March?

[HeatherLassell]

So what's it like the LAST week of March? I'm looking into taking my kids to Disneyland during Canadian Spring break which in 2012 is the last week of March, so I assume the same thing for 2013.

I've been to California many times in February and enjoyed the weather. But how is it for crowds?

Thanks in advance!

 

[sonnyjane]

Late March is definitely Spring Break time. Easter is April 8 next year, so the week before and after that will likely be most busy, but late March is still pretty crowded. That being said, my sister from Florida has visited me during late March for the last three years due to her school's spring break and we have gone to Disneyland each time (and will go again this year). The parks are "summer crowded" in my opinion - which is to say that mornings and late evenings are nice, but mid-day can get pretty crowded. Rides like Space and Indy will have 60 to 90 minute waits, Matterhorn about 30, Pirates usually about 20-25 in the afternoon. I go to the parks a lot, so I'll say that I have definitely seen a lot worse than late-March, but it is one of the times that's considered "peak season".

 

[skiingfast]

According to the poll I set up, not bad.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2843108

Though I think it will be worse than the poll indicates because it's close to Easter.

 

[sonnyjane]

I just re-read your post. Did you mean you're not planning on going until 2013?? If so, Easter in 2013 is March 31st so the end of March will be more busy than it would be in 2012, since Easter is a bit earlier. It's still manageable though close to Easter. Busier, but doable. Not like Christmas

 

[HeatherLassell]

According to the poll I set up, not bad.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2843108

Though I think it will be worse than the poll indicates because it's close to Easter.

I just re-read your post. Did you mean you're not planning on going until 2013?? If so, Easter in 2013 is March 31st so the end of March will be more busy than it would be in 2012, since Easter is a bit earlier. It's still manageable though close to Easter. Busier, but doable. Not like Christmas

Ahhh thank you. Good to know. I'm taking them out of school Sept 29-Oct 10 2012 and would like to plan a trip to DL where they don't have to miss school. Looks like that might not happen. July and August it's just too hot for these Canadians. Though we do get 30-35+ celcius weather in summer. I usually stay in the ac though. lol I figured Spring break would probably be busy and wasn't even thinking about Easter being so close. Hmmmm...

 

[sonnyjane]

I'm not trying to discourage you by any means. Like I said I've gone during that time for the last 3 years and will go again this year. I just wanted you to be aware that it is, indeed, considered to be one of the busier times at the parks. With FastPass though it's quite manageable. Just takes planning.

 

[HeatherLassell]

I'm not trying to discourage you by any means. Like I said I've gone during that time for the last 3 years and will go again this year. I just wanted you to be aware that it is, indeed, considered to be one of the busier times at the parks. With FastPass though it's quite manageable. Just takes planning.

What about the first week in January?

 

[sonnyjane]

What about the first week in January?

In 2013 I'm not certain. This year Disneyland's holiday season extends later than usual (until Jan 8). Not sure what the case will be in 2013. Looking at the calendar, I'd say its reasonable to expect that the holiday season might end on Sunday, Jan. 6 in 2013. So the first week of January will have holiday crowds comparable to a spring break crowds I'd imagine (we will have more data after this season). The potential problems I could see in going in early Jan. when their holiday season is over is that it's a common time for rides to close for refurbs and Haunted Mansion and Small World overlays have to be removed, so while crowds will be less, you may get limited entertainment offerings (weekends only) and ride closures. Everything at DL is a trade off.

 

[skiingfast]

Ahhh thank you. Good to know. I'm taking them out of school Sept 29-Oct 10 2012 and would like to plan a trip to DL where they don't have to miss school. Looks like that might not happen. July and August it's just too hot for these Canadians. Though we do get 30-35+ celcius weather in summer. I usually stay in the ac though. lol I figured Spring break would probably be busy and wasn't even thinking about Easter being so close. Hmmmm...

July and August can be hot, but because Anaheim is a bit dry the morning and evenings can be pleasant. Around the first of October it can also be hot. Fall is a very warm time in Anaheim because of it's local weather. To see more take a look at the charts in the link.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158

What about the first week in January?

SonnyJane is right. If you mean the first week as the one that includes the 1st. It will porbably be insane, for the first half and very busy the second half. If you mean the first full week of January, the next week, it will likely mean that the holidays are over and rehabs begin.


If it were me I would take the first week of October. Halloween will be in full effect. Crowds will be mixed, very low weekdays, with busy weekends, semi busy Halloween party days with their very busy evenings.

 

[HeatherLassell]

If it were me I would take the first week of October. Halloween will be in full effect. Crowds will be mixed, very low weekdays, with busy weekends, semi busy Halloween party days with their very busy evenings.

Yeah I'm just trying to find a way to take them without having them miss school again. Since this first trip they are missing quite a few days. I don't think it would be responsible of me to do that 2 years in a row.

 

[skiingfast]

That's the dilemma us parents have.

While Christmas is the worst time to visit for crowds, Spring Break is better but still bad.

Summer is a mix of things, but the best choice when you need to have a week off.

Depening on your school schedule the very last week of August and the first two weeks of June have lower crowds.**

The middle part of summer on the weekdays is busy but not bad. Plus you get full entertainment, full hours and the lowest amount of rehabs. This is from about mid July to Mid August.




**This summer, because of the coming Carsland and DCA grand reopening, June is very risky. Nobody knows now when Carsland will open. When this happens, because of lots of anticipation for the new area, and a big marketing push we will soon see, crowds could pack in those days at the beginning of June.

 

[rentayenta]

Yeah I'm just trying to find a way to take them without having them miss school again. Since this first trip they are missing quite a few days. I don't think it would be responsible of me to do that 2 years in a row.

I've have done that during both trips to WDW and will for this one too. Oh and our trip last month to Disneyland (trip report in signature). I'm admittedly the worst parent when it comes to them missing school for vacation. I do however inform the school well in advance and insure the kids make up all work. We have yet to run into any issues.

 

[HeatherLassell]

Depening on your school schedule the very last week of August and the first two weeks of June have lower crowds.**

Ahhh ok that could work. It's just gonna be hot right? Up here school isn't in until the 2nd week of September! So the last week of August would be completely doable for us.

My kids are very excited about Cars Land! It looks awesome! We all really enjoyed the Cars movie.

Our first ever trip is WDW in Sept 2012. So if we plan for Disney Land it will either be fall of 2013 or 2014! Depends how well this first trip goes for us!

 

[skiingfast]

You could do the last week of August and/or first Week of September.

Do remember that the first Monday in September if a US Holiday, Labor Day. That three day weekend is busier but doesn't elevate the week's midweek crowds too much since most people are in school. So it's not a bad time to visit, but not perfect.

Also HM will be closed to recieve it's Holiday overlay starting right at the end of August. Other rehabs can be taking place as well.

 

[HeatherLassell]

You could do the last week of August and/or first Week of September.

Do remember that the first Monday in September if a US Holiday, Labor Day. That three day weekend is busier but doesn't elevate the week's midweek crowds too much since most people are in school. So it's not a bad time to visit, but not perfect.

Also HM will be closed to recieve it's Holiday overlay starting right at the end of August. Other rehabs can be taking place as well.

Yes we celebrate Labor Day here too. But our school doesn't start until after that. So I would probably do that last week of August Monday to Friday.