longer an infant/toddler (I forget at what age we had to make that change). Wow, nice picture! lol we are usually in one park or the other when WOC is happening .

 

[VGCgroupie]

We always get a 1 bedroom, so that probably helps. Our park views are also hit or miss, but usually hit. I ask for a "world of color view" and give them 3 specific room numbers. I also ask when I check in and sometimes we've been switched to a better room. Now that the trees have grown so much, it's harder to have a good view, but I still enjoy watching the golden zephyr, goofy's sky school, mickey's fun wheel, and seeing the tops of the fountains in WoC with the music! Our last room was on the 4th floor and had a good view. I wonder if they did some trimming there.

What room # is this?

 

[Jperiod]

What room # is this?

4502

 

[kayteekt]

Thank you all for the advice! I was leaning towards July, but...got a 4nts at the new DLV during the December dates we were looking at!

 

[LKing]

.got a 4nts at the new DLV during the December dates we were looking at!

Fantastic! Now.... Considering your trips are back to back, let's try to make this the best trip ever for your husband. What types of things does he dislike about Disney vacations and what does he enjoy doing?

 

[SFMommy]

Thank you all for the advice! I was leaning towards July, but...got a 4nts at the new DLV during the December dates we were looking at!

Which type of villa are you staying in? We stayed in a 1-bedroom in January and absolutely loved it. By far it is the nicest Disney property we have ever stayed at. Have fun!

 

[DizMe]

Thank you all for the advice! I was leaning towards July, but...got a 4nts at the new DLV during the December dates we were looking at!

Oh, that's AWESOME!! Sorry, I don't know the DLV acronym--is that one of the new DVC units at DLH?

I'm going to be there around the same time! I go with my sister every Dec. I just booked our flights yesterday for Dec 12-16. Now to book the hotel...

 

[Pluto468]

Oh, that's AWESOME!! Sorry, I don't know the DLV acronym--is that one of the new DVC units at DLH?

I'm going to be there around the same time! I go with my sister every Dec. I just booked our flights yesterday for Dec 12-16. Now to book the hotel...

How exciting! Are you staying at the Grand?

 

[kayteekt]

Which type of villa are you staying in? We stayed in a 1-bedroom in January and absolutely loved it. By far it is the nicest Disney property we have ever stayed at. Have fun!

Oh, that's AWESOME!! Sorry, I don't know the DLV acronym--is that one of the new DVC units at DLH?

I'm going to be there around the same time! I go with my sister every Dec. I just booked our flights yesterday for Dec 12-16. Now to book the hotel...

I was able to grab a studio at the new Disneyland DVC tower. Probably a little tight for the four of us. However, I imagine we will be spending most of our time in the parks. I'll pay cash for any other nights we need. Excited, now to get planning!