Planning 1st trip to DL

[kellydizfan]

Hi All, I usually hang at the Budget & Community Threads along with DVC. Questions for you, my husband mentioned going to DL next year with the kids. What time of year would be best to go - where not too crowded. I was to DL back in 87 but that was so so long ago. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Out of the three hotels - which one would be best? There will be 2 adults and 3 kids possibly add a 4th kid in there. 2 of them would be 14 and the other 2 would be 7 & 10. I am not overly concerned about planning dining like I do when we go to WDW.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!!!

 

[Husker Mickey]

Have you looked into the good neighbor hotels? At WDW it is imperative to stay on site, but at DL it isn't as much so. Many good neighbor hotels/motels are within walking distance. We have stayed at several of them. Check out my signature. Would not recommend the Ramada Inn Maingate based on our stay several years ago. Hopefully they have undertaken a major remodel since then. Maybe someone else can help you with that. This board is amazing. Just keep checking back to learn all sorts of tips and don't be afraid to ask any questions. Have fun planning!!!

 

[HydroGuy]

Here is a good starting point for general advice: "A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" ww.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

One thing to keep in mind is that offseason at DLR differs from WDW in one important respect: shows, parades and fireworks are cut way back during offseason such that you can only see many of them on weekends when the parks are crowded pretty much year round. See "HydroGuy's High Season/Off Season Tradeoff Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199852

So, if you go offseason I would recommend overlapping at least one if not two days over a weekend. If you go during a busier season then avoid weekends altogether.

If you want lower crowds, then you will get that along with nicer weather in May and September. But note that many people have gone to DLR the last couple years during what they thought was offseason only to be confronted with larger crowds than expected. Some people are saying that offseason no longer exists at DLR.

There are useful hotel links in this thread: "HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

 

[cmwilson523]

While the previous poster is correct that weekends are important at DL if you want to see shows like Fantasmic, you should also keep in mind that, unlike WDW, there is a HUGE influx of locals on the weekends. (Yes, I am jealous that I can't just head to a Disney park on the weekend!!!)

Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays, no matter what time of year, are definitely busier than the weekdays. We have been during April, May, and November. April is very busy due to spring break (and more expensive for hotels since it is prime season) - we only went during this time because we were meeting friends who had to worry about spring break for work.

May is a nice time to go, although locals will tell you not to expect to get too many pictures of blue skies. There is a reason that they call it "May Gray." But it didn't bother us at all - the weather is gorgeous, it is fairly quiet, and on the weekends they have "California Food and Wine Weekends" which is sort of a smaller version of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, that only takes place on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. (This is during the last week of April and during the first three weeks of May.)

Early November was also a great time to go. It is a little bit cooler, but nowhere near as cold as Northern Indiana during that time of year.

 

[cmwilson523]

Depending on when you go, of course, you may want to plan some meals if you definitely want to eat somewhere.

We have found that the Blue Bayou (at DL, inside the beginning of POTC ride) fills up pretty quickly. I have not done the character meals, so I can't speak to those personally, but the lines were long whenever we went by one.

Also, if you want a really special meal, you should try to eat at Napa Rose at the Grand Californian hotel. It is truly incredible! Delicious food, awesome wine list - if you want a chance to talk briefly with the chefs (and maybe get a special bite or two), arrange to eat at the counter by the open kitchen.

If the adults in your group want to have dinner on your own, there is Pinocchio's Workshop, where 5-12 year olds can hang out and have dinner.

 

[kellydizfan]

Thank you & I have alot of investigating to do. It would mean taking the 14 year olds out of Junior High for at least a week if not a little longer and have to work around NY state test. I thought either May or September - maybe they could miss the first couple days of school. We are DVC members so I see points are lower in May-June. Weather is not really a factor as long as not alot of rain. I can deal with cloudy skys.

Thanks for the replies!!!!!

 

[PrincessSitka]

What about January? Is this a good time to go?

 

[HydroGuy]

What about January? Is this a good time to go?

In my opinion it isn't, but it depends on your definition of "good time to go". Some people like January based on their own priorities. What are your priorities? Warm weather, cool weather, avoid rain, low crowds, more shows, more rides available, longer park hours?

For more info see "HydroGuy's High Season/Off Season Tradeoff Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199852

 

[kellydizfan]

I have looked at the links-need to spend more time with it. Are the shows really different from WDW? Warm weather would be great as in January it is freezing & snow here. I am not sure I would be comfortable flying in January. I like the May idea or early September and the kids missing a few days but I don't know if that would work as the 14 year olds wold be starting 9th grade and would have a new routine to get used to. How is the middle-to-end of August? Is it really hot? DVC points actually are lower starting Sept 2nd. May thru end of June are lower also. I will need to call DVC today if I can during lunch to find out more info. Regarding rainy time - what time is best to skip? Is it May?

Thanks!

 

[HydroGuy]

I have looked at the links-need to spend more time with it. Are the shows really different from WDW? Warm weather would be great as in January it is freezing & snow here. I am not sure I would be comfortable flying in January. I like the May idea or early September and the kids missing a few days but I don't know if that would work as the 14 year olds wold be starting 9th grade and would have a new routine to get used to. How is the middle-to-end of August? Is it really hot? DVC points actually are lower starting Sept 2nd. May thru end of June are lower also. I will need to call DVC today if I can during lunch to find out more info. Regarding rainy time - what time is best to skip? Is it May?

Thanks!

1. Shows

Yes, they are different at DLR and, IMO, better overall. The fireworks show at DL is really a fireworks/laser/special effects show that is fabulous and is easily better than Wishes (IMO) and also better than Illuminations (IMO).

Most people find Fantasmic to be better at DL.

The Aladdin show at DCA is a wonderful Broadway quality stage show. I have not yet seen the new Nemo show at AK and so cannot compare it to that, but is better than anything else comparable at WDW IMO.

The Parade of Dreams is really good. I would not go so far as to say it is better than Spectromagic. It is different but of comparable quality.

Note that show schedules will be maxed out from mid-June until Labor day. In May and early June, and after Labor Day, you will have full show schedules on weekends only. Weekdays will have partial show schedules.


2. Weather

California weather in January will be hit or miss. You might get some nice days in the 60's and 70's, or you might not. You have a better chance at getting rain.

Weather will be a bit more predictable May-Sept. See this link for Anaheim weather averages:

http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ca0192

Some people really complain about the heat at DLR in the summer. IMO it is not that hot, with most days topping out in the mid-80's (see link above). But some days get into the 90's and every once in awhile into the low 100's. Last summer there was a mega heat wave in July that lasted 2-3 weeks.

We have been in early August the last two summers and the high temperatures were in the mid-80's and low-80's. If you use good summer touring strategies the heat should not be an issue. See "Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319