Never been, need help deciding a time to go, please.

[AJKMOM]

Thinking of taking my autistic 22 year old son to Disneyland in 2011, and wonder what the experts say.


Middle of March, but the weather here in the East can be tricky as far as flying. If I avoid weekens, will this be not so crowded?

First part of April, say April 3 to the 8th. Will it be crowded with "spring breakers" like WDW, even though Easter is at the end of April?

Should I plan 2 days at DisneyLand, and 1 at California Adventure? Is it better for a middle aged woman
and her son to stay onsite, as far as safety goes?

All very confusing with the Good Neighbor Hotels thrown into the mix. Thanks for any advice


AJKMOM

 

[goldies 5]

Well, I think you and your son will have great time. I would stay onsite and at GCH if possible. It is the closest to everything. There are usually great deals that time of the year as far as hotels and tickets go. I would stay more days if possible. Can you do closer to 5? It might make things not feel so rushed, and a bit more relaxing for you. I homeschool, so I won't answer the dates question. I am sure there are a lot of folks here who will be able to help you with that question.

 

[Goofy_Mom]

I can't answer the flying questions, we live in central CA and always drive.

I can't justify the cost of staying at a Disneyland hotel. The Good Neighbor hotels we've stayed at are actually closer by foot than the DL hotels (GCH being the exception). We have little ones and have never felt like our lives were in danger by any strech of the word by staying off site. We've stayed at the Fairfield, BWPPI, and Carousel. This November we staying at the Camelot. A lot of Dis'ers like HOJO and Candy Cane Inn - the later has it's own shuttle to the parks but can be done by foot.

For weather and crowds, I'ld probably do early April. The spring breakers aren't there until spring break (the week before and week after Easter).

I'ld also to 3 full days, it automaticlly adds the park hopper so you don't have to stay in one park all day. It's not like WDW where you have to load a bus to get to another park, it's literally a 2 minute walk away. If you were at the far end of one park and wanted to go the other, the max time I think it would take is 15 min.

Hope this helps, happy planing.

 

[DisMike]

When you go depends on what you want. Middle of March to the 1st part of April is going to be busy with spring breakers. Everything will be open but it will be crowded. If you can wait until the 1st part of May it will be much less crowded and probably better weather.

I would plan 4-5 days if you're coming all the way from PA.

Don't limit yourself to a day at DL a day at DCA. Go freely between them. This is DL, not WDW.

No sweat about going to a good neighbor. As Goofy Mom said, many are closer than DLH or PPH. It's very safe. Everything directly around DL is constantly full of people going to or coming from DL or catering to those that are going or coming. Nothing is closer than GCH. It's virtually in the park in DCA.

Have fun. Enjoy.

 

[skiingfast]

Thinking of taking my autistic 22 year old son to Disneyland in 2011, and wonder what the experts say.


Middle of March, but the weather here in the East can be tricky as far as flying. If I avoid weekens, will this be not so crowded?

I have been during the third week of March and the midweek days are significantly less busy that Friday night or the weekend. This thread might give you idea of when Spring Breakers will be there. Spring Break Poll. Mon-Thu may not have F! or firworks playing if it's a slow time.

First part of April, say April 3 to the 8th. Will it be crowded with "spring breakers" like WDW, even though Easter is at the end of April?

Should I plan 2 days at DisneyLand, and 1 at California Adventure?

I would suggest you get a park hopper and go with the flow. The park gates are just 200 feet apart so going from one to the other is very simple.
Is it better for a middle aged woman
and her son to stay onsite, as far as safety goes?

As stated GCH is closest, Harbor has several that are closer than DLH and PPH. Safety is of little concern.


All very confusing with the Good Neighbor Hotels thrown into the mix.

There is some misconception about this. Just know that Good nieghbor Hotels are a marketing term and can be booked through Disney. It doesn't mean the hotel is any better or closer than a non good nieghbor hotel.

 

[AJKMOM]

Thanks for all the good advice. I am thinking now of going in May, since we've always had good luck at WDW going when most kids are in school. I now know to avoid the weekends

seems like a lot like the HoJo, and it's walkable even after 12 hours in the park? Hope so.

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks for all the good advice. I am thinking now of going in May, since we've always had good luck at WDW going when most kids are in school. I now know to avoid the weekends

seems like a lot like the HoJo, and it's walkable even after 12 hours in the park? Hope so.

IMO May is the best off-season month to visit DLR. However, there are some downsides. See the links below:

"What You Should Know About Off-Season at DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18462889

"The Scoop on Grad Nights at DLR in May and June" - www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2298400

 

[TLuvsD]

Spring Break in April 2011 is at the end of the month, Easter is very late in the month.
That being said, the weather is nicer in May. (ok, weather wimp here). But go earlier in the month rather than later to avoid school trips (Grad Night/8th grade promotion).
Have a great trip, whenever you go.

 

[wdwfan22]

Spring Break in April 2011 is at the end of the month, Easter is very late in the month.
That being said, the weather is nicer in May. (ok, weather wimp here). But go earlier in the month rather than later to avoid school trips (Grad Night/8th grade promotion).
Have a great trip, whenever you go.

Spring break does not necessarily coinside with Easter for everyone. Our spring break is the last week in March, no matter when Easter is.

 

[DisMike]

I went the 1st week of May in 2009. Great weather. Moderately low crowds. Only needed a fastpass a couple of times.

Have fun.

 

[nana50]

Thanks for all the good advice. I am thinking now of going in May, since we've always had good luck at WDW going when most kids are in school. I now know to avoid the weekends

seems like a lot like the HoJo, and it's walkable even after 12 hours in the park? Hope so.

When at Disneyland you don't need to do 12 hour days. We always sip back to our hotel, (10 to 15 minutes to get back) take a nap, have a swim, then go back in the evening all rested.

 

[AJKMOM]

Thanks for all the good advice, everyone. Anyone care to recommend a good hotel? I put some dates in for May, and the Disney big 3 are in the $3,000 range and over, while the "Good Neighbor" ones are a lot less. Too bad there isn't a POFQ there, love that moderate!