When to go?

[KalamityJane]

We can go in Nov/Dec but stay off site or January over MLK Day and stay onsite. We will be on the WBPC mid May and can tack on a few days at the end of that in DL.

I adore Christmas at DL, but I'm guessing the crowds will be lower in January. DH has limited vacation time, so I'm torn between going a separate time and less time after the cruise, or making a longer trip and waiting until May.

What would you do? We will probably be getting APs.

 

[lalasmama]

Personally, I wouldn't be willing to go over the MLK holiday. DLR is a "locals" park, and "locals" (anyone within a 12-hour drive, really) is going to be out of school/work for MLK, and heading to the parks. It gets seriously crowded when there's a 3 day weekend where the kids are out of school!

We're going the first weekend in December, and kind of dreading it crowd-wise, since we forgot about the Candle Light Processional, but really wanted to go during the Christmas season... But, we typically take a 4 day weekend at the end of January to go to DLR, so we're used to really low crowds.

 

[KalamityJane]

I could probably just do the end of January or mid February near Dapper Day. If we get APs and don't go during Christmas this year (probably mid Nov), then I would definitely plan to hit Christmastime next year.

The airfare is $$ for 5 of us, though, and the youngest we will have to start paying for a Disney ticket in the beginning of Feb 2016 when he turns 3. If he is 2 when we start the trip, he doesn't need a ticket though, right? Like, if his birthday is Feb 10, and we start the trip Feb 9, he is okay without a ticket?

I can also take the kids to DL by myself, but half the fun is having DH there, so I don't know if I really want to do that.

 

[KalamityJane]

Ok, just realized, if we go first in May, DS will be 42" and will be able to go on many more rides than if we went earlier. He always wants to do whatever older sis does, so that might be easier than trying to explain why he can't do rides. Then the next trip can be near Christmas, and youngest DS should be over 40" by then. Yes, I have tall kids

 

[lalasmama]

Correct, the 2-turning-3-year-old wouldn't need a ticket if the trip was started before he turned 3. We really like our Jan/Feb low-time crowds, the weather is generally okay (some occasional drizzle, which empties the parks!), and we're okay with the earlier park hours....

 

[KalamityJane]

Correct, the 2-turning-3-year-old wouldn't need a ticket if the trip was started before he turned 3. We really like our Jan/Feb low-time crowds, the weather is generally okay (some occasional drizzle, which empties the parks!), and we're okay with the earlier park hours....

I love the low periods like that as well. We don't commando it, and we're from Oregon originally, so rain is not a big deal. I'm wondering if I can squeeze in a mom/kids trip in Jan/Feb for a few days...you're really selling me on it! We went in mid-Nov 2011 (perfect - no crowds, cool weather), and then over Gay Days in Oct 2012 (hot and crowded).

 

[SMD]

RunDisney just switched the MLK Tinker Bell half marathon with Star Wars. It's proving to be popular and will add to crowds. If you want to see Christmas decorations, the weekend of Jan 2nd is a better choice, the decorations stay up until about the 6th. Fri & Sat are blocked for So Cal APs, Sunday will probably be pretty miserable.

 

[HydroGuy]

We can go in Nov/Dec but stay off site or January over MLK Day and stay onsite. We will be on the WBPC mid May and can tack on a few days at the end of that in DL.

I adore Christmas at DL, but I'm guessing the crowds will be lower in January. DH has limited vacation time, so I'm torn between going a separate time and less time after the cruise, or making a longer trip and waiting until May.

What would you do? We will probably be getting APs.

Crowds will likely be less in January than peak holiday season. MLK weekend will be busier. There will be more ride and show closures in January. May will be a swing month with the 60th anniversary either preparing or underway.

 

[SMD]

Crowds will likely be less in January than peak holiday season. MLK weekend will be busier. There will be more ride and show closures in January. May will be a swing month with the 60th anniversary either preparing or underway.

The 50th didn't actually kick off until May 5th, so January seems a little early for the 60th.

 

[HydroGuy]

The 50th didn't actually kick off until May 5th, so January seems a little early for the 60th.

I agree. But if DLR is cramming ride refurbs, show refurbs, OSHA changes for worker safety, and extra park maintenance before the 60th starts then Jan-May could have lots of things down like happened this year.

 

[KalamityJane]

I don't mind if rides are down, we've been twice for a week each time and this is more of a relaxing one in Jan at least. We will be getting APs and coming back in May, Christmastime and Jan 2016 as well, so I'm not too concerned. As long as there is cooler weather and low crowds, I don't mind about rehabs.