Which Week Would You Pick?

[keishashadow]

Trying to decide on week for 1st trip to DL; due to school & works schedules; we usually travel either:

3rd or 4th week in June

week after Columbus Day or

1st week in December

DH wants end of June to extend the trip to visit Vegas too; i'm thinking DL for 3 or 4 days; Universal a day, a cititour and Knotts would certainly amount to a great vacation and no need to rent a car either for long drive to Nevada.

What do the experts say?

 

[HydroGuy]

Trying to decide on week for 1st trip to DL; due to school & works schedules; we usually travel either:

3rd or 4th week in June

week after Columbus Day or

1st week in December

DH wants end of June to extend the trip to visit Vegas too; i'm thinking DL for 3 or 4 days; Universal a day, a cititour and Knotts would certainly amount to a great vacation and no need to rent a car either for long drive to Nevada.

What do the experts say?

Well I am biased towards the fourth week of June because that is when we are going.! This year the problem with the third week of June is that it is soon after the Finding Nemo sub ride opens which is going to impact crowds. I do not know for sure that the fourth week will be better than the third week, but I believe it will be this year.

Personally I like summer visits to DLR, but am probably in the minority around here.

As you are new to DLR it is important you understand scheduling differences from WDW. WDW runs show schedules (fireworks, parades, etc.) year round, with higher frequency during peak times. So you can plan a trip for off season and still be in position to experience the entertainment year round. Not so at DLR.

At DLR they run a full show schedule during busy times like Spring Break, summer, holidays, but otherwise many of the shows are only offered on weekends. At DLR weekends are pretty much like high season year round because there are tons of locals who visit DLR primarily on weekends. So the crowd differences between weekdays and weekends at DLR is much more significant than at WDW. So if you go on "offseason" weekends to be able to see the shows, then you are really doing something comparable to high season.

If you go in October then that may be the least crowded of all the weeks you listed, but also the most likely to have rides down for refurb and limited show schedules (see "HydroGuy's High Season/Off Season Tradeoff Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199852)

December will be high season, and if you go during that time then the first week of December is a good time to go (compared to other holiday period weeks). You will have Christmas decorations, but also be at most risk for colder weather.

If you think more seriously about a summer visit, then here is some info that will help you: "Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

And a lot of people have benefited from my lengthy "A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

I would say the first week of December, but I too am biased. That is when we are going There are 2 downsides for that week. The candle light ceremony is the first weekend so that will bring in crowds and I have heard that the CM's x-mas party will be during that week so the park will be closing at 6. Not sure if it is true but that is the rumor around here.

 

[lenzs4]

Living in AZ, I go frequently yet am not a "regular." In the past two years I have been during all the times mentioned and although for a summer trip I would say early June is best (although the school tours are during those two weeks - tons of JR High and High school kids in the parks during school hours!)
I prefer the December time. No wait on rides as it is truely a down time at Disneyland. IT is between busy seasons and it never gets very cold - sweatshirt and pants, maybe a jacket ... It is the best time to visit. I also like the ride overlays and decorations.

This year we did go around Columbus day - it was almost as bad as the 4th of July!!!! YUCK! I will never do that again!!!
Shirley

 

[keishashadow]

Thanks for all the info, i've so much to learn about planning a trip to DL my head hurts trying to take it all in lol. Thread is helping alot; along with passporter & UGbook.


1 other question, we could do late this year if we switch current plans around; but will probably visit next year.

When would the on-site & off-site hotels start taking reservations?

Was hoping to ge a AAA rate & I can't find any for June this year on our member site ; hope they do offer them & they're just sold out already? Would like to book asap.

 

[RMH]

I'm gong to confuse you even more and vote for an October trip. That is when we will be there !!! Or else it could encourage you that there is no bad time to go to DL. We like fewer crowds and always plan one weekend day so we can see the shows and fireworks that don't appear during the week. If we plan it right and don't have any cancellations, we can get everything in but only have to fight crowds for one or two days of the week. Plus we get a fall break in our school district so we like to take advantage of that. I can't speak to AAA, but hotels will usually take reservations up to one year in advance. Another unpublished tidbit on hotels if you do book early and then find a better rate later on, most places will honor the better rate if you call them and ask.

 

[keishashadow]

I'm gong to confuse you even more and vote for an October trip. That is when we will be there !!! Or else it could encourage you that there is no bad time to go to DL. We like fewer crowds and always plan one weekend day so we can see the shows and fireworks that don't appear during the week. If we plan it right and don't have any cancellations, we can get everything in but only have to fight crowds for one or two days of the week. Plus we get a fall break in our school district so we like to take advantage of that. I can't speak to AAA, but hotels will usually take reservations up to one year in advance. Another unpublished tidbit on hotels if you do book early and then find a better rate later on, most places will honor the better rate if you call them and ask.

Yikes, didn't sink in that the shows aren't offered during the week all year!

I really want to see the Nightmare Before Xmas gang @ HM ; need to keep reading here & learning.

 

[LittleWoodenHead]

Due to Nemo, I think June will prove to be much busier than usual. They will promote the heck out of it locally (just like they did with Rockin' Space Mountain) and bring in many more SoCal residents as a result.

Of your other two choices, I'd lean slightly toward the October dates -- if only because the weather might prove to be nicer. The Halloween decorations will be up then, as will the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay. (FYI, I went twice during this time period last year. DL was NOT dead, as the HalloweenTime promotion was in full swing -- once again, bringing in more locals. No rides were down for refurb, and there was a fairly full entertainment schedule. In fact, they even added some showings of Fantasmic! due to the increased crowd levels. I don't expect this year will be any different -- but I'm planning on being there myself around then, regardless.)

In December, you'll have the Xmas decorations instead, and IASW will join HM in the Holiday Overlay category. You'll also get the Xmas parade and fireworks with snow. If you've never seen the Park at this time of year, you might want to consider it.