Ready to take the family out West

[Informer1906]

Hello Disneyland board. I am a huge Disneyworld fan and have taken the family there several times. I am also a huge Southern California fan, as I have been there on business many times, but never with the family. Thus, I am planning a two week family trip to southern California within the next year that will include 3 days at Disneyland. With that as a backdrop I have several questions.

1. Does Disneyland have high and low attendance seasons like Disneyworld, or are the crowds the same year round?
2. Is staying at a Disney property a must like it is or us at DW, if so, do you get benefits like airport pickup, extra magic hours, etc…?
3. Does it ever get cold in SoCal or is it warm year round, I get enough cold here in Jersey I do not want to travel across the country for cold nights.
Thanks in advance for you response on one or all of my questions.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

When are you looking at going?

1. The low crowd seasons are becoming few and far between. I would stick to visiting Sun-Tues or Wed-Fri so you have 2 weekdays and one "weekend" day for nighttime entertainment such as Fireworks or Fantasmic!

2. Staying onsite isn't a must like WDW. You do get MM (EMH) on any day it is available while you are staying onsite (T, Th, Sat, Sun). Otherwise you do get one MM with a 3 day or more PH no matter where you stay. There are a lot of great and cheaper hotels just as close as 2 out of 3 onsite hotels.

3. Temp would depend on who you ask. If you are used to cold weather, winter weather may feel like a nice spring day. Me from Nor Cal, I get cold if it's under 65. LOL It can get chilly in the winter, especially when the sun goes down. But most dress in layers so t-shirts during the day and sweaters at night.

 

[HydroGuy]

1. Does Disneyland have high and low attendance seasons like Disneyworld, or are the crowds the same year round?

Yes, but off-season at DLR works differently than WDW. See "What You Should Know About Off-Season at DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18462889

And the PP said, off-season ain't what it used to be.

2. Is staying at a Disney property a must like it is or us at DW, if so, do you get benefits like airport pickup, extra magic hours, etc…?

Less benefits at DLR for a higher cost, actually. Many vets of both WDW and DLR stay onsite at WDW but offsite at DLR. It is not a big deal to stay off-site.

Read more about it here: "A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

3. Does it ever get cold in SoCal or is it warm year round, I get enough cold here in Jersey I do not want to travel across the country for cold nights.

It was cold once I think. Overall DLR is cooler than WDW which means more tolerable in the summer but cooler in the winter. Best of all for Disney visitors is less rain!

See this link "Comparison of Weather For WDW and DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1711098

Also, there is lots going on at DLR in 2010-2012. When are you thinking of going? We could offer some advice. First piece of advice if you go in 2010 is go in May or afterwards.