Disneyland - timing of 1st trip

[jeters_boy]

If you were giving advice to someone who's been to WDW >20 times but never been to Disneyland, would you say 2025 would be a good time to make that first visit? Are there any renovations or upcoming projects that would make it better to wait until 2026 or later? I've read that Tomorrowland Disneyland needs some love, but I don't know if that should be a factor in thinking about waiting either.

Any advice or insight from the West Coast would be much appreciated!

 

[CarolynFH]

July 17, 2025, is the 70th anniversary of Disneyland's opening. I'm sure there will be a period of special celebration but I don't know what the dates might be.

 

[wabbott]

We've been to WDW about 10 times, and DLR/DCA 4 times. We plan to visit Cali in the fall of 2025. The 70th anniversary celebration should be memorable.

To me the visits to Cali are worth it to ride Incredicoaster and Radiator Springs Racers in DCA, and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride in DLR.

I suggest this recent book as a historical read on how Disneyland came to be. Very readable with info you won't see in other books.

https://www.amazon.com/Disneys-Land-Invention-Amusement-Changed/dp/1501190806

Disney's Land: Walt Disney and the Invention of the Amusement Park That Changed the World
by Richard Snow

 

[irlandaise]

If you've never been to Disneyland, then my suggestion is: Don't wait!

As others have noted, sometime next year there will be 70th anniversary celebration activities--although I suspect that Disney is saving the really special plans for the 75th. But if that milestone is important to you, then keep an eye out for official announcements about dates and events. Otherwise, let us know what time of year you're considering and we can give you more specific advice about the best weeks within that time frame.

 

[Geemo]

If you were giving advice to someone who's been to WDW >20 times but never been to Disneyland, would you say 2025 would be a good time to make that first visit? Are there any renovations or upcoming projects that would make it better to wait until 2026 or later? I've read that Tomorrowland Disneyland needs some love, but I don't know if that should be a factor in thinking about waiting either.

Any advice or insight from the West Coast would be much appreciated!

If you are not staying on-site, usually the earlier you book a room the lower the rate will be.
Get park hoppers
Try to fly in to Orange County Airport (SNA)

With 2025 being the 70th anniversary I doubt there will be many attractions down for refurbishment in July.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

If you were giving advice to someone who's been to WDW >20 times but never been to Disneyland, would you say 2025 would be a good time to make that first visit?

The biggest thing I feel that WDW vets going to Disneyland California for the first never really understand is crowd patterns.

Disneyland California is a locals park, so the biggest thing when deciding dates for Disneyland California is to check Black Out dates for passholders and historical dates of season events. These make a huge difference to the crowds. Locals flood the parks for seasonal events, once off events, and in the afternoons and evenings. Locals come in for a few hours for food, entertainment, new merch after work. Most out of state visitors dont realize the lowest crowds are actually from the middle of June to the middle to end of July.

Tomorrowland has been slowly going downhill for years and years. There is a major design flaw , the leftover remains of the people mover which hugely impacts any refurbs of buildings and layout. There is nothing short of levelly the entire land, that Disney can do. Tomorrowland should not be a deciding factor in when you visit.

 

[Chuck S]

If you are not staying on-site, usually the earlier you book a room the lower the rate will be.
Get park hoppers
Try to fly in to Orange County Airport (SNA)

With 2025 being the 70th anniversary I doubt there will be many attractions down for refurbishment in July.

Orange County (SNA) Would be my first choice, followed by Long Beach (LGB) Remember that it will be a different crowd at Disneyland. Disneyland is really a more reagional park, with fewer international, of even out of state travelers. Mostly locals. Depending upon you length of stay, there is a lot to seein the area, including Six Flags Knott's Berry Farm, a theme park even older than Disneyland. And if you really want coasters, drive out to Valancia for Six Flags Magic Mountain. Also, Los Angeles' Exposition Park area has some of the best museums, the County Museam of Natural History and the California Science Center, Remember to take jackets, even in the Summer, there is a cool breeze in the evenings, even on warm days. I grew up in the greater Los Angeles Area. Often on the boards, folks have complained that Disneyland employees aren't friendly. I've never found that to be the case, but unlike Southerners in the US, Californians are just not "chatty."

 

[jeters_boy]

Thanks, all!

I've heard good things about DL from people who are used to visiting WDW only. I'm especially interested in seeing firsthand what Walt created; just the history of it all. Right now I'm thinking Oct/Nov 2025, doing 4 days at the parks and 2-3 days sightseeing around LA and the national parks.

I'm leaning towards staying onsite; any preferences there?

 

[Tinkaboo]

Avoid October due to OBB unless you really love crowds.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Avoid October due to OBB unless you really love crowds.

I second this. October is the month to avoid at all costs. Thats the month the locals all go to the parks, all the annual passes are open and its the Halloween season. The locals love all the seasonal things and many local families have a generational tradition of going to the parks at this time. This is the month when international and out of state first time visitors should NOT go.

 

[torchlight]

Based on recent experience, I could highly recommend the week before Thanksgiving. You should avoid the bigger holiday crowds, but all the Holiday decor, food, entertainment, and merch will be in full effect. Holiday time at DL is wonderful!

 

[irlandaise]

I've heard good things about DL from people who are used to visiting WDW only. I'm especially interested in seeing firsthand what Walt created; just the history of it all. Right now I'm thinking Oct/Nov 2025, doing 4 days at the parks and 2-3 days sightseeing around LA and the national parks.

I went just after Hallowe'en this year and it was great in terms of low crowds. The big reveal of the Christmas decorations was going to be on November 15th, so I made sure to go before that. Of course, if it's important to you to see the decorations, the Christmas parade, IASW Holiday, etc. then you'd want to go a little later than I did.

Haunted Mansion Holiday was still up when I was there, because they schedule things so that it and IASW aren't down at the same time. The first day of the Christmas celebrations was even more crowded this year because it also marked the opening of Tiana's Bayou Adventure; that won't be the case in 2025.

I'm leaning towards staying onsite; any preferences there?

What's your budget? I stayed at the Grand Californian this time, and not only is it a beautiful hotel, it is, of course, the closest to the parks. But people also like the DLH and Pixar Place, so you have good options depending on your budget and how far you want to walk.

 

[Geemo]

Thanks, all!

I've heard good things about DL from people who are used to visiting WDW only. I'm especially interested in seeing firsthand what Walt created; just the history of it all. Right now I'm thinking Oct/Nov 2025, doing 4 days at the parks and 2-3 days sightseeing around LA and the national parks.

I'm leaning towards staying onsite; any preferences there?

If you go Oct/Nov think about going October 31st through Nov 3rd. This way you will see Halloween decorations and then on Nov 1st it magically turns into Christmas decorations.

Fall Dapper Days is generally the first or second weekend in November. Dapper Days website will have more info for you.