What is the best weekend to visit DL??

[SuzyQ]

Del and I are thinking about taking our little puddin' to Disneyland this year for a long weekend. BUT, we are weary of crowded weekends.

What suggestions do you all have for a good weekend to visit? Any touring strategies??

Thanks!

:mickey: :minnie: :minnie:

[akdisney]

Del and I are thinking about taking our little puddin' to Disneyland this year for a long weekend. BUT, we are weary of crowded weekends.

What suggestions do you all have for a good weekend to visit? Any touring strategies??

Thanks!

:mickey: :minnie: :minnie:

Week day are better. But weekend that most the time have crowded.
it is hard to said what weekend is good.

some weekend is crowded becould of the attraction be in rehabs.

Most time Friday and Saturday is most crowded becouse the parade and firework show only.

[OhMickeyYoureSoFine]

I'm no expert but I saw this claim on a website:
"(less crowded) between January and President's Day, the day after Easter to Memorial Day, or between Labor Day and the end of September."

My big thing is avoiding the worst of the summer heat, I get a whole lot more enjoyment out of Disneyland if it isn't cloudless and 90+ degrees. It's more crowded in summer, and heat makes those crowds grumpier :)

Saturday is often the most jammed at disneyland so not a bad idea to try California Adventure that day. Doing the main attraction rides at park open + fastpass is always smart. If there are two parades/shows try the second one for less crowds.

[OhMickeyYoureSoFine]

Here is a touring strategy for going with small children
http://www.wdwinfo.com/Just_for_kids/touringMK_kids.htm

[Barb D]

Because so much is in refurbishment and change over I dont like now as much as a little later. I think I would vote late spring or early summer. I have been to Disneyland the last week of June many years and the weekend before July 4th it becomes a madhouse but the days before that are geat. Also less chance of rain then too.

I like to go when there is fireworks and parades. One thing they only do the electric parade in DCA during main seasons.

Your little one will love fantasy land and Mickeys toon town. I think they do toon town much better in California. I think touring strategies would indicate you do those early if your there. Keep in mind Toon town opens an hour after park opening unless you have a special ticket from a package deal. Toon town has a cute little play park like area for kids to run and play on. Its all padded so no scrapes when they fall too.

[BetsyAnn]

Hey Suzy - great question and great answers!:D

I tend to go with Barb on the timing - late spring/early summer. Weekends are very crowded and Saturdays at DL can be a total zoo. So like the thought of CA on a Saturday.

If you can get into the parks early, I suggest doing Fantasyland and then moving on to Toon town (with Barb on the play places in Toon Town). And then to where you want to next.

We can usually get most of Fanatasyland including the matterhorn done and in toon town in about an hour - hour and half starting early.

Just a couple words of precaution - I think Snow White ride is very dark and can be very scarey, Mr Toad is wicked loud and scared me when I was very young - refused to ride it again until I was a teen, Pinochhio can be a little dark - but I think you can distract in there. PoC is longer - has two pretty big drops and is darker in spots than it's counterpart in WDW.

Now a must do in my book with a little one is Casey's circus train, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Small World, Dumbo, Story book boats - if she likes the water. Pooh Bear Ride is over by Splash Mtn - not in Fantasyland. The jungle crusie is usually a hit with the little ones and if she like to climb and it is not too busy - the tree house can be fun.

That's all I got right now:lol:

[SuzyQ]

THanks - terrific advice!

I am thinking that we may try for the weekend or two before Memorial Day. That would be a great way to celebrate our anniversary and get caught up on all that's new in DL.

OMYSF: Thanks for the link - I will check it out! :)

[Simba001]

We have found that President's wekend was one of the very worst (far worse than Disneyland's birthday in July).

Our favorite time is right after Labor Day. Most kids are back to school and people are back to work from summer vacations. :mickey: The first week after Labor Day is the best as the weather is usually still very nice and the hours haven't been cut back much yet. Not too many refurbishing projects yet, either.