Anything special for 2nd week of Oct?

[MagicalMomAZ]

DD's Fall Break is Oct - 4-12 ('08)......I was wondering if anyone knew how busy it was then as a rule & if there are any special events. I know some S.CA schools have Fall Break as well.

I remember they had, for instance Gay Pride day/week in the fall - not ready for explanations to the kids just yet. Another poster from long ago mentioned all the participants sometimes would wear shirts w/ suggestive messages, only a problem if your kids can read...mine can.

Trying to convice DH Fall Break is better than Summer Break...it's a slow going process with him. Thanks!!

 

[dohgusgus]

Well I can tell you over here in Santa clarita, CA (about 1 hour north of Disney), we don't have fall break for me but for you!

 

[ScooterL]

That's the week of Columbus Day, and a lot of adults will have a day off in there, so there's going to be a fair number of locals in the parks. Last year they did a resort-wide event called "Disney's HalloweenTime", and that REALLY increased park attendance in October, especially on weekends. I haven't heard if they are planning to do it again this year, but I'd be surprised if they didn't.

My opinion is that mid-week (Tues-Thurs, since Monday is Columbus Day) in October will still be slower than mid-week in the summer, but I don't think there's going to be much difference in the weekend October attendance vs. summer time.

 

[dizzyami]

I love October - the Halloween decorations are up and the weather is beautiful. We went last year for fall break, and will be back this year - although they did move our break up a week. It is nice because they usually will run 4th night free (but not until June or so of 08 will they release it if they do), and actually this year since I had heard about the gay days on this board - I went ahead and booked their promo rate of $209/night at the GCH. I can let you know more details once we are back from the Oct trip - from what I found on the boards last year though - and from looking at their website - the group wears red shirts - and usually tackle one park per day - so my guess is you can do the opposite. I am not letting that or Columbus day deter me this year - and I can give you more info on October 13th when we are back!!!

 

[MagicalMomAZ]

Thank you! That would be great!

I wouldn't let GayDays deter me either I just need to have handy explanations when/if the questions start coming. It's good to be prepared.

If I could secure rooms at $209/nt my DH would ....well I don't know what he'd do but he'd be REALLY happy!!!

 

[dizzyami]

Magical Mom - I am confused - are you going this year or next??? I read from you post 08 but your sig says 07???

 

[MagicalMomAZ]

I'm just slow.

Originally I was going to go in 10/07 w/ my DD & leave my DS at home b/c we felt he was too young....then there was financial reasons...and now I just feel guilty leaving him home so we're waiting until we feel he's old enough. He will be 4 in 7/08 so we'll wait for DD's Fall Break & do it then.

So I DO need to change my sig - I'm just lazy.

 

[beefpile]

Hi, I was lurking in the thread and was wondering where you found the promotional rate for the GCH for $209. For that rate I would book it for a couple of nights as a suprise for my wife/inlaws on our October trip! Please let us know the details (the closest thing I can find is $400/night)!

 

[MagicalMomAZ]

I was curious too...see? I fixed my sig! Still working on it...

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

Just thought I'd add that some people were able to get the Gay Days rate and some not. When we called they told us the contract wasn't even set up yet, and that Disney was still working with the group to decide the rate. They then asked us who our "Group Coordinator" was for the event, of which of course we don't have!

It is an excellent rate, wish we could have gotten it. But after that phone conversation I'd be afraid to try again. I certainly wouldn't want to get there and they want a name of a coordinator or something, in order to keep the rate. So I don't know, maybe it depended on who you got on the phone. But they weren't letting us do it.

 

[dizzyami]

I called in March - I called the group reservation line, and asked for the "gay days of anaheim" rate. The lady on the phone did not sound familiar with it, and I told her I had a page on the internet advertising the rate.

http://www.gaydaysanaheim.com/html/home.html#

There is a spot advertising the discounted rooms - so I clicked, then there is a pop-up that I can't link to here.

I received a confirmation letter a week later - so I have a letter that confirms the reservation and price - not including why - so I am not concerned. I called because I had a question on the reservation - the lady pulled it up and said wow - what a great rate - and I do not believe she knew at that point the details of the rate - just that I had a room reserved for four nights for that price.

 

[bumbershoot]

FWIW, the gay days' website states:

"....We encourage your creativity when selecting a shirt (as long as it's red!). Just please keep in mind that Disneyland is open to the general public and there will be people of all ages present. Thanks!"

So a person who would wear a suggestive shirt while attending that would likely wear one on ANY day...it's not something they encourage.

I know that last year it was after Columbus Day weekend, and this year it's the 5th through 7th, so...it moves around.

Be prepared with the explanations, b/c even straight people wear suggestive shirts and don't always get asked to change, by the way...



