Is There An "Ideal" Time to Visit Disneyland

[coopersmom]

Well, we've twice had weeks this fall picked out and reserved for Disneyland and, twice, something has come up that has made us have to change our plans.

Can any of you experts tell me what they think the "ideal" week would be to visit Disneyland, taking into account crowds, regularly scheduled ride/attraction refurbs and SoCal weather?

I know there are going to be mixed opinions, and I have read all of the recommendations here about high vs low season, etc. I was just curious to get specific info.

I also understand that there are always trade offs, but I was just thinking about best use cases. For instance, when it comes to DisneyWorld, I've found September to be my "sweet spot" for visiting. Yes, it's still hot, but the crowds are so low it's worth it. That's the sort of advice I was hoping to solicit here.

So, if you could go at any time, when would it be, and why?

 

[gmi3804]

You're gong to get 52 different answers to this question. Here's mine:

Ideal is whenever I can go. I'm at the point in my life where time is more scarce than money. So when my schedule permits, I go. If I could have the luxury of choosing, I'd prefer a "shoulder season," which is to say when mid-week crowds are still manageable yet the parks are open longer hours and evening entertainment is more plentiful. Early spring, late fall, avoiding holiday times. There's no one ride refurb that will affect my enjoyment negatively.

 

[xsuki000]

I'd prefer to visit during school time. I never really thought there was much of a difference in crowd levels but after being in the park this month with the large crowds, i'd prefer to go when there's less people. I might have to sacrifice rides but the lines will be shorter and there won't be as many people bumping into me.

 

[Kittyskyfish]

Here's our experience preference, in order of most to least importance (all are of importance, btw):

• Holiday environment
• Crowd levels
• Greatest number of rides open
• Scheduled evening events like Fantasmic and fireworks

We visit DL annually and because we've seen and done it all, our revisits are planned during the Christmas season (after Thanksgiving and before Christmas) because the park is gorgeous that time of year and because we're big Christmas nuts. For us, the best time to go for Christmas + lower crowds + greatest # of rides open = right after Thanksgiving up to the 2nd week of December - somewhere in that vicinity. We also plan for longer trips during this period than for off-season trips to DL because we don't tire of the park as quickly when we visit during the Christmas season. We've gone in the summer or off-season and had our fill of the parks in 4 days, whereas we could go 7+ days in December and still feel sad to leave.

But, we'd be hard-pressed to go near Christmas, the week before or after. It'd be too crowded for us.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

nov- right after thanksgiving to first week dec (my bday time) also Halloween we like well early oct for my sons bday. Those are our two fav times. I dont like summer time but went in may with my mom and dad this year. it wasn't to bad but its not my fav time

 

[PinkBudgie]

We love July! Warm weather, long hours, attractions up and running. Crowds are managable with good use of FPs and being there at opening.

 

[DisneytheKid]

nov- right after thanksgiving to first week dec (my bday time) also Halloween we like well early oct for my sons bday. Those are our two fav times. I dont like summer time but went in may with my mom and dad this year. it wasn't to bad but its not my fav time

I second this. Crowd levels are supposed to be notoriously lower and you still get to enjoy the holiday decorations

 

[HydroGuy]

Our priorities since we are relatively infrequent visitors:

1. Absolute minimum refurbs and maximum on entertainment offerings
2. Warm weather and low chance for rain
3. Time when the whole family of college and high school students can shake free

This means summer. I would take July as my best time.

If I wanted to avoid crowds I would choose May.

 

[Porturican]

I would say Sept right after the holiday. It is just crazy the first day & weekends after Halloween season starts. But during the week is great. We went early Oct last year and Sunday was a bit crowded Sat was packed but Monday & Tuesday were fantastic!

 

[PrincessAurora]

My ideal time is January or February - if it rains, all the better! A little known fact, people in LA are freaked out by rain. They all want to head to malls or movie theatres in order to stay dry. The lines are short, no crowds, it's great!

 

[nyjets53]

Don't go in October, that's when I'll be there...

