Planning a trip to DL and want to know slow seasons..

[Disneydancer315]

I am planning a trip next year to DL and wasn't sure when is the best time. Are the Feb and Apr vacations just as busy as in WDW. I was also thinking maybe going as soon as my kids get out of school in June....any suggestions.

 

[webprinter]

We were there over Easter a couple years ago and it was very busy but not as bad as summer. Debby

 

[Disneydancer315]

Thanks for the info..I haven't been there in many years. I am trying to find all the information on website. I trying to figure out what are the best theme parks to visit....Both Disney parks are a must. I have a 9 year old daughter and a 13 year old son. Any suggestions would be great/ or if anyone knows of any websites I can go to to get info.

 

[Amy&Dan]

The best times to go to DL are "off season". I believe the time between Christmas and New Years as well as spring break, summer (of course) and Presidents week are the most crowded. Keep logging into this site for lots of good info. I have learned a lot just reading other peoples' posts and questions. Also buying a guide book like the "unofficial" guide to Disneyland and the Birnbaums guide were helpful to us for our first visit. These books give you info on height requirements, best times to visit, restaurant guides etc. Tues, Wed, and Thurs. are generally the least crowded and the most important thing I have learned in my two recent visits is get there when it opens! The first two hours are the best. Then as the park gets more crowded that is a good time to head back to your hotel and swim and rest or head to Downtown Disney for lunch and shopping. Your kids will love Disneyland, you just can't beat it for a family experience!

 

[cats mom]

We just got back. We thought we would beat most of the spring break crowds - NOT!

Add March 14-16 to the peak season list. I would be prepared for anytime that lots of schools are out being fairly crowded.

I don't think they were prepared for crowds as large as they were. They kept the parks open longer hours than were scheduled on both Mon. and Tues.

We love getting there early as well - but I would say only the first 20 - 30 minutes when the parks first opened were somewhat uncrowded this week. Lines to get in at opening were almost back to the CA sign at DCA.

Don't want to discourage you - just want you to be prepared. We still had lots of fun. Use fast pass as much as possible!

 

[Disneydancer315]

Thank you for all the helpful info....I go to WDW at least two times a year but wasn't sure if peak time were the same., Thanks for giving me a head up. I guess school vacation are out....maybe I will try for June when they first get out of school.

 

[Disneydancer315]

Does anyone know where I go to look for discounts on any of the theme parks like Knotts, legoland and such? If there is anyone from California with helpful hints I would appreciate it.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Southern California Attractions CityPass (Valid from 4/1/2004 thru 3/31/2005)

Disneydancer315,

You can buy this pass directly from Disney. It looks like it would be a great value if you have a week or so to spend in So. California and plan to do San Diego as well:

Save over $70 On Southern California Fun! With just one pass you can experience four of Southern California's greatest attractions! The Southern California CityPass includes a 3-Day Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® Ticket, plus one-day tickets to Sea World Adventure Park, the San Diego Zoo and Knott's Berry Farm. Buy yours today! Note: The collective value of the admission tickets is approximately $246 adult and $185 child when purchased individually.

Southern California Attractions CityPass
Ages 10 and Up $172.00
Ages 3-9 $129.00


Go as early in June as you can. The crowds get heavier each week as more and more schools get out for the summer. The first week of December is always my favorite time as the parks are not crowded at all, all the rides are up an running due to Thanksgiving, and the decorations are to die for!!! Good luck with your trip planning.

 

[Disneydancer315]

Thank you for all the helpful ideas....I really appreciate it.

 

[hydster]

We go to Disneyland every year the Sunday AFTER Labor day! The crowds are so light and minimal and the weather is just perfect! Hotels are cheaper around this time as well and I dont think we ever had to wait in the last 4 years more than 10 min for a ride. We got fast passes just in case but rarely had to use them (although we did just because we could) but seriously that is one of the best times of year to go. All the schools are back in session, the big travel week is done and the weather is warm enough for shorts during the day!!!

Heidi

 

[Disneydancer315]

Thanks for the helpful hint...I was trying to avoid taking the kids out of school.My son is in the 6th grade and when we went to WDW this past September he had a hard time adjusting back into the swing of things. I will keep this in mind though if we decide to try it again. I was thinking the kids get out in early June and trying going that week.

 

[hydster]

We dont like pulling our kids out of school either (doing it in 5 weeks much the the dismay of their teachers) but it's a tradition now we started before we had to worry about school and I honestly dont think we could go when lines were long but I totally understand!

The crowds are a big minus to us. We went to DL the year that the Electric Light Parade moved to WDW and we happened to time it that we went the very LAST day it was there! It was AWFUL! They were actually parking people in a church parking lot across the street because there were so many people there. That was also the year of the opening of Indiana Jones the ride and that day honest to God we waited 4 1/2 hours to ride that ride. We swore from that day on we would NOT go when it was busy and found that to be a great time...(just keep it in mind in case..you never know). The only time that time was bad was 9-11! We were at DL getting ready to go across the street for our early morning entry when 9-11 struck! They closed DL for the day and closed every other theme park in the S. Calif area so we ended up going to the beach. The adults were stressed out beyond belief. The only good to come out of it (if this is even good) is the fact that since no one could fly in or out the park was pretty empty! Disney was so nice that even though our park hopper's had expired we showed them our plane tickets (of which we were supposed to leave on 9-12 but couldnt) so they let us in every single day for free until we could get a flight out of Orange County (another great plus was using Orange County instead of LAX..much smaller and opened much earlier than LAX) but anyway...

It is a great time to go!
Heidi

 

[Grog]

We were the the first weekend of April last year and the crowds were moderate. It never got really crowded, but FP was essential for some of the more popular rides.

 

[Disneydancer315]

Thank you for all the great information...this board is a wealth of information!!