First time to Disneyland - May or November?

[Glynis4]

Starting to plan my family's first trip to Disneyland in 2017. We have a 4yo and a 1yo, and want to go when it is less crowded, so we are looking at the first week of May or the first week of November. I'm leaning towards November because Rivers of America will be open - this seems like something that would interest my kids (or at least the 4 year old!), but I'm wondering if more refurbs are typically done in November. I would love to go sooner though! So early May is still on my mind - are there typically many refurbs in May? If it was your first time (and likely only time for a few years at least), what would you do? Is Rivers of America worth the wait?

 

[chickapin parterre]

Have you visited Disneyland with out your family?

ROA is important because it allows relief for you and 4 year from standing in line. The island is a great place to roam. Mark Twain allows for sitting and resting, as does the train. As a first time visitor with young children, it is always best to have places to rest.

Crowded. Being your first visit you have no concept of crowded other than folks posting here, from our previous experiences that it is crowded. The best way for you to manage crowded is to purchase a guide book about Disneyland and read and take notes.

refurbs and closure have no significance for you as you have no idea what you are missing. So don't let that be a factor on what time of the year, though annual November Small world closure is taking away another place to sit and rest with stimulus for the children.

refrbs can happen at any time, without notice, like the current critter country.

and then you have the statement that Disneyland will not be an annual visit for your family. So you might what to consider waiting for another year for children to age and photo opps of a two year old toddler.,

 

[Glynis4]

Thanks for the reply! Nope, I've never been to Disneyland either . If we wait until November, my kids will be 5 and 2, so that could be a plus as well, a little bit older . Darn, I want to go now! Lol.

 

[smartlabelprint]

May could have longer hours

 

[chickapin parterre]

so I just purchased some vintage photos of disneyland and what is missing is color and photo ops. With the age of your chldren, there will be many colorful holiday decor photos to snap in November with great color. Temps will be cooler and nov has no major children events, so, so that could help with lack of strollers. You will want a stroller for the 5 year old.

 

[Kindermouse]

May is actually more refurb heavy in my opinion since it sits between spring breaks and the summer crowds/grad nights so they try to get stuff done in the lull between those. November doesnt have always ton of refurbs but small world will be down the first week for holiday overlay and space mountain will down for the removal of its halloween overlay. Your 5 year old might be able to ride this but your 2 year old won't be able to but even if you dont want to ride it having it down add to a more crowded feeling since the people would have been lined up to ride Space will now be elsewhere making things more crowded. Also the jungle cruise goes down for its jingle cruise overlay.

Might I actually suggest the second week of November (but going home prior to the avenger half marathon) as opposed to the first-if your trip would start with the 1st or the even october 31 it will be more crowded with halloween crowds. People love Mickey's Halloween party and it does draw crowds (myself included) and you might get to experience the rides with holiday overlays as they reopen.

November has christmas decor and special Christmas entertainment like holiday parades, fireworks, and a special version of World of Color-I personally have always wanted to see these thing but never have since I could only go during the schools winter break which everyone knows is crazy crowded. May doesn't have seasonal decor or special entertainment and may even have a limited entertainment schedule if it follows with what Disney has been doing post 60th (october only had a night parade and longer, more involved fireworks during the special ticketed parties other nights had a very short fireworks display lasting only a few minutes and only a daytime parade) but you may also get to see the main street electrical parade since its coming back for a limited time-I'm not sure if we know when "a limited" time is though?

May could have fabulous weather but it could also be rather hot, whereas November would definitely be chilly (but not cold) with a chance of rain. But I love it when it rains at Disneyland ( more than a sprinkle but a true rain shower) since people often leave the park and I feel like it is the least crowded I'll get to see it. I had a clear rain cover for my stroller when my son was young and he stayed quite warm, dry and happy under it and I packed real rain stuff (no flimsy ponchos) for my own comfort like a raincoat and rain boots and an umbrella that clips to the stroller.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

The first weekend in November is usually when the Christmas Parade tapes. So there will be parts of Town Square and the castle roped off or blocked by equipment.

 

[mom2rtk]

The first weekend in November is usually when the Christmas Parade tapes. So there will be parts of Town Square and the castle roped off or blocked by equipment.

Didn't the schedule for parade taping change last year?

 

[Glynis4]

Might I actually suggest the second week of November (but going home prior to the avenger half marathon) as opposed to the first-if your trip would start with the 1st or the even october 31 it will be more crowded with halloween crowds. People love Mickey's Halloween party and it does draw crowds (myself included) and you might get to experience the rides with holiday overlays as they reopen.

Ohh that's a good idea! Will Veterans Day affect the crowds much? Is that the same weekend as the marathon? We plan to get a 4 day park hopper, but we'll be at the hotel for a week, so have some flexibility on which days we go to Disney.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Didn't the schedule for parade taping change last year?

It did because of the 60th. But the dance groups have been informed that the taping is back to the first weekend in November this year.

 

[egritz]

If I may suggest actually going a little later in November? The past couple years we have gone the week BEFORE Thanksgiving (this year that would be the week of 11/13) and we've loved it. The Holiday decorations are in full swing, Small World is open w/ the Christmas overlay, weather was AMAZING and crowds were not bad at all. And if you plan early enough hotels can be had for pretty good rates. Most rides should be open too. We are going for Halloween this year and while I'm excited, a small part of me is sad we'll be missing Christmas in DL for the first time in several years.

 

[Kindermouse]

Ohh that's a good idea! Will Veterans Day affect the crowds much? Is that the same weekend as the marathon? We plan to get a 4 day park hopper, but we'll be at the hotel for a week, so have some flexibility on which days we go to Disney.

The Avengers half is memorial day weekend on Sunday usually. Race weekends are busy but since you're there for the week but will only be in the parks 4 days I might split it and to Wednesday, Thursday, and Monday Tuesday for the lowest crowds. Next year most people will have the day off on Friday so racers will likely want to start arriving then I think.