Summer or Thanksgiving

[cindyland]

Planning for next year. Can't do off-season due to work and school schedules. Watching posts for this week and getting a little freaked out by the crowds. So which is better--a week in late July or Thanksgiving week? What do you think?

 

[Eeee-va]

IMO the crowds will probably actually be lighter in July, but the weather will probably be warmer. (Then again, we're looking at 80s for our trip which starts soon...)

If you have to go Thanksgiving WEEK (Sunday before Thanksgiving through Sunday after Thanksgiving) I'd probably go for July. If you are able to go after Thanksgiving, especially the week after, it sounds like crowds are very low.

 

[skiingfast]

Late July not on the weekend will be better. Full entertainment and hours, but no particular reason for people to go like a Holiday week.

 

[blackjackdelta]

We love 1st to mid August, everything is up and running for the most part.
Hopefully one of these years I can try November.

Jack

 

[canopynut66]

Planning for next year. Can't do off-season due to work and school schedules. Watching posts for this week and getting a little freaked out by the crowds. So which is better--a week in late July or Thanksgiving week? What do you think?

would pick Thanksgiving if had to chose and the week after is also slow and great and weather --usually ---great as well

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

Like BlackJackDelta, we usually go beginning to mid August before the lower tier AP's become unblocked. We always have a great time, there are crowds, but pretty easy to navigate with a little planning.

We went last year the week after Thanksgiving and would do that every year if our schedules allowed, which they don't.

We are thinking of a trip next Thanksgiving since we wont be going this holiday season. We know it will be crowded, but we can plan around that and still have a great time.

When we do go during the peak days, we always try to add an extra day, we know there will be crowds, get there early, grab FP's, take a break, just enjoy yourself. Holiday time in the Land is so worth it if you can swing it, even with a few extra people in the way.

 

[cyclenut]

If you can only come once and you're primary objective is to visit as many attractions as possible and enjoy the park in its usual splendor, then summer is the best choice.

However, the experience Thanksgiving week is something that should not be missed, especially if you are really into the Christmas Holiday. The experience is unmatched anywhere else I've seen. You can even pay a visit to Knott's Berry Farm one of the days and enjoy their Christmas atmosphere, although they don't really kick things off there until Thanksgiving day and it gets pretty crowded there too and while I really like it, it isn't the same experience as Disneyland.