March or September?

[grammakelly]

We had originally planned a week in Disneyland from February 28 to March 5. Now some of my family may not be able to go then, and wants to reschedule for August 28th to September 3.
We are taking a vote, LOL, and I would like others input.
Personally, I think it will be too hot at the later date, and obviously I don't want to wait any longer than I have to!
But what are the crowds like?
We always go in the first part of March and have had decent crowds. I don't know know what any other time is like. Unfortunately, going both times is not an option...
Can you help us decide?
THANKS!

 

[chickapin parterre]

the word that stands out is "hot", avoid that august week, may or may not be hot, but if it is hot.....

 

[figment_jii]

The September period has a few pros and cons associated with it. It's towards the end of the summer season, but before the summer season official ends (which happens on Labor Day). The Disneyland Half Marathon takes place from Sep 1 to 4 this year, so you're likely to see fairly high crowds on those days. Also during this period, the Haunted Mansion is usually closed for installation of the Haunted Mansion Holiday Overlay. On the flip side, the operating hours tend to be on the longer side, with more entertainment. HydroGuy has a good thread with weather information for DLR; late summer does tend (on average) to still be warm-to-hot, especially compared to Feb/Mar. My general sense is that the Feb/Mar time frame is going to be cooler and have lower crowds (it's before the Spring Break season is likely to get started), but with shorter hours and potentially more refurbishments (there are some lengthy refurbishments happening the first part of this year; e.g., Autopia and Jungle Cruise) than the Aug/Sep time frame.

 

[sherilaine]

I have no idea where you are located - and what exactly is important to you for your vacation. Is crowds a big issue, what about refubs as there are ones going on right now that are going on for longer than a year so you can't escape that. if you are from a cooler climate - such as we are here in Calgary - then going end of August/early September would be a waste of a trip to escape the bitter cold. We are going around the same time you have originally planned - Feb 26-March 5 and while good weather is no way guaranteed it certainly will not be -15 F when we are there!! Also, we would find it too hot in September - as no matter what the temperature is, in the sun, in DLR, it feels really hot. We were there one year in May and it was up in the 90s F and we found it too much.

As to crowds, I think the place is just getting busier all the time now and there are so many factors it is hard to predict future crowds on past years. But the 60th celebration is scheduled to end on September 5th so not sure if that will cause a mad rush at the end, I can't imagine but you never know.

 

[ADLFAN]

I just went in that week before Labor Day period and it was hotter and had higher attendance than our previous trip in mid-February. I probably wouldn't plan for the Aug. / Sept. Time frame again, we just went for my hubby's Aug. 31st birthday and now that he enjoyed his day at DL, I'll schedule our trip for cooler months. FYI, I didn't notice a huge difference in crowds, but my husband definitely did which is why I included that. But also, our Feb. trip was before any of the Anniversary entertainment was introduced and since then I think it looks a lot busier with people hanging out for their parade spots earlier, and harder to navigate around Main Street in the evenings.

Have fun planning!

 

[grammakelly]

Thank you all. This has been helpful!
We are willing to work around refurbs and shorter hours to avoid crowds. That's how we always do...
We are from Utah, in the mountains, so we really enjoy leaving 20 - 30 degree weather and snow to go see Mickey wearing shorts and t-shirts!
I think we are going to stay with the original plan, and hope everyone's schedules work out.
Appreciate your input!!