Change of Plans: October vs December

[coopersmom]

So, just when I thought we had the whole timetable narrowed down, our family reunion plans fell through and now we are going to California mostly to visit Disney and, yeah, see family, but the timeframe to do so isn't date specific. So, for work reasons, my husband gave me two options that would work better for his schedule than our original November reunion plan ... Either the first week of October, or the first week of December.

I'm not sure which is better in a crowds vs ride refurb/show schedule scenario, so I'm hoping the DL experts can chime in and give me some advice.

We are a family of 3 with a five-year-old boy who has been to Disney World three times, but we've never been on a multi-day Disneyland trip and never been to California Adventure at all. (Well, actually, hubby has, once, right after it opened, but not the rest of us.)

We are, obviously, interested in exploring Carsland ... my son is DYING to go to the point that he gets mad if we say we are going to Disneyland, correcting it to, "No, we are going to CARSLAND!" So I'd say that's our top priority.

I'd hate to miss really major rides, if at all possible, but know it could be inevitable that something is in refurb. Really want to see the Haunted Mansion Holiday, which either time frame should be good for, correct? Anything else typically down during either of those weeks? (I know schedules can change and things can come up, but I'm talking about the "it always closes then" type things, which are easier to avoid.)

Show-wise, I would like to see World of Color, DL's version of Fantasmic and fireworks, at least once. But, having said that, lower crowds are probably priority No. 1, with World of Color tops on my must-see show list.

Obviously, if we go in October, Halloween will be revving up and we'll be able to attend a party if we wish. (We went last year at Disney World.) And we are likely to have better weather, but shorter park hours ... Is this correct?

December gives us Christmas decor and longer hours, but less likely to have great weather. Am I getting all this right?

Both holiday scenarios sound nice but, honestly, I think I'm mostly interested in which time frame is likely to have lower crowds/less refurbs.

Thanks again for any advice you experts can offer!

 

[DLR29]

Let's see if I can answer a few questions.

HMH will be up and running during both of your dates. Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy (a Halloween overlay of Space) would be running during October but would be regular Space in December. It's a Small World Holiday would be running during December but would be normal IASW during October.

In the past, World of Color has been shown every night. During offseason times (like both of your potential weeks), Fantasmic and fireworks would only be shown Friday-Sunday. If you want to see these, I would definitely recommend scheduling at least 1 (preferably 2) weekend days. If you go during December, the Christmas fireworks would be showing. During October, the Remember Dreams Come True fireworks (my personal favorite out of all of the firework shows I've seen) would be playing during regular days. During the Halloween party nights, they show a special Halloween fireworks show.

The Halloween parties are Tuesdays and Fridays. Also a clarification, going during that first week of December might actually have shorter park hours than October. October has become one of DLR's most popular months and although crowds midweek aren't high, they're much higher than midweek first week of December. Regardless, weekend park hours are pretty standard (DL: 8/9AM-11PM/12AM and DCA: 8/9AM-10/11PM)

October will probably have fewer refurbs but slightly higher crowds. But that's just a guess...we won't know the refurb schedule for another couple months.

 

[DisneytheKid]

October will probably have fewer refurbs but slightly higher crowds. But that's just a guess...we won't know the refurb schedule for another couple months.

That seems to be what I have heard a lot of as well

 

[Twinprincesses]

We have gone in October 2 different years and have always missed small world as it is under renovation for the holidays.

 

[DLR29]

The first week of October should be fine for IASW. The past 3 years it hasn't closed until after the 24th of October.