Former CA Girl on 12 year Hiatus...Booked Oct Trip! Have questions

[chrisn]

Calling October experts! I could really use your opinions, input, advice, tips and comments!

I'm a former Cali girl who grew up there with Mickey in my heart. I got conned into a WDW trip back in 2000 and never thought it would be as magical or endearing to me as my DL. I was wrong! Honey and I have taken our kids (DD-19 & DS-10) to WDW 6 times since then and have been on 2 Disney Cruises.

For the past 2 years, they've been hounding me about a trip to DL. I haven't been able to tear myself away from WDW long enough to even consider it until now. We had nothing planned for this year and it was driving me crazy so finally....DL here we come!

I consider myself HIGHLY skilled at the ins and outs of WDW but am completely CLUELESS about DL. Here's what I have so far...

October 2nd-6th
Anabella Hotel
3 Day Hopper Bonus (DL-2 Days-Wed&Thu, CA-1 Day-Fri)
No Rental Car-Airport Transfers & Anaheim Resort Transit
Early Entry Thursday
Mickey's Halloween Treat at CA Friday

I know Columbus Day is the 8th. Will that have a big impact on us?
I am aware that Gay Days start on Friday. Will CA be packed due to that and Mickey's Halloween Treat?
Will we miss Fantasmic? Is there a chance DL will show it on Friday?
What about the nightly fireworks show? Weekends only?
Will Matterhorn be closed? I've read it's an October thing.
EE? Since the kids are older, our priorities lean more toward the thrill stuff (with the exception of the new Nemo Subs). Should we save FL for EE on Thursday only and afterward, what is the best plan of attack? Where do we head first? What should we FP?
Should I consider a guidebook? Which one is best for DL?
I feel really limited with the dining choices compared to WDW. I would like to dine at Blue Bayou for the atomosphere only. Is this the only place we need to worry about Priority Seating? We won't be doing any of the really fancy spots.

Hydroguy, your DL Guide for WDW Vets ROCKS. Thanks so much!

Finally, thanks for all the valuable advice everyone provides. I am extremely grateful for any help you can offer!

 

[pixiestarr]

Hi, I'm also a California girl, but moved to Washington in 1991.
I just don't think there is anything as magical as visiting the Magical place where everything began. Disneyland is so magical.
I think that the 6th and 7th, not sure if it's all weekend, it's the non-official gay days, so it might be extremely packed on Friday.
The transfers from the airport to hotel work great!
There should be fireworks on Friday night.
You should make reservations for BB and any character meals. Also, if you want to go to the Rainforest Restaurant at the Disneyland District.
The Anabella I have heard is real close.
It sounds like you have thought it out well.
We are going this October too, it sounds like we will both have a blast!
Good luck, and have fun.

 

[dizzyami]

EE? Since the kids are older, our priorities lean more toward the thrill stuff (with the exception of the new Nemo Subs). Should we save FL for EE on Thursday only and afterward, what is the best plan of attack? Where do we head first? What should we FP?
Should I consider a guidebook? Which one is best for DL?
I feel really limited with the dining choices compared to WDW. I would like to dine at Blue Bayou for the atomosphere only. Is this the only place we need to worry about Priority Seating? We won't be doing any of the really fancy spots.

Hydroguy, your DL Guide for WDW Vets ROCKS. Thanks so much!

Finally, thanks for all the valuable advice everyone provides. I am extremely grateful for any help you can offer!

First of all I love DL in October - the weather is awesome, crowds are "milder" and the decorations are awesome!!!

I honestly don't know about Columbus day - but we will be there the 7th - 11th - so I am hoping it won't be too bad. Many AZ schools have break around that time - so who knows for sure - but as long as you fastpass you are ok.

1st suggestion on your game plan though - you mentioned 2 days in DL and 1 day in DCA. These parks are so close you could throw a rock from one entrance to the other. The BEST bet is to get to DL 30 minutes before open, hang out there until it gets crowded (noon or so), while also gathering fastpasses. Then "hop" to DCA when it gets crowded and spend some time there. The fastpasses are not connected - so get more and enjoy the rides (your ages might enjoy the rides there quite a bit). Then hop back when DCA closes. Repeat this everyday - and hit your favorites on the last day.

Hours usually are limited - 10am - 8pm or so - so not really time for breaks during the day.

As for gay days - I would avoid wearing red - and other then that last year people did not report that big of an impact. Last year I noticed they posted a schedule of when to go where - so if you find it and avoid it, you might be better off in terms of crowds.

You might miss fantasmic and the fireworks - they might be showing friday - but that is probably it. Matterhorn is usually down in October as well.

Do save FL for EE - Space and Buzz are sometimes included as well, and Matterhorn if it is running.

I would get a PS for any must do dining options - just in case.

 

[missmulan]

DCA won't be crowded because of Mickey's Halloween Treat. It will be closed early for MHT because MHT is a separate ticketed event. and from what i understand, there's only a limited amount of tickets they sold to control crowd.

 

[minniebeth]

Hi Dizzyami, I could have written chrisn's post!
Ok, I'm a little slow on really "getting" the FP thing...I'm so used to WDW's FP system, one at a time...I'm not getting the disconnect thing. Would you be so kind as to explain this for me? (kind of like "Fast Pass for Dummies at DLR"
is what I need!) I would be so appreciative! Thank you!