Best Day To Go - Disneyland

[ny96]

We are trying to fit in our first Disneyland trip before our kid turns 3 in April (we're local) and have this weekend or next weekend to do it, but I would prefer this weekend. It looks like both weekends fall under peak rates. Is there a better day or weekend to go? Also any tips on what to bring? We will be there for one day only and won't be spending the night in Anaheim. Oh, and We won't be bringing a stroller.

[tinkerbell]

I would plan to go as far out from Easter as possible to lessen the crowds. Regardless, there's no way I would go without a stroller for a 3 year old, especially if I had to carry a diaper bag along.

[nabum]

definitely bring a stroller for an almost 3YO. It's a LONG day. TBH I would wait a few weeks until the crowds die down from spring break. I occasionally had them ask how old DS was when he was close to three. If they do ask, you can always tell them his birthday is next week. I realize lying about age is probably unpopular, but I would do it in this case to avoid the spring break madness.

[alleinesein]

Weekdays are the best days to go. If you cant swing a weekday then try for a Sunday. The parks will still be crowded but sundays are a travel day for out of towners so most people head home in the afternoon.

Bring a small stroller. Even though the park isnt that big your little one will get tired and having a stroller will just make things a bit easier for everyone involved.

Most spring breaks should be ending by the weekend of the 9th/10th. Just keep in mind that the Food and Wine Festival starts this weekend at DCA so that park will be busy every weekend.

Disneyland does their extra magic hours on Saturday and DCA is on Sunday so plan accordingly. If you do decide to do Disneyland on a Saturday there will be lines in Fantasyland when the park opens to the public. You could try to get a reservation at The Plaza Inn for breakfast with Minnie during extra magic hour so that you can already be in the park when the rope drops.

[lala]

I'd take a vacation day if you can, if not, listen to the ladies above. And definitely bring a stroller.

[wannabe]

for weekends, i agree - sunday is best, and especially if you can arrive early enough for rope drop. we've found that if we get there right when they open, we can make the rounds of our favorite rides after grabbing a fast pass for hyperspace mountain on the DL side or radiator springs racers on the DCA side. we're often done with what we really like to do by noon, and then just spend the rest of the day walking around at a leisurely pace.

otherwise, tuesdays and wednesdays are good as long as you're out of the spring break madness and still not into summer vacation time.

[ny96]

Thanks for all the advice. This might be a dumb question but I haven't been in about 10 years and I'm struggling to figure out what super crowded would look like. Is is wall to wall people, can't get on any rides without waiting in line forever, that sort of thing? I think we will wait until mid to late April. We have to go on a weekend, but we'll take the advice offered and go on a Sunday instead with a stroller.

[thejen626]

Pick up the book "the unofficial guide to Disneyland 2016", it's like $9 on Amazon. Worth it's weight in gold, will give you all the info you need to have one great day!

And to echo everyone else, 100% bring a stroller.

[nabum]

Mar 31, 2016 8:58:43 GMT -5 ny96 said:

Thanks for all the advice. This might be a dumb question but I haven't been in about 10 years and I'm struggling to figure out what super crowded would look like. Is is wall to wall people, can't get on any rides without waiting in line forever, that sort of thing? I think we will wait until mid to late April. We have to go on a weekend, but we'll take the advice offered and go on a Sunday instead with a stroller.

I'm an AP and went last Monday during Spring Break in the afternoon. It was at 95%+ capacity and was wall to wall people, and long lines for EVERYTHING. 

[Alyssa]

We are driving down to LA this Sat. We plan on hitting up Disney on Monday and Tuesday. We have a 6 and 4 year old and I think we will rent a stroller for the 4 year old. He gets tired of walking and instantly wants me to carry him. I don't want to carry him around the park, he's 35lbs and my arms can't take more than 10-15 minutes of that.