What would you choose- 1st week of April, July, or mid-October for a DLR trip?

[imjen]

Since my husband and I both work in schools, we are limited to school breaks for a DLR trip. It will just be the two of us and our 11 year old.

Would you rather visit the first week of April, July, or mid-October? Are crowds typically worse in October or early April? We've been in July a couple years in a row. It was pretty crowded but we managed ok. I didn't love the afternoon heat, which is why I'm toying with the 1st week of April, our spring break. Several years ago, we had fun in October but I read it was packed last year.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Out of those dates I’d choose July or the first week in April. The three lower levels of Magic Key passes are blocked out the first week of April and weather could be nice. Spring break is pretty crowded but it won’t be nearly as crowded as October. I would avoid October, it’s now the most crowded time of the year and could be super hot.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Another vote for April (agree with the pp's reasons) or July (the parks will be staffed and ready to go for summer crowds, so things should run more smoothly). Also, July should have the full summer entertainment schedule up and running, e.g. F! every day, parade, etc. October seems to get busier and hotter every year.

 

[GoldeneyezCA]

April > July >>>>>> October, for the reasons mentioned above. April often has lovely weather and won’t drain you with the relentless heat you’ve experienced in July.

 

[pennym]

We also love April weather. I adore the Halloween decor, but oh the heat!!! It's April for me this year.

 

[chezcurrie]

Ditto - April, then July, then October. Avoid October at all costs.

 

[ktlm]

Never been in April, but we have been in July multiple times. In 2021 we went in October--- it was WAY more crowded than we have ever experienced in July. Outside of possibly going because of Oogie Boogie Bash and the HM overlay- I wouldn't go in October again.

 

[DonnerB]

April will have Food & Wine at DCA, and my personal favorite reason for visiting - Soarin' will be Over California instead of Around the World. That being said, several posters on here say July is one of the best times to visit in regards to crowds. Based on my experiences lately, I would agree. I don't have anxiety in crowds, but on several visits in October this year I stated that it was mentally exhausting being in the parks. I felt like I needed to plan each step out so as not to run into someone. Totally sucked the fun out of being there.

 

[CandyMouse]

April!! My family and I have gone the first week of April a few times when the kids were in school and that was our Spring Break. Love the weather that time of year, long hours at DL and everything was usually going. ( Entertainment and rides )

 

[Mle8308]

I was there this past October (I knew it would be crowded but for various reasons it was the only time I could go) and it was very crowded and hot - it was over 90 degrees all week (10/16 - 10/21). The crowds were not WDW holiday level crowds, but with less space at DL it was very busy on the walkways. We bought Genie+ and found it to be very helpful and worth the cost. Between that and rope drop, it was fine. If October is when you have to go, have a plan and you will be good, I mean it is Disneyland!

 

[imjen]

Thank you so much for the feedback, everyone! April seems like a pretty good time to go. Do they usually have the nighttime shows during spring break - particularly April 4-6? I was thinking the weekdays might be less busy, but will they have nighttime entertainment - WOC, Fantasmic, Fireworks?

 

[Aurora0427]

I would go anytime but mid October. The absolute worst.

 

[kes601]

Add us to the list of frequent WDW visitors and first time Disneyland visitors who are going October -- 17th-21st. It's our 10 year anniversary so can't really pick another time (plus flights are already booked). We will be in the parks the 18th-21st. I am sure the 21st, being a Saturday, will be extremely busy but hoping perhaps the 3 weekdays will not be "too bad". We are planning to stay at Paradise Pier (unless we land a unicorn DVC studio at VGC) so we can at least take advantage of early entry.

 

[ktlm]

Add us to the list of frequent WDW visitors and first time Disneyland visitors who are going October -- 17th-21st. It's our 10 year anniversary so can't really pick another time (plus flights are already booked). We will be in the parks the 18th-21st. I am sure the 21st, being a Saturday, will be extremely busy but hoping perhaps the 3 weekdays will not be "too bad". We are planning to stay at Paradise Pier (unless we land a unicorn DVC studio at VGC) so we can at least take advantage of early entry.

Weekend crowds for DL/CA can be different than weekend crowds at WDW, due to a large local presence and pass blockouts. We've been in DLR summer crowds many times in both June and July and the weekends days where the passes are blocked are usually far less crowded than the unblocked days.

For your dates, 3 of the 5 levels of annual passes are blocked out on the 21st, so Saturday will probably be your best day as far as crowds. The one lowest level pass is also blocked out on the 19th and 20th. I would expect the 18th to be by far your most crowded day. That lowest level pass will have been blocked out from the 5th to the 15th and then it is blocked again from the 19th to the 22nd. The 18th is also a minimum day for the Anaheim elementary schools, which I think means they get out of school at 11:00 a.m. that day. That will probably be your worst day for crowds.

When we were there in October 2021, Wednesday was by far the worst day. It was also a shortened day on the Anaheim Elementary calendar which I didn't even know existed. Thursday and Sunday were our least crowded days in October.

I would highly recommend keeping an eye out for the dates Oogie Boogie Bash goes on sale and treating yourself to the party for your anniversary--- it is a ton of fun and at least for us the crowds were not nearly as bad as the regular hours. Another great splurge would be the World of Color dessert party-- you won't have seen anything like WOC at WDW-- and having a seat with a good view and snacks and drinks is so much better than being in the standing only crowd.