When is it the least crowded?

[PixiDustDears]

I know there is really no "off season" anymore. It seams like there is always something going on. That said, my family is used to going during holidays and school breaks. It's always crazy busy by most peoples standards, but normal to us. Just once I would like to go when the crowds are low. Even if it means pulling my kids out of school for a few days. I would love for them to experience Disneyland a little differently. So I was hoping for some opinions. The only must haves are low crowds and cool weather. Maybe sometime in February? (Not presidents week of course.)

 

[HydroGuy]

I know there is really no "off season" anymore. It seams like there is always something going on. That said, my family is used to going during holidays and school breaks. It's always crazy busy by most peoples standards, but normal to us. Just once I would like to go when the crowds are low. Even if it means pulling my kids out of school for a few days. I would love for them to experience Disneyland a little differently. So I was hoping for some opinions. The only must haves are low crowds and cool weather. Maybe sometime in February? (Not presidents week of course.)

This may help. I think January right after holiday season ends may be your best bet. Feb can be that too if you avoid time around Presidents day and Lincoln holiday (a state holiday in CA).

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

Check Lincoln holiday here:
"List of American Holidays" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1937849

 

[figment_jii]

I agree with HydroGuy that your best bet for lowest crowds is going to be January after the end of the Holiday Season and not during the three day weekends. Part of the reason the crowds are low (I think) is that a goodly number of rides general go down for rehab (Haunted Mansion and Small World for sure, though not normally overlapping; Splash usually goes down, too). The weather will probably also be pretty good. Another slow time (although, it's more likely to still be warm) is after Labor Day and before Halloween Time starts (again, Haunted Mansion and (for part) Space will be down).

It is worth noting that while the crowds will be lighter in the non-summer/non-holiday seasons, but you'll also have shorter park hours and less entertainment (usually fireworks and Fantasmic are only on the weekends).

 

[FrannyPack]

I have found early December a good time to go. It seems parents save their Disneyland trips for when their children are off for winter break so the park is less crowded, but you still get to experience the Holidays at Disneyland.

 

[SMD]

If you're used to going during the holidays, summer or spring break, any other time will feel different, even if it's not the slowest week of the year.

 

[alvernon90]

One thing to keep in mind is that if your family usually takes advantage of early entry, going in the off season will destroy that advantage. In the summer when the gates open at 7:00, only the idiots (like me and about 90% of the regulars here) show up. When DL opens at 10:00 and early entry is at 9:00, pretty much everyone who is eligible for early entry will show up. Big crowds plus limited access means long lines. Afternoons will be better in January, but mornings will be worse.

I am old enough to remember the days when you could just show up on a Wednesday in December and every single ride in the park would be basically a walk on for the entire day. Low crowds, cool weather, a very different experience and a truly festive atmosphere rather than an endurance contest. In recent years, the closest I've come to that experience is from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. in the summer, the first two hours of the day.

P.S. Boy, do I miss the Disneyland of 25 years ago!

 

[JacknHanksmom]

We went early May a couple of years ago, and it was amazing. We literally walked on to ride after ride.

Having said that, we did follow a touring plan and used early entry the day we were eligible. There also weren't shows apart from World of Color, and Splash Mountain and Star Tours as well as a few others were closed.

 

[pinksand]

These are all the times I have personally found really small crowds:

• Second/Third week in September
• Week BEFORE Thanksgiving
• Last week in Jan/First week in Feb

All during the week, of course. Go on Wednesday and those are some of the lowest crowd days you'll find.

 

[PixiDustDears]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I think we're looking at end of January or first if February. We're pass holders and have a lot of visits planned for the year but they are all holidays. (Labor Day, Halloween, and thanksgiving) In fact we were just there for 4th of July. A little change of pace will be nice.

 

[FryingPansWhoKnew]

"When is it the least crowded?"

When it's raining...

 

[ILUVALASKA]

The ONLY non-crowded week I have experienced in the last five years was the weekend after THanksgiving-early December before the Xmas decorations are put up.

 

[talentedmummy]

We went the last week of January last year and are returning again this year. Yes there were no fireworks when we were there and several rides were shut down. But less people and less waiting in lines with 2 small children was a good trade off. It was also cooler than usual when we were there but still felt amazing to us normally numb with cold Canadians.

 

[SweetAlex]

We went early February our first family trip and it was awesome. During the week, we walked on many rides including SM and CS. The weekend did get busy but still, nothing more than 1 hour wait times at the peak for major rides. It was fabulous.

We're doing the first week in December (right after US Thanksgiving) this time. I hear it's a good week to go too so really looking forward to that.

 

[SweetAlex]

We went the last week of January last year and are returning again this year. Yes there were no fireworks when we were there and several rides were shut down. But less people and less waiting in lines with 2 small children was a good trade off. It was also cooler than usual when we were there but still felt amazing to us normally numb with cold Canadians.

Heehee. We always look like freaks of nature out there when we go in February/March, walking around in our shorts and T's while everyone else is in sweaters, pants and often, thick jackets. Low 20's is perfect for us but freezing for locals. We're used to the weird looks...

 

[sharona]

Heehee. We always look like freaks of nature out there when we go in February/March, walking around in our shorts and T's while everyone else is in sweaters, pants and often, thick jackets. Low 20's is perfect for us but freezing for locals. We're used to the weird looks...

Low 20s? You must be talking Celsius? Had me double taking for a minute there. I know Canadians are a hearty bunch but 20s in SoCal? No one e would be outside.

 

[SweetAlex]

Low 20s? You must be talking Celsius? Had me double taking for a minute there. I know Canadians are a hearty bunch but 20s in SoCal? No one e would be outside.

Haha! Yes, 60s-70's in F . We were definitely the ONLY ones wearing shorts and t's... except for the other hot Canadians (and by HOT... of course I mean it in ALL senses of the word).