Disneyland 2nd week of September

[momtoalovelyone]

We are planning our first trip to Disneyland and decided on the second week of September. I figure after Labor Day weekend it shouldn't be as packed. We would go September 9th-12th. I have been doing a lot of research and everyone says to pick a date first then hotel and so on. It will be our sons first time, he is 3. Any tips? Is that a good weekend? Thanks so much!

 

[skiingfast]

We are planning our first trip to Disneyland and decided on the second week of September. I figure after Labor Day weekend it shouldn't be as packed. We would go September 9th-12th. I have been doing a lot of research and everyone says to pick a date first then hotel and so on. It will be our sons first time, he is 3. Any tips? Is that a good weekend? Thanks so much!

It is a good time because of low crowds and nice weather. Haunted Mansion will be closed to put on the Holiday overlay. May not be something you would want to take a 3yo on anyway.

Enjoy planning!

 

[mabdallah]

September is the best time to go to disneyland i had a blast when i was there and the park was not crowded at all. some attractions might be closed but with the lower crowd level it tototally worth it. We did MM and that helps too. I did notice it still gets a little crowded there on the weekends but overall Sept is the best month to go. We have tried both Sept and Oct and due to the crowds in Oct would never go back, only Sept. for us.

 

[momtoalovelyone]

Thanks for replying!

Is this a good price?
2 Adults, 1 Child (3)

Del Sol Inn $661
Ramada Plaza $685
Howard Johnson $695

Using getawaytoday.com includes 2 day park hopper.

 

[skiingfast]

Thanks for replying!

Is this a good price?
2 Adults, 1 Child (3)

Del Sol Inn $661
Ramada Plaza $685
Howard Johnson $695

Using getawaytoday.com includes 2 day park hopper.

For how many nights? And why not a 3 day hopper?

It will give you a Magic Morning entry to enter DL an hour before general entry starts.

 

[mabdallah]

I would stay at the HOJO that is my favorite hotel and is great for young kids they have a cute splash pool that is pirate themed. We have always done 3 day passes beause with our daughter being so young she is 2 she has a hard time making it through the whole day we always have to come back to the hotel to re-group. The HOJO is within walking distance to the park so you would not have to rely on ART. PLus with then 3 day pass you are able to do MM hours which will save you a lot of time in line for all the kid rides in Fantasyland.

 

[momtoalovelyone]

Two nights. My husband's work won't give him that much time off because work has been pretty busy. We will be arriving the 9th and leaving the 11th and go to Magic Mountain on the 11th and drive home.

 

[skiingfast]

If I were you I would skip get away today. Wait until mid or late summer to purchase tickets. They are likely to have a special but probably for 3 day or longer tickets.

Why Magic Mountain? What will your daughter do there?

Also at DLR they have Rider Swap, a program where one parent at a time can ride an attraction while the other parent does something else with the short child. Then the second parent can go on the big kid ride without waiting in line also.

 

[ttfn2u2pooh]

We will be going the following week and was hoping to hear this good news about crowds being on the lower end of the scale. We are planning on being there weekdays only. Because of that, will we be missing out on some of the shows? Do the fireworks, Fantasmic and WOC run during the week or are those slated to show only on weekends during that time?

We'll also be traveling with a 3 year old and I'm not all that concerned about getting on too many rides. We'll do the waiting for most of them in Fantasyland for sure. Are kids her age allowed on the Autopia ride? I realize she won't be able to be the one driving but can she just sit in the car with me will that not even allow that?

 

[specialks]

We have been twice in Sept (2008, 2009). Our 2008 trip was amazing - in 2009 we ended our trip when the Halloween season started and the crowds were much heavier than our 2008 experience. There are a few closures during that time with a few main attractions being closed. Also, the park hours are shorter but that normally works out great for families of young kids. If you have your own stroller then I bet your son would love the Pirate Play Pool area at HoJos and the walk wouldn't be too bad for you & your husband. I think you picked an amazing tim,e and had I known how great Sept right after school starts is, I would have taken more trips before my daughter got into school. Now she starts school right after Labor Day so we can't have her missing her first week(s) of class.
I think you will have a great time but I would look for better pricing. Consider calling AAA and Costco if you are members. Also, Sept typically has ticket promos, but I think those start at 3 day hoppers for the price of 2 and so on. Not sure if they run a 2 day for the price of 1...
Also, I always thought Magic Mountain had rides for older kids/adults -- not so much youngsters. Have you considered Legoland instead?? Or perhaps Magic Mountain is for the adults.
Skiingfast was good in pointing out the Rider Swap. We have used it often with our young kids and it is so nice! It helps us both get to go on rides with our oldest becuase one of us has to stay with our youngest. For you guys it would let the adults enjoy rides that your son can't go on.

 

[skiingfast]

We'll also be traveling with a 3 year old and I'm not all that concerned about getting on too many rides. We'll do the waiting for most of them in Fantasyland for sure. Are kids her age allowed on the Autopia ride? I realize she won't be able to be the one driving but can she just sit in the car with me will that not even allow that?

For sure. You can't lap sit in Autopia, but you can put three in if you all fit. An Adult or older child will need to operate the gas. She can steer.

 

[specialks]

Here's the link to the height requirements for the parks:

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/plan/guest-services/height-requirements/

 

[HydroGuy]

We will be going the following week and was hoping to hear this good news about crowds being on the lower end of the scale. We are planning on being there weekdays only. Because of that, will we be missing out on some of the shows? Do the fireworks, Fantasmic and WOC run during the week or are those slated to show only on weekends during that time?

WOC nightly. F! and fireworks on weekends only.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Aladdin usually runs only 5 days a week during the off-season. Currently they take Wed-Thurs off.

 

[momtoalovelyone]

We will also be going with another couple who have older kids. We will swap time so we can all go on the rides at Magic Mountain.

Would we find something lower than $695 for HoJo? I am not sure of what is a deal.

 

[skiingfast]

We will also be going with another couple who have older kids. We will swap time so we can all go on the rides at Magic Mountain.

Would we find something lower than $695 for HoJo? I am not sure of what is a deal.

Asking about hotels can lead to long discussions.

Hojo has a great kids pool. You can get 15% off by mentioning the DIS discount. It also offers and entertainment rate of half of but it isn't available in September though that could change.


I'd also suggest looking at the Ramada Inn Maingate. Close walking, kids features at the pool and free breakfast.

 

[ttfn2u2pooh]

WOC nightly. F! and fireworks on weekends only.

Thank you for noting this. I was thinking about asking for a room upgrade when we checked into GCH to a Downtown Disney view specifically for the possibility of a view for the fireworks. I don't think it would be worth it if the fireworks will not be going while we are there.