Early October or second week of December?

[IdaTink]

My son, who will be in second grade next year, has two days off for teacher in-service in October (Thursday the 7th and Friday the 8th). But we're a little wary of the increasing crowds in October.

So, should we go ahead and take him then for Thursday through Saturday, or should we take him out of school for two days in the second week of December?

If we go in December, are crowds lighter Thursday through Saturday or Sunday through Tuesday?

Thanks!

 

[lb2000]

We actually went this year both in early Oct and early Dec. The early Oct. trip we stayed 2 nights, Tues. through Thurs. The crowds were very manageable in early Oct. and we were able to see all the Halloween decorations, etc.

The Dec. trip was a day trip, which I believe was Dec. 2, it was a Thursday. Crowds were fine in the morning, reasonable crowds, CA was empty... but by mid-afternoon parade time it was VERY crowded. We could barely see the parade. I was told that at that time of year, a lot of locals come to the park to see the Christmas parade and fireworks.

I have never gone a weekend, because I don't want to deal with crowds, so I don't know if going on a weekend would be a good idea. I'd guess it would be much more crowded in Dec. based on our experience.

 

[goldies 5]

We were there the 5-12th of December. The crowds were manageable during the weekdays in my opinion. It also rained and that really clears the park out. Love the Holiday Season at DL. The early mornings at the park we felt like we had it all to ourselves.

 

[pigletforever]

We were there Mid October this year. Orginally from Wed to Saturday. We ended driving home Saturday instead of staying in the parks because the crowds were so bad at DL. The crowd number increased every day and by Friday night we could not move. If I were to go in October again I would go to DL earlier in the week and DCA on Friday or Saturday because I learned after the fact that DCA was never as busy as DL.

 

[Heymy]

We went both Oct & Dec last year. We went mid-Oct on a Wed through Sun. Wed was managable the rest of trip was a nightmare as far as crowds were concerned. But DDs were in heaven because they both love Halloween and the Nightmare Before Christmas. DH and I went by ourselves the 2nd week of Dec on a Sun through Tues. This was a wonderful time to go because crowds weren't so bad and the decorations are so lovely. So this year we've decided to go back in Dec so the girls can experience the holidays. Also my oldest DD has some issues with the heat and Dec was so cool while Oct was really warm. Good luck with your decision...either time of year is wonderful!

 

[summer0407]

I went the second week of Oct a few years ago we went Thurs-Sun and it was fine. Weather was so good and I did not find it crowded at all the longest line was maybe 25 minutes and we sat to eat at DTD with no problems. I was looking at going that time this year but we are going in March I just cannot wait that long.

 

[IdaTink]

Thanks for the tips. I'm leaning toward December, but I may be swayed by any air or hotel deals that emerge. But with October becoming so popular, I'm not sure there will be any then.

 

[Sherry E]

You know, the last couple of Octobers have been quite crowded - unprecedented, in fact. There are all kinds of things happening at that time that draw in crowds. 2009 was worse than 2008 and 2008 was pretty crowded. And it seems to be pretty bad in the early part of the month (the TOTP starts then), but I am not sure what it is like in the latter part of the month.

I love both Halloweentime and Christmastime at DLR, but Christmastime cannot be missed, in my opinion. So not only do I think the second week of December may actually be more tolerable crowd-wise than early October, but also it is magical at that time of year. Plus, it will be cooler. October can sometimes climb as high as the upper 90's in temperatures (which is what we got in 2008). December is usually quite pleasant-to-chilly.

 

[goldies 5]

I forgot Sunday was busy because of Candlelight Processional, but after it is over the whole park empties out. 5 min. wait for Nemo. and at CA 5 min. wait for Toy Story. But if you are going on the second full weekend in December I would say Sunday through Tuesday is less busy hands down. Candlelight Processional is always the first full weekend both days.

 

[Eeee-va]

I can't give advice on October, since I've never been then. If you and your family LOVE wearing costumes and IF there's a (separate admission) Halloween party on your October dates, then I would consider going in October. Otherwise, I'd definitely go for December. The park is so magical then.

We went in the second week of December 2009, arriving the Wednesday after the Cast Member parties (which are generally, but not always, the Monday and Tuesday after the Candlelight Processional), through Sunday afternoon. Crowds on Wednesday and Thursday were very light. Friday was basically the same, but it was overcast (and started to sprinkle at maybe 1 PM). I think if it had not rained, Friday night would have been busier. Saturday was also not crowded; it rained basically from open until 9 or 10 PM.

One extra advantage we had is that the park was open until 11 on Wednesday and Thursday, and Fantasmic! ran twice. Historically, that early in December, Fantasmic! wouldn't be running on "weekdays" (I'm not sure that it ran on weekdays the following week!). But someone here theorized that the extra hours were a way of "making up" for the fact that Disneyland closed early on Monday and Tuesday.

It's hard to know what will happen next year, but I think Sunday - Tuesday would be less crowded--if you went Thursday - Sunday, then you'd really be arriving sometime in the middle of the day Thursday, right? So you'd be there over a light Thursday, then a light Friday morning, a fairly busy Friday night, fairly busy Saturday, and probably a fairly light Sunday morning?

There's a decent chance that Fantasmic! will only run on the weekends (and a smaller chance that World of Color will only be running on the weekends), which would likely increase crowds in DCA and maybe DL on those days as well.

That said, if you WANT to see both World of Color and Fantasmic!, then going over Friday and Saturday COULD be a better bet. Hard to say, though.

Have a great time, whenever you go!