What are crowds like?

[slapwhitey]

I've never been to "the home land" but have been to WDW numerous times. I'm really thinking about a trip to California and am just wondering how the crowds are at different times of the year and what the ride lines are like. Also, how many days would one recommend to experience Disneyland, DCA, DD, etc.
I apologize if this is a common request but I've never been on the Disneyland board before, I'm too busy occupying the WDW boards.

 

[HydroGuy]

I've never been to "the home land" but have been to WDW numerous times. I'm really thinking about a trip to California and am just wondering how the crowds are at different times of the year and what the ride lines are like. Also, how many days would one recommend to experience Disneyland, DCA, DD, etc.

The answer depends on several things, including:

1. What time of year are you going?
2. How much energy do you have? Are you willing to get to the gate before opening and stay until closing?
3. How big is your group? Do you have kids with you?
4. Do you want to see all of the shows, parades, fireworks, etc.?

I think at a minimum you will need two full days. In the most crowded times (mid-summer, Christmas/New Years Day), you will probably need three full days to see everything.

We are going in early August and decided to make it a four day trip so that we could catch all of the shows and parades, and not feel like we were missing out on rides.

The best advice during crowded days is get to the gate at least 30 minutes before opening, stay until closing, and take an afternoon break. The lines are longest mid-day. For rides like Splash Mtn or Indy, they could be 90-120 minutes mid-day. However, during the first and last hour of the day you can almost walk right on.

 

[slapwhitey]

Hydroguy....sounds like you're a veteran.

I usually travel in early December or late winter so I can escape our frigid temps. I normally travel with 1 other person but this may be a solo trip. I have no problem with the opening til closing lifestyle. I'm used to that at WDW. I'm not to excited about 90 min ride lines though. That's why I travel when I do. Those are slower times at WDW. How are these times of year at Disneyland.

 

[HydroGuy]

I usually travel in early December or late winter so I can escape our frigid temps. I normally travel with 1 other person but this may be a solo trip. I have no problem with the opening til closing lifestyle. I'm used to that at WDW. I'm not to excited about 90 min ride lines though. That's why I travel when I do. Those are slower times at WDW. How are these times of year at Disneyland.

Others should chip in here, as I have not gone in the winter for many years. As a former So. Cal resident with no kids and now an out-of-stater with kids, I only go in the summer these days. My understanding is if you go in early Dec., or after the New Year, and avoid weekends and holidays, the lines are very tolerable (much shorter than 120 minutes).

If you go solo, then be sure to check into the "single rider" option on a number of the rides. For example, Splash has it at DL, and Soarin over CA has it DCA. These lines are very short, even when the normal lines are 120 minutes.

The upside about winter is that the crowds are much reduced. The downside is that it is more likely your favorite ride will be closed due to refurb. Another downside is the possibility of rain (a big problem in So. Cal. this past winter).

 

[Amy&Dan]

The best time we ever had at Disneyland was when we went in early February in 2004. We really lucked out except Indiana Jones was closed. We had great weather, definitely needed our jackets but it was wonderful. I think we lucked out however, I believe that is the rainy season in CA? We were there in mid December last year and crowds were heavier than I had expected, but still very doable. I agree with getting there early. Also if you are going alone three days should be just right to see it all and then some! In all our visits the longest we have waited for anything was 30 minutes and that was on our first trip when we were too dumb to have completely figured out fastpass and the benefit of getting there early! Now a 15 minute wait regardless of time of year is our norm at DL and WDW. I always nail down the non fastpass things first and make sure I get a fastpass early to use later. I have always been able to use my fastpass anytime after the time comes up regardless of how many hours before that was. Also, know that the fastpass macines at DL and DCA are not linked so you can skip back and forth and get your fastpasses as you need them. If you go alone many of the rides have single rider option which would really keep your waits down. Enjoy your planning!

 

[jocotter]

I've gone for years in January, February or very early November. All of those times are very uncrowded. The weather is cool, like sweatshirt weather, but not bad at all. There are hardly any crowds and you can just about walk on any ride. At most you might have a 5-10 minute wait. Even at that time of year, we go before the parks open and hit the best rides first, just in case crowds develop later. The least crowded days are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, but then some of the special things may only run on the weekends. Sunday is crowded, but usually bearable, Saturday is worse.

I realize this year may be more crowded than usual, but those times ought to still be easy, with little waits.

 

[Vanvmom]

Early November is good, Early December is good as well (although a couple of days are "open" for CM families so the crowds may seem higher than normal). We've also been there Jan 1-5th. Great time! We've found that shortly after a major holiday the park empties out for a few days. The weather is cold at night (sweatshirt/jacket, hat or gloves) depends on what you're used to. Daytime was great with layers. Nothing had a line longer than 40 minutes when we've done these times (except Peter Pan - go figure that one). Sometimes you will encounter rain (they sell ponchos and umbrellas cheap, so don't worry... plus the crowds thin out even more). Also when it gets windy they cancel the fireworks. 3-4 days would be best to see it all (and the shows).