When to go recommendations?

[WishnDreamer]

When would you, personally, recommend a first time (probably once in a lifetime) visitor visit Disneyland?

We just got back from our first ever trip to WDW in early May. We thought about going back at Christmas, but are now thinking about Disneyland instead. But is mid-December good or would sometime in summer be better or sometime else altogether?

I've read thru the "info" that's out there. I'm looking for more personal reasons you like the park at certain times or would recommend it to first/only time guests.

Thanks!

 

[Girimama33]

That would depend on what you are looking for...do you want to be able to see all of the shows/fireworks? Does crowd size matter?

 

[DisMike]

Ditto PP.

Personally, there are 2 things I have to have; low crowds and all the rides open. There's only 1 time of year that happens: November and December.

We usually go the first or second week of Nov. The weather is still warm. The rides are all open (after the Christmas decorations are put on them). The crowds are low due to it being a 'tweener time.

If you want long hours and all the bells and whistles, then you have to go during spring break, Christmas or summer. Frankly the weather in Nov. is better than any of those times and with the low crowds you can do everything you want (except see fireworks which only happen on the weekends and Fantasmic which is also restricted).

 

[HydroGuy]

When would you, personally, recommend a first time (probably once in a lifetime) visitor visit Disneyland?

We just got back from our first ever trip to WDW in early May. We thought about going back at Christmas, but are now thinking about Disneyland instead. But is mid-December good or would sometime in summer be better or sometime else altogether?

I've read thru the "info" that's out there. I'm looking for more personal reasons you like the park at certain times or would recommend it to first/only time guests.

Thanks!

Personally? On a once-in-a-lifetime trip? No brainer. I would go in July. Or maybe early August.

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

 

[WishnDreamer]

That would depend on what you are looking for...do you want to be able to see all of the shows/fireworks? Does crowd size matter?

I would like to see World of Color since it's not at WDW and I hear it's excellent. I wouldn't mind seeing Fantasmic again, the kids loved it. I loved the Magic, the Memories, & You show the best for some reason. Seeing the castle change was soo neat. Honestly, none of us were blown away by Wishes. Maybe we're just spoiled by good fireworks near home on the Fourth of July but they weren't too much beyond that to me. So while they'd be nice, we could live without...My DD8 is an adrenaline junky and really wants to be able to do all the roller coasters.

Crowds. Well, I sort of based my WDW trip around lower crowds. It sounds like I may not have to do that quite so much for Disneyland from what I read. If I have a good plan in place, does that sound right?

I guess maybe if the crowds aren't as bad, I'd like to not have to take the kids out of school, so that would leave summer, Christmas, or spring break. I know that didn't help a lot but I'm pretty open.

 

[blackjackdelta]

We have gone late July, early August and it was busy but very doable. All rides were up and going but there were a number of times that one or more would be down for 1/2 to 1 day for what ever reason. We find the summer most enjoyable.

Jack

 

[dshimel]

Early December (like before the 15th) is my favorite time to go to Disneyland. November (NOT THE WEEK OF THANKSGIVING) is also a great time of year.

Other than those, February.

 

[Goofy_Mom]

For a once in a lifetime trip, I'd do the first week or two of December. The Chirstmas stuff is everywhere, the weather is great, and the crowds are managable. Also, if this is your only trip to DL, I'd go for 5 days minimum. Enough time to see and do everything on your list without feeling like you've run a marathon

 

[HydroGuy]

I agree December is also a good time to go for the OP. Reasons against December are:

- Much greater chance of rain. This being a once-in-a-lifetime trip I would angle for times with lowest rain and most consistent weather. My previous advice for July fits that.

- DLR is beautiful at Christmas time but it is not "normal". The rides with makeovers are not the normal versions. And the park is not operating in normal mode. There are Christmas parades and fireworks and not the normal ones. While that is all good, maybe it is not best for a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

My two cents.

 

[WishnDreamer]

I agree December is also a good time to go for the OP. Reasons against December are:

- Much greater chance of rain. This being a once-in-a-lifetime trip I would angle for times with lowest rain and most consistent weather. My previous advice for July fits that.

- DLR is beautiful at Christmas time but it is not "normal". The rides with makeovers are not the normal versions. And the park is not operating in normal mode. There are Christmas parades and fireworks and not the normal ones. While that is all good, maybe it is not best for a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

My two cents.

Somehow I missed this last response. This is exactly why, while I REALLY wanted to see WDW all dressed up for Christmas-especially the Epcot storytellers, I decided against going there at Christmas the first time and we went in May. When I mentioned going to DL at Christmas to my daughter, she mentioned DL not having the storytellers. I think she's angling to get 2 trips rather than 1, but I'd like to see them myself and why not.
Unfortunately we won't be able to afford a trip in 2013 because we are headed to Germany, so I am looking at 2014 before we head to DL. The kids have a rather unconventional spring break-it coincides with the local college spring break rather than Easter. I checked and it will be Saturday March 22-Sunday March 30, 2014. I read all your info on March. That doesn't seem like too bad of a time to go. Are spring break crowds about the same as summer?
Any significant reasons we shouldn't consider the end of March?
Thanks again!

