Expert opinions needed

[jkjwill]

We recently had to make the difficult decision of postponing our upcoming Disneland trip scheduled for January. We have been to Disneyland 3 times, but always have gone in November when it is slower and pulled our now 13 year old out of school. This year, now that he is in junior high his grades are suffering due to quite a few missed days already from illness.

Getting to my question.......when is a good time to go outside of the school year for people like us that prefer lower crowds? We live in Washington State and school starts a few days after Labor Day and gets out around the 3rd week of June.

I have a subscription to touring plans and have also been spending WAY too much time searching these boards, so kinda leaning towards the last week of August 2012.

Ok, I will finally shut up and anxiously await your advice

 

[SFMommy]

I think a lot of schools in California start back at the end of August, so you are probably right that the last week of August 2012 would be a less crowded time to go.

 

[skiingfast]

Last August, not the 20th-23rd, the week after that starting on the 25th if you need to go over a weekend. Beginning of September is good too since school is starting late for him.

 

[SeattleTink]

We love to visit DLR the later part of August. (Last two weeks is especially good.) For whatever reason, the crowds of summer seem to thin out a little bit during this time.

The only down side for some could be that it can get warm that time of year. In 2010 it was in the high 90's some of our days there....and for some that is too warm. I love it, so it didn't bother me.

But, because it is still considered "summer season" there are late hours in both parks and all parades and fireworks are showing every night.

 

[skiingfast]

We love to visit DLR the later part of August. (Last two weeks is especially good.)

Read the dates I noted below.

Last August, not the 20th-23rd, the week after that starting on the 25th if you need to go over a weekend. Beginning of September is good too since school is starting late for him.

Due to AP blockouts and Carsland opening the 20-23 may be the busiest weekdays Disneyland gets all summer.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Read the dates I noted below.



Dues to AP blockouts and Carsland opening the 20-23 may be the busiest weekdays Disneyland gets all summer.

I have found that when the Socal AP's unblock the crowds really start to pick up and with Carsland it could be off the chart. Good luck.

Jack

 

[Gisele]

I had visited DL a few years ago, during the last week of August. The crowd level was very agreeable before noon, afterward the level really began to pick up. But even then, it was not a problem by any means. By the late afternoon, attendance wise, it looked as though the flood gates began to give way, which by the mid evening, it had. This was a constant for the weekdays that I had visited the land.
The weather was like the temperature while cruising the wilds of the jungle aboard the jungle cruise, hot and humid. As it is often during the month of August in So. Cal.
In the end, regarding attendance and crowd levels, it really depends upon what events might be taking place at the parks at the time, and or in the area as well.
If you can, plan on being at Dl before the park opens. Take advantage of MM, when applicable. That is what I normally do. With exception of MM, for I cannot seem to rise that early! No, really. And remember to collect FP's first thing in the a.m. and continue to do so throughout the day. They can be used past their stamped time, I have, so far, not ever had a problem with doing that.


I hope that you and your family have a fantabulous time at the land!

 

[jkjwill]

Thanks everyone for your help. I am pretty nervous about going when it is more crowded. It sounds like if we stick to the plan of getting there early and finding other activities for the afternoon we should be good to go. I guess then we will have a good comparison of the different crowd levels, but then it looks like Cars Land could make it interesting

Thanks again!

 

[GeneralTso]

If you are waiting til next summer, he'll be in a new school year anyway and his attendance/grade situation should be all smoothed out, right?

Maybe waiting til mid Sept so you can see all the Halloween decorations?