Best months to plan for DL with BOTH SW and HM without overlays

[Jackiii]

My 83 year old mother has asked to go to Disneyland one last time. She says a “must” are Small World, Haunted Mansion without the holiday overlays and Pirates.

She will be using a wheelchair. Both myself and adult DD will accompany her. This trip is solely dedicated to her. So, no thrill rides, except possibly Indiana.

Any suggestions on best months to go so I can start planning? I was thinking the months between April and July? Any help or suggestions are welcome!

At first I was thinking of two one day single park tickets and buying hopper passes for one of those days with Lighting lane multi pass (don’t know if that would be worth it?). She does get tried easily, but has never been to DCA. I’m thinking she may enjoy RSR, Soarin, and Monsters.

Thank you in advance for your suggestions!

 

[SFMommy]

I think April - July would be a good option. July will probably be the hottest month, if she doesn’t like the heat. Just try to avoid Easter and Grad Nights.

Also, you cannot add a hopper to 1 day of your 3-day ticket. You either get a 3-day park hopper ticket or a 3-day 1-park-per-day ticket. You can add LLMP for just 1 day after you scan into the park.

 

[disneychrista]

Are you wanting to plan for THIS YEAR? Small World is going down for an extended refurb at the end of the month, so I would not plan on going before April. Haunted Mansion will likely go down for its transition to HMH in early August. Small world will likely go down for it's transition to Holiday in late October.

 

[LKing]

At first I was thinking of two one day single park tickets and buying hopper passes for one of those days with Lighting lane multi pass

Also, you cannot add a hopper to 1 day of your 3-day ticket. You either get a 3-day park hopper ticket or a 3-day 1-park-per-day ticket. You can add LLMP for just 1 day after you scan into the park.

If one purchases two single day tickets, they can be separate transactions. If you aren't going to be entering the park until later in the day then you can't start using it until after you scan into the park. No booking attractions in advance.

 

[KimberMama]

I would recommend going after the 70th anniversary celebration begins, as all 3 of those attractions should be running at that time, but before HM closes to install the overlay. With Halloween time starting earlier this year, you’ll have a shorter window, but likely the second half of May, all of June and July, and probably a few days at the beginning of August. As a bonus there will be special anniversary things like bringing back Paint the Night.

I not sure I would recommend LLMP for a person in a wheelchair, at DL it can be better to use location return times at the attractions that offer them. HM and IASW both have fully accessible queues and don’t offer location return times, so that’s up to you, but your mom might enjoy going through the full HM queue now that it has been redone. If you aren’t going to be chasing a lot of attractions in one day it might not be worth it to buy LLMP. I use a walker, and the one busy day I tried LLMP we ended up using it for 3 attractions total between the two parks, one of those being Incredicoaster which didn’t even need it. All of the times were really far out and I didn’t have the stamina to stay that late. You might want LLSP for RSR if your mom wants to do that.

My most enjoyable days at DL now are days when we don’t chase attractions, but rather tour the park more like we did when we were younger, doing everything we want to do in one land before moving on to another. It’s less tiring and also allows us to enjoy the park and everything that is special about it.

 

[neverlandsky]

I would go on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday after Easter and before Memorial Day. The weather is nice. Crowds are down. I would do 3 days-1 park per day. First day DL, second day DCA, and finish with third day at DL. That way you don't have to mess with park hoppers, LLMP, and you guys can take your time. You can work in some ADRs especially if Blue Bayou is of any interest and/or get some special theme park snacks & treats.

 

[LKing]

Have you seen the 2025 Event Calendar?



May 4 draws a lot of Star Wars fans.

The 70th celebration starts on May 16, so it will be busy for at least a couple of weeks.

I would avoid June 16-18. Pride Nites are well attended. Many attendees stay for both nights which makes the parks more crowded during the day.

July 17 is Disneyland's 70th birthday so that day will be very busy.

High school grad nites are on May 9, 12, 18, 21, 22, 27, 28, 30. June 1, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13. Not sure that they will really impact your stay. Just giving you the dates in case they factor into your decision.

 

[HokieRaven5]

HM Holiday Overlay starts November 14 this year

https://twitter.com/x/status/1876663463826866592