 

[starshine514]

Somehow I missed this last response. This is exactly why, while I REALLY wanted to see WDW all dressed up for Christmas-especially the Epcot storytellers, I decided against going there at Christmas the first time and we went in May. When I mentioned going to DL at Christmas to my daughter, she mentioned DL not having the storytellers. I think she's angling to get 2 trips rather than 1, but I'd like to see them myself and why not.
Unfortunately we won't be able to afford a trip in 2013 because we are headed to Germany, so I am looking at 2014 before we head to DL. The kids have a rather unconventional spring break-it coincides with the local college spring break rather than Easter. I checked and it will be Saturday March 22-Sunday March 30, 2014. I read all your info on March. That doesn't seem like too bad of a time to go. Are spring break crowds about the same as summer?
Any significant reasons we shouldn't consider the end of March?
Thanks again!

Spring break crowds can be pretty bad. For us (mid-March this year), they were worse than the second week of August last year. My main reason to choose summer over spring break is ride closures. Disneyland puts the long-term (for example, 6 month closure of the Matterhorn this year) closures over spring break. So, you'll have fewer ride closures in March than in February, but still fewer (scheduled) closures in the summer. So, if you want to see everything, I'd suggest going during the summer.

 

[HydroGuy]

Somehow I missed this last response. This is exactly why, while I REALLY wanted to see WDW all dressed up for Christmas-especially the Epcot storytellers, I decided against going there at Christmas the first time and we went in May. When I mentioned going to DL at Christmas to my daughter, she mentioned DL not having the storytellers. I think she's angling to get 2 trips rather than 1, but I'd like to see them myself and why not.
Unfortunately we won't be able to afford a trip in 2013 because we are headed to Germany, so I am looking at 2014 before we head to DL. The kids have a rather unconventional spring break-it coincides with the local college spring break rather than Easter. I checked and it will be Saturday March 22-Sunday March 30, 2014. I read all your info on March. That doesn't seem like too bad of a time to go. Are spring break crowds about the same as summer?
Any significant reasons we shouldn't consider the end of March?
Thanks again!

Yes, that is why I said it was good time for you.

I then listed why it might not be for others. Sorry for the confusion.

Spring Break crowds tend to be higher than summer crowds.

 

[WishnDreamer]

The other thing I forgot to say I wanted to take into account is heat which was why I started looking at spring break. I'd like to try to talk my mom into going with us again. But if July in CA feels like May in FL I know I wont be able to. I read all your weather info. Sounds like taking out the humidity its not quite as bad. Would anyone agree/disagree with that? We've never been to CA so can't even guess what it will be like.

 

[xsuki000]

I wouldn't go during Spring Break. I live 10 minutes away so I go at least once a month and my one time that month just happened to land on the beginning of the spring breaks, and it was the most crowded I had ever seen it. It was just me and my friend and getting thru the crowds was a pain. I also agree about the ride closures.

I've gone during the summer and been able to ride Space Mountain, Big Thunder and Matterhorn 3-4x each before half the day ended. The crowds were pretty low until around 6 when all the locals come after work. So you'll get alot done. And everything is usually open over the summer.

Christmas, I think the crowd levels are in between Summer and Spring Break's levels. I kind of see it differently. If it was a once in a lifetime trip, i wouldn't mind going during christmas. It'd be magical with all the decorations and definitely not forgettable. The only problem is some of the rides may be closed still, like the Matterhorn.

With me, my number one priority is to pretty much have low wait times, and to be able to do everything and cram it into a short period of time, so i'd probably go during summer if it was a once in a lifetime trip.

 

[xsuki000]

The other thing I forgot to say I wanted to take into account is heat which was why I started looking at spring break. I'd like to try to talk my mom into going with us again. But if July in CA feels like May in FL I know I wont be able to. I read all your weather info. Sounds like taking out the humidity its not quite as bad. Would anyone agree/disagree with that? We've never been to CA so can't even guess what it will be like.

It's not humid over here at all. July isn't that hot yet. Your hottest months would have to be August and September. Though when we went in August, it was really hot around the city. But it actually wasn't that bad in the park itself. I think it was cause most of the rides we went on have coverings so you're not standing out in the sun for too long.

 

[HydroGuy]

The other thing I forgot to say I wanted to take into account is heat which was why I started looking at spring break. I'd like to try to talk my mom into going with us again. But if July in CA feels like May in FL I know I wont be able to. I read all your weather info. Sounds like taking out the humidity its not quite as bad. Would anyone agree/disagree with that? We've never been to CA so can't even guess what it will be like.

July in SoCal feels more like Marhc/April in Orlando.

See "Comparison of Weather For WDW and DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1711098

Also, it is easier to avoid the heat at DLR that at WDW for several reasons including the walking distance hotels and predominance of locals at the parks with no hotel to use.

See "Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319