First trip, vote when's we should go please!

[Fall1]

We've been to a WDW many times but never DL and we are thinking of a 2017 trip! The end of August works best for our schedule but if it will be crazy hot I'm worried.
When would you go keeping those in mind? The other two times would require a shorter trip and some figuring out.
Thanks!

 

[Darkbeer1]

OK, the week after Easter is busy, The June/early July is very busy, so that leaves the end of August, when some schools have already started, so should be the slowest of the three dates. The April days would be the middle option, and the June/July is only if you had to.

 

[Imdboss]

We went end of August in 2015 in search of lower crowds compared to our usual Oct trip. We did in fact find less crowds but it was HOT. That being said it's CA and the weather has been just as hot during other times of the year so basing a trip on weather is tough. I'd go based on the odds of lower crowds and more days in the park. We escaped the heat in the afternoon by taking a break at the hotel and returned in the early evening and would stay until park closing.

 

[Nevada Jen]

Definately the August dates. A lot of west coast schools will be back in session. Your other two dates are monentallh not good crowd choices. I think those August dates might even hit a sweet spot of low(er) crowds.

 

[nikerbokers]

It will be hot in August but there are so many places to get cool there and the evenings are awesome. Most schools will be in session so crowds won't be TOO nuts (it's crowded every day it seems now). Have a great time!!!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I voted end of August. You run the risk of Haunted Mansion being down for their holiday make-over, but the railroad and river attractions should be up by then. I'd weigh that and Fantasmic versus Main Street Electrical Parade, which should end by June 2017.

 

[22Tink]

Late August is our favourite time to go, mostly because my kids aren't back to school yet. The crowds have been very manageable for us then as well. Haunted Mansion does close around that time for the fall overlay but it's not a favourite for us so we don't really miss it. We're going August 20-26 next year and it will be our third time going at that time. We've done May, end of June and October but August wins in my book.

 

[Tinkerbell19672]

Late August is our favourite time to go, mostly because my kids aren't back to school yet. The crowds have been very manageable for us then as well. Haunted Mansion does close around that time for the fall overlay but it's not a favourite for us so we don't really miss it. We're going August 20-26 next year and it will be our third time going at that time. We've done May, end of June and October but August wins in my book.

Curious why August is better than May. We usually go in May and I like that it isn't super hot yet. But is it less crowded in August?

 

[Darkbeer1]

May wasn't on the OP's list, but it can be weird... Grad Nights (or should we say Days as the events include entry during normal operating hours)

Tinker Bell Marathon weekend is May 11-14th in 2017, also Mother Day's weekend.

And of course, Memorial Day weekend May 26 - 29 in 2017.

So yes, you can find some slow days. May and August are similar, August is the beginning of the School year, and very little in breaks are given to make sure the students get back into the groove of attending class, in May, there isn't many off-days due to getting ready for Finals and end of the year exams.

But it seems early May and late August are the better days in general in the respective months. Some schools finish the school year in late May.

 

[Whistlebee]

We had friends that went in late August during the 60th celebration (the first August) and they said the crowds weren't bad at all. August can be really hot tho. If you're worried about it being too hot late August isn't a good time to go.
I was thinking of going April 24-26 but am just now realizing it's the week after Easter. We've gone the end of April 3 times (2012, 2013, 2014)and it was pretty busy with a lot of rides down for refurbishments the last time we went. It used to be a great time to go but now that Disneyland has higher crowd levels that week is pretty busy too. I'm debating whether or not I want to go in April too.

 

[Fall1]

Thank you all so much, you're making me feel better about August! Does 4 nights with 4 PH days sound good?

 

[danceanddisney2010]

The end of august is when we ALWAYS prefer to go as the crowds die down a bit ..(yes just a bit but we will take it!) due to school either back in session or starting very soon. We also like that most, if not all, the rides are still in operation (no refurbs) and the hours are still based on summertime! J Spring break tine in april is crazy an the 4th of july.. yikes!! I think the end of August will be the most enjoyable for everyone and especially first timers! For us, we like to use the first day as a travel day and take it nice and easy.. check out the shops at downtown Disney.. have dinner… check out the pools … etc. In the past we have gone to the park on arrival day, but everyone is hungry … tired from traveling .. and not really ready to go full Disney yet . We like full days in the park – that way we can go at our own pace! I think 4 nights and 4 ph days will totally work .. and if that is all we could do .. then I would totally be fine with it bc I’m just happy to be there! It’s just preference and how you travel.. when you plan to arrive.. what you want to do … whatever you decide you will no doubt have a great time!

 

[22Tink]

Curious why August is better than May. We usually go in May and I like that it isn't super hot yet. But is it less crowded in August?

It felt a bit crowded on our August trips but the lines were very manageable. In fact our October trip was much more crowded! We've only gone in May once and I don't really recall it being super crowded but it's been a few years now since that trip. It is hotter in August for sure. The heat doesn't bother us so much though and like I said my main reason for choosing August is not having to pull my kids out of school.