Any weekends to avoid in October?

[DizHanna456]

Hi everybody! I am planning a 3 day trip to Disneyland to experience Halloween-time for the first time. We are hoping to attend a Mickey's Halloween Party on a Friday as well.

We can only make our trip Friday-Sunday (arriving Thursday night, leaving late Sunday night). I know weekends are pretty busy in Oct from what I've read-- but I'm wondering if anyone with experience visiting during this time has any tips? Especially if there any weekends that tend to be really busy. For example, is it better to go the first to weekends in Oct?

Thanks!!!

 

[Nonsuch]

Gay Days is October 6-8, perhaps extra busy with Columbus Day October 9.
Excellent onsite hotel rates are available, booked through the Gay Days site.

 

[SDdisneyguy]

Oct 20-21 will be very busy due to a "fall recess " at some Utah schools.

 

[HydroGuy]

Duh, October 31, is special for some reason I cannot seem to remember.

 

[HydroGuy]

Also, there are Halloween parties at DL on many nights in October. DL closes a bit early on those nights.

 

[suzy021372]

The last weekend will be the busiest due to Halloween and a three day weekend in Nevada.

 

[BayouQueen]

Any weekends to avoid in October?


Oh, yes. Everyone should definitely avoid my 60th birthday weekend of Oct 14-15!

 

[az4boys]

This thread has some info on school closures and other events that will impact crowds:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/2017-calendar-of-events-school-breaks-and-dlr.3528760/

 

[az4boys]

Related question: When do tickets go on sale for the Halloween party?

 

[BayouQueen]

Related question: When do tickets go on sale for the Halloween party?

Last year dates were announced in July and ticket sales went on from there, with APs able to purchase first. Not to say they'll do it the same way this year.

 

[az4boys]

Thank you!

 

[DizHanna456]

Duh, October 31, is special for some reason I cannot seem to remember.

Hmmm I looked it up... something called "Halloween"? Never heard of it! Hahaha

Thanks everyone for the tidbits of advice!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... Excellent onsite hotel rates are available, booked through the Gay Days site.

Gay Days does ask that anyone using the special rates participate in at least one convention event to prevent abuse of the discounts.

 

[agamble]

You should avoid the first weekend of October that includes Sunday, October 1.

 

[coasternut22]

Touring Plans shows Shemini Atzeret on October 12 and Utah Education Association Convention October 19-20. Are these any concern?

 

[agamble]

Touring Plans shows Shemini Atzeret on October 12 and Utah Education Association Convention October 19-20. Are these any concern?

The UEA is a big one. But I think mainly because many schools in Utah take that week off so families head to Disneyland. There is always something going on at the Convention Center. Often many things.

 

[scrapshappen]

Touring Plans shows Shemini Atzeret on October 12 and Utah Education Association Convention October 19-20. Are these any concern?

Yep. There is a reason the alternate definition of UEA is Utahns Entering Anaheim. We'll be there then because we want to go at Halloween and my kids can't miss school. I figure it can't be much worse than our Spring Break trip. The official Break is only Thursday and Friday but a lot of people pull their children out for the entire week.

 

[DizHanna456]

Looks like the weekend of Oct 13-15 might be a relative sweet spot between first and last weekends, and without other crowds coming in on top of Halloween crowds (and of course because it is @BayouQueen's birthday weekend!). Other option would be to go the Sept 22-24 and hope there's a Halloween party. Feels like it would be too early, though?

Also... Utahns Entering Anaheim That's a good one.

 

[BayouQueen]

Looks like the weekend of Oct 13-15 might be a relative sweet spot between first and last weekends, and without other crowds coming in on top of Halloween crowds (and of course because it is @BayouQueen's birthday weekend!). Other option would be to go the Sept 22-24 and hope there's a Halloween party. Feels like it would be too early, though?

Also... Utahns Entering Anaheim That's a good one.

All joking aside, I did do some research on the month of October, and that 13-15 weekend does seem pretty good as far as avoiding "pitfalls." It's a busy time of year at DLR, but not much going on that weekend. I do feel pretty sure, though, from prior years experience that there will be a Halloween party on one of the nights during that weekend.

 

[Nevada Jen]

September 22-24 is the end of fall break for at least one big Phoenix school district. A lot of people use that break for Disney.