Disneyland at Night

[1Venus]

DH and I are planning a trip the 3rd week in October to Disneyland. It will be our first trip to DLR and I'm really excited, but scared since I'm going to be out of my comfort zone. I've taken many trips to WDW and am very comfortable with finding my way around and avoiding crowds. However, after reading some posts here, I'm concerned I won't be as successful at DLR and DCA.

My "plan" at WDW has usually involved going to the parks at night. I hate mornings. I enjoy staying up very late and getting up late. In the past 20 years I can count the times I've been at any WDW park at opening time on one hand. I found this strategy to fit my needs. It's cooler at night and the crowds seem smaller than by day.

Can I get away with this in California? Or it is almost a requirement to go early? I read in the fastpass thread that evenings are very crowded so it's important to go early. I'd love other input, so I'd know if getting up early is going to have to be part of my vacation.

Since we're going to be there in October, I plan to buy tickets to the Trick-or-Treat event, so at least that will be at night. Any other ideas?

 

[blackjackdelta]

DH and I are planning a trip the 3rd week in October to Disneyland. It will be our first trip to DLR and I'm really excited, but scared since I'm going to be out of my comfort zone. I've taken many trips to WDW and am very comfortable with finding my way around and avoiding crowds. However, after reading some posts here, I'm concerned I won't be as successful at DLR and DCA.

My "plan" at WDW has usually involved going to the parks at night. I hate mornings. I enjoy staying up very late and getting up late. In the past 20 years I can count the times I've been at any WDW park at opening time on one hand. I found this strategy to fit my needs. It's cooler at night and the crowds seem smaller than by day.

Can I get away with this in California? Or it is almost a requirement to go early? I read in the fastpass thread that evenings are very crowded so it's important to go early. I'd love other input, so I'd know if getting up early is going to have to be part of my vacation.

Since we're going to be there in October, I plan to buy tickets to the Trick-or-Treat event, so at least that will be at night. Any other ideas?

Not sure about Oct, but during August it is barely slowing down at 2300. We always do early, but each to their own. We can more done on an MM day than we can after 1000 until midnight(rides that is).

Jack

 

[nana50]

I'm the same. We always go early, get on all our favorite rides, then we can slow down and enjoy the rest of the day knowing we hit our favorites. I also never go on the week-ends if I can help it. My grandkids are young and are NOT pleasant with little sleep. So we always head back home or to the hotel by dinner time. I can hardly wait until they can stay up later with nana.

 

[KrazyKat4DIS]

I have to agree that the morning is really is the BEST time to go. Crowds are minimal and you can start collect FPs to use later.

Because DLR has so many locals, it is not uncommon for it to stay crowded up until closing. In the summer, people few it as an evening's activity to go hit up a few rides, shop, etc. Also, because locals are not on vacation, they haven't been touring for a few days and are getting tired. Therefore, they are not having to leave the park early due to exhaustion and feet hurting!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Also consider DL hours during the week will be 9/10 am until 8/9 pm.

 

[Judy from Boise]

the short answer is "it depends on how many days you will be there". The more days the less efficient you need to be. The other factor will be if the time difference works in your favor you might be getting up late by Florida time, but early in Pacific time.

 

[chrissiecutie]

You can totally go at night. However if you want to see and do it all, then you MUST go in at park open. At least for DL, DCA is another story.

 

[Monkey Monkey]

I agree that it depends on how many days you will be there and how much you want to see.

I live an hour and a half from DLR, so there are some days I head up there where it is virtually impossible to be there at rope drop. But I don't have to do everything in one day.

I went a few times, mid-week, in early October 2008. I never got there before 10am, and didn't find the crowds to be bad at all. I even drove up after picking DS up at school at noon, and didn't have a problem with crowds. That said, we weren't going on any rides with FastPass, as he was 3 years old.

A good strategy for you might be planning to hit the parks at opening on your first day and do as much as you can. Then you can have a more leisurely next few days, depending on how long you will be there.

 

[KCmike]

They usually close early during October, say 8 or 9pm, and it gets chilly. You'll need a hoodie or sweatshirt for sure. I think it was open till 11 or 12pm on the weekends but the weekends get crowded.

Now I have to agree with the above posters. When we went in the morning during the weekdays and we could go through all of fantasyland 8+ rides easily, then go to the next area like Pirates, HM, Splash and Pooh before we encountered any people/lines. Magic Mornings are wonderful.

Let me just say that October is great.
You will get to see the Haunted Mansion Overlay - I love it!
You will get to see Space Mtn overlay
When we went they were still showing RDCT but now they have a Halloween fireworks show. Too bad. RDCT is amazing.