Just back from WDW and planning 10' DL trip. Are the crowds really so bad in early

[Jordan'sMom]

June? Advice from several other sites recommend avoiding DL during summer and weekends as lines are very long. I only have WDW experience during this time and find with getting to the parks at RP and using FP, we spend very minimal time in lines (20 min or less). I will plan to avoid going on the weekends due to added local day-tripper traffic. Is it really that bad in early June?

Honestly, I'm ready for a break from WDW having done it 4 years in a row, but I am a bit worried about leaving my comfort zone! It will be just me and my 8 y/o son. I'm not a big fan of driving a rental car, but realize that it will be a necessity if we want to see other parks like Legoland. I've been to So Cal and remember the horrendous traffic...yikes! I've got a year to plan, and I want to be as prepared as possible. Thanks for any advice!

 

[LuLusApple]

From my experience it depends when in June you go. Early June is much different than late June typically. Early June of course the schools are not out yet, and summer hasn't officially started. But even with that said I think late June is still very doable. It isn't as Hot yet as say late July or august (usually)
And if you are an early morning person the park can be easy to ride and enjoy.
Regarding traffic in socal it's kinda the same, it depends on what time of day you hit it. I have seen quite a few threads talking about the traffic situation. I would search those if you don't get the answer from other Disers in this thread
And I think ( having gone with kids alone) you will be surprised how easy And safe you feel at DL. It's very easy to get around DL, and surrounding areas enjoy!

 

[Tozzie]

June? Advice from several other sites recommend avoiding DL during summer and weekends as lines are very long. I only have WDW experience during this time and find with getting to the parks at RP and using FP, we spend very minimal time in lines (20 min or less). I will plan to avoid going on the weekends due to added local day-tripper traffic. Is it really that bad in early June?

Honestly, I'm ready for a break from WDW having done it 4 years in a row, but I am a bit worried about leaving my comfort zone! It will be just me and my 8 y/o son. I'm not a big fan of driving a rental car, but realize that it will be a necessity if we want to see other parks like Legoland. I've been to So Cal and remember the horrendous traffic...yikes! I've got a year to plan, and I want to be as prepared as possible. Thanks for any advice!

I just got back spent about 10 days there from June 4th through yesterday. I am a WDW vet but hadn't been at DL in almost 20 years. I think the crowds were very managable. For the most part the lines were around 30 minutes or less. I had a great time and will not wait 20 years before going back again, it was a very relaxing vacation.

 

[sammons70]

After being at Disneyland the week between Christmas and Newyears with all of the Rose Bowl tourists, any other time is a picnic. In terms of lines and crowds, June is definately do-able. The only problem with June is the grad nights. Some evenings the Disneyland park will cose at 9:00 pm and usher everyone out ot get ready for a Grad Night event. This happens at least once a week in June because schools vary when they close for the summer. The school I teach at ends the first week of June, but some go up until June 20 something. This is awful because as soon as the fireworks end, everyone has no where else to go but the main exit. The shops are shut down, the entrances to the other lands are blocked off, the trams are jam packed, and you are in for the biggest cattle herd of your life.
My advice is if you are at the park on a day it closes early for grad night, skip the fireworks, and leave about 30 minutes before closing.

 

[stampinshauna]

I haven't been in June for several years, but it wasn't as bad as the middle of the summer. Some benefits to going in early June are:
Most California schools are still in session, which cuts down on the locals on weekdays
It is considered peak season, so few if any rides are undergoing refurbishment
While it may be more crowded than other times of the year, the hours are extended so you'll still be able to get as much in

Disneyland is also a lot more compact than WDW. You'll spend less time getting around and you can easily hop between parks when one (being Disneyland) is really crowded.

 

[HydroGuy]

Lingo, lingo.

Around here DL means DisneyLand which is a theme park like MK.

DLR means DisneyLand Resort which is a Disney resort like WDW.

When you say "DL" we know you mean DLR but it might confuse some.

The sites that advise against DLR during weekends and summer miss an important point that does not affect WDW very much. DLR is much more of a local day tripper park and entertainment offerings work around this. If you shoot for low crowds you will also likely miss some of the excellent entertainment at DLR. See "What You Should Know About Off-Season at DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18462889

You are correct that arriving at RD and using FP you will avoid most lines. We go in summer regularly and never wait in lines more than 20 minutes. See "Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

 

[Jordan'sMom]

DLR...got it.

Thanks for all of the helpful advice and links. I'm a major planner, and look forward to learning all about DLR from my trusted disboards members. Thanks!!!

 

[disneynerd420]

I just got back from a 5 day Disneyland trip from June 5th through the 10th. On the day of arrival, we arrived at 12:00, right when the parks are generally getting to there peak. I found the crowds to be very manageable, and with the use of FastPass, we did not wait for any ride more than 15 minutes. The 6th and 7th were very similar to this crowd pattern. However, the 8th and 9th, (monday and tuesday) were insanely busy. Both days we found ourselves spending the morning at DL, hopping over to CA when DL peaked and then taking a break around 2. We would come back to the park and depending on what we wanted to do, we would either head to DL or CA first. Most of the evening was spent at CA, just because it was less busy. We would stay there until close and then end the evening back in DL when it wasn't so busy.

I was told by a cast member that the 8th was the first day of summer vacation for some local schools. That made sense as to why there was an overwhelming amount of annoying teenagers there. (Wow... I sound old.) We still had a wonderful time, however, I could have done without being surrounded by a bunch of screaming girls on all the coasters.

I recommend, if you go in early june. Go the first week. Crowds should be more manageable.