Best month for Southern California parks trip?

I was throwing around the idea of heading to the LA area for a trip in the next few months, before summer.

I've been to Magic Mountain and Knott's, but not since 1999. I've never been to the Disney park (even though I was born a couple miles from!) or Adventure city.

What would be the best time to go, for shortest lines? I'm thinking some time between January and April.

I went to KBF and Magic Mountain last year on January 6th and 8th, respectively. Both had limited hours, of course, but both were very very light crowds. Everything was a walk-on at Knott's, and the longest wait at Magic Mountain was 20 minutes, with most rides being no more than a 1 or 2 train wait.

Seriously, January and February are the best months to visit LA parks, even with reduced hours and (in the case of SFMM) limited days of operation. Just watch out for holidays like Valentine's Day or MLK Day. Even President's Day can bring the schoolkids out in droves.

Do it right after New Years, as both parks start up their winter maintenance schedules shortly after the schools go back in. Then it's a crap shoot as to what rides are available.

^I know the parks sometimes post maintenance schedules - are there reliable sources for these for Magic Mountain, Knott's, Adventure City and the 2 Disney parks?

Thanks for all the replies!

For Disney at least - http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/plan.htm#rehab

Matterhorn = <3 :)

I went in 2007 from Jan. 2-6. Knott's and Magic Mountain were totally deserted. I think the longest wait I had was maybe 15 minutes for Tatsu. Most everything else was a walk on. At MM, the back of the park (from Deja Vu to Scream) was like a ghost town, so much so it was a little creepy.

rollergator said:

Matterhorn = <3 :)

Help me more gator, what's that mean? I checked the schedule, didn't see Matterhorn listed... That's definitely one coaster I always wanted to ride!

Matterhorn is awesome. I took my daughter on it when she was four and scared the bejeezus out of her; we had to ride IASM three times to get it out of her system.

^^ <3 is the 'heart' emoticon...:)

Ensign Smith said:
Matterhorn is awesome. I took my daughter on it when she was four and scared the bejeezus out of her; we had to ride IASM three times to get it out of her system.

IASM= It's A Small Matterhorn? I didn't know there was a kids' version...:)

My bad. Flip that 'M' upside down... :)

I am headed to SFMM in late January for my first visit. I have not been able to find any maintenance schedule and SFMM has not returned my emails or FB posts.

I remember last year I looked at the parks' (KBF and SFMM) web sites maybe a day or two before my trip, and I know for sure SFMM had maintenance schedules up at that time. I'm pretty sure KBF had one up as well, but i can't remember for sure.

The only thing down for rehab when I was at MM in January 07 was Ninja. Of course, X was also in an extended down period, and Flashback and Psyclone were SBNO. Surprisingly, everything else was open. Knott's had everything except Perilous Plunge open.

make sure you understand the Disney Season pass blackout days. Days leading up to long blackouts (holiday periods) can actually be worse than going ON the holidays. There are over a million season pass holders, most of the limited types, which cause locals to flood the park on Fridays and Sundays prior to seasonal blackout start dates. Especially in summer, the last week that passes are valid prior to "summer schedule" are often busier than even the busiest summer saturday.

Memorize that schedule and plan around it, especially for MLK, Presidents Day, Easter weekS (NOTE PLURAL), and Summer schedule. if you're thinking of the Fall, the Halloweentime events cause big crowds in what was once an off season, not any longer.

In fact the Columbus Day weekend crowds are legendary

I was recently informed that you cannot go to Adventure City unless you have a child with you. They make an exception during that enthusiast event at Knott's in March.

I think weekdays in May are the best days at Six Flags and Knott's is fine nearly year-round, except Saturdays and during special events. Any non-holiday weekend Saturday, are my preferred day at Disney. The best days at Disney are when all, but the premium passholders are blocked.

In January the only coasters down at SFMM should be Deja Vu(Rehab) and Superman(transformation). Ninja does not run when it is below 60 degrees as it can valley in low temperatures.

The SFMM Website does not have a specific page with a maintenance schedule but if you click on the specific ride/coaster, it will be noted if it is planed to be down in the upcoming weeks

egieszl said:
I was recently informed that you cannot go to Adventure City unless you have a child with you. They make an exception during that enthusiast event at Knott's in March.

While that is true I have to wonder if its a case of well..depends on who you are. Reason I say this is that on other websites like Theme park Review for example I have seen postings from those without kids who had no problem getting in AC or even Jeepers in the past while others simply couldn't get it at all. "Big Mike" who posts on TPR seems to get in all the time at such places and yet in all of his photos..never a kid with him at all actually I think he had even made the claim that he doesn't even have a kid.

Dunno..maybe such places do the "..I have a vibe on this person" thing. can't say of course but the practice does remind me of a number of bars in West Virginia I can remember in the past. I have had friends who just couldn't get in even though I myself had no problem.

I cannot say. The only time I've been to Adventure City was during the ACE summer con and Knott's Winter Coaster Solace many years ago. Adventure City is a huge waste of time in my opinion unless you have kids.