When to go?

[mom4princesses]

We are planning a trip to Disneyland next year 2010 and have 2 options. We can go the week of March 14th or October 4th. Just wanted to get some opinions on what time of year is best. Thanks for the help I'm looking forward to the responses

 

[Boo Bear]

If you're looking for less crowded times, then I'd definitely go with the October time frame. The middle of March is when all of the colleges begin to let out for spring break. You might want to look into the time frame of the parks being open though.

 

[Minuet888]

true but you are facing weather problems if you go in
october

 

[karylrocks]

I can't speak for the weather in October, but I went in March during spring break once and it poured rain most of the trip. In October, you will get the halloween decorations which are fun. I would think that October would be less crowded.

 

[disheadz]

It is pretty unlikely that weather will be an issue either time, they may actually get less rain in October than March. Early October can be pretty crowded, especially if Utah fall breaks and Gay days fall during that time, as they are this year. I would guess March may actually be less crowded. Check the micechat board's "How busy" thread too.

 

[mom4princesses]

Thanks for all the input. We had a family meeting today and agreed on October. Think the parks will be less crowded and baby will be a little older. Then we might also get to do the Trick or Treat at DCA.

 

[GrandBob]

I agree with disheadz. You're much more likely to get good weather in early October than in March. I'm from Monterey, a couple hundred miles north; so the weather is not entirely comparable. But October is our warmest month of the year. In addition, rain is very unlikely here in early October, but fairly likely in March. LA will be slightly different, but not greatly so.

-Bob
Added - OK, out of curiosity, I looked up Anaheim on weather.com

March - avg high 70, avg low 48, avg rain 2.55 inches

Oct - avg high 80, avg low 56, avg rain 0.26 inches

 

[sdfamily]

Ok...having grown up in Kansas....weather here in So Cal is 'relative'

I find in October that it is usually beautiful! March is the same! Go figure.....

Weather here is pretty much 'unique' and I would totally choose crowd levels over weather estimate.

That being said, March means spring break and October means less crowds!

 

[GrandBob]

Grew up in the Chicago 'burbs. I certainly hear you about the comparative weather!

OP said they're going in October, so the rest of this is just us jawboning. But beside the 10 degree advantage for October (probably more so for early October), the big difference is rain. I still recall "Miracle March", which broke a 7 year drought in the late '80s / early '90s. Was great as a drought-buster. But it rained (no, poured) nearly every day for the month of March that year. While that much rain is uncommon, the fact is that March is in rainy season, October is in dry season. Indeed, they're likely to encounter the Santa Ana's in October -- hot and dry.

Anyway, good luck, Mom4princesses. October should be a great month to go. I always tell my friends that October is one of the best months of the year to visit us on the coast.

-Bob