OK!! Besides Oct, when's another good time to go to DL....

[Disneyland1084]

when the crowds are generally low and the parks don't close SO EARLY???? I was thinking of an Oct. 2008 trip, but NOT if DL closes at 8 and Cal Adventure at 6. My mom and I would like to have SOME fun after DD went to bed.

 

[cats mom]

Well, busier times & bigger crowds = longer hours, slower times & lower crowds = shorter hours

You may have to pick which is most important.

We used to go in Oct all the time and loved the slower pace with the reduced crowds. I think it's getting to be a more popular time to go though. Last time we were there in Oct they extended the hours several times during our stay due to larger than expected crowds and I bet it rivaled peak summer time attendance some days.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

There really isn't a time where your going to see later hours and low crowds. We like early June before the schools get out, usually later hours and the crowds aren't too bad. Not what I'd call compete off peak crowds, but better then say mid summer crowds.

 

[drag n' fly]

November is always our favourite time to go when the Christmas decorations go up.

 

[4bugzinarug]

We are shooting for early September. My sister was married on 9/10 in CA, and they spent the next day in Disneyland (did not intentionally plan for that to be 9/11). The crowds were very manageable, they were able to get on most rides almost immediately.

Hopefully our trip 9/9 - 9/13 will be a stark contrast to the horribly crowded first few days we spent at Disneyland last October. That was definitely un-fun. Lots of sniveling on the first day from little kids AND grownups!

Of course, I don't think you can go to a place like Disneyland - which is built for "crowds" - and not expect to be one of many *in* the crowd One can only hope it is less crowded than usual. What is *really* funny is when we realized that we were complaining about the "crowds" without realizing that we were two (or four) more bodies CONTRIBUTING to the "crowds". LOL!

 

[edit1]

We are going in October because I've heard that it is pretty good in terms of shorter lineups, but I think next time we will aim for November so we can see the Christmas decorations. However I am hoping that by going in October the weather will still be pretty good.

 

[Leofoenget]

when the crowds are generally low and the parks don't close SO EARLY???? I was thinking of an Oct. 2008 trip, but NOT if DL closes at 8 and Cal Adventure at 6. My mom and I would like to have SOME fun after DD went to bed.

Only thing I can tell you is, you could go on an off time say Wed, Thurs, low crowds but plan on a Friday to get the shows and longer hours. You may have to break up the trip into different times. BUT you could hit DCA on the Friday Sat times during the day, and go back over to DL in the evenings for Fireworks and Fantasmic. There really isnt' a time when all the "good stuff" is running and there are no crowds. You may have to brave some crowds to see the stuff you want.

 

[8lovesmickey]

We've been really happy with late September. We go on a Thursday or Friday and stay through Tuesday or Wednesday. That way we get the late hours and parades and shows on the weekend and lower crowds on the week days. Plus by Monday or Tuesday we're tiring out and don't mind leaving the park a little earlier and swimming in the resort pool or something. It's sort of the best of both--

Did I mention we leave in 39 days???

 

[ShawnaF]

We love October. Have been doing trips in October for my daughter's birthday the last several years and before that just for Halloween. We also used to do end of September. We can't stand crowds. For us, 10am to 8pm hours are great and the lines aren't long. If you want a few longer hour days, go over a weekend as well so you have the extended weekend hours. Just remember in October that California Adventure will close early on the Halloween Treat nights, so only DL will be available to you without the party tickets.

We have also loved January and early February for shorter lines and smaller crowds. This past year we tried end of February (had to do it for the niece & nephews on their spring break) and the crowds were large. We also did a mid April trip and the crowds were pretty large then as well but not as bad as February. We personally avoid May, June, and July entirely and usually will wait until end of August if we just have to make a trip.

 

[Leofoenget]

We personally avoid May

I might add, that EARLY May before Mother's day is a good time. Pretty low crowds very nice weather, and the Mon, Tues Wed after Mothers day is good. After that it starts to really get busy with Grad Nights starting.

just my 2c

 

[ShawnaF]

Good point! Not sure what we'll do after we have a child in school, parents have it tough with the schedules and then crowds. I guess we have about 3 years to think about that.

 

[keishashadow]

There really isn't a time where your going to see later hours and low crowds. We like early June before the schools get out, usually later hours and the crowds aren't too bad. Not what I'd call compete off peak crowds, but better then say mid summer crowds.

hmm...when would you consider the "cut-off" for early June?

in planning stages of trip next year...earliest we could visit would be around the 13th/14th for 8 days due to family wedding.

had sorta settled on waiting until the 23rd/24th (departing July 2nd).

do you know if it's alot less crowded mid month?

(sorry to OP, don't mean to hijack thread).

 

[Disneyland1084]

(sorry to OP, don't mean to hijack thread).

 

[Albort]

In my opinion from working there for a year, id say the first week of Jan after NYE and NY.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

hmm...when would you consider the "cut-off" for early June?

in planning stages of trip next year...earliest we could visit would be around the 13th/14th for 8 days due to family wedding.

had sorta settled on waiting until the 23rd/24th (departing July 2nd).

do you know if it's alot less crowded mid month?

(sorry to OP, don't mean to hijack thread).

The first two weeks are usually good. The only thing you'll see is a few grad nights, which will have the parks closing a bit early. So it's good to know which dates those are going to be.

This June we went the 13-17th. Even with Nemo opening early that week the crowds were still quite low. We rode everything with very little wait.

I think later in the month it's going to be more crowded, with the usual summer crowd and all the kids out of school. It also seems to get hotter as the month goes on. Earlier in the month you get the "June gloom" which seems to keep things just right (for us anyway!). I'd never do a July trip again honestly, the heat just kills me! LOL

 

[Leofoenget]

hmm...when would you consider the "cut-off" for early June?

in planning stages of trip next year...earliest we could visit would be around the 13th/14th for 8 days due to family wedding.

had sorta settled on waiting until the 23rd/24th (departing July 2nd).

do you know if it's alot less crowded mid month?

(sorry to OP, don't mean to hijack thread).

I would say pretty much after Memorial day in May, expect crowds through Summer. Thats' just the way it is. Mid week is always a little less than Fri-Sun. Sorry that's just the way it goes. Through Summer plan on larger crowds.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

I would say pretty much after Memorial day in May, expect crowds through Summer. Thats' just the way it is. Mid week is always a little less than Fri-Sun. Sorry that's just the way it goes. Through Summer plan on larger crowds.

The first two weeks of June aren't as bad as late June and July-August. A lot of schools don't get out until mid-June. It's not as good as say Jan-Feb. But we've always found a huge difference in going in early-mid June vs. July or August. I'd never do one of those months again. Between the crowds and heat it makes for a miserable trip! JMO of course.

Were looking to do June 8-12 for next year. We did the 13-17 this year and honestly it was getting too hot for me at that point! The earlier in June the better for both the crowds and weather. My son will be done with school on June 5th I believe it is. We wanted to go with some friends, but her daughter doesn't get out until around the 17th. So I feel lucky that my son gets out in early June so we can go then!