When to visit around July 4th?

[5reeds]

We just booked a 13 day trip to see relatives in Southern California from June 24th to July 6th. We plan to use our "Get a Disney Day" passes for a single day at Disneyland. Which day would you recommend we visit between 6/26 to 7/4? There will be 11 of us aged 4 to 67. Most everyone is up for a long day but I don't see most hanging in past 11PM. So a less crowded day with shorter hours is ok.

This trip will consist of several days near San Diego(Legoland, the Zoo, the beaches) with a drive into LA and North (possibly San Francisco) for a few days. If anyone has any advise for good itinerary items at this time of the year or good places to stay accommodates 11, please share that also.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Unfortunately, it looks like it will be crowded during the time you picked. There are two Socal passes available and one of them is not blacked out for the week of June 27- July 2nd. This is thier last week to go to DLR for the summer and last year I was there on the last couple days and it was VERY crowded. Once they were blacked out, it was a lot less crowded. If it was me, I would try for June 26th, which is a Saturday and blocked out for even deluxe passes.

Oh, if you come up North, the Disney musuem just opened up here- in SF. I haven't been yet, but would like to. However, it probably isn't really of interested to children from what I heard.

 

[HydroGuy]

Unfortunately, it looks like it will be crowded during the time you picked. There are two Socal passes available and one of them is not blacked out for the week of June 27- July 2nd. This is thier last week to go to DLR for the summer and last year I was there on the last couple days and it was VERY crowded. Once they were blacked out, it was a lot less crowded. If it was me, I would try for June 26th, which is a Saturday and blocked out for even deluxe passes.

Agree with June 26 with 100%. Second choice would be July 3.

Even better would be Monday July 5 if at all possible. One shortcoming of June 26 and July 3 are that they are Saturdays. DL has Magic Mornings (MM) on Sat/Sun/Tue/Thurs. When I go on day trips I try to go on Mon/Wed/Fri if possible to avoid MM. On MM days several thousand folks are allowed into DL one hour early to Fantasyland and much of Tomorrowland. That means for those on day trips who arrive right at regular park opening there are already lines for rides before you even get it. July 5 is blocked out and does not have MM.

If you are the type who arrives before park opening to get a good start then this can be a draw back. However, if you typically arrive late then it is not an issue.

 

[DLR29]

Agree with June 26 with 100%. Second choice would be July 3.

Even better would be Monday July 5 if at all possible. One shortcoming of June 26 and July 3 are that they are Saturdays. DL has Magic Mornings (MM) on Sat/Sun/Tue/Thurs. When I go on day trips I try to go on Mon/Wed/Fri if possible to avoid MM. On MM days several thousand folks are allowed into DL one hour early to Fantasyland and much of Tomorrowland. That means for those on day trips who arrive right at regular park opening there are already lines for rides before you even get it. July 5 is blocked out and does not have MM.

If you are the type who arrives before park opening to get a good start then this can be a draw back. However, if you typically arrive late then it is not an issue.

Another in agreement. Being busy peak season, none of your dates are going to have "shorter" park hours. Every day DL will be open from 8AM-12PM (although as Hydroguy pointed out on Sa/Su/Tu/Th, DL will have opened at 7, while you would have to wait until 8 to get in). Try either of the two saturdays, OR

here's a new suggestion: July 4th. Reports from last year say that July 4th was EMPTY! No joke. Lines were less than 30 min for the major attractions. Not entirely sure if that will happen again, but with the massive amount of APs blocked out, I'm sure it's very likely.

 

[cccdisney]

here's a new suggestion: July 4th. Reports from last year say that July 4th was EMPTY! No joke. Lines were less than 30 min for the major attractions. Not entirely sure if that will happen again, but with the massive amount of APs blocked out, I'm sure it's very likely.

That is what we are doing this year!
We currently have AP's that expire in late May. Unfortunately we can't get down there before they expire. But, all of our trips this past year have been so CROWDED!
We are taking another approach this year and are going to go over July 4th weekend when all the AP's are blocked out. We had friends that went over July 4th last year and said it was empty!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Another in agreement. Being busy peak season, none of your dates are going to have "shorter" park hours. Every day DL will be open from 8AM-12PM (although as Hydroguy pointed out on Sa/Su/Tu/Th, DL will have opened at 7, while you would have to wait until 8 to get in). Try either of the two saturdays, OR

here's a new suggestion: July 4th. Reports from last year say that July 4th was EMPTY! No joke. Lines were less than 30 min for the major attractions. Not entirely sure if that will happen again, but with the massive amount of APs blocked out, I'm sure it's very likely.

I'm sure hopin' you're right! I'm taking DD for her B~day (7/3) we'll fly in either that Sat. or Fri. the 2nd (hopefully the 2nd-get there in the evening instead of late morning on the 3rd) ~ or perhaps we'll drive. Anyway we'll be in the parks 7/3-7/6

 

[pixiewings71]

OP I agree with the Saturday's. We went July 8-12 and the weekend was the slowest time because all APs (except Premiums, which we had) were blocked. It was so nice, especially on Saturday.

Keep in mind, if you come to SF it's not that close, it's probably a 7-8 hr drive with no traffic.

 

[5reeds]

It sounds like July 3rd or 4th is among the top suggestions which completely surprises me. I guess it makes sense with the AP blockout dates.

I know a drive to SF will be long but we can break it up with a couple of stops along the way and maybe plan DL on the way back down. I'm thinking about a night at the Anaheim HoJo the night before so we can be at the gate bright and early.

Anyone know the travel time from Disney to Temecula? Too far after a long day in the park?

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I'm thinking about a night at the Anaheim HoJo the night before so we can be at the gate bright and early.

That's a great idea! I have our nights booked at Motel 6 ~ great rate, however I'll keep any eye on Anaheim Plaza ~ and would love to get the ent. rate @ HoJo's ~ we'll see.