which is a better time to take a trip to dl

[kristinebarboza]

im trying to plan a trip for 2012
i was trying to decide if i should go in july or august or november
i wouldnt be staying onsite
i plan to rent a vacation rental from homeaway.com or vrbo.com
cause i plan to be in cali for 7 or 8 days
cause i plan to do other things besides going to dl

 

[Sherry E]

Well, July and August will both be hot (I don't know if that matters to you or not), but entertainment at DLR will be in full swing since Summer is a peak season at the Resort. In fact, many of our well-known contributors here - HydroGuy and blackjackdelta, to name a couple - really prefer visiting the parks in the Summer months.

In June of this year the new Little Mermaid ride in DCA and the new version of Star Tours in DL will debut, and this will certainly increase crowds for a while.

If you were to go in November, when would it be? Any dates in mind?

Sometime in November the holiday season will begin at DLR (this year, it should be 11/11/11 or 11/18/11; next year it should be 11/9/12 or 11/16/12), and if you've never been to DLR for the holidays, I highly recommend it. The weather is (usually) a bit cooler than it is in Summer. The decorations are beautiful, IASW and HM both have their holiday overlays, the Winter Castle glows with icicle lights at night, the Reindeer Round-Up is up and running, and there is a variety of seasonal treats to enjoy. ToonTown, New Orleans Square, Main Street, Frontierland and A Bug's Land all have their own unique styles of holiday ornaments, trees and wreaths, etc.

If you were to go early in November, before the holiday season begins, you will probably see lower crowds (much lower than Summer) and you would see the holiday decor slowly and gradually going up, a little bit at a time - possibly even the removal of some of the Halloween decor as well.

 

[HydroGuy]

Whenever you ask a "when is it better" question it is helpful to say what you mean by better.

Better weather?
Warmer temperatures?
Cooler temperatures?
Lowest chance for rain?
Lower crowds?
More shows on the schedule?
Least rides down for refurb?
Special events - to see or avoid - such as Halloweentime or Christmas season?

Maybe this will help:

"Choosing When To Visit DLR: Summary of High and Low Season and When Each Happens" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=36509602

 

[kristinebarboza]

If I was to go in November it would be nov 8 to nov 14 or 15
I would be just concerned with rain
Crowds don't bother me
I would love to the Xmas season
I was there in last time in July 2009
It was in the the 70s then

 

[blackjackdelta]

We seem to always go in August. We like the warm weather, and all the attractions are up and running.

Jack

 

[Sherry E]

If I was to go in November it would be nov 8 to nov 14 or 15
I would be just concerned with rain
Crowds don't bother me
I would love to the Xmas season
I was there in last time in July 2009
It was in the the 70s then

Okay, cool! So it sounds like you have a good chance of being at DLR when the holiday season starts (more likely than not it will be 11/11/11 or 11/18/11 this year, and probably 11/9/12 next year, with a chance of 11/16/12). And even if it is not in full swing yet, like if the season begins one week later than when you are there, you would definitely see some decorations going up and some holiday merchandise in the shops. The gingerbread cookies with mouse ears will already be sold. Haunted Mansion Holiday will be running. Gingerbread beignets will be available at Cafe Orleans.

But hopefully the season will begin when you're there so you can catch IASW Holiday and the Winter Castle, as well as the 'snow' on Main Street, the Christmas Fantasy Parade, the Believe...In Holiday Magic fireworks, the Reindeer Round-Up, etc. All of those things don't begin until the season officially begins.

As for November weather, of course nothing that happened last year has anything to do with what the weather will be like this year or next year on your trip - it's anyone's guess what it will be, really - but I can tell you that I was at DLR on November 13th last year and it was well into the 80's. It was a warm November day. There are other November days that could be in the 60's and rainy, so I was kind of surprised that it was so warm!

Last year was kind of odd in that it seemed like the "Summer" weather took a long time to kick in, and it didn't really start to get super hot until late August/September (like 113 degrees hot!)...and then it was warm off and on all through the Fall and into Winter.

When I went back to DLR in December, on one of my days it was 90 degrees (in mid-December!), the next day was in the 80's, and then it dropped to the 70's!! Since then, we've had lots and lots of 50 & 60-degree days in SoCal this year. Right now it's only 65 degrees! And it's Spring! 90 degrees in late Fall/almost Winter and 65 degrees in Spring??!! What's wrong with this picture?

I hope you get to go in November!! The holiday season is just beautiful at DLR.

 

[mystic_path]

My friend LOVES going at the end of August. She and her family (All Adults) take vacations every year at that time. I believe she left around the 24th last year. She says great weather, shows are still in swing, and the summer crowds start to dwindle quite a bit as students get ready to go back to school.

 

[HydroGuy]

As for November weather, of course nothing that happened last year has anything to do with what the weather will be like this year on your trip - it's anyone's guess what it will be, really - but I can tell you that I was at DLR on November 13th last year and it was well into the 80's. It was a warm November day. There are other November days that could be in the 60's and rainy, so I was kind of surprised that it was so warm!

Last year was kind of odd in that it seemed like the "Summer" weather took a long time to kick in, and it didn't really start to get super hot until late August/September (like 113 degrees hot!)...and then it was warm off and on all through the Fall and into Winter.

Since the OP mentioned rain, it is worth mentioning that there were lots of "will my trip be ruined?" threads last November because of all the rain.

It does not rain that much in SoCal but when it does it is usually November-April. Locals like Sherry (and formerly me ) are savvy about DLR and check weather forecasts before they go and often cancel or change their trips based on weather. Those traveling from out of the SoCal area do not have that luxury if they have booked air travel and hotels and are locked in on dates. So keep that in mind and if it does rain then hopefully you will not be surprised and have your trip "ruined" like many others have posted about theirs being ruined.

Otherwise, I agree with Sherry and say go the later week in November when it is more likely holiday mode will be going.

See "Detailed Weather Data for DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158

 

[WannaseePooh]

Since you are going in 2012, I would pick Nov, just to make sure Carsland is open. If there are any delays, it might not be open by next summer.