Best time to visit?

[mets7]

I am planning my first trip to DL and was wondering what the best time if year was to visit as far as weather and crowds?

 

[Cosmic Commando]

I am planning my first trip to DL and was wondering what the best time if year was to visit as far as weather and crowds?

I'd say mid-September or mid-November. Mid-September is when Mansion re-opens as Haunted Mansion Holiday, the weather is a little cooler, the kids are in school, the Halloween decorations are up. Mid-November is when Small World comes back as Small World Holiday, weather still decent, kids still in school, Christmas decorations start popping up, and Big Thunder will be reopened from its lengthy refurbishment by then this year.

 

[mets7]

I'd say mid-September or mid-November. Mid-September is when Mansion re-opens as Haunted Mansion Holiday, the weather is a little cooler, the kids are in school, the Halloween decorations are up. Mid-November is when Small World comes back as Small World Holiday, weather still decent, kids still in school, Christmas decorations start popping up, and Big Thunder will be reopened from its lengthy refurbishment by then this year.

Thanks for the info. I was thinking of non-holiday times though. Since I have never been I think I want to see the normal Disneyland. Speaking of holidays though, I have been the last two years to wdw halloween parties. How are DL in comparison?

 

[Cosmic Commando]

Thanks for the info. I was thinking of non-holiday times though. Since I have never been I think I want to see the normal Disneyland. Speaking of holidays though, I have been the last two years to wdw halloween parties. How are DL in comparison?

The beginning of May looks like the least crowded time according to Touringplans. I wouldn't discount the Halloween season, though. It's not as overbearing as the Christmas decorations, so you might not feel "cheated" of normal Disneyland. The very beginning of September might be a good time to go: not all of the decorations for Halloween would be up (Halloweentiem normally starts like the 10th-15th kinda range. In fact, probably the 13th this year). The only real downside is Mansion would definitely be closed. The Halloween party is probably about the same; I've heard the parade is nowhere near as good, but the fireworks are cooler with Zero flying around the castle.

 

[mets7]

The beginning of May looks like the least crowded time according to Touringplans. I wouldn't discount the Halloween season, though. It's not as overbearing as the Christmas decorations, so you might not feel "cheated" of normal Disneyland. The very beginning of September might be a good time to go: not all of the decorations for Halloween would be up (Halloweentiem normally starts like the 10th-15th kinda range. In fact, probably the 13th this year). The only real downside is Mansion would definitely be closed. The Halloween party is probably about the same; I've heard the parade is nowhere near as good, but the fireworks are cooler with Zero flying around the castle.

Do they have the rare hard to find characters at their halloween party also? Is there a site that has a list of current character meet and greets at DL?