When would you go?

[Pluto468]

I have to start over with planning because our tenth (Yes, 10th!) trip since January 2020 was just cancelled.

This may be an impossible question because everyone has their own preferences, but... What month would you pick? I am trying to make the best possible choice and perhaps this trip will actually happen!

My choices are:

February 29-March 5
May 1-6
June 24-July 2

I've looked at crowd calendars and holidays and they all seem ok, but I'm wondering if there's something I have forgotten, like a cheer leading convention or something. I know May has grad nites but they don't start until after I'd leave. There would be 2 Star Wars nites, which would close the park early I think.

 

[Foustketeer]

I am assuming you mean Feb 28-Mar 5, but that will coincide with the beginning of the Food & Wine Festival at DCA, which may attract people, but that's about it..
Yes, the park would close early for the Star Wars Nites, but it seems like those are starting later, so you would have more time to be in Disneyland before needing to head to DCA/leave.
You are going into a holiday weekend with the June/July dates, so I would imagine those are going to be the busiest.

 

[DLgal]

June/July. We go every year during July 4th week (it's our staycation) and it's usually pretty low crowds, actually.

Second choice would be the May timeline but it's considered a slower time so park hours and entertainment will reflect that. By summer, there should be a return of Fantasmic and World of Color as well as the MSEP.

 

[shosh1530]

I'd probably go for early May if you are ok with the early closures for the Star Wars nights. Seems like the weather would be nicer (June was a bit hot for me as I'm heat sensitive). You may see increase in crowds on May 4, especially in Galaxy's Edge, as that is a Star Wars "holiday." I'm also thinking that by early May it is possible that Fantasmic and World of Color could return.

 

[mdmost]

All 3 could be really good times. I would think early May though would be the best time. That said, Both the Enchant and Imagine Keys are blocked for the late June time period so that means less people would have access to the parks. Mid week seems like it would have a lot less people. End of February to early March, you would get some fun at New Orleans Square with Mardi Gras.

Another thing to look at is what single day tickets cost for the days you're interested in. Feb 28 and March 3 are tier 2 ($119). March 1 & 2 are tier 1 ($104). March 4 tier 3($134). March 5 tier 5 ($159). Unfortunately we don't know the rates for the later dates. Those tiers are based on crowd levels.

Edit: just saw that early May is there. 1st- $134 tier 3, 2nd-$119 tier 2, 3-4th $104 tier 1.

I know Touring Plans gets mixed results but here's what they show for those time frames. I'm just going to put the overall crowd levels:
Feb 28-Mar 5: 5,3,3,4,4,7
May 1-6: 5,4,4,3,4,4
June 24-July 2: 4,4,4,5,5,5,4,3,4

 

[Wedgeout]

I’d choose that end of February into March. It’s the week after the President’s Day weekend and prior to the March After Darks. Might be a sweet spot with crowding.

 

[gelatoni fan]

I'd pick the later dates. Not only are there longer hours but you'll also likely have more entertainment such as Fantasmic back.

But if you've already made 9 trips to Disneyland since January 2020, why aren't you just going for all those dates? Or at least do the February to March dates so you can do Mardi Gras, the start of food and wine, etc. Then you can decide after that if you want to make additional trips down.

 

[DLgal]

I'd pick the later dates. Not only are there longer hours but you'll also likely have more entertainment such as Fantasmic back.

But if you've already made 9 trips to Disneyland since January 2020, why aren't you just going for all those dates? Or at least do the February to March dates so you can do Mardi Gras, the start of food and wine, etc. Then you can decide after that if you want to make additional trips down.

I think they meant they have planned and cancelled 10 trips. Not that they have already visited 9 times.

 

[DLgal]

What does Disneyland do for Mardi Gras? I've never heard of them doing anything special.

 

[Pluto468]

I'd pick the later dates. Not only are there longer hours but you'll also likely have more entertainment such as Fantasmic back.

But if you've already made 9 trips to Disneyland since January 2020, why aren't you just going for all those dates? Or at least do the February to March dates so you can do Mardi Gras, the start of food and wine, etc. Then you can decide after that if you want to make additional trips down.

We've had to cancel 10. We haven't been since 2019. Mardi Gras does sound fun there!

 

[Geemo]

I have to start over with planning because our tenth (Yes, 10th!) trip since January 2020 was just cancelled.

This may be an impossible question because everyone has their own preferences, but... What month would you pick? I am trying to make the best possible choice and perhaps this trip will actually happen!

My choices are:

February 29-March 5
May 1-6
June 24-July 2

I've looked at crowd calendars and holidays and they all seem ok, but I'm wondering if there's something I have forgotten, like a cheer leading convention or something. I know May has grad nites but they don't start until after I'd leave. There would be 2 Star Wars nites, which would close the park early I think.

You can look at this thread to see what is happening.
Cheer weekend info is at this link, looks like it’s the end of February.
Mini Gay Days is the first weekend in March.

 

[Pluto468]

You can look at this thread to see what is happening.
Cheer weekend info is at this link, looks like it’s the end of February.
Mini Gay Days is the first weekend in March.

Thank you! Very helpful thread. Based on that May looks pretty good.I'm guessing mini Gay Days doesn't add too much crowd wise, but I've heard the cheer weekends make everything really busy.

 

[DLgal]

Thank you! Very helpful thread. Based on that May looks pretty good.I'm guessing mini Gay Days doesn't add too much crowd wise, but I've heard the cheer weekends make everything really busy.

Never underestimate the gays.

 

[Pluto468]

Never underestimate the gays.

Now I'm guessing that "Mini" just means not the annual event, but with plenty of people attending.

 

[mdmost]

What does Disneyland do for Mardi Gras? I've never heard of them doing anything special.

Saw this online:
Mardi Gras
In 2022, Mardi Gras will be March 1.
The New Orleans Square area of Disneyland celebrates Mardi Gras each year. On that day, the streets of New Orleans Square are filled with music, Disney characters, street performers and special food items. This Mardi Gras celebration typically includes performances by Princess Tiana, Louis and Naveen and meet & greet opportunities with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald, Goofy, Pluto and Chip ‘n’ Dale – all dressed up in their Mardi Gras finest!

 

[DLgal]

Saw this online:
Mardi Gras
In 2022, Mardi Gras will be March 1.
The New Orleans Square area of Disneyland celebrates Mardi Gras each year. On that day, the streets of New Orleans Square are filled with music, Disney characters, street performers and special food items. This Mardi Gras celebration typically includes performances by Princess Tiana, Louis and Naveen and meet & greet opportunities with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald, Goofy, Pluto and Chip ‘n’ Dale – all dressed up in their Mardi Gras finest!

Well, sure. But this year there won't be any meet and greets. Tiana and Naveen regularly appear in NOS now.

 

[DLgal]

Now I'm guessing that "Mini" just means not the annual event, but with plenty of people attending.

Bingo. Any "unofficial" event draws significant crowds.

 

[mdmost]

Well, sure. But this year there won't be any meet and greets. Tiana and Naveen regularly appear in NOS now.

Maybe they'll do some calvacades and have some roped off areas like Halloween and holiday after hours events. I mean, it's New Orleans Square. They're going to do something.

 

[Wedgeout]

They haven’t even brought back the jazz band to French Market yet.

 

[lalasmama]

The late June/early July would be my general choice.

The lowest Magic Keys will be blocked, so likely more reservations for ticketed guests. Weather is typically nice, though June gloom (overcast skies in the mornings).

It's often the week we choose when we take our grandkids on their first trips.