Considering postponing our March (Spring Break) Trip - Thoughts

[Shell4624]

For several reasons including financial we are considering postponing our March 27-30 DLH Resort trip. We are eyeballing end of Oct 2012 instead as the last 2 weeks of Oct is our DDs Fall break.

What are the big differences between March and Oct that I should consider?

Weather, Hours of Operation, Crowd Levels, Shows, Attractions, etc?

Right now the dates we chose in March are predicted to be REALLY crowded.

Any way we shake it we will be in SoCal by the end of 2012 as we have free US passes we have to use by the end of 2012.

What are your thoughts, which month do you favor and why?

 

[todzwife]

I would because...

1. Crowds (will still be busy in October though.)
2. Car's Land will be open

 

[taaren]

Haven't been in March, but October is when we usually go and the last couple of years its been warmer and more comfortable for us than our May trips, so I can only imagine that March would be even colder than May.

October might be less crowded than March, except during: Gay Days, Columbus Day weekend, near Halloween. If you can miss those, it might be less crowded. So third week of Oct might be good. Generally the less crowded it is, the shorter the hours.

Carsland will be open in October, as PP mentioned, and there will be a Halloween themed overlay, which is cool to see, but some of the attractions won't have the "original" feel which may or may not be to your liking. (Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion in particular)

If you do decide to delay it, get your DL tickets before the annual price increase, which is usually July or August, though last year it was mid-June.

 

[specialks]

We went in late Oct and loved it. Be on the lookout for Utah fall breaks (and other states too), as they can pack the parks up a bit. Thankfully we missed that. Oct would also give you a holiday time decor visit, opportunity to participate in the Mickeys Halloween Party (costs extra), and you'll get to see Cars Land and a much nicer laid out Cali Adventure park.

 

[gokdog]

My family and I went last March, during our spring break and had a great trip.

I thought the parks were never over crowded and only were even crowded on 1 of our 5 days, (Friday). The chance of rain still exist in March, and was great from our perspective, as we were close (GCH) and prepared with rain gear, never lost 5 minutes in the park to rain, but it helped thin out the crowds.

We have never been in October, but did take a trip late September last year and loved the theme changes to the park, especially Space Mountain.

I think October would be fun and would also have the added potential of adding on the Halloween Party, although it is not cheap.

These two months are both good, we plan on doing both this year, 25-30 March PPH currently scheduled.

 

[Shell4624]

Thanks everyone for your valuable feedback!

 

[Plutos Mommy]

It has been unseasonably warm here in California so far this year. March can be either nice or very rainy. September and October Indian Summer sets in and it can be nice and warm, though with the strange weather we have been having its hard to predict. We went at the end of October last year and the temps were in the mid 70's, but the week before it had been raining.

Spring break varies widely around the state, the school district where my daughter works is doing it in mid March, my son's high school is during the first two weeks of April. I'm not sure when LA schools are doing theirs.

This year we had the chance to attend Mickey's Halloween Party. We had a blast! Kids and adults got to dress up and go trick or treating in the park. You have to buy additional tickets for the event, and when the time hits the people that don't have tickets for the event have to leave. This cuts way down on the crowds and if you can take a break from trick or treating its really easy to get on the rides (my daughter walked right on to Splash Mtn.) We are looking forward to going back in October this year.