When is a better time to go to Disneyland...

[Nermel9]

September or December?

I know there are probably lots of questions like these, but planning a DLR visit is much different than planing a WDW visit! My DH and I are really hoping to finally visit DLR next year, and I would love to go during the Christmas season, to see the Christmas decorations and do the holiday tour, but I'm concerned about crowds and weather. Is it crowded and cold in December? We would also be spending some time in San Diego to check out the zoo and Sea World so having warmer weather would be helpful! If I did go in December, what would be a good week to go? Right after Thanksgiving maybe?

I wouldn't mind going in September either, later in the month to see some of the Halloween decorations, and for what would most likely be warmer weather, right? Is it very crowded in September?

Thank you so much in advance!

 

[skiingfast]

If weather is a concern September is a far better month to visit. Remember too that Halloween doesn't start until the second half of September so before that you will find some major rehabs going on to prepare the parks.

December has a bit more crowding which ramps up from the beginning of the month to major crowding with the holidays at the end. It's cooler and has a far higher chance of rain. Wether it is cold or not depends mostly on what you are used to.

 

[sweetascanbee]

Personally have always found October or even Nov perfect as far as crowds go....not very crowded at all. We have gone in spring and been packed in like sardines. I have heard right around Christmas is crowded but early dec later nov should be ok?

 

[Nermel9]

If weather is a concern September is a far better month to visit. Remember too that Halloween doesn't start until the second half of September so before that you will find some major rehabs going on to prepare the parks.

December has a bit more crowding which ramps up from the beginning of the month to major crowding with the holidays at the end. It's cooler and has a far higher chance of rain. Wether it is cold or not depends mostly on what you are used to.

Well I'm from CT so I'm used to really cold weather! I was hoping for maybe 70's in December? Is that too warm? If we did go in December, it would be early in the month, the first week probably! And if we went in September it would be towards the end of the month to see the Halloween stuff, but is it very crowded then?

 

[Nermel9]

I just realized that Thanksgiving is the 24th next year! Do you think 11/27-12/3 would be a good time to go?

 

[KrazyKat4DIS]

I would go in December! IMHO there is nothing better than DL at Christmastime and if you're going in the first few weeks of December (especially during the week), it will not be too crowded. While there is a chill in the air, it is not unheard of to have warm days in December, and it certainly is nothing like CT cold. Our rainiest months are January and February. I found September this year to be extremely HOT. I went on a day that it was 106 degrees, which was almost unbearable so that may have tarnished my views on the parks in Sept.

 

[KrazyKat4DIS]

I just realized that Thanksgiving is the 24th next year! Do you think 11/27-12/3 would be a good time to go?

YES! I would go then. Christmastime and mild weather (granted we did have rain on Saturday, but it wasn't a huge storm). Crowds are low right after Thanksgiving as well.

 

[skiingfast]

Well I'm from CT so I'm used to really cold weather! I was hoping for maybe 70's in December? Is that too warm? If we did go in December, it would be early in the month, the first week probably! And if we went in September it would be towards the end of the month to see the Halloween stuff, but is it very crowded then?

You won't have a problem temperature wise. 70's in December feel really nice when you come from somewhere like CT. But so would 60 or a super cold day when it's still 50. But like I said you risk rainy days. September is pretty glorious for weather. You can almost bet that it's better on Sept 5th, 10th, 15th and 25th in Anaheim then any day of the year in CT.

The crowds will likely be about the same. But remember DLR is not like WDW. In DLR Mon-Thur is usually calm, Fri evening-Sun is usually busy. It's a locals park. Same rules apply to the SD Zoo and beaches.


In DLR Mickey's Halloween parties will add to each day it's held which have been tuesday and Friday's at the end of September.

 

[Nermel9]

Thanks guys, you have definitely given me something to think about! I'm still leaning towards the end of November/beginning of December, but I'm really not sure...we want to go to the SD zoo and Sea World, and maybe Universal also, which is why I'm concerned about the weather. If it was just DLR I wouldn't be concerned. I prefer cooler weather, I just got back from a WDW trip a few days ago and it was in the low 80's a few days during the week and it was too hot for me! I love 60's and 70's for weather where you can wear a tee shirt in the day and a hoodie at night!

