Best time to go to Disneyland?

[flameboy2727]

I'm going to Disneyland in 2008, but just don't know when I should go.
I was thinking Feb, Mar, April, or May so that I don't run into crowds.
What do u think the best month and week is to go and have the smallest crowd and shortest wait times??

[samsma]

Re: Best time to go to Disneyland?

My very fave time to go is end of November, right after Thanksgiving. All the decorations are up and the rides are walk on! We never waited over 5 min for anything the last time we went then!

[Hakuna Makarla]

Re: Best time to go to Disneyland?

[Hayley B]

Re: Best time to go to Disneyland?

Wow, two votes for November so far. I will have to keep my eye on this thread. "Best time to go to Disneyland" would be interesting to know.

[Gwendolen]

Re: Best time to go to Disneyland?

I vote for May. Late May, just when the longer hours start coming in, but just before the summer crowds.

[Hakuna Makarla]

Re: Best time to go to Disneyland?

I went in May , it was a mad house. you have to watch for whats going on, cheerleading etc. May can be a busy month, I went 2 times in may both times were packed!

[MINNIESFRIEND]

Re: Best time to go to Disneyland?

One of my favorite days this last year was Valentine's Day. We walked on every ride and the weather was great. Although I love the holidays you have to decide if you want the extra events or quiet time!

[Sorcerer's Apprentice]

[samsma]

Re: Best time to go to Disneyland?

Valentines was nice and quite this year, loved it! Problem was right after that, the crowds for President's day weekend started!

[penguinsoda]

Re: Best time to go to Disneyland?

There are trade off's with everything. Jan/Feb are good times to go crowd wise, but the parks so have shorter hours. But then with fewer people you can get on more things. Jan/Feb are usually the wetest months rain wise, but they are predicting a La Nina' year, which means dryer winters.

Fall is a wonderful time. In September kids are back in school and the weather is usually not bad. Still a bit on the warm side but tolerable. Just don't go around any holiday, like Columbus day (Gay Days weekend is also at that time, and it can be very crowded), Veterans Day (some schools have 3 and 4 day weekends around then), or Thanksgiving itself.

So I would say Jan/Feb if you don't mind cooler or maybe wetter times, or fall if you want moderate weather and smaller crowds.

[Fantasmico!]

Re: Best time to go to Disneyland?

Go when it's slow.

No matter when you go during the week is a good time especially Tuesday through Thursday. Stay away from Saturday. The past few years I have only gone in October during the week. It kept getting busier since they have been promoting the Halloween theme. I like Hakuna Makarla's graph. Who knew that after Thanksgiving and before X-mas was the best time to visit?

[MollyTrolly]

Re: Best time to go to Disneyland?

Although not a choice on your poll, I vote for the first week of December. Holiday decor is up, crowds are low and its such a beautiful time plus you get both HMH and iaswH overlays.

Other than that, I woudl say late January or mid September for crowds but there is usually more in refurb so less rides are available.

[Goofy Daddy]

Re: Best time to go to Disneyland?

You don't have December listed.

We have gone in the first week of December for something like the past 5 years and always had a great time with no crowd problems at all, especially during week days.

As you get closer to Xmas it gets more crowded, but that first week has always been great.

Of the choices you gave I guess I'd go with February as far as crowds go, but I don't know what the weather expectations would be during that time.

[RenMan]

Re: Best time to go to Disneyland?

Thanks, Carla, for posting this very helpful graphic, but as I've said before, it's at least 5 years old. Probably more like ten, unless he's updated it. I'd love to know if it's still up-to-date and have asked several times if anyone has access to more recent attendance figures.

[lady3jane]

Re: Best time to go to Disneyland?

1) Check out the blockout dates for the various annual passes. In general, the more passes that are blocked out, the less crowded it will be. This can even be true on some major holidays, when all but premium are blocked out. The heavy promotion of So Cal passes has made many formerly slow days busy.

2) Avoid the spring 2-fer promotional period.

3) Check for cheerleader conventions in the area. Avoid these times.

4) Saturday can be a madhouse, but I've had good luck with Saturday evening.

[pirate_tim]

Re: Best time to go to Disneyland?

Going to Disneyland the first week in December on the advice of our AP holder/travel agent friend. Glad to hear that his advice is substantive!

I remember going to Disneyland in late January just after they close HMH for refurb, the park was open late and seemed reasonably barren. I guess no one has money or time after the holidays... One of my favorite Disneyland memories was on this trip too, getting off Splash Mountain as the last ride of the night and walking back to the main gate with a fog/mist descended on New Orleans Square. Reminded me of how magical the place was.