East Coast looking to do Disneyland

[kitkat4622]

We have been to WDW several times since 2014. Looking to do Disneyland possibly in 2026. What time of year would you recommend going and how many days?

 

[joseph821]

We have been to WDW several times since 2014. Looking to do Disneyland possibly in 2026. What time of year would you recommend going and how many days?

I am on the East Coast and visit Disney once or twice a year. First off what airport you fly of? Do you have any times of the year? Have you been to DL before? Are you visiting other So Cal attractions on your trip?

 

[Smugpugmug]

I live on the east coast and I'm going to DL in September for the first time in 6 years (was going to do 4th of July but plans changed). The past 2 times I've been to DL, I went in May and the weather + crowds were wonderful. May does have Grad nights but you can check ahead of time when those are and plan around them. I'm doing 5 park days with 1 day at Knott's as I've never been and would like to check it out.

Agree with the above poster - those questions would be important to know the answers to in order to gauge when to go.

 

[kitkat4622]

We would be flying out of Boston in to LAX. I was leaning towards either Halloween or Christmas time. And just doing Disney as of right now

 

[OKW Lover]

Time of year really doesn't matter weather wise. But, I love how much they decorate the parks for the Holidays out there. So much better than what the do at WDW.

As far as how many days - 3 minimum. Four is better.

 

[joseph821]

We would be flying out of Boston in to LAX. I was leaning towards either Halloween or Christmas time. And just doing Disney as of right now

Halloween Time at Disneyland is very busy as well as Christmas. There are plenty of nonstop flights from Boston to LAX.
Halloween starts in late August and Christmas in mid November. I would recommended 5 day park hoppers. Do you have any idea on where you want to stay?

 

[kitkat4622]

Not sure on where to stay but don't want to break the budget on a hotel that we only need for showers and sleep

 

[joseph821]

Not sure on where to stay but don't want to break the budget on a hotel that we only need for showers and sleep

Ok. Then if you want to stay on site...Disneyland usually has hotel sales during August and September. And then again starting in November....October usually no sale at hotels on site. There are many good hotels on Harbor Blvd and close to DL. As you say "showers and sleep" there are lots of options.

 

[kitkat4622]

Thank you for all your feedback

 

[joseph821]

Thank you for all your feedback

Late August is a nice time to go. I usually go then. October is super busy. September is more crowded than August..but parts of September are very nice as well. The week after Thanksgiving is usually a good time to go during the holiday season or early December. Weather is good in August through October. It can get hot then too.

 

[joseph821]

Thank you for all your feedback

How many people going? adults? kids? If you during Halloween Time, you can go to an Oggie Boogie Night at DCA...it is the Halloween Party.

 

[kitkat4622]

2 people. Me (66 year old grandma) and my 26 year old grandson

 

[joseph821]

2 people. Me (66 year old grandma) and my 26 year old grandson

Great. You can easily get a hotel room with 2 queen sized beds. Do you have any preference...Halloween or Christmas time?

 

[kitkat4622]

Christmas decor is my favorite

 

[joseph821]

Christmas decor is my favorite

Then I suggest the week after Thanksgiving to the 2nd week of December.

 

[LKing]

Here is a list of events happening in the parks in 2025. I would expect similar events with similar timing in 2026.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Christmas decor is my favorite

Go at Holiday time then Many trips to both parks under my belt- nothing compares to DL at Holiday time. It’s like a next level of Disney magic. IASW will take your breathe away every time you see it at night & HM Holiday will always leave you smiling (must ride more than once, the overlay has a lot to see).

I would consider anytime from post T-Day up to the weekend before Xmas as local schools aren’t out until the week of 12/22.

 

[LKing]

When people refer to Disneyland as a "locals' park" they aren't referring to Anaheim or even Orange County residents. Southern California is very densely populated and we drive everywhere. Boston metro area has an approximate population of 5M. Orange County has over 3M people. Add in Los Angeles County (9.5M), Riverside County (2.5M), and San Diego County (3.2M) and you are talking about a heck of a lot of people within a 1-2 hour drive of Disneyland. There are also a large number of Disney adults (without kids) who visit the Disneyland Resort regularly. My point is that planning a vacation based on "local schools" can be very misleading.

My suggestion would be to look at the Magic Key calendar. All MK are blocked at the end of December. Just before MK are blocked, there is a surge of people trying to get their last visits in. The same holds true for after the block out is lifted.

 

[ztonyg]

We have been to WDW several times since 2014. Looking to do Disneyland possibly in 2026. What time of year would you recommend going and how many days?

I tend to go in October.

It's "busy" but it never seems unmanageable. The Halloween decorations are really nice and the weather is just about perfect. If you're use to the regular Haunted Mansion HMH will be a treat.

If you're coming from the East coast to the parks I'd probably recommend 3 days with a park hopper. I always hop back and forth whenever I go to Disneyland.

I'll echo what a lot of others say and suggest you spend a few days in Southern California outside of the parks.

You also don't need to stay on site at Disneyland. There are hotels at all price ranges within walking distance of the main entrance (many even offer free parking).

If you are concerned about budget they generally offer some "deals" in January / February but they have more rides down for maintenance during this time and an overall more limited offering.