2 years too young?!!!??? Pshaw. My guy loved it at 1 and a few months, he LOVED IT at 2 and a few months (still plays Disneyland, totally remembers stuff from individual rides, and while playing "rides" he points out piglet and eeyore and such from riding the Pooh ride, without our help or suggestions), and he will completely flip (I hope) for it this year when he'll be over 3! I highly recommend starting young.

Plus, before they are three, they are FREE!!!! We've gotten 2 free years already, and WE had fun watching him, so it's totally been worth it, even if his current memories don't "last".





Anyway, last year we were there during the week *before* Columbus Day holiday, and it was great. Warm enough, low-ish crowds enough, not TOO long of lines enough... Year before that we went in late September, and it was terrific, too, especially because it rained shortly after the park opened, and we practically had the place to ourselves. Bought ponchos and umbrellas, and soldiered on! (note: bring your own ponchos and umbrellas...they are *expensive* to buy there when you're caught in a sudden storm!)

 

[AZMickeyfans]

MagicalMomAZ,

I've been meaning to tell you I LOVE your sig picture! Totally looks like me on a ride!

 

[MagicalMomAZ]

Bumbershoot - thanks for the info. 2 yrs is too young for us for several reasons. For instance if he was potty trained & could talk well that would help. Also, the kids are 6 yrs apart & would be interested in different things, if I can get him a little taller he can do more "big kid" things.
But everyone in our family started at 4 - it's like a weird rite of passage with us. So we decided on 4 for DS as well. ACTUALLY I had to CONVINCE DH 4 was good b/c he wanted him to be SIX!!! There's NO WAY I can last that long.

AZMickeyFans - Thanks!!! I took the pic of DD's bday out - it was too big. But we have this pic on our wall - I love it! Can't wait to get one of the little guy on here. He actually was posing w/ his ears today (complements of G-ma!)

 

[AZMickeyfans]

Bumbershoot - thanks for the info. 2 yrs is too young for us for several reasons. For instance if he was potty trained & could talk well that would help. Also, the kids are 6 yrs apart & would be interested in different things, if I can get him a little taller he can do more "big kid" things.
But everyone in our family started at 4 - it's like a weird rite of passage with us. So we decided on 4 for DS as well. ACTUALLY I had to CONVINCE DH 4 was good b/c he wanted him to be SIX!!! There's NO WAY I can last that long.

AZMickeyFans - Thanks!!! I took the pic of DD's bday out - it was too big. But we have this pic on our wall - I love it! Can't wait to get one of the little guy on here. He actually was posing w/ his ears today (complements of G-ma!)

Oh that is so cute! We tried to get a pic of our family but I couldnt resist and raised my hands up blocking out the kids. The price I paid for fun!

Sounds like 4 is the magical year in your house! My neighbor does this at 5 too and the kids REALLY look forward to their 5th birthday! Have fun planning your trip, it's ALMOST as fun as being there!

 

[dizzyami]

I'm just slow.

Originally I was going to go in 10/07 w/ my DD & leave my DS at home b/c we felt he was too young....then there was financial reasons...and now I just feel guilty leaving him home so we're waiting until we feel he's old enough. He will be 4 in 7/08 so we'll wait for DD's Fall Break & do it then.

So I DO need to change my sig - I'm just lazy.

Sorry to have made you change your sig - I thought maybe I was going crazy!!!

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

I called in March - I called the group reservation line, and asked for the "gay days of anaheim" rate. The lady on the phone did not sound familiar with it, and I told her I had a page on the internet advertising the rate.

http://www.gaydaysanaheim.com/html/home.html#

There is a spot advertising the discounted rooms - so I clicked, then there is a pop-up that I can't link to here.

I received a confirmation letter a week later - so I have a letter that confirms the reservation and price - not including why - so I am not concerned. I called because I had a question on the reservation - the lady pulled it up and said wow - what a great rate - and I do not believe she knew at that point the details of the rate - just that I had a room reserved for four nights for that price.

I may have to try again. LOL She really just threw me with all her questions about the group coordinator and all that. I'll have to tell her about the website and that I know others that have gotten the rate if they go in that direction again. For us I think it will make or break us being able to stay there, with the typical $400 a night. Although our dates for going is 10/14-10/18. I really don't want to go sooner because of the crowds for Gay Days and the Columbus Day crowds. It still says on this site though that it goes through the 10/19. So it's worth another shot! My fingers are crossed. LOL

 

[staley7580]

I just wanted to say that I JUST called and got the rate for the GCH!!!! I will be there the 11th-14th... Its costing me $957.95 taxes included What a deal!!!!!

 

[KAYELIZ]

I was also able to book the $209. rate at GCH when I called last month. I just asked for the Gay Days rate and I had no problem. The Disneyland Hotel was also available at the time for $169

 

[MagicalMomAZ]

Geez!!!! I wish we were going this year so I could try too!! LOL .... oh well, info for the vault!

Dizzyami- You didn't make me, you just reminded me.