crowds in October

[COWGIRL1]

We are planning a trip the first week in October for my sons birthday. I was wondering how busy it usually is the first Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of the month.

Kim

 

[skiingfast]

We are planning a trip the first week in October for my sons birthday. I was wondering how busy it usually is the first Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of the month.

Kim

Pretty good time to go. If history repeats they will have Mickey's Halloween Party on the Tuesday. This will bring in a lot of crowds but nothing insane. It won't feel busy each day but be noticeable on Tuesday and Tuesday night can be very busy.

MHP is a ticketed event so if you don't attend you will be asked to leave the park early that night. Which will move people over to the other park.

Late this summer you will want to watch for DL's announcement on that event.

 

[taaren]

We like October quite a bit. Not a lot of rides closed for refurb, and though it has been getting busier the last few years, crowds are still pretty mellow, especially weekdays. Join us over at the October check in thread! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2638954

 

[Sherry E]

We are planning a trip the first week in October for my sons birthday. I was wondering how busy it usually is the first Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of the month.

Kim

Hi, Kim!

Honestly, October and Halloween Time have gotten so much busier than they used to be. Most reports last year were that it was crowded. However, some people may think it's not too bad - it all depends on what your tolerance level for crowds is. Plus, there are assorted events that take place (various school breaks, various conventions and things) early in October and up until Columbus Day. Early October will probably be quite busy, but your days may not be too bad since they are weekdays.

After Columbus Day and up until the week of Halloween, the crowds are reportedly not as bad. But last season, I think, was the busiest Halloween season in a few years. It's no longer an off-peak time of year.

The Halloween party will be quite crowded (according to reports from last year), but Fridays will be more so than whatever weekday they add in to the roster also (last year it was Tuesdays; this year, who knows?).

I am guessing - based on previous patterns and previous years - that Halloween time will begin on September 23 this year. Just a hunch. It could be 9/16, but I think this year it will likely be 9/23. And I think the party will probably begin on September 30. Again, I am only going by previous patterns. The dates this year are kind of screwy, but Disneyland tends to base when to begin and end its 'seasons' based on days of the week (seasons begn on Fridays and end on Sundays, as a rule), not actual dates on the calendar. It's even possible that Halloween Time could extend as far as November 6th this year.

The start date of the Halloween season was released on the Disney Parks Blog in late May/earlyJune last year, and there are other official Disney sources that may reveal the dates well in advance (like Disneyland News, D News, D23, etc.). The actual Disneyland website itself will not post the Halloween season dates until late August. Halloween Party tickets will go on sale to advanced buyers well before that, so we will have the party dates before August.

Stay tuned to the Halloween Superthread, Part 2, where we will be posting any breaking news as it comes in (we will discuss it but I will also update Post #1 to reflect the latest info). We also discuss crowds, weather and every other aspect of planning as well. Post #1 already has lots of useful info that may be of interest (like lists of seasonal treats, Halloween-related blogs and Trip Reports and last years' press release), and Kristin's Q&A & Liza's Halloween Party post are great resources as well. Jazz's Table of Contents will lead you to the many wonderful photos posted by our regular followers.