 

[BayGirl22]

I really think you need to list out your priorities first and then research from there. The posts above have several good prioritized lists. My priorities are different depending on who I'm traveling with, the age of my kids, and what I'm trying to get out of the trip. This year they are:

- Low crowds - Easy to navigate a double stroller with 2 small children, lower wait times on the smaller rides
- Decent weather - not too hot, not too cool
- Backed up against a work holiday to minimize vacation days (Ideally)

This year I don't care as much about the following:

- Ride closures - DH and I only expect to get on a couple e-ticket rides ourselves with child swap. This trip is really about spending time with the kids
- # of shows per day - we only need to see each one once in our stay
- Long park hours - We'd be killing ourselves to stay until 12pm if it were open that late every night. We'll do EE for an extra morning hour, and stay at least one weekend night to see fireworks (and risk not seeing them at all, we'll live)
- Holiday decorations - although nice, not something that makes my list

As soon as we agreed that this would not be our once in a lifetime Disney trip, but the first of many trips that we want to be low-stress, that put things into perspective. We chose to arrive the day after Labor Day, based on that week being one of the lowest crowd levels of the year.

Now if I were doing a trip with friends, or 4 years ago before kids, or with school aged kids or teenagers I would have chosen a different time. Then I'd probably be all about late hours, big rides, and optimization. You'll get a lot of different answers to your question, so start with your own priorities before listening to others.

 

[Toolmaster]

Our fav week has been the week before Thanksgiving. We have gone several times this week and has been great. All the holiday decorations are up the weather is great, 70's during the day the crowds are amazingly low.Walk on to almost everything the only waits we had we like 20 mins when TSM opened

I know this is a low time for the fireworks and such but we have always had a great time. That being said we are going in Oct this year. I guess have to try something new but we are going to the beach on Tues as to miss the Party crowd

 

[SomeDude78]

I'm sure I'll be in the minority here, but for me it's Christmas. Yes, usually the "dreaded" Christmas break long weekend. The park is decorated nicely, hours are long, and everything just seems so cheerful in general Since we're semi-local (~6 hours away by car) PAP holders, we go a bunch of times throughout the year, but every year we find that the Christmas trip is just the most enjoyable one.

As for crowds, Christmas (and even more so New Year's) is probably hands down the worst time to go though. For the best overall compromise of good ambiance, low-ish crowds, and still some holiday cheer, then I'd vote early-mid November.

 

[squirrel]

My ideal time is January or February - if it rains, all the better! A little known fact, people in LA are freaked out by rain. They all want to head to malls or movie theatres in order to stay dry. The lines are short, no crowds, it's great!

Works even better if you are used to a lot of rain! A friend and her family went over Spring Break and it rained for 2 days of their trip. She said it was great-few people and short lines but as soon as the weather improved it was busy.

I told her that she should wish the rain they were predicting would arrive as it would help keep the parks clear.

 

[Bungle]

Not really. If you go in the summer you will face heat and longer lines, but most everything will be open and the parks are open longer. In the winter and spring you may have less people but rides are usually refurbished during this time so you might miss out on something you really wanted to try. Either way its fun though.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

You can find historical hours (and entertainment) in the following link (http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/park-hours.cfm?month=6&year=2012). DL's hours are shortest (10:00am to 8:00pm) when attendance is expected to be the lowest.

You can find historical refurb information in the weekly updates in the following link (http://www.mouseplanet.com/search.php?type=c&cid=dl). (Click on 'Current Refurbishment/ Attraction Closures' to go directly to the refurb info.) Last year HM was down from Aug. 29 to Sept. 15 (to install the Holiday overlay). Last year IASW was down from Oct. 24 to Nov. 10 (to install the Holiday overlay).

How do you feel about decorations? Mid-September and October have Halloween decorations (a big jack-o-lantern in Town Square, etc.). November and December have Christmas decorations (a big Christmas tree in Town Square, "snow" on the castle starting in early-November, etc.).

September can be as warm as July/August. In late-November 2009, some days were warm (shorts & a short-sleeve shirt) and some days were cold (long pants & a jacket).

Which fireworks would you want to see: Magical, Remember...Dreams Come True, or Believe...In Holiday Magic?

Which parade would you want to see: Soundsational or the Christmas Fantasy Parade?

Thanksgiving is early this year (Nov. 22), so the week before Thanksgiving has Veteran's Day (Monday, Nov. 12), which tends to be a busy day.

HTH

 

[HydroGuy]

Works even better if you are used to a lot of rain! A friend and her family went over Spring Break and it rained for 2 days of their trip. She said it was great-few people and short lines but as soon as the weather improved it was busy.

I told her that she should wish the rain they were predicting would arrive as it would help keep the parks clear.

It all depends on what you want.

At WDW the rain generally is short lived and warmer. In SoCal if it is raining then often the whole day is rainy. And it usually is accompanied with cold temperatures. Rain at WDW does not bother me that much. At DLR it would - if I ever went - which I have never done in my life LOL.