WDW vet seeking advice for first DL trip...

[Mome Rath]

We are planning our first ever DL trip for next year (2016). If YOU had a choice of when to go, any week, when would you choose to go? We were thinking of April or May, but aren't sure.

Weather is important to us, and I hate packed crowds, but want to make sure that most of the rides are open as this may be our only trip to DL. I've looked at all the write-up recommends, but I would like to hear from individuals as we truly are trying to pick a set of days. We are planning on 3 full days in the parks, and staying at the GC.

 

[figment_jii]

I don't' know if you meant HydroGuy's DLR Guide for WDW Vets when you said "write-up", but in case you haven't seen it, I highly recommend taking a look at it.
http://www.disboards.com/threads/a-dlr-guide-for-wdw-vets.1162599/

HydroGuy also has a thread for weather information: http://www.disboards.com/threads/detailed-weather-data-for-dlr.1711391/#post-23004158

The hardest part is that DLR doesn't release their schedules very far in advance (45-days or so for the operating calendar and about 30-days or so for the entertainment). So it's really hard to stay what things will be like in 2016. We can make "best guesses" based on the past, but things can change from year-to-year.

My general thoughts are that in terms of crowds, you will probably be there after Spring Break-season (usually ends the week after Easter or thereabout), but before the summer season goes into effect (usually Memorial Day weekend). So if you go at the start of April or the end of May, you're more likely to see high crowds (end of Spring Break-season or start of summer-season). If you go in mid-to-late April or early May, my guess is that there shouldn't be huge/peak-season crowd levels yet. The trade-off is that the park will be operating on shorter hours and entertainment offerings will be reduced. I would recommend looking into a combination of weekdays (for low crowds) and weekend days (for entertainment).

In terms of specific events that might occur during that period include things like the Tinkerbell Half Marathon (this year, it's happening in early May), Star Wars Celebration at the Anaheim Convention Center, any cheerleading conventions at the Anaheim Convention Center, and any holidays. The impacts of conventions tend to be less consistent, but the marathon weekends tend to be very busy.

 

[Mome Rath]

I don't' know if you meant HydroGuy's DLR Guide for WDW Vets when you said "write-up", but in case you haven't seen it, I highly recommend taking a look at it.
http://www.disboards.com/threads/a-dlr-guide-for-wdw-vets.1162599/

HydroGuy also has a thread for weather information: http://www.disboards.com/threads/detailed-weather-data-for-dlr.1711391/#post-23004158

The hardest part is that DLR doesn't release their schedules very far in advance (45-days or so for the operating calendar and about 30-days or so for the entertainment). So it's really hard to stay what things will be like in 2016. We can make "best guesses" based on the past, but things can change from year-to-year.

My general thoughts are that in terms of crowds, you will probably be there after Spring Break-season (usually ends the week after Easter or thereabout), but before the summer season goes into effect (usually Memorial Day weekend). So if you go at the start of April or the end of May, you're more likely to see high crowds (end of Spring Break-season or start of summer-season). If you go in mid-to-late April or early May, my guess is that there shouldn't be huge/peak-season crowd levels yet. The trade-off is that the park will be operating on shorter hours and entertainment offerings will be reduced. I would recommend looking into a combination of weekdays (for low crowds) and weekend days (for entertainment).

In terms of specific events that might occur during that period include things like the Tinkerbell Half Marathon (this year, it's happening in early May), Star Wars Celebration at the Anaheim Convention Center, any cheerleading conventions at the Anaheim Convention Center, and any holidays. The impacts of conventions tend to be less consistent, but the marathon weekends tend to be very busy.

Yes, HydroGuy's thread was very helpful, esp. when seeing DL from the POV of a WDW vet, it really helped me to modify my expectations and I truly think will help with my enjoyment of DL. Thanks for the heads-up on the events that may be happening, I didn't realize the Marathon would fall then!

 

[Mome Rath]

So, maybe it just doesn't matter when you go? Is that more of a WDW problem/preference?

 

[HydroGuy]

This may help:

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

With your priorities I would choose to go to DLR in May. Good luck!

 

[j2thomason]

We are planning our first ever DL trip for next year (2016). If YOU had a choice of when to go, any week, when would you choose to go? We were thinking of April or May, but aren't sure.

Weather is important to us, and I hate packed crowds, but want to make sure that most of the rides are open as this may be our only trip to DL. I've looked at all the write-up recommends, but I would like to hear from individuals as we truly are trying to pick a set of days. We are planning on 3 full days in the parks, and staying at the GC.

My daughter and I went the last week of May in 2013 for her graduation trip. The weather was perfect during the day, but a little chilly at night. We only needed light jackets or sweatshirts at night. The crowds were not bad at all. The only time we noticed an issue with the crowds was on one day that they were having grad night. The local high school graduates get to use their grad night tickets and get into the park during the day and then they stay all night locked into DCA with chaperones from their schools. The crowds were considerably bigger, and ruder, that day, but still very manageable.

 

[Mome Rath]

Thanks guys! I think May seems like a good fit as well, and I appreciate the insider info on the crowds, and the flow of locals. It can be kind of overwhelming to plan a trip cross country with visions of WDW dancing in your head that (I think) get in the way of just enjoying DL. I'm tryin. lol

 

[cherice95403]

I'd go the first week of June. Weather is nice, everything is open, and it's the last week crowds are reasonable. We did it a couple of years ago and it was a great time. I've been in April and May too. I wouldn't go until late May because of spring breakers. The weather in April and May is generally good, but more chance of rain and everything might not be running every day.