 

[Sherry E]

It was 113 degrees and above in SoCal this past September on one day this year, and in the upper 90's on some other days. It can sometimes be way too hot and miserable in September. Sometimes September is hotter than July and August. You will most likely not find the 70-degree weather you want during that month. And October can be mighty hot, too.

I would say, without hestitation, go to DLR in the November/early December period of time. Not only is the Christmas season 100% more magical and wonderful and worthy of making a trip for than the Halloween season (which is quite fun, but not on the level of Christmas in terms of detail and Resort-wide decorations), but you are more likely to get the temperatures you want - or closer to it. Yes, there is more of a chance of rain in December or late November than in September. But the chances are not very high that it will rain, and it will probably be a nice comfortable temperature. The crowds are reportedly not bad at the very end of November (right after Thanksgiving) and the beginning of December, because it's in between holidays - when many folks have gone back to school and work before the Christmas break.

 

[specialks]

I have been twice in Sept and we are going this year in Dec. Last September was unbearably hot. Over 100 degrees 3 of our 4 disney days. Our Sept 08 visit was perfect when we went to SD as well as DL. I really wanted to see DLR at Christmas time with all the decorations. I realize that we will probably be cool in the evenings (being from Seattle we are used to this) and I realize we may have rain. The crowds really pick up in Sept when the Halloween season starts. Our first year was the week before Halloween season and we walked on most all the rides but last year the Halloween season started on our final day in the parks and things were much busier. I think that time is really starting to pick up crowd wise. If water rides (there is a very wet ride at SeaWorld) are your primary importance than you may want to shoot for Sept but be prepared for possible 100 degree days. However if you want the holiday atmosphere and possibly less crowds, then consider December.

 

[Nermel9]

Ugh I'm not a big fan of 100 degree days...I realize that's probably rare in Sept. but still, doesn't sound too fantastic! I don't like hot weather, I like warm weather, and cool nights. I think the end of November/early December is sounding more and more perfect! I have been to WDW twice in November to see the Christmas decorations and Cinderella castle is beautiful all lit up with the dream lights, I can imagine that Sleeping Beauty's castle is just as magical, it looks amazing from the pics I've seen! I know it is not as big but it is just as beautiful! Plus, every time I see the end of Soarin I want to go to DLR at Christmastime, so it sounds perfect!

 

[Sherry E]

Ugh I'm not a big fan of 100 degree days...I realize that's probably rare in Sept. but still, doesn't sound too fantastic! I don't like hot weather, I like warm weather, and cool nights. I think the end of November/early December is sounding more and more perfect! I have been to WDW twice in November to see the Christmas decorations and Cinderella castle is beautiful all lit up with the dream lights, I can imagine that Sleeping Beauty's castle is just as magical, it looks amazing from the pics I've seen! I know it is not as big but it is just as beautiful! Plus, every time I see the end of Soarin I want to go to DLR at Christmastime, so it sounds perfect!

It may not always get to 100 degrees in September, but it gets very hot. As I said above, often times September is hotter than July or August. It is less likely that September will be a nice, comfortable temperature than it is that late November/early December will be comfortable. Even when we have 'warm' temperatures in November or December, it cools down fast.

The nighttime Winter Castle is gorgeous, and also you will get to see the stunning It's a Small World Holiday, which is a complete transformation of the traditional ride inside, and at night the facade is illuminated in what seems like a million colored lights. It's absolutely breathtaking to see. Plus, Haunted Mansion Holiday will be in full swing - another complete holiday overlay.

Halloween is fun and cute and all that, but it just doesn't compare to DLR at Christmas time in terms of overall beauty and thorough decorations.

 

[Nermel9]

It may not always get to 100 degrees in September, but it gets very hot. As I said above, often times September is hotter than July or August. It is less likely that September will be a nice, comfortable temperature than it is that late November/early December will be comfortable. Even when we have 'warm' temperatures in November or December, it cools down fast.

The nighttime Winter Castle is gorgeous, and also you will get to see the stunning It's a Small World Holiday, which is a complete transformation of the traditional ride inside, and at night the facade is illuminated in what seems like a million colored lights. It's absolutely breathtaking to see. Plus, Haunted Mansion Holiday will be in full swing - another complete holiday overlay.

Halloween is fun and cute and all that, but it just doesn't compare to DLR at Christmas time in terms of overall beauty and thorough decorations.

