Hello! When is it better to go to DL?

[smartlabelprint]

Hello! Our last trip was in November. I've done really well staying off the site. Our LO is really into toy story right now and I'd like to plan our next trip. Would March or summer 2018 (not sure of month) be less busy. I'm thinking summer-overall.

We also aren't too big on heat.

This year we didn't plan a spring trip and it made for a really long winter. We usually travel in late fall and spring. 12/2017 is our next trip.

Also, we may have a summer meet up with a group we're part of. But it's not mandatory so it's just part of our consideration.

Thanks for your input!

 

[SMD]

It's really hard to say without knowing what promotions Disney will be running in 2018. Next year Easter will be April 1st, so the 2 weeks leading up to that will be busy, and overall March should be busier than this year because Easter is earlier. Last year Easter was at the end of March, Disney did F&W in April. This year, Easter was mid-April, Disney did F&W for half of March. Maybe Disney will launch an amazing theme next summer that will be really popular. Maybe Disney will make more changes to their demand pricing structure and make fewer days available in the summer. We won't know until it happens. If you're going at the end of the year, is it possible to convert those tickets to deluxe APs that would be good during March? If there are deluxe blocks during the summer, that's a reason to pick March.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Oh we're not going to Disney in dec. That's just our next trip.

But we usually get ap's and make two trips in the year. I will check the block out calendar. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[SMD]

If you're getting new APs in 2018, you can always start with tickets and upgrade during the summer if you'd be blocked. But then the question comes, if SW Land opens in 2019, do you want a greater chance that your AP will still be valid? If so, go as late in the summer as you can. Of course, you'd be guessing as to whether it will open and when, but if you want to take the chance, that's your best shot. On the other hand, if you want to avoid it as much as possible, go early in March and then take your second trip in late 2018 before it's likely to be an issue. You can't assume there won't be additional closures for construction in 2018, though, but again who knows what Disney will do in the next year.

 

[gottalovepluto]

March is gonna have some closures & shorter hours. Summer will for sure be hotter. Crowds are basically "always busy" now. Personally I hate ride closures & love extended park hours so I enjoy summer in the parks. Heat doesn't bother me, I love water rides & always take afternoon pool breaks anyway. It sounds like you'd rather do Spring so go for it & don't let crowds deter you, they'd be there during summer as well.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Yes, sadly it's always busy! I haven't been in a long time in summer. Probably 7 years ago. And it might be better because our kids only handle a few hours here and there. Bed is at like 7-8 so the 8 pm closures weren't getting to be in the parks much. With late closures maybe aunties could watch them a couple of times.

Plus our kids are early risers.

March is gonna have some closures & shorter hours. Summer will for sure be hotter. Crowds are basically "always busy" now. Personally I hate ride closures & love extended park hours so I enjoy summer in the parks. Heat doesn't bother me, I love water rides & always take afternoon pool breaks anyway. It sounds like you'd rather do Spring so go for it & don't let crowds deter you, they'd be there during summer as well.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Yes, sadly it's always busy! I haven't been in a long time in summer. Probably 7 years ago. And it might be better because our kids only handle a few hours here and there. Bed is at like 7-8 so the 8 pm closures weren't getting to be in the parks much. With late closures maybe aunties could watch them a couple of times.

Plus our kids are early risers.

Is staying onsite an option? EMH is a great option when kids are early risers (but not worth it if you have to stretch your budget a lot to make it happen). Also be aware fireworks tend to run nightly during summer but other times of year they can run on a weekends-only schedule so keep that in mind if they like fireworks.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Is staying onsite an option? EMH is a great option when kids are early risers (but not worth it if you have to stretch your budget a lot to make it happen). Also be aware fireworks tend to run nightly during summer but other times of year they can run on a weekends-only schedule so keep that in mind if they like fireworks.

We can't do onsite because we can't afford suites. Our toddlers have sensory processing issues (not into fireworks) and can't sleep with others in the room.

We use the DAS/GAS. Is there any difference with this in summer? Only used in early March & early November.

I did just think of an advantage of getting a 5 day hopper. We wouldn't have to sign up for the DAS/GAS every day like with AP's. At least on the first trip.

 

[gottalovepluto]

We can't do onsite because we can't afford suites. Our toddlers have sensory processing issues (not into fireworks) and can't sleep with others in the room.

We use the DAS/GAS. Is there any difference with this in summer? Only used in early March & early November.

I did just think of an advantage of getting a 5 day hopper. We wouldn't have to sign up for the DAS/GAS every day like with AP's. At least on the first trip.

Then make sure to start your day in the park that didn't have EMH, it will be less crowded for the first hour or so. I've used the DAS during summer & Dec. Didn't really notice a difference to be honest. Read the new instructions for DAS on the DL website, it is very different from GAC.

Certain parts of the parks tend to be more crowded than others. Do Adventureland early in the morning, stay away from the Main Street Hub and connecting areas into Adventureland & Tomorrowland when people start camping out for the night parade & fireworks. Those areas can be very overwhelming if you have sensory issues (during that time of evening).

Honestly, your kids and you will have a great time no matter when you decide to go! They're early risers so you'll be there when the park opens and any day of the year whenever the park first opens is always the best couple hours crowd wise!