When to visit?

[Tigger&Belle]

I have WDW APs for this year (good until early Feb 2005). Sometime after they expire I would like to bring my now 4yo to DL. At the time he will probably be in kindergarten and I would be willing to pull him out of school for a week and am just starting to think about the time of year that I'd like to go. Our time frame would probably be between Fall 2005 and Spring 2006.

My 4yo has never been to DL and it's been quite a while since I've gone. I might consider going back with the rest of my family some time in that year so would consider getting APs. Are there usually room discounts with APs? If so, are they usually available only during the off-season or also during the summer (if I bring my whole family if would need to be during a school vacation time since my older kids are in middle-high school).

For my off-season trip with my 4yo I would want:

Low crowds--that would be my top priority

All the major rides up and running. I know that is tough since any ride closings would be during the off season

Pleasant weather. Not too cold since we'd want to have some pool time. I'm not so concerned about heat since it would probably be cooler than what I'm used to when we go to WDW.

Any thoughts on a good time of the year?

I read that HM is closed in September while it is being prepared for Halloween decorations. How is mid-October for crowds? Do the Halloween festivities draw a lot of people? Are most of the rides up and running? How are the temps?

How about spring (as long as we avoid the week before and after Easter?) As a kid we used to go down the third week of March (our spring vacation in southern Oregon) and we had long lines.

Any hints would be wonderful. I haven't been to DL in 9 years and I know that a lot has changed.

I'll also need hotel help since I've never had to stay in a hotel before (my in-laws used to live a couple of miles from DL--they now live in Sun City). At WDW and Universal Orland we usually stay on-site. I would prefer that when going alone with my son, but would consider an off-site hotel within walking distance if I could save a lot of $. Is there a benefit to onsite (early opening, etc) like at WDW?

Thanks! T&B

 

[diggdug]

While I can't help you with the AP related questions ( I don't hold an AP), October is generally great weather and lower crowds. We've been down over Thanksgiving and had a great time. It can be a bit crowded though nothing like summer. Days are warm and evenings are cool enough for a light jacket. The Christmas theming is just awesome!!!

Diggdug

 

[cheshcat]

I would really recommend going when the holiday decorations are up - usually around the first week of November through the end of December. The parks aren't too crowded during the week.

I'm not sure what rides will be closed, but The Haunted Mansion has "The Nightmare Before Christmas" overlay, and it's a small world has a holiday overlay as well. Also, the Believe... in Holiday Magic fireworks show one of the best I've ever seen. The fireworks are set to holiday music and at the end of the show it snows.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

DL really keeps their Christmas decorations up for a long time! I'm planning on bringing my 4yo to WDW in early Decemberand meeting my sister and my 81yo mother (will be my mother's first trip to WDW). We'll be able to see the decoration and go to the Christmas party at the MK.

As far as DL, hopefully my in-laws would join my son and me, and since they are Jewish I don't think they would be real impressed with the decorations. lol

Maybe October would be better, unless we find that there are some uncrowded times in the spring.

Does DL have a Halloween party similar to the party at WDW?

Thanks, T&B

 

[iceskatejen]

No, they don't. They did one once or twice years ago, but I guess they decided not to compete with the Halloween Haunts that Knott's and some other parks do (the Knott's one in NOT for kids, though--too scary). I do know that they have trick or treating in DTD, though either on Halloween or a few days before (generally on a weekend).

 

[Tigger&Belle]

That's too bad they don't do the party at DL since the one at Knott's is not for the little kids. I know it's real popular at WDW--maybe Disney figures people will go to WDW if they want the party. Easy enough for me, but not for the CA people.

T&B

 

[jin diesel]

For AP rates, ask the reservations person for "AP NIGHTS" rates. They generally run Sundays - Thursday and you can get a room ad Paradise Pier for as low as $79. Remember, there is no such thing as long walks and "transportation systems" at Disneyland because everything is so close. So don't stay on property if money is an issue. Stay across the street. Most of the hotels across the street are even closer than the Disneyland hotel anyway.

Xmas decorations can be up as early as Nov. 8th (I think that's how early they were last year). The Holiday Haunted Mansion is not to be missed. It's the only reason I go during the holidays. (Well, that AND the SNOW!!!)

As far as weather - IT'S CALIFORNIA!!! There is really no such thing as bad weather here. We get rain "here and there" during late Nov. & some parts of Dec.; then again in March or April, but the nice thing about rain is: people LEAVE when it's rainy, and you get the whole resort to yourself! Summers are hot, but not humid & gross like Florida. The weather here truly is fabulous.

Crowds: It's really crowded during President's week in February as most kids are out of school that week. I go every year for the 4th of July, and it's crowded, but not what I would consider awful. I have also been druing Thanksgiving, and it's not that bad. The park closes at midnight during holidays, so we always go to the room and sleep then come back at night and do whatever we couldn't do during the day.

Halloween: Last year there was a special screening of "The nightmare b4 xmas" at the Fantasyland theater. Then there was trick or treating throughout designated areas of the park. This was a special event you had to pay extra for. I hope they are doing it agian this year. I heard it was awesome!

REHABS: They are pretty good about rotating the rehab schedule, but with Space Mountain down till 2005 - Tomorrowland is kind of a bummer. Check the Disneyland rehab schedule frequently. I believe Indy is going down for a while in September. A good source of Disney related info is: www.mouseplanet.com Somehow they know what's going to be down in advance.

Hope this helps. HAVE FUN!!!! Disneyland really is the happiest place on earth!!!

 

[iceskatejen]

I've seen it rain through the entire months of Jan and Feb before. The one bad thing about fall (starting in October) and winter in CA is the Santa Ana winds (they're also known as devil winds, and for good reason). They usually aren't too bad around DL, but it really just depends on the exact wind direction. One time I went to DL in December, they were horribly bad where I was living and at DL there was just a little bit of a breeze, though they started picking up later.