How's the last week in June?

[Barbanellie]

OK, so my husband and I just threw the idea out there to go to southern California for about 9 days for our end of June vacation. The (very very preliminary) plan would be to spend a few days visiting the L.A. area, a few days for San Diego, and 2 or 3 days for DLR. We would fly in on June 23rd (Friday) and out on July 2nd (Sunday). I'm thinking it would make sense to visit DLR during the week, would that make sense? What could crowds look like around June 26-29?

We are pretty laid-back. We've been to WDW twice (2014-2016), and never panicked about ADRs, FP+ and minute-planning like a lot of people do. This would be our first Disneyland visit. If we went those dates, would a 2-day with Park Hopper be enough? I'm leaning towards doing 3 days (also with PH), to be able to go at a more relaxed pace. We would stay off site.

I know this is very general, but considering the above, do you guys have any advice? Comments? Things we should avoid?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

If you are fine with being more relaxed about planning and about your park strategy, then you should be fine. I'd go with the 3 day hoppers, to allow more time for shows and parades. Also, if you purchase your tickets ahead, you will get a MM for one day at DL. (This is not true for 3+ day hoppers purchased at the ticket booths.) Summer of Heroes will be going by then, but the ROA and DLRR are not scheduled to be open until later in the summer. Also, F! is not supposed to be showing until a few weeks later. You might want to look at the stickies at the top of this forum, specifically for HydroGuy's threads on tips for DLR newbies. If you do think you'll want to do any dining packages for the MSEP or for WOC, book now. You can always cancel later if you change your mind. If you only do one, I'd choose WOC. With only two of you, you should be able to find good viewing for the parades (Soundsational - charming - and MSEP) in the second and third rows without long waits, especially if you do the second MSEP. Dining reservations (called PS at DLR, for Priority Seating) are not such a big deal at DLR, unless you really need a specific time or if you want Blue Bayou. Getting to dine inside the POTC ride is a fun experience. For that, I would make a PS reservation now. During busy times, they don't always take walk ups. Staying off site is fine at DLR. It will save you a lot of money. Hope all this helps.

 

[Napoleon Dynamite]

We are going that week also. I haven't been able to find any WOC reservations at this point, but am going to keep looking! **update, actually it wasn't coming up when searching times. I had to click specifically on World of Color dining package, and then come came up**


DL's website doesn't have the park hours posted for that week. Where can I find them?

 

[mom2rtk]

We are going that week also. I haven't been able to find any WOC reservations at this point, but am going to keep looking! **update, actually it wasn't coming up when searching times. I had to click specifically on World of Color dining package, and then come came up**


DL's website doesn't have the park hours posted for that week. Where can I find them?

They are likely not released yet. DL is slower than WDW posting park hours and entertainment times.

Definitely do 3 days. It's "only" 2 parks, but there is so much to do. It's hard to fit it all in, and it's much more enjoyable if you don't spend all of the time rushing from one attraction to the next. Plus, you will get one Magic Morning in DL with a 3 day ticket.

 

[E&As Mom]

We went for our first DL trip last year that week (and are returning this year for that same week). We thought that the crowds were manageable... busy, but not completely crazy. We tried to use as many of the early hours as we could and got so much done those days. I agree with mom2rtk that it's much more enjoyable not rushing. We checked wait times often on our phones and tried to go to areas where attractions had lower wait times, instead of running all over the parks. I would probably do a 3 day ticket with the PH in your case. We used the PH a lot last year. DL and DCA are so great in that respect, since they are right across from each other!

 

[Khokhonutt]

We are going that week also. I haven't been able to find any WOC reservations at this point, but am going to keep looking! **update, actually it wasn't coming up when searching times. I had to click specifically on World of Color dining package, and then come came up**

If you're not finding what you're looking for on the website, I'd call the reservation line. We were able to book our WOC dessert reservations for that week a few days ago.

 

[lk2500]

That is our go to week. I would definitely go with 3 day park hoppers and go June 29th, 30th, and July 1st. June 29th will be a bit crowded but the 30th and 1st should be better as the SoCal AP's are blocked out. We were there those exact days last year. Expect crowds, plan your Fast Passes and go with the flow.

 

[Barbanellie]

Thanks everyone, you guys are so helpful! I'll do lots of reading on these forums, and will most likely come back to you with more specific questions, if we do book to go!