Oh, I keep forgetting about IASW and the Haunted Mansion Holiday! I've seen pics of HM, it looks unbelievable! I'm a HUGE Nightmare before Christmas fan so that will be fun! I'm excited to finally get to see the difference between WDW and DLR!

 

[skiingfast]

Oh, I keep forgetting about IASW and the Haunted Mansion Holiday! I've seen pics of HM, it looks unbelievable! I'm a HUGE Nightmare before Christmas fan so that will be fun! I'm excited to finally get to see the difference between WDW and DLR!

Keep in mind that DLR has more similar to MK during Christmas and less during Halloween. For no good reason DL plusses the park a lot more for Halloween than MK does.

Not that I know if you have seen either season at WDW to compare or been to WDW altogether. I just wanted to mention it, just in case, so you may have a more informed decision.

 

[sweetascanbee]

I just realized that Thanksgiving is the 24th next year! Do you think 11/27-12/3 would be a good time to go?

Thos the exact dates of our very first trip several years ago, crowds were perfect, and we got to see the Christmas decorations......

 

[Nermel9]

Keep in mind that DLR has more similar to MK during Christmas and less during Halloween. For no good reason DL plusses the park a lot more for Halloween than MK does.

Not that I know if you have seen either season at WDW to compare or been to WDW altogether. I just wanted to mention it, just in case, so you may have a more informed decision.

I have been to WDW twice to see the Christmas decorations, and I went once in late September a few years ago and saw MK decorated for Halloween, and while it was nice, I was expecting a little more for Halloween! Although, we didn't do the Halloween party, so I'm guessing it gets done up a little more during that.

I think either time would be a great time to go, but I just love Christmas so much and since I've seen WDW 2 years in a row, I feel like I should see DLR at least once!

Thos the exact dates of our very first trip several years ago, crowds were perfect, and we got to see the Christmas decorations......

Thanks, that's good to know, I'm getting so excited for this trip and it's not even booked yet!

 

[Sherry E]

I have been to WDW twice to see the Christmas decorations, and I went once in late September a few years ago and saw MK decorated for Halloween, and while it was nice, I was expecting a little more for Halloween! Although, we didn't do the Halloween party, so I'm guessing it gets done up a little more during that.

I think either time would be a great time to go, but I just love Christmas so much and since I've seen WDW 2 years in a row, I feel like I should see DLR at least once!



Thanks, that's good to know, I'm getting so excited for this trip and it's not even booked yet!

One of the common opinions about Halloween Time at Disneyland as opposed to Christmas time at Disneyland is that, while it's a lot of fun, they just don't do enough. Sure, there are some pumpkins along Main Street and the Halloween Round-Up is cool. The party is fun. But they removed all traces of Halloween Time from California Adventure. And many people have stated that you can walk for long periods of time at Disneyland without ever seeing any real signs of Halloween. There is just not much to it when you compare it with the holiday season. Christmas time at Disneyland - while not the same as WDW's Christmas (because we have fewer parks and hotels) - is so immersive and extensive. Everywhere you go, you know it's the holidays, from the sights,the sounds, the smells, etc.

 

[DisMike]

Frankly if you can swing it, the best time IMHO is 1st full week of November. The Christmas decorations are up, the crowds are low and the weather is still in the mid 70s to 80s. You can even hit the 90s.

Perfect time.

 

[Sherry E]

Frankly if you can swing it, the best time IMHO is 1st full week of November. The Christmas decorations are up, the crowds are low and the weather is still in the mid 70s to 80s. You can even hit the 90s.

Perfect time.

DisMike - Yes, early November is nice, but I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea about the decorations in case they have their sights set on experiencing the full holiday offerings.

While there are some Christmas decorations up the first week of November, the season has not begun yet. There is no IASW Holiday, no snow on Main Street, no Winter Castle lighting, the Reindeer Round-Up is not open, most of the Christmas trees are not up yet, no Santa, no carolers, etc. In fact, as we have recently discovered over on the "Disney at Christmas" superthread, not all of the holiday stuff is even available in the first week or two of the official holiday season. Some things don't kick in until Thanksgiving or right after. They have to start putting the decorations up early but if anyone were coming out here with the hopes of having a full holiday experience, they would not get it in the first week of November.

ETA: sometimes the holiday season officially begins at DLR 2 weeks before Thanksgiving and sometimes it begins 1 week before Thanksgiving.