WDW pro, DL newbie with questions!!

[kittycruize]

Hi everyone! We have been to WDW too many times to count, and now would like to try DL! We are thinking about April or beginning of May. Can anyone please give advice on what is the better month? We will be going with preschoolers, but really like to be out at night, so want to go when the park closes late! I looked at the history of last years hours, and last May during the 1st week it closed at 8! Does it usually close that early in May? If we went in April then, I see the hours are better, but does that mean the parks are super packed? What is the weather like in April?
Thanks for any advice you have!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Yes off season hours close at 8. Longer hours in April are during spring break. Last year Easter was late April, but next year I don't expect long hours after mid-April. Spring break hours, but not as busy crowds, start mid March. Also you should know that things like fireworks and Fantasmic! Only show on weekends in the off season (Fri-Sun).

 

[sonnyjane]

Also, do yourself a HUGE favor and read this, A DLR Guide for WDW Vets: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[kittycruize]

Thanks, I did read that guide! I am a bit confused, due to the passholder blackout the 1st two weeks of April, does that mean those 2 weeks won't be as crowded?

 

[sonnyjane]

Thanks, I did read that guide! I am a bit confused, due to the passholder blackout the 1st two weeks of April, does that mean those 2 weeks won't be as crowded?

It means that Disneyland knows the parks will already be very crowded because of Easter and Spring Break, so they block out the AP holders in order to not completely overwhelm the parks. As a general rule, any time an AP is blocked out on the calendar, it means they are already expecting the parks to be very crowded.

 

[kittycruize]

Thanks, that makes sense! So, do you think the last 2 weeks of April will be considerably less crowded then, yet have late hours?

 

[sonnyjane]

Thanks, that makes sense! So, do you think the last 2 weeks of April will be considerably less crowded then, yet have late hours?

They will be less crowded, but will not have long hours. As another poster mentioned, if you're looking at last year's historical hours, they are misleading because Easter was later in April. This year it is earlier, so hours will be different.

 

[kittycruize]

Oh boy, thanks again! So, there is no perfect time to go LOL! Sounds like we will either sacrifice hours, or crowds! I wish they would post the hours well in advance like WDW does! Any suggestions for a good time to go then?

 

[skiingfast]

It will not make much difference late April or May for hours. If you want low crowds and late hours you don't get both on the same day, but can get them in the same trip.

Go during a couple weekdays and a couple weekend days. Weekends alsways have longer hours 9-11 or 8-12 in DL, and full entertainment. The weekdays will be uncrowded but have short hours 10-8.

 

[sonnyjane]

Oh boy, thanks again! So, there is no perfect time to go LOL! Sounds like we will either sacrifice hours, or crowds! I wish they would post the hours well in advance like WDW does! Any suggestions for a good time to go then?

Well the connection I think you're missing is that when the park is really busy, you need the long hours to see everything because lines are longer. When the parks are less crowded, you don't need as many hours because lines are shorter. Wanting to go when hours are longer means you want to go when there are bigger crowds; you can't have it both ways. Now, if you are going in late April or May as you mention, then I suggest your trip cover a weekend day (Fri, Sat, or Sun). That's the only time some entertainment like fireworks and Fantasmic! are offered in the off season, plus the park is open later on those nights.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I wanted to mention that if you plan on coming on the weekend so you can enjoy the night time entertainment, be prepared that they can be cancelled because of weather.

We went last December over the weekend so we could catch the Christmas fireworks and both days they were scheduled they were cancelled because of wind.

Always plan to see fireworks/F! early in your trip.

 

[kittycruize]

Wow, that makes sense, thank you so much!!

 

[HydroGuy]

Oh boy, thanks again! So, there is no perfect time to go LOL! Sounds like we will either sacrifice hours, or crowds! I wish they would post the hours well in advance like WDW does! Any suggestions for a good time to go then?

This link might help. It states with more data what Ski and SJ are talking about...

"Choosing When To Visit DLR: Summary of High and Low Season and When Each Happens" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=36509602

 

[KCmike]

Congrats on choosing to do to Disneyland. Its so much fun.

 

[MAH4546]

The park is open until midnight almost every single Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the year; and if not midnight, it's open until 11pm. You will get long hours if you include a weekend.