Give it to me in wait times please

[Raenstoirm]

Columbus day weekend+ gay days+ fall break in some states= what?

I didnt realize all of these things are coming to a head the week we are thinking of coming to DL. This is a once in a lifetime type trip for us, so I dont want it to be packed. We were thinking of not being in the parks that actual weekend (maybe just in the evenings to see whatever shows are not playing during the week), but I have no idea how to judge crowds at DLR. I understand that carsland will be a nightmare, but what about indiana Jones, monsters inc, haunted mansion (with overlay)? Will there be any "walk-on" rides (waits less than 30 minutes) to do while waiting for fast-pass return times? If it is as bad as I fear, we might just keep our annual WDW fall trip in place and push off DLR for yet another year.

 

[Rainforest_Elf]

I don't know how much help I'll be, since the last time I went was in 2008, but it was a nightmare. I HATE crowds. While yes, that's part of Disney and you cannot avoid it, we wasted a lot of time waiting in lines for rides when we picked October to specifically avoid the busy season. Wrong. Gay days, Colmbus Day, Fall Break, and the Halloween draw are huge draws. I would never go back to Disney at that time of year.

 

[KalamityJane]

Oh gosh - I hope it isn't completely awful. We are staying through to the 12th, hopefully the crowds die down midweek?

Is it as bad as summer crowds?

 

[ballarinamom]

We go at Thanksgiving time- another super crowded time of the year. You just have to plan and be patient and really make good use of your FP. I cannot comment on DCA since I have not been yet with the opening of Carsland. But Can tell you that you HAVE to be at the gate and up close before rope drop each day-atleast 30 minutes early. For DL, go to Peter Pan and Dumbo first. Star Gathering your FPs right away and make sure to grab another one as soon as your window opens to get it. But we dont use them until later in the day. That's one of the great things that DL does that WDW doesnt. They will let you use your pass after the window. We work the lands. FRom Fantasy, Tomorrow, then over to Adventure and then Frontier.
Dont fret too much....enjoy your trip

 

[Raenstoirm]

Star Gathering your FPs right away and make sure to grab another one as soon as your window opens to get it. But we dont use them until later in the day. That's one of the great things that DL does that WDW doesnt. They will let you