Late Summer or week after the Avengers Marathon

[wildflower329]

We finally have our next trip narrowed down to two weeks: Aug 24-29 or Nov16-21.

The August week would be the week before our daughter starts 2nd grade, so we wouldn't have to pull her out of school, and would have longer hours (although for us with an almost 7 year old and a 4 year old, this is actually both a pro and a con), but it may be more crowded? and it may be quite hot (although we are coming from eastern wa, so the heat should be similar to what we are used to in the summer). Our last trip was in Nov., so the kids have only seen Disney at Christmas time.

The November week would require us pulling our daughter out of school (which doesn't necessarily bother us), but it would be the week before thanksgiving, which may be strange. The weather should be cooler, but there is more of a chance of rain. Less hours, possibly more limited entertainment.

I am really struggling to make our final date decision. Try to convince me one way or the other about which week we should choose.

 

[SMD]

Go in August, get it over with, then you can start saving for the next trip before November.

 

[ADisneyFamilyof5]

We are in a similar boat, either we do 8/24-8/28 or 8/30-9/3 (our AP expires 9/7) or wait until Sept 2016. We always go during off season, either mid Sept or Feb. I am unsure what the crowd would be like at end of Aug. My boys really want to go this year, but if its going to be super crowded I wonder if it is worth it? Any advice is much appreciated!

 

[planningjollyholiday]

We went that same week in November last year. Except for the weekend, it was low crowds. Christmas was in full swing, and weather was beautiful. Shorts the whole time, no rain. We had a great time, the only thing that wasn't offered everyday was fantasmic, which was only on the weekends. Otherwise, fireworks, WOC, parades etc were daily. Hours were shorter, but having low crowds with shorter lines made up for it.

 

[figment_jii]

More than park hours, I would ask if you want to see DLR with or without Christmas/Holiday decor?

In August, the park hours will likely be long (not quite sure when they are starting to ramp down from full summer schedule because Labor Day is so late this year), but the parks will still be crowded. I think there is a good chance HM will close on Monday (8/24) to begin installing HMH overlay. Parts of the park will probably start having some Halloween/fall decor start appearing in late August and merchandise will likely already be appearing as well.

The week after Avengers Marathon will have shorter hours, but will likely have lower crowds as well. The official start to the holiday season should be around then, which means HMH, IaSWH, and Jingle Cruise should be up and running. Much (but not all) of the holiday decor and festivities should be up and underway as well (a few things start later or in December). As the PP mentioned, fireworks (Disneyland Forever, no Holiday fireworks this year), the parade (we don't know If the Xmas parade will be presented along with Paint the Night), WoC (we don't know if it'll be Winter Dreams or the new 60th show), and other entertainment should be offered daily. F! will likely only be on weekends (Fri-Sun) as noted.

In terms of weather, it's hard to say if it'll rain or not. I've gone twice during the week before Thanksgiving and it sprinkled on day on one trip and we wore shorts on the other. So not really something that is easy to predict. mas you noted, August has the potential to be hot, but DLR doesn't experience as much humidity as WDW. So it's a dry-heat, which might be more or less tolerable to you.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

I will always chose Oct Nov Dec over any summer months. Summer has hot days and longer lines. Nov I think would have low temps and less crowds.