When to go..

d0naldduck123 · Jan 22, 2019

So I've never been to Disneyland, just WDW since I live on the east coast. I've been playing around with dates and it looks like the only times I'd be able to go is late March, mid/late-July, or in the Fall (Sep/Oct) for probably 3 days in the parks.

I kinda gave up on late-March because I really really wanted to see WOC and Disneyland's F! but with the castle being down and the dates for WOC and F!'s return not being set yet, I figured later in the year would give me a better chance, so that brought it down to either July or Fall.

In July, it'll be crowded because summer crowds + SWGE, but at least the lower APs will be blocked out so hoping that it'll help some.

In the Fall, there would also be the halloween party (which I've never been to in WDW either!). Plus it would have been a few months since SWGE opened so hopefully not as big of crowds as the summer, but then again the AP blockouts would've ended so maybe it'll still be crowded.

I don't really NEED to see SWGE since I was planning on seeing that in WDW maybe later next year so it wouldn't really be a priority. I know nobody really knows what'll happen until SWGE actually opens...and both times would be crowded anyway...BUT when would you guys choose?

SOCALMouseMommy · Jan 22, 2019

I would probably choose March and hope for the best with the castle, WOC and Fantasmic! July onward will be insane. Fall time was already hugely crowded. Add Star Wars into the mix and I think it will be crazy.

disneylover102 · Jan 22, 2019

March will still be very crowded, Being spring break but not nearly as crowded as July or probably the fall. If you really want to see WOC though, I’d say go in the fall, but definitely not July. March will probably be the least crowded, but still crowded with spring break.

gottalovepluto · Jan 22, 2019

I agree once in a lifetime trip disqualifies March. Jul or Sep/Oct? Haunted Mansion Holiday is why I lean fall! Totally awesome! As for crowds they’ll be huge either way. Fall has become SUPER busy with locals and Fall Breaks. Watch out for Gay Days, usually around the first weekend of Oct, because it brings even more crowds. (If you want to go then & want to do the Halloween Party buy your ticket ASAP as it’s one of the first parties to sell out.)

HydroGuy · Jan 23, 2019

I gotta say July. As others have said, SWGE changes everything. My experience has been Fall crowds are just as much as July. But crowds at DLR are never as big as an issue with me as WDW crowds. Especially when one has a close-by hotel preferably walking distance. Or GCH when you want to spend the bucks.

With July crowds, get there early. Get MaxPass. Take an afternoon break. Keep stocking up on FPs during the break. Take a nap. Swim. Cool off. Head back to the parks at 5 or 6 or even 7PM and have a blast at night.

Plus I am not a big fan of HMH. I like HalloweenTime. But not HMH. But summer is just pure better in my book.

Good luck. World of Color rocks!

:wizard:

FeistyDisneyMom · Jan 23, 2019

Personally I would go with September/October. If you go in September, the weather is usually quite awesome - nice and warm enough to enjoy the water rides, but cools down in the evening faster. Crowds, especially mid-week can be much lower (except for the beginning of Sept around Labor Day - and of course SWGE may totally change all of that), but they still have pretty good hours and lots of entertainment running. If you do go in Sept or Oct, make sure to check the previous year's down times for when the taken down HH to switch to NBC overlays if that is an important thing for you. We absolutely LOVED our late Sept trip in 2016 and I'd happily do it again!

katyringo · Jan 23, 2019

Fall!!!

theluckyrabbit · Jan 23, 2019

Another vote for fall. We love Halloween Time, HMH, MHP, all the fall food treats, etc. Yes, it can get very crowded, but you're already planning now, so you'd be well prepared and organized. Rumor has MHP moving to DCA this year because of SWGE, but there has been no official word yet. By fall, you'd have a better chance of F! and WOC being back. Second place vote goes to July. Longer hours, fuller staffing, full entertainment schedule (F! should be back, PTN may be back -- supposed to be in refurb now, fingers crossed for WOC) -- when the parks are prepared for crowds, things run pretty smoothly and you don't feel the crowds quite as much as you think you might.

cruisehopeful · Jan 23, 2019

Go in the fall. The Halloween stuff is great between the decorations and the treats.

