spring break or early summer?

[kris14]

In the early stages of planning another trip to DLR in 2017. what i learned from our last trip is i really cant pull my kids out of school for vacation again, they had such a hard time getting caught up we seemed to do nothing but schoolwork for the next couple of months after. so we are going to have to go during a school break. ive been checking the HOJO cam and the disneyland app the last few weeks to get an idea of how crowded it is during spring break, it looks really busy. would the first part of june be any better? or should i just make peace with the fact that anytime we are able to go its going to be crowded?

 

[disneyxica20]

i was there this past weekend (friday and sunday) and i've also been there during the first week of june (it was right after the kick off of the 60th anniversary celebration). honestly, i didn't think either of those times was that bad, but if i had to say which was worse, i'd say summer. other people will say that both times are awful, but i've been there when the parks have been at capacity, so once you deal with that, anything else seems like a breeze.
i was there last month on valentine's/president's day and i think that was more crowded than spring break/early summer.
but no matter when i go, i always anticipate the worst and plan accordingly.
get there early, use fast passes as much as you can and you'll be fine

 

[sherilaine]

What about end of August - right before school is back in session? Would that also be an option as it's likely the least busy of all three.

I had been following the app as well as I hate pulling our kids from school but this year they worked ahead and were actually able to catch up quite well after we returned which now has me thinking I am going to avoid those busy times if I can - mind you that could always change next year - it depends on the school, teacher and the child - but no one wants to be constantly trying to catch up - that is very frustrating so I don't blame you there.

 

[kris14]

August would be a time to consider too, but it's so stinking hot! We were there in September last time during a heat wave it was 112+! Miserably hot and humid, we stayed right across the street and was drenched in sweat before we reached the gate. Plus I'd like to get there sooner than later, if it was up to me we'd be going this summer, but my husband seems to think we need to make car and mortgage payments first lol! so I need to take a year to save

 

[sherilaine]

I don't blame you about the heat - that is a time I'd try to avoid because of that but some people seem to manage with heat better than others - we are from the north so it was plenty warm end of February for us!

 

[kris14]

I would love to visit in February! Here in Idaho it's usually -15 so it would be absolutely tropical to us too!

 

[Ndusmama]

The big days to really avoid are when LA unified are on spring break or out for summer. Cause then you really get crowds. So if your spring break is the week right before Easter I wouldn't do it. If you come first week of June it shouldn't be bad cause LA and Santa Ana unified typically are still in.

 

[kris14]

thats good to know, our spring break is usually the week before easter, thanks!

 

[Tattylou]

I looked online and the LA unified school calendar for 2016-2017 says their spring break will be the week before Easter in 2017. However, the Santa Ana unified 2016-2017 calendar shows the first week of April as their spring break in 2017.
I live in Massachusetts and our spring break in 2017 is the week after Easter so I was looking into this too b/c I am stuck following school vacation in terms of our trips. Trying to decide if WDW or DL will be less crowded next year the week after Easter. Leaning towards DL now.

 

[Ndusmama]

I looked online and the LA unified school calendar for 2016-2017 says their spring break will be the week before Easter in 2017. However, the Santa Ana unified 2016-2017 calendar shows the first week of April as their spring break in 2017.
I live in Massachusetts and our spring break in 2017 is the week after Easter so I was looking into this too b/c I am stuck following school vacation in terms of our trips. Trying to decide if WDW or DL will be less crowded next year the week after Easter. Leaning towards DL now.

La unified is larger and I've never seen it be anything but the week before Easter. That week is always crowded. The week after Easter not so much but you will have some colleges or out of area places on spring break. Another thing to consider is what week Easter is next year. I haven't looked it up myself. I do know that the train and other attractions that are closed for Star Wars remodel are set for opening April 2, 2017 unless they get into delays.

 

[Tattylou]

La unified is larger and I've never seen it be anything but the week before Easter. That week is always crowded. The week after Easter not so much but you will have some colleges or out of area places on spring break. Another thing to consider is what week Easter is next year. I haven't looked it up myself. I do know that the train and other attractions that are closed for Star Wars remodel are set for opening April 2, 2017 unless they get into delays.

Easter is late next year, April 16. I doubt colleges would be out for spring break that late, but I don't know about other western states public schools. I know that we (Massachusetts) is out the week after Easter for break that year, but FL for Disney is more popular by far for our spring break.