Which time of year?

[Mom loves Disney]

Never been to California and wondering when is the best time to go to DL? We were thinking around June 28- July 5 or anytime in June. I hope to go when everything is up and running but not so crowded to not enjoy it . Will this time of year be really hot? One more question can you use your WDW annual pass, I'm sure not but I want to be positive? Thanks for your help.

 

[DangerMouse]

Well, that is peak summer season, plus adding in the fact that it is over a major holiday. Normally the parks are packed during this time. However, I did hear that this past summer was pretty light over the 4th of July.

The one thing you do have going for you is that S. Cal and Deluxe AP holders will be blocked out.

 

[Mom loves Disney]

Thanks, I was wondering if they do Grad nights in June? That is why I was leaning toward July. Would eveything be running full steam in June? Also will it be warm enough to swim in June? If not I guess I will take my chances for the week in July.

 

[Albort]

depends on how long you will be there for... i suggest the end of the first week of January... that way, you can see both the holiday stuff as well as the regular all year stuff...

 

[HydroGuy]

Never been to California and wondering when is the best time to go to DL? We were thinking around June 28- July 5 or anytime in June. I hope to go when everything is up and running but not so crowded to not enjoy it .

"Best time" means different things to different people. In my book that is the best time to go, one of the reasons being that everything is up and running by mid-June (no rides in refub except long term refurbs), the shows are all at maximim frequency and the parks hours are maxed out.

Here is a link to a recent question about June trips: www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1608280. See my post #2 specifically about grad nights.

As far as heat, it depends on where you are from. From this link: "Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ca0192 (Period of Record: 8/1/1989 to 12/31/2005)

June: Average High 80.2F (26.8C), Average Low 60.5F (15.8C)
July: Average High 84.4F (29.1C), Average Low 63.7F (17.6C)
August: Average High 86.8F (30.4C), Average Low 64.2F (17.9C)

Yes, SoCal does get heat waves as attested by the recent tragic fires, but the average high temperatures are IMO ideal. On my last three summer trips (in late June and early August) it has neve gotten above 85 degrees. When we went on a July trip in 2000 it did reach the low 90's. One big difference from WDW is that the humidity is a non-issue.

In any case, follow the advice in "Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" above and the heat should not be a big issue for you.

Here is another recent link to summer temperatures www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1620814

I would second advice to try to avoid July 4, especially when it is a three day weekend.

One more question can you use your WDW annual pass, I'm sure not but I want to be positive?

Nope. You can use unexpired WDW tickets but not APs.

Also check out "A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[Mom loves Disney]

Thanks HydroGuy, I want to go when everything is up and running even if I have to deal with crowds. Would you stay at the DLH or CCI for a diffrence of about 1400.00?

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks HydroGuy, I want to go when everything is up and running even if I have to deal with crowds. Would you stay at the DLH or CCI for a diffrence of about 1400.00?

I am not the best person to answer this question as I have not stayed at either.

Personally I like walking proximity to the parks and choose closer hotels. CCI is fairly close and a popular choice around here, but there are several closer options. CCI has a shuttle which is timely and reliable as I understand it. But I still prefer being closer. DLH is onsite but roughly the same walk as CCI - that is not very close - 10 minutes at a fast pace but 15 minutes at a moderate pace. Both are good options. The advantages of the Disney hotels at DLR are not nearly as much as at WDW. I like being onsite at WDW but at DLR would only go onsite for a splurge. A first time visitor may want to splurge.

 

[Mom loves Disney]

Thanks, I think we will splurge. I am not sure when we will make it back out to the West Coast. We live in Tennessee, so it will be a long flight with two kids. We do love the feeling of staying onsite at WDW and I am afraid I will miss it if we don't at DL. Thanks for taking the time to help a newbie out.