Crowds in October?

[allimaree]

Well, we are finally planning another trip to Disneyland, possibly in October when my kids have a week off of school. I know sometimes October is crowded (especially UEA week in Utah) so I was checking the calendar to see the park hours. Usually I would expect to see Disneyland open until midnight on the weekends and anywhere from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm on the week days. But the week we're looking at going has the craziest schedule! Can anyone explain it to me?

Sunday, October 9th
DLR 8:00-12:00
DCA 10:00-10:00
(both these times make sense)

Monday, October 10th
DLR 8:00-12:00 (seems late for a monday?)
DCA 10:00-9:00

Tuesday, October 11th
DLR 8:00-6:00 (why so early?)
DCA 10:00-8:00

Wednesday, October 12th
DLR 8:00-8:00 (normal)
DCA 10:00-8:00

Thursday, October 13th
DLR 8:00-11:00 (higher crowds on a Thursday?)
DCA 10:00-8:00

Friday, October 14th
DLR 8:00-7:00 (really? On a Friday?)
DCA 10:00-11:00 (later than DLR?)

Saturday, October 15th
DLR 8:00-12:00
DCA 10:00-10:00

What do you guys think?

 

[specialks]

Halloween parties are on Tuesdays and Fridays. The parks close to those who don't have tickets for the party.

 

[TahoeMom]

Monday is Columbus Day I believe and some schools have that off.

 

[allimaree]

Ok. That makes sense. Are the Halloween parties at DLR? Last time we went in October, the Halloween parties were at DCA and I don't think they went all month long.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Yep, as PPs mentioned, holidays get longer hours, hence the midnight closing on Oct. 10, Columbus Day. I know my kids don't get that day off from school and DH still goes to work, but I have heard of schools and government jobs for which this is a holiday. DL closes early on Tuesday and Friday nights in October to host the hard-ticketed Halloween event, and DCA stays open a little longer to accommodate those who don't have Halloween tickets. I suspect the Thursday night later closing time might be to make up for the early Friday night closing. FWIW, we went Columbus Day weekend two years ago since DS's birthday is around that time and we thought it was comparable to a summer weekend in terms of busyness.

 

[TahoeMom]

Ok. That makes sense. Are the Halloween parties at DLR? Last time we went in October, the Halloween parties were at DCA and I don't think they went all month long.

Starting in 2010 the parties moved to Disneyland - a big improvement in my opinion.