New to DL. When to go?

[ericaseiler]

Hi! We are FL residents, have been to WDW mannnnny times and I have frequented the WDW boards here. I know how helpful everyone is on here so I would love your opinion please. We are planning a trip to CA (San Diego, Anaheim/LA) in May/June to celebrate two big birthdays in our family. It will be me, my DH and 2 DD's (12- turning 13 on the trip and 8). They know about the trip to CA but not about DL and we'd love to surprise them! My DD turns 13 on June 2 and I was hoping to be able to be in DL that day. We are planning on staying one night at a DL hotel (to take advantage of being able to get in the park early) and doing both parks (2 days, one park per day). I just found out that Grad Nites surround our trip dates. We are only 3 hours from WDW and typically plan our trips there during the time with the lowest crowds. I did read that mainly Grad Nite's affect DCA but that overall the crowds are heavier. There are a very few dates that do not have a Grad Nite and I would love for you to tell me when you think it would be best to visit:

Sunday May 31 and Monday June 1 --- No Grad Nights either night but weekend and I have read that Mondays at DL are VERY crowded though (thoughts on Mondays?)

Monday June 1 (no GN) and Tuesday June 2 (GN) -- Again, Monday and crowds. We would plan to do DCA Monday since no Grad Nite and DL Tuesday because of Grand Nite

Wednesday June 3 (GN) and Thursday June 4 (no GN)--- Avoids a Monday. GN on Wednesday so we'd plan to do DL Wed, DCA Thurs because no Grad Nite

Last option would be to not do DL/DCA at any of those times and come another time of year

So, if you don't mind, please give me the good, the bad and the ugly !

Thank you so much for your time

 

[mad hatter fan]

I have never gone during grad nights so I can’t help with that, but you will need to consider which park has EMH for on-site guests each day.
DL is T TH SAT
CA is SUN M W F

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I would choose option three but switch your parks so you can take advantage of EMH. If you are up for it, you can arrive very early on check in day, check in and drop your bags at the bell desk and take advantage of EMH on both days.

 

[ericaseiler]

Thank you so much for the reminder to check the EMH! Unfortunately, I can't switch option 3's days because I do not want to be in DCA during Grad Nite

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Grad NIte has changed its structure over the past 2 years or so. Now there are 3 plans offered to schools with 3 price points. Not that many schools choose the most expensive option that allows students all day in both parks. Many schools choose the least expensive option which only covers the party in DCA which starts after park closing. GNs aren't really the zoo that they were even just a few years ago. And with good planning and organization, any trip to DLR, even during the most crowded times (ask some of our DISers who just did trips during Christmas Week!), can be very fun! DLR isn't like WDW in many ways, and this can work to your advantage! Do your research here, make good plans, study up on MP and make good use of it, make all your dining reservations and dining package reservations for nighttime shows, then go have a great time!
Also, join the June check in thread: ** June 2020 Check In **. You can keep up to date with announcements and events with all the other people here who will be visiting during June!

 

[disneylover102]

Honestly, people worry too much about grad nights. We went in June 2017 for a week and the 2 nights that were grad nights were the least crowded days of the trip. (On those days we only went to DL since we had 1 park per day passes)

I haven’t gone on a ton of Mondays. I’ve only gone on a Monday 3 different times. One was in October 2013 and it wasn’t bad at all. One was June 2017 and it probably was one of the more crowded days but it wasn’t insane or anything. And the other one was late April 2019 and it was really not that crowded at all- it was a very short 3/4 day trip to DL and I did all the thrill rides in both parks, some of them multiple times.

I’d personally do June 3 and 4.

 

[vharris2828]

We did a grad night in 2014. Oh my gosh I swore never again. It was the absolute worst Disneyland experience I have ever had. We left by 3 because the park was just over run with a ton of kids that were shoving and pushing their way through the crowds. It just sucked the magic out of it for me I was so frustrated. So I’d probably do one of your options without the grad night. That being said It sounds like they have changed the structure of it so it’s not so bad so maybe more people will weigh in on more recent years

 

[guynhawaii]

Hi! We are FL residents, have been to WDW mannnnny times and I have frequented the WDW boards here. I know how helpful everyone is on here so I would love your opinion please. We are planning a trip to CA (San Diego, Anaheim/LA) in May/June to celebrate two big birthdays in our family. It will be me, my DH and 2 DD's (12- turning 13 on the trip and 8). They know about the trip to CA but not about DL and we'd love to surprise them! My DD turns 13 on June 2 and I was hoping to be able to be in DL that day. We are planning on staying one night at a DL hotel (to take advantage of being able to get in the park early) and doing both parks (2 days, one park per day). I just found out that Grad Nites surround our trip dates. We are only 3 hours from WDW and typically plan our trips there during the time with the lowest crowds. I did read that mainly Grad Nite's affect DCA but that overall the crowds are heavier. There are a very few dates that do not have a Grad Nite and I would love for you to tell me when you think it would be best to visit:

Sunday May 31 and Monday June 1 --- No Grad Nights either night but weekend and I have read that Mondays at DL are VERY crowded though (thoughts on Mondays?)

Monday June 1 (no GN) and Tuesday June 2 (GN) -- Again, Monday and crowds. We would plan to do DCA Monday since no Grad Nite and DL Tuesday because of Grand Nite

Wednesday June 3 (GN) and Thursday June 4 (no GN)--- Avoids a Monday. GN on Wednesday so we'd plan to do DL Wed, DCA Thurs because no Grad Nite

Last option would be to not do DL/DCA at any of those times and come another time of year

So, if you don't mind, please give me the good, the bad and the ugly !

Thank you so much for your time

 

[guynhawaii]

Aloha,

I recommend to delay your trip to July.

The weather is not favorable in May and June. It’s cold and foggy. Called “June Gloom”. Additionally, I expect less ride closures in July and hopefully DCA’s new Marvel Land will be open in July. Doubt it will be open in May or early June. Recommend to extensively review HydroGuys outstanding tips. Especially the pros and cons on when to visit.
Good luck!

 

[disneycat321]

Aloha,

I recommend to delay your trip to July.

The weather is not favorable in May and June. It’s cold and foggy. Called “June Gloom”. Additionally, I expect less ride closures in July and hopefully DCA’s new Marvel Land will be open in July. Doubt it will be open in May or early June. Recommend to extensively review HydroGuys outstanding tips. Especially the pros and cons on when to visit.
Good luck!

All depends on what weather you like. I lived in Orange County for many years and love the weather in June. The June Gloom burns off by the middle of the day and keeps the overall temperatures much lower than they reach in July. But yes, if you really like heat, July would be preferable.

OP, my gut instinct says June 3 and 4, but I don't think any option would be bad. I just would personally choose the middle of the week if it's an option because the crowds may be slightly lower. Most CA schools are still in session that early in June, which works in your favor as well. I'm also a big fan of starting the trip with DL - there's just something about walking down Main Street first thing. Plus, you're avoiding the EMH for hotel guests at both parks.