Planning out first trip to DL - which month is better?

[northwenald]

My DH and I have been to WDW many times and I was thinking of going to DL next year. I am thinking of either early June or September. I was also thinking of staying in La Jolla for a couple of nights and then flying to San Fran and going to Napa Valley for 3 nights. We have never been to any of these places. Would 3 nights be enough at DL? It is just DH and myself. Also, which month will have better weather? Thanks for any advise you can give me!!!! I love WDW and am looking forward to seeing it out there. Thanks again !!!!

 

[DLR29]

Welcome to the DLR DIS boards! 3 nights is enough to see most of the highlights and some of the lesser attractions, but you will not be able to see everything at a reasonable pace, especially in those months (explained later). First, here's a thread that is super useful in WDW vets planning a trip to DLR, written by our wonderful Hydroguy! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

As for the two months mentioned, you have pros and cons with each. Both months have about the same weather, maybe slightly nicer in June. It's not muggy, but it's nice and warm all day. Both times are less crowded than the busy summer season, but September is usually the least crowded month at DLR in general. Both will probably have rides down for refurbishment (although the new World of Color show in DCA will be running by then) and during the week in September I'm pretty sure they don't do fireworks/Fantasmic/WoC, but I don't know if those are important. Also park hours: June will have much longer hours during the day (obviously because there are more crowds), but even with crowds, longer hours make a huge difference in the amount that you are able to do. Just some things to keep in mind.

 

[northwenald]

Welcome to the DLR DIS boards! 3 nights is enough to see most of the highlights and some of the lesser attractions, but you will not be able to see everything at a reasonable pace, especially in those months (explained later). First, here's a thread that is super useful in WDW vets planning a trip to DLR, written by our wonderful Hydroguy! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

As for the two months mentioned, you have pros and cons with each. Both months have about the same weather, maybe slightly nicer in June. It's not muggy, but it's nice and warm all day. Both times are less crowded than the busy summer season, but September is usually the least crowded month at DLR in general. Both will probably have rides down for refurbishment (although the new World of Color show in DCA will be running by then) and during the week in September I'm pretty sure they don't do fireworks/Fantasmic/WoC, but I don't know if those are important. Also park hours: June will have much longer hours during the day (obviously because there are more crowds), but even with crowds, longer hours make a huge difference in the amount that you are able to do. Just some things to keep in mind.

Thanks !!!!! This is great info. The only reason that I was thinking of Sept. was because I heard that is harvest time in Wine Country. I think that June would still be nice there. Also, if we go in June then maybe we can hit the Food and Wine at DL. Will we be able to go to the beach in early June? I am very excited about planning this. Thanks again !!!!

 

[HydroGuy]

Personally I think ealry June is better weather and a better time to go. Be careful though as both times you mention are off-season and have more downsides than WDW. See "What You Should Know About Off-Season at DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18462889

Early June is OK for the beach but the water will be pretty chilly. Doable but chilly.

 

[Mugglemama]

i'd say early june is probably better, too. we went in september last year (end of september) hoping for low crowds. we went on a monday and tuesday. it was much more crowded, and much hotter, than we were hoping it would be.

june in SoCal is often an overcast-ish month, hence the reason you often hear people there refer to "june gloom". it's not anything close to cold, but it's often far from being miserably hot, too.

have a great time, whenever you choose to go!

 

[specialks]

Just a note, we went last year in Sept (13-20) and we really enjoyed it. We are actually going again this September because we enjoyed it so much! There were fireworks while we were there. Fantasmic was shut down but that was because of a big renovation. Haunted Mansion is shut down for most of Sept to get ready for the Halloween season. We loved the Sept weather. Also, we had very few crowds. Little to no wait times and plenty of time to go on all the rides (most multiple times).

Good luck planning!

 

[karibritt01]

I'm considering visiting DLR in either July or Oct 2010 myself, due to school schedules. Is either of those particularly better? I would be there during the week.

 

[HydroGuy]

I'm considering visiting DLR in either July or Oct 2010 myself, due to school schedules. Is either of those particularly better? I would be there during the week.

July is high season and entertainment will be at the maximum. And ride refurbs will be zero or very small.

October will have some rides down for refurb or seasonal changes and some entertainment reduction on weekdays.

July is usually hotter and has more day light and longer park hours. July is usually thought to be more crowded but there have been lots of crowd complaints in recent years for October. Hard to say but most likely October will be less crowded on weekdays and cooler weather.

October will of course have the HalloweenTime decorations up which a lot of people like.

Here is typical weather in Anaheim - "Detailed Weather History for DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158

 

[northwenald]

Thanks everyone !!!! The more research I do on Napa Valley the more I want to go in Sept. because it is harvest time and it says that it a great time to go. Will DL be too hot that time of year? Also, what about rain? There seems like there is sooooo much to see in So. Calif. that maybe I should save wine county for another trip. Can anyone tell me if 3 nights in DL and 4 nights in La Jolla is good or are there other places near DL that are better. We like beach, shopping and nice restaurants. We would love to see San Diego as well. Maybe I should just take a month of to see it all - haha Thanks again for any advise !!!!!

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks everyone !!!! The more research I do on Napa Valley the more I want to go in Sept. because it is harvest time and it says that it a great time to go. Will DL be too hot that time of year? Also, what about rain? There seems like there is sooooo much to see in So. Calif. that maybe I should save wine county for another trip. Can anyone tell me if 3 nights in DL and 4 nights in La Jolla is good or are there other places near DL that are better. We like beach, shopping and nice restaurants. We would love to see San Diego as well. Maybe I should just take a month of to see it all - haha Thanks again for any advise !!!!!

Here is a link on weather so you can compare months:

"Detailed Weather History for DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158

I am not sure what you are after with "3 nights at DL and 4 in La Jolla". The more nights anywhere is better. La Jolla is not near DLR being maybe 60-80 miles away. I lived there three years and know it well. Beautiful place. IMO 3 nights at DLR is not enough. One should plan for a minimum of 3 days and 4 nights. There are beaches nearer DLR than La Jolla.

 

[northwenald]

Here is a link on weather so you can compare months:

"Detailed Weather History for DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158

I am not sure what you are after with "3 nights at DL and 4 in La Jolla". The more nights anywhere is better. La Jolla is not near DLR being maybe 60-80 miles away. I lived there three years and know it well. Beautiful place. IMO 3 nights at DLR is not enough. One should plan for a minimum of 3 days and 4 nights. There are beaches nearer DLR than La Jolla.

Thanks Hydroguy !!!!! That was very helpful info. I also didn't realize that La Jolla was that far away. Maybe I will do 4 or 5 nights in DL and hit a beach on one of those days. Thanks again !!!

 

[S. S. Columbia]

Thanks Hydroguy !!!!! That was very helpful info. I also didn't realize that La Jolla was that far away. Maybe I will do 4 or 5 nights in DL and hit a beach on one of those days. Thanks again !!!

FWIW, the following web-site has some links for the beaches in Orange County and San Diego:

http://www.beachcalifornia.com/sitelist.html#450Californiabeaches

HTH