Before or After Halloween?

[Caracoles]

I'm ready to book our first trip to DL and have narrowed it down to 2 weeks this fall, but can't make a decision on which will be best for us - Oct. 22-26 or Nov. 5-9.

October is better for my son missing school and I know my kids would LOVE the Halloween decorations, but I'm not sure we would try to go to one of the parties. I think there is only one during that time anyway.

November is better for missing work, and I thought it might be less crowded, but then realized that it is between Dapper Days and Veterans Day so now I'm not sure. The discounted rates for Dapper Days are very appealing, though, and that would be a fun event for me!

Our kids are 4 and 8 and we are more early birds than night owls. We plan to stay at the DLH and get 4 or 5 day hoppers depending on our flight times. We would probably take breaks during the afternoon and hopefully get to enjoy the pool. I'm guessing no big difference in weather, and no matter what I'm sure it will be lovely compared to what we'll be having here in WA.

I know I'm overthinking it and that we'll have fun either way, but does anyone have insight on which might be better? Crowds, closures, other things that might sway my decision? Thanks in advance...I have learned a lot by reading here and really appreciate all the great info!

 

[azdisneylover]

If I had children that age, (mine are teens) I would go in November for Dapper Days and enjoy the hotel stay at the discounted rate. We enjoyed our stays onsite at all the hotels. You really can't go wrong. Since you mentioned your children are early birds, it will be easy for you to get everyone up, dressed, fed and in lines for MM/EE daily. You can do so much in that first hour. If you like to purchase items in the parks, you can have them sent back to your hotel so you do not have to lug them around the parks all day. What ever you decide, have a great time!

 

[V M Jones]

My personal opinion is to go before! The weather and park are beautiful this time of year. Go for the 3 or 4 day pass and plan on attending the Halloween Party, it's worth going to. Make it special and dress up, you don't want to miss out on all the fun. Plus you can do the whole park in one night. The ride lines are very short while everyone is trick or treating. Your Halloween Party ticket gets you in the park early afternoon so even with little ones you can start early. We come into the park around 3 have dinner and then ride all the rides we can while hitting a few treat stations in between. When the ridelines start filling up (which are still very short due to limited park admission) we load our candy bags. It's a win win. Not to mention the characters are dressed for the special occasion and there are special parades and fireworks. Totally worth it!

With 3 day hopper passes you can always purchase an addition discounted day if you need it (just make sure you purchase it before you enter the park on the 3rd day of your pass). This way you don't over purchase days if you decide you need that rest day!

If you at all love Halloween you won't be disappointed!

 

[tarheelalum]

They both will be crowded but I think dapper/veterans day will be the worst of the two. Plus Halloween is the most awesome time of the year at Disneyland. I say October.

 

[azdisneylover]

If your kids are early birds, not night owls, going for Dapper Days would be a better fit. The Halloween Parties are from late afternoon until closing. If your kids conk out by 8, you would miss quite a bit of the party. You could plan to do a party when the kids are a bit older and can stay up later.
Have a fun trip!

 

[Indiana Scott]

We have found the second week or even early the third week of Oct. to be fairly slow and have gone that time of year several times for our 5 day trips.
You have to research the conventions and events at the resort but it's well worth it.

 

[ExcitedMama]

Are you set on those dates? They look like mostly weekdays. Unfortunately during the week in the off season there is not always fireworks or the night shows. The great thing about going when it gets darker with little kids is that it's easier to see those at night. My son was 4 when we went and we love the memory of watching the fireworks together. Mine are crazy early birds too so you could always plan a rest in the afternoon to stay up later. I'd try to be there for a F and Sat to ensure seeing the night shows and fireworks. I love Christmas more than Halloween so my vote would be for the Christmas season.

 

[casagray]

Not having been during the October time frame yet (going during those times this year), I can't speak to what it's like - but I have been there during the November time frame several times.

A few things that may (or may not) influence you - small world and the jungle cruise will both be down, as they are getting holiday overlay put on them. Each day as you enter the park, you will see more and more of the park decorations for Christmas go up. Between one day and the next the huge Christmas trees went up; another day the decorations over the turnstiles changed; another all the lamps were decorated. It's fun to see what's changed from day to day, and your kids are of an age that these changes will seem magical (if you celebrate christmas!). Going in knowing that things are going to change can lead to "let's figure out what's new today" fun.

I was there for part of the day before dapper day (although people were dressed up that day too), and it got pretty crazy busy that day. I left around noon, and it was really packed - fun, but packed! Your plan of morning, break for pool, and try to head back for a few hours early evening might work well for that day (but someone who's been there for the whole dapper day would know better).

On the other end of your stay, November 9-12 will be the superheros half marathon - and I've found that means November 9 (which is really just a day for the expo before the races) gets busy as well. If you are planning on the morning there and leaving that day, though, you should be fine. As the day goes on, and more people arrive, and locals come, it gets crowded (more than perhap a "normal" Friday).

However, the Monday-Thursday in that time frame has many wonderful, short lines, easy to get reservations, and a much more laid back vibe.

For your November days (which is the time I'll be there this year), expect Sunday to be busy as there is a major school break that means upped attendance; but personally I'm hoping the rest of the time is quieter, as there aren't any major school breaks.

Both time frames I would expect laterish gate openings on weekdays; I think last year it was 10 am (which for this midwesterner seemed like noon. Yes, I got impatient at times!)

Lots to think about, I hope this helps (and doesn't muddy things up more!).

 

[Caracoles]

Thanks, everyone, for the responses - I think what I've realized is that there is no best time and I just need to make a decision! I was leaning toward November before I found out about Dapper Days and I think that's what I'll go with. Less stress from missing work for me, and the hotel discount really sweetens the deal, as it alone would pay for flights for our next trip. Maybe Halloween next year!

The flights I'm looking at arrive at 9:30 on Sunday, so my plan was to go into the parks midday if possible. If it gets too crowded, we could play at the pool and get rested up for an early start on Monday. I had not really planned to do too much at night, but hadn't thought about the fireworks and shows being earlier due to it getting dark earlier. I'll have to look at what might be doable for us - my kids wind up instead of down when they're tired, and past about 8:00 I may not want to subject anyone else to being around them

The good thing is that we have no basis for comparison in terms of crowds or attractions. My husband went to DL in the 70s and my only Disney trip was to FL soon after Epcot opened, so I was maybe 10. My kids are used to the city but have never been to a theme park, so I think they'll be blown away just by being there. Now I just need to make some reservations and get around to the really fun part of planning - more questions to come, I'm sure! Thanks again.