*Edited* Help me decide when to go...How about beginning of December?

[imjen]

I'm trying to decide when to go to Disneyland. Which week do you think will be better overall, taking into consideration crowds, weather, and price? We were thinking of going the Sunday through Wednesday before Thanksgiving but it looks like that is a very busy time and hotels that week are more expensive. We'd actually be staying in California until the weekend and hotel prices really go up Wed-Sat that week.

So, another alternative is Feb. 19-24 which is when we have a winter break from school. The 19th is Pres. Day which I imagine is really crowded but do you think the days following are also crowded? I'm also concerned with the rainy weather. Is there a pretty good chance it will be cool and rainy? Prices will probably be much cheaper though.

Finally, Spring Break for us is April 9-13. We went during Spring Break last year and it was crowded but not unmanageable. But I don't know if I want to put off our vacation this long.

Hmmm also just saw on our school calendar they get Oct. 13th off. I'd need to take my 2nd grader and kindergartener out for probably 3 more days but maybe it'd be worth it. Not sure how I feel taking them out of school...


****EDITED to add*****
Well, turns out that my dh is on call that week in October so that's out anyway. But now I'm seriously considering just pulling my 5 & 7 yr old out of school for 3 days (W-F) the 1st or 2nd week of December. I've always wanted to see Disneyland decked out for Christmas but have never had that opportunity. Would you do it? I'd hate for the teachers to hate us but....they are still young and we could do homework on the plane. Is the weather good then?

Thanks!!

 

[kuusimo]

Thanksgiving week is generally crowded. We went this year President's week and Monday was crowded, but the rest of the week was perfect. It also normally rains that time, and we did not have any rain that week. Spring break is also pretty crowded, but if that was manageable for you I would go.

Our bigger factor would be price and if they were having their specials Jan-April. Thanksgiving they generally don't. Hotels are generally cheaper before spring break time as well. I would check to see when Easter is though. I would think that would be a busier time.

My two cents...

 

[stagemomx3]

Hmmm also just saw on our school calendar they get Oct. 13th off. I'd need to take my 2nd grader and kindergartener out for probably 3 more days but maybe it'd be worth it. Not sure how I feel taking them out of school...

The DL resorts are running a special Stay 3 Nights, Get 4th Night Free during Oct. & Nov. excluding around Thanksgiving.

Plus Mickey's Halloween Treat will be going on and that looks like fun!

 

[Leofoenget]

I too went that February vacation presidents day week off. I wouldn't call that week "perfect" but we survived. I had a 7 year old and a 2 year old. I wont' take a child that young ever again. Honestly it was CROWDED and I didnt' have the best time. I am going again the end of September my son has some random day off on the 29th and I think it will be much less crowded.

 

[imjen]

Bumping up since I added new info/questions. Opinions on pulling kids out of school for 3 days to make it an early December trip instead? They will be in 2nd grade and kindergarten.

 

[Dis Ohana]

For the past two years we have taken our kids out of school to visit Disneyland in December. We talked to our teachers before taking our trip and have never had any of them give us a hard time. My son was in the 6th grade the first time we did this, and it worked out okay. Last year he started middle school and it was a little harder coordinating making up work since he had different teachers for each subject. We usually go first week of December, crowds are extremely light and the weather is nice and cool. This year we're going closer to Christmas break (Dec. 13 - 16) so they'll only miss 3 days of school and right at the end.
If it were me and my kids were as young as yours, I'd say go for it. Christmas decorations and light crowds make the trip well worth it.

 

[jocotter]

I used to pull my children out when they were younger and had no problems. Our schools allow 4 "parent request days" per year where you can take them out for any reason and they can make up the work. This is aside from sick days.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

That week in December would probably be a good week to go. I wish the schools here weren't so hard on stuff like this. Here it's a law, even being sick isn't excused anymore. Basically they have a set amount of days they can miss a year, they go over it they are supposed to fail. Sick days or not. I understand wanting to make sure kids are in school, but come on, sometimes people can't always take vacations around their schedule! And sometimes kids get sick!

We will be pulling him out for 3 days next October for our trip, he'll be in 4th grade. My DH won't be able to take time off during the summer next year for something big happening at work. So it's just going to be the way it works out. I'll let them know, and have him make up his work. I'm sure they won't like it, but as long as he makes up the work, I don't see the big deal.

 

[LucyKate]

We went in the first week in December and it was superb.

The weather was warm in the days and cool at night, the Christmas decorations were beautiful and best of all, crowds were non-existent.

We walked straight on to most of the rides and the longest wait we had was probably 20 minutes for Peter Pan, Soarin', TT and Indy.

It was just a magical time to be there.

We took our kids out of school for the final 2 weeks of the schol year in Australia (mid-December to end of January is our Summer break) and the attitude of the school was that 3 weeks in the States was a much better education than they'd be getting at school.

I'm a passionate believer in the need for schools to crack down on truancy (our school rings parents if they've not been advised by 09:30 why a child is absent) but believe, as the school did, the US holiday was a great education for our kids.

 

[Disney Fans]

We got at very, very good deal for going on the week of Thanksgiving. I think it will be a fun to go then and also get into the Christmas Spirt for the Holidays!!!
But anytime you end up going should be fun.
You just have to think about what time of year would like to go and look for a good deal and then go for it!! You will then be on Cloud 9

 

[imjen]

Disney Fans, can I ask what kind of deal you got for Thanksgiving week and if it's still available? Thanks!

 

[EnnEss]

Last year we went to DLR December 1 through the 5th. It was right in the middle of final papers being due and exams for me, but I worked it out well in advance and had no problems. Actually ended up being one of the few times I wasn't stressed for exams because I knew I absolutely had to prepared prior to December. I'm sure younger kids will have no problems missing some school.

As for December in Disneyland, it is amazing, I've been during Christmas itself but going at the start of December was far better. They have a wonderful Christmas parade, all the decor is up, HUGE Christmass trees at the parks and Hotels and the prices are unbelievable. Just so inexpensive, when I went over Christmas the cost was huge. Also, the first week of December had very little in the way of crowds, only had to wait a bit to ensure a good Fantasmic spot, ever ride was a walk, the only exception being the Saturday.

I will definately try to visit more often at that time of year. We stayed at the Paradise Pier and with airfaire from Vancouver, BC the price was 1400 for air, transfers, hotels and tickets. It was myself and my girlfriend.

 

[Niele]

I know I'm crazy but we will be going Dec. 18 - 23rd. There will be crowds, it may be cold, but DL will have the Christmas spirit and decorations. I just hope it does not have the rain.... can't wait. Any thoughts?

 

[Dis Ohana]

Niele: When we were there in 2004, the forecast called for heavy rain. There was a little drizzle in the morning, nothing bad..but it kept the local crowd away and the park was empty. So rain isn't always a bad thing! Last year we went again and the crowds were a lot heavier, but we still had a magical time. I think you'll be fine.

Aloha!

 

[Disney Fans]

Disney Fans, can I ask what kind of deal you got for Thanksgiving week and if it's still available? Thanks!

I sent you a PM. Hope the info helped!

 

[Niele]

Thank you. I'm new at this so could you please tell me what "a PM" is? I feel pretty stupid asking this....

 

[Disney Fans]

Thank you. I'm new at this so could you please tell me what "a PM" is? I feel pretty stupid asking this....

PM is short for "Private Message".

 

[Niele]

Another newbie problem - if you sent the PM to me I never received it. My PM box says "0 Unread" and "Total 0". Is there somewhere else I should be looking?