Disneyland visit in 2015

[MiceMagic]

I want to celebrate my 60th birthday at Disneyland next September. It's Disneyland's 60th year too!

I have only been to Disneyland a few times before. Help me figure out the best time in September to visit.

I know that Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain close for refurbishments during September. I want their refurbishments to be complete.

Are there any other major events that would make it extra crowded?
Are fireworks only held on the weekends?

Thanks for any info you have to share.

 

[MouseEXP]

I would always recommend Labor Day Weekend and the week immediately after Labor Day.

The majority of kids go back to school so the crowds are lowest at this time.
The Haunted Mansion should also be opened during this time.

 

[JasonShannon76]

I was at Disneyland on Labor Day this year, and Haunted Mansion was down (so they could do Halloween overlay).

 

[HydroGuy]

I would always recommend Labor Day Weekend and the week immediately after Labor Day.

The majority of kids go back to school so the crowds are lowest at this time.
The Haunted Mansion should also be opened during this time.

For at least last the decade HM is down the week after Labor Day for its NBC overlay.

OP, I would choose some time in the last half of Sept to have HM and Space Mtn open.

 

[MiceMagic]

That info helps a lot!

When do the Mickey Halloween celebrations begin?

Are the park hours considerably shorter during the last half of September?

 

[Sherry E]

That info helps a lot!

When do the Mickey Halloween celebrations begin?

Are the park hours considerably shorter during the last half of September?

Halloween Time (the season) begins in mid-September-ish. If it were to follow its usual schedule it would begin on Friday, 9/11/15. However, I think that 9/11 is a terrible choice for a day to start Halloween Time and I suspect that Disney may delay the start of it for a couple of days.

Mickey's Halloween Party -- if the patterns stay the same -- would probably begin on Friday, 9/25/15.

 

[MiceMagic]

Great- now I feel like I am really getting it narrowed down.
We will wait until mid-September.

I really appreciate the info from the experienced Disneyland people.
We live in Michigan and have primarily enjoyed DisneyWorld.

However, I continue to hear wonderful things about Disneyland!

Many thanks!!!!!

 

[PinkBudgie]

I've been wondering about Sept. too. Are there any races during the last half of Sept that may cause rooms at local hotels to fill up quickly?

 

[zanzibar138]

Disneyland Half Marathon is on Labor Day weekend. There aren't any more runs until November, but there is a walk in October which brings big crowds. Gay Days in October also brings big crowds.

In September, you'll have to watch out for Dapper Day. We were absolutely overwhelmed with how busy the park was on that day this year. Also, once Halloween time starts (when Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain re-open), it will start getting more crowded with locals coming to check it out. That first weekend of Halloween time was pretty busy this year. I believe in some of the surroundings states their schools started vacation in the last week of September Don't quote me on that. But it will get busier on the last week with the start of the parties.

If you absolutely must ride Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain and are not concerned about parties, I would recommend the week and weekend following the start of Halloween time. The main local crowds will have been the first weekend, and without any parties it means that the operating hours won't be affected. If you want to go to a party, you'll have to go the last week.

If you think you can manage without those two rides and Halloween time, I would absolutely recommend the first two weeks in September for lower crowds.

 

[MouseEXP]

I also remember that Mid August wasn't that bad this year at all.
If it was my first time I would want to make sure I do the original version of the Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain and perhaps do the Holiday versions when I comes back a second time.

Also keep in mind that this will be a Disneyland Anniversary year so the crowds could be bigger than usual.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Disneyland Half Marathon is on Labor Day weekend. There aren't any more runs until November, but there is a walk in October which brings big crowds. Gay Days in October also brings big crowds.

In September, you'll have to watch out for Dapper Day. We were absolutely overwhelmed with how busy the park was on that day this year. Also, once Halloween time starts (when Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain re-open), it will start getting more crowded with locals coming to check it out. That first weekend of Halloween time was pretty busy this year. I believe in some of the surroundings states their schools started vacation in the last week of September Don't quote me on that. But it will get busier on the last week with the start of the parties.

If you absolutely must ride Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain and are not concerned about parties, I would recommend the week and weekend following the start of Halloween time. The main local crowds will have been the first weekend, and without any parties it means that the operating hours won't be affected. If you want to go to a party, you'll have to go the last week.

If you think you can manage without those two rides and Halloween time, I would absolutely recommend the first two weeks in September for lower crowds.

Thank you. That was helpful. We've been AP holders but have never gone during Sept. and I've always wanted to see the fall decorations. We've gone in Nov at the beginning of the Christmas season. Of course HMH and Space Mountain would be a priority for us. My birthday is at the end of Sept. but I do want to avoid a race weekend.

 

[wildflower329]

When is space mountain usually closed for the overlay? Is it right after labor day usually, or the week after that?

 

[VicMom]

I've been in September 3 times in the last 4 year and I think (other than the heat) the best one for me was this year when we flew in and landed on Dapper Days and started the parks the next day. We had no problems with crowds (except for in Fantasyland which is always like that) plus we had the bonus of being able to use the Dapper Day discount (tickets and hotel). Plus there were very few things down as everything was set up and ready for Hallwowe'en. If I recall, the only things down were the submarine and the steamship so it wasn't a huge deal at all.

Our plan was to go again next year at this same time because we found it a great time to go but I just found a great deal on flights if we go in June.

 

[HydroGuy]

When is space mountain usually closed for the overlay? Is it right after labor day usually, or the week after that?

It is usually the week before HalloweenTime kicks off. Sometimes that is the week after Labor Day. Sometimes two weeks after. Basically they want to keep Space Mtn going as long as possible, do the overlay, then open it up ASAP for HalloweenTime. That usually means 4-5 days before HalloweenTime.

 

[poseys]

I've been in September 3 times in the last 4 year and I think (other than the heat) the best one for me was this year when we flew in and landed on Dapper Days and started the parks the next day. We had no problems with crowds (except for in Fantasyland which is always like that) plus we had the bonus of being able to use the Dapper Day discount (tickets and hotel). Plus there were very few things down as everything was set up and ready for Hallwowe'en. If I recall, the only things down were the submarine and the steamship so it wasn't a huge deal at all. Our plan was to go again next year at this same time because we found it a great time to go but I just found a great deal on flights if we go in June.

Where do you get the Dapper Day discounts? Directly thorough the DLR website?

 

[VicMom]

Where do you get the Dapper Day discounts? Directly thorough the DLR website?

I joined their group (FB and email) and then I get all the info and links that way.