When to go??

[wirki]

My family of 4 have decided to finally go to DL next year. I need to know when you all think is the best time to go. We are thinking March, June, Sept, or Dec..

Please help as I do not know anything about the crowds during these times or weather.

Thanks in advance for your help!!!!

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

As far as time of the year I would say September. Crowds should not be too bad especially after labor day weekend. Also the weather is nice then, although probably on the hot side. I would rather have that then cool and rainy which is a risk for December and even slightly in March.

 

[wirki]

Thanks you for the info.

 

[DLR29]

March-Early isn't so bad (crowdwise). Weather is nice, maybe a small bit of rain. Later in March is one of the most busy times of the year because of Spring Break. But that also means longer hours and more entertainment shows.

June-Early has some small crowds and some days DL closes early for Grad Nights. It doesn't affect crowd levels, but it does close the parks earlier. Mid-late June was crazy this past year because a TON of AP holders from So. Cal wanted to cram in one more visit to the park before their passes got blocked out. But after those AP holders got blocked out, the crowd levels dropped a lot.

September-The least crowded of all months at DLR. HOWEVER, that means very short park hours, very limited entertainment (fireworks and fantasmic only on weekends) and (especially this year) a lot of rides go down for refurbishment. I think 4 or 5 rides will be closed at one time this September.

December-Early December has all of the fun decorations of the holidays and low crowds, but like September it has very short park hours and a couple rides down for refurb. Heading through the month, the park gets increasingly more crowded as it approaches Christmas. However, I've been right before Christmas with great results. The entertainment is in full swing (nightly Fireworks and Fantasmic) and the very long park hours and the crowds aren't quite there yet. But do NOT go the week between Christmas and New Years. It is the single most crowded week of the year.

 

[VallCopen]

September (mid - late) would be the best as far as crowds go but December (early - mid) runs a close second and is beautiful with the Christmas decorations, if you can't go until Christmas break I would go with Septmeber. The weather in Southern Calif. is pretty good in December compared to a lot of places (I think it averages around 66-70), September can be very hot at times but averages more like 75-80.
I have gone in December several times and only once did it rain (but only for a short while) and it usually has been about 70 (but it has been as hot as 80) during the day, although one time it was a bit colder (60-66 all week).

March is busy with Spring breaks and June is the summer so it can get very busy too.

If you have never been to Disneyland then go with September (not Labor day weekend -) because you will love it no matter what and it will have the least amount of people. If you have gone before but not in December then I would choose December hands down because of the decorations (but only if you can go early - mid December (Christmas break is way to busy to enjoy IMO).

Whatever you choose have fun!!!

 

[VallCopen]

http://www.disneylandvacationtips.com/disneyland-attendance.html

Here is a website that I use. It has all kinds of tips including weather and attendence averages.

 

[DLR29]

http://www.disneylandvacationtips.com/disneyland-attendance.html

Here is a website that I use. It has all kinds of tips including weather and attendence averages.

That graph is not quite correct. This past year, June had a much higher attendance than July and so far in August. Also September has a lower attendance than reported and October a much higher attendance.

 

[VallCopen]

That graph is not quite correct. This past year, June had a much higher attendance than July and so far in August. Also September has a lower attendance than reported and October a much higher attendance.

Sorry for the wrong information... I didn't mean for anyone to take it as an exact, just to give people an approximate average plus I thought there were some other interesting tips. Sorry for any confusion.

 

[DLR29]

Sorry for the wrong information... I didn't mean for anyone to take it as an exact, just to give people an approximate average plus I thought there were some other interesting tips. Sorry for any confusion.

No problem. The tips are very good, but I didn't want anybody to get the wrong impression about those seasons. Thank you very much for the helpful link!

 

[wirki]

Thank you for all the info....

I have never been to DL but have been to DW MANY time

I am looking forward to going and having a great time....so any tips are wonderful as I know nothing

 

[GrandBob]

If you truly know little about DLR, go to the first sticky on this board to read the tips. Pay special attention to Hydroguy's tips -- a compilation of his tips is here

Hydroguy is the best resource on DLR you'll find anywhere, and his tips are golden.

-Bob

 

[Albort]

Sorry for the wrong information... I didn't mean for anyone to take it as an exact, just to give people an approximate average plus I thought there were some other interesting tips. Sorry for any confusion.

blame the economy... The graph would be more accurate if the economy is in a better shape...

 

[WonkaKid]

September-The least crowded of all months at DLR. HOWEVER, that means very short park hours, very limited entertainment (fireworks and fantasmic only on weekends) and (especially this year) a lot of rides go down for refurbishment. I think 4 or 5 rides will be closed at one time this September.

Yup -- we're going Sept. 17-19. Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain will both be closed. Very disappointed because HM was closed when we went in January of this year :-(.

Rob

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I'm glad to see July may not be the worst month to go. I was getting concerned from posts I've read. We're planning our 1st visit for the beginning of July. I think the weather will be fine for us. We've been to San Diego in April & San Francisco in June & froze both times. I'm sure it's not always that cold, but we do prefer to go when there's a good chance it won't be cold & rainy.

 

[wirki]

If you truly know little about DLR, go to the first sticky on this board to read the tips. Pay special attention to Hydroguy's tips -- a compilation of his tips is here

Hydroguy is the best resource on DLR you'll find anywhere, and his tips are golden.

-Bob

This has great information. Thank you so much!!

 

[pinktink83]

JUNE = hot as h$!! and crowded and miserable, too! I will never go to DL during the summer months, Id rather stay home.

MARCH = chances of spring showers, and watch out for Spring Break (busy!!) otherwise could be nice! Not too crowded, weather is nice.

SEPT = perfect in my opinion, not too hot, not too cold, not too much rain, not too crowded, but watch out for Labor Day (busy!!)

DEC = BUSY b/c of the holidays, but decorated so lovely (I want to go next year for Xmas really bad!) and weather is ok, cold but not horribly freezing.

Whatever you choose, make sure you look at the calender to see what rides will be down during that time. It could influence your decision a lot! (ie, Haunted Mansion and IASW will probably be closed in Sept for holiday redecorating.)