Please help me choose a date!

[Naomi]

Hey All!

I am having some major issues trying to figure out a proper date for Disneyland. My family (All adults) want to go to Disneyland at the end of August/early September. We heard that this is a wonderful time of year to go due to lower crowd levels, beautiful weather, park hours dont normally go back to off season hours until after Labor Day etc. I do know that the Haunted Mansion goes down for its Holiday overlay and Space Mountain goes down for Ghost Galaxy sometime in September. This isnt a huge issue, but we are looking for lower crowds if possible. If you could choose a date between the end of August and early September, which week or days should I choose? Labor day is on Monday Sept 3rd, and I am a bit worried about crowd levels. I also heard something about AP's being able to see Cars Land for the time first time near the end of August. Should I go after Labor Day, During, before? I really have no clue.

We go to Disneyland every year, have seen every season, but have never gone at this time of year. This is the first year I am having major issues on date planning. Thanks in advance!

 

[DLR29]

For me, I'd rather have longer hours, full nighttime entertainment, and most (if not all) attractions operating and go during late August. It's very possible to reduce the stress induced by crowds by doing a little planning (getting there early, using FP, etc.). It's less possible to reduce the disappointment when multiple rides are closed because it's less in your control.

If you go after Labor Day, expect multiple attractions to be closed, even major ones. At the minimum HM and Space. Last year I think Screamin was closed also and Pirates a little later, so you might miss some big stuff. I wouldn't chance it.

Also Carsland should be well open by then. It's set to premiere in mid-June, with APs maybe getting to preview it in early June. The thing with APs is that the Southern California ones is that their passes are blocked out for most of the summer, and in late August, those block-out dates are lifted. Many APs might rush back to the parks to get one last DLR trip (especially to see Carsland) before school starts. This will probably add some crowds, but nothing that you can't handle with a little preparation like I said before. We're here to help you plan to avoid crowds too!

 

[Naomi]

Yeah when I heard about the annual pass thing I was really confused, because I know that Car's land is supposed to open in June. So to me it didnt make sense when I was told. I am kind of leaning towards the end of August, I was at Disneyland in November a few months back, and Pirates was down. It's on of my favs and I wouldnt want to chance it being down again. I would however go in Sept if there was good enough reason.

 

[sonnyjane]

Hmm you have heard incorrectly. The later you go in August, the MORE crowded it will be because, as the PP mentioned, that's when the local AP blockout is lifted so all the SoCal residents flood the parks. Going earlier in August would be better if you could swing it.