Columbus Day Crowds

[momtoatink]

I was wondering if anyone had experience with what the crowds are like Colmubus Day weekend? We are thinking of 3 days in the park Friday-Sunday.

Thanks!

 

[AZlady]

Some Arizona schools have Oct 12-20th off. I don't know how much impact it has.

 

[Autty40]

We went the Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday of Columbus Day weekend in 2010. For our trip the Sunday was super busy, like sardines in a can. Monday was less busy and Tuesday was perfect! It was also very hot during the day and cold at night. But that was three years ago and everything could be different. Hope this helps.

 

[bumbershoot]

I've been there twice at that time (my b'day), and I found it to be much like Memorial Day (been twice for that too...DS's b'day). The crowds get worse as you approach the weekend, getting pretty bad as the weekend starts.

Last year I had to enter DL on the Monday holiday and I hated every second of it. And I don't tend to hate Disneyland. But it was just awful. If I didn't actually *have to* enter, I wouldn't have. (needed to exchange something broken as Disney transported a purchase over to Disneyland Hotel, and there was only ONE location on the whole property that had any to exchange)

Everything starts to clear as Monday goes on, because people have flights to catch and roadtrips to start, then Tuesday on is lovely and fabulous.

 

[larina]

Since it is no longer a federally recognized holiday (replace by MLK day in the 80s) many schools no longer take it off, but some still do. I'd imagine it has some impact, but not as much as say MLK or even Presidents' Day.

 

[ronandannette]

Isn't Gay Days that weekend also? Does that have a big impact on crowds? That weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving and I've been toying with the idea of a quick trip...guess not if it's going to be busy. We just got back from a very short visit over our Victoria Day long weekend (May 18 - 20) and found the Sunday at DL to be unplesantly crowded.

How about November 11? Do you have any sort of federal holiday then that would increase crowds? It's Remembrance Day here, which doesn't always fall on a Friday or Monday but will give us a long weekend this year.

 

[larina]

...How about November 11? Do you have any sort of federal holiday then that would increase crowds? It's Remembrance Day here, which doesn't always fall on a Friday or Monday but will give us a long weekend this year.

That's our Veteran's Day.

 

[larina]

Oh, and yes, Columbus Day and Gay Days usually overlap at DL

 

[Girimama33]

Isn't Gay Days that weekend also? Does that have a big impact on crowds? That weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving and I've been toying with the idea of a quick trip...guess not if it's going to be busy. We just got back from a very short visit over our Victoria Day long weekend (May 18 - 20) and found the Sunday at DL to be unplesantly crowded.

How about November 11? Do you have any sort of federal holiday then that would increase crowds? It's Remembrance Day here, which doesn't always fall on a Friday or Monday but will give us a long weekend this year.

Oh, and yes, Columbus Day and Gay Days usually overlap at DL

Gay days will be the weekend before (Oct. 4-6).

The first couple weeks of October are usually busy due to Gay Days, AZ school breaks, Columbus Day and UT school breaks...plus Halloween decorations and parties.

 

[Dot2Vegas]

We went last year during Columbus Day and Gay Days. I found it to be pretty busy but everything moved smoothly. Not quite as bad as a busy Spring Break day.

 

[larina]

Gay days will be the weekend before (Oct. 4-6).

The first couple weeks of October are usually busy due to Gay Days, AZ school breaks, Columbus Day and UT school breaks...plus Halloween decorations and parties.

Thanks! My daughter and I would like to go during Gay Days, which seems to fall over her birthday (October 4th), but I don't think we'll make it until I'm done with school altogether. It's a "someday" trip.

 

[Cheshirecatty]

We went last year during Columbus Day and Gay Days. I found it to be pretty busy but everything moved smoothly. Not quite as bad as a busy Spring Break day.[/QUOTE

^^^^^This!^^^^We were there during this time as well last year, and while busy, was managable and so much fun--in fact, we're planning the same time frame this year!

 

[Dot2Vegas]

^^^^^This!^^^^We were there during this time as well last year, and while busy, was managable and so much fun--in fact, we're planning the same time frame this year![/QUOTE]

We are too! Just waiting to find out if and when I will need back surgery this summer. Is it wrong that I was basing my surgery date around being recovered for Halloween time at Disney??

 

[AZlady]

Isn't Gay Days that weekend also? Does that have a big impact on crowds? That weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving and I've been toying with the idea of a quick trip...guess not if it's going to be busy. We just got back from a very short visit over our Victoria Day long weekend (May 18 - 20) and found the Sunday at DL to be unplesantly crowded.

How about November 11? Do you have any sort of federal holiday then that would increase crowds? It's Remembrance Day here, which doesn't always fall on a Friday or Monday but will give us a long weekend this year.

The DL holiday season officially starts Nov 12th...

 

[Jmaddog]

We are planning to go this same time as well- starting our 4 days in the park on Monday (Columbus Day). Hope I'm not raining on your parade, but our BIG GIANT Nevada school district now has that week off (next year going to a 'balanced' calander system). I'm hoping not too many others are planning the same break as we are, or that nice crowd of last year could feel bigger

 

[Dot2Vegas]

We are planning to go this same time as well- starting our 4 days in the park on Monday (Columbus Day). Hope I'm not raining on your parade, but our BIG GIANT Nevada school district now has that week off (next year going to a 'balanced' calander system). I'm hoping not too many others are planning the same break as we are, or that nice crowd of last year could feel bigger

Clark County school district? We live in Henderson and I haven't peaked at the calendar for next year yet.

 

[momtoatink]

Thank you to everyone who replied. I really appreciate it. We will be going the Friday, Saturday and Sunday before the Monday holiday. I am thinking that because we have three days it will be ok. We will just try to be at the rope drop every morning and finish the day by 2pm. Head back to the hotel for naps and a dip in the pool and then back for an hour or two at night.

I hate crowds, but if I know it's going to be a mob then I can mentally prepare for it.

We haven't been for two years so I am really excited to be planning this trip.

I guess my other option for going would be January 1st-5th, but I feel that the crowds would be worse.

 

[RustManFan]

Going for my 60th which is October 14th and have to be there on the day! Will decide closer to the time whether to do DCA or DL on Monday and the other on Tuesday...

my first trip so hope it isn't a nightmare

 

[AZlady]

We are planning to go this same time as well- starting our 4 days in the park on Monday (Columbus Day). Hope I'm not raining on your parade, but our BIG GIANT Nevada school district now has that week off (next year going to a 'balanced' calander system). I'm hoping not too many others are planning the same break as we are, or that nice crowd of last year could feel bigger

Jmaddog- I started a spring break 2014 tread- can you share your spring break dates
Anyone else?
The thread is called spring break 2014
Thanks!!

 

[Thumper_Man]

Glad I found this thread. DW and I are going from 10/6-10/12. We more than likely won't be doing a park on 10/6, since that's the day we arrive; and we won't be doing a park on 10/12 since that's the day we leave. I also have some questions about the crowds.

Since it seems Gay Days is 10/4-10/6, how will crowds be during the week? After Gay Days is over and leading up to Columbus Day weekend?

What about the days for the Halloween Party? How are crowds on these days? Would it be feasible to do DL in the morning and DCA at night?

How will crowds be on the Friday going into Columbus Day Weekend?

TIA