DL Sept. 22nd-25th

[amyline28]

Does anyone have any idea how crowds might be this week or if anything special may be going on? Seems like alot of the hotels are already sold out. We usually go the week after Thanksgiving and have hardly any crowds. I'm already super excited, we're going to celebrate DS's 4th birthday, any ideas of anything special we could do, that won't break the budget, we're on a tight one? Thanks in advance!

 

[Sherry E]

Does anyone have any idea how crowds might be this week or if anything special may be going on? Seems like alot of the hotels are already sold out. We usually go the week after Thanksgiving and have hardly any crowds. I'm already super excited, we're going to celebrate DS's 4th birthday, any ideas of anything special we could do, that won't break the budget, we're on a tight one? Thanks in advance!

We were in DLR last year, right around the time you are going this year. It was not too crowded on the Friday afternoon we arrived, but that was largely due to the fact that there was an ominous threat of rain. We walked right onto to several rides, with no lines at all (including Buzz Lightyear). The crowds picked up late afternoon. And then, on the following day, it POURED rain on and off throughout the day, alternating with hot sun, so that really drove down the crowds too. It was really messy. Then they picked up later at night. The Halloween decorations went up that same weekend, so that was a draw for many people. You will be missing the Halloween stuff by one day, AND you are leaving before the weekend, so I think you will be okay in terms of lighter crowds. Kids will be back in school. That makes a big difference.

Oh, usually that period in September is the 'off-season,' but the hotels are booking up largely due to this special discount offer that many people have received. The discount covers Disney hotel stays between August and December, and people are jumping on the offer like wildfire. So their typical off-season may not be so 'off' this year! I almost couldn't get a weekend hotel because all the discount rooms were booking up.

Make sure you get DS a free birthday button at City Hall (also, the hotels give them out). They will write his name on it and everywhere you go, Cast Members will wish him a happy birthday and probably give him treats. Often, they give you free pins or free food at the restaurants or just little special things. They love to go all out for kids and make a big deal about birthdays. Also, at City Hall, they will put your son on the phone with Goofy, who makes a 'special birthday phone call' to anyone with a birthday.

 

[Casey's Mommie]

I think that week is also the kick off week of the Halloween Season at Disneyland.

 

[Sherry E]

I think that week is also the kick off week of the Halloween Season at Disneyland.

OP is going to miss the official start of the Halloween season by a day. It starts on September 26 this year. Last year it was a week earlier.