Keep an eye out for the announcement of the Halloween parties and book yours right away. If you are interested in the Tea Party at the Disneyland Hotel, book it 60 days out.

sherilaine · Jan 23, 2019

When to go is always subjective for people - if there is something you really love and it's a deal breaker and you know it'll be down then change your plans but crowds, regular refurbs etc. go when it's most convenient for your schedule.

We often go in late Feb/early March simply because we've not wanted to take on Spring Break but now with kids in high school we are going to be headed there for a week around Presidents Day as there is no school for an extended period. We'll likely see more crowds than our earlier visits but we are prepared for it with MP and just knowing how to navigate the parks from experience.

Next time we might just go for Spring Break because typically hours are longer, the parks are fully staffed for crowds and most shows/refurbs are kept to a minimum outside of ones that take a very long time.

We are also not big show people - my only disappointment this year with the shows is that they won't eat up the crowds like they normally do - I won't miss them - in fact this year we are not too bummed about the refurb list - long as it doesn't change - cause you never know...

Pdollar88 · Jan 25, 2019

theluckyrabbit said:
Another vote for fall. We love Halloween Time, HMH, MHP, all the fall food treats, etc. Yes, it can get very crowded, but you're already planning now, so you'd be well prepared and organized. Rumor has MHP moving to DCA this year because of SWGE, but there has been no official word yet. By fall, you'd have a better chance of F! and WOC being back. Second place vote goes to July. Longer hours, fuller staffing, full entertainment schedule (F! should be back, PTN may be back -- supposed to be in refurb now, fingers crossed for WOC) -- when the parks are prepared for crowds, things run pretty smoothly and you don't feel the crowds quite as much as you think you might.

I still have a September trip booked, although I'll likely shorten it *if* I do go. Are folks fairly confident that PTN will be coming back? Other than the Halloween magic, that is highest on my list to see in case it ever disappears permanently. Otherwise, I could probably just save up for a longer trip and visit DL in 2020.

JasonMak2000 · Jan 25, 2019

Looking at possible September trip myself. If you had to choose, would you go end of the week (Thurs,Fri,Sat) or beginning (Sun,Mon,Tues)? Thanks

Skyegirl1999 · Jan 25, 2019

JasonMak2000 said:
Looking at possible September trip myself. If you had to choose, would you go end of the week (Thurs,Fri,Sat) or beginning (Sun,Mon,Tues)? Thanks

When in September?

JasonMak2000 · Jan 25, 2019

Sometime between the 14th and the 30th. Flexible right now. Trying to get as much info as I can.

Skyegirl1999 · Jan 25, 2019

Hmm, tough because you don’t know Halloween party dates yet, which can make a big difference... that can also be a bit of a wonky time for park hours. There’s not an obvious “better” choice, honestly, without more park info, so I’d just pick the dates that work best for you.

JasonMak2000 · Jan 25, 2019

2018 had Halloween parties on Mon,Wed and Fridays in September. So if its similar, then we won't avoid it in either scenario. I was just curious if there were some consistent trends like - Saturday is usually less crowded than Sundays because of locals or maybe crowds build towards the end of the week as you get closer to the weekend etc. I guess that's not really the case in DL compared to WDW, which I feel can have some historical trends to draw from.

HydroGuy · Jan 25, 2019

Pdollar88 said:
I still have a September trip booked, although I'll likely shorten it *if* I do go. Are folks fairly confident that PTN will be coming back? Other than the Halloween magic, that is highest on my list to see in case it ever disappears permanently. Otherwise, I could probably just save up for a longer trip and visit DL in 2020.

I would be really jazzed if PTN came back. But I have not heard about that. Does anyone have anything about the return of PTN?

:wizard:

FeistyDisneyMom · Jan 25, 2019

Weekend will be more crowded because of locals. Last visit was 2016 in September and it was a blast - we did Wed-Sat, and it worked well for us. With SW:GE opening, its likely the park will be crowded all week, so if you go with the cheaper airfare you can spend the money on upgrades and goodies to make the crowds less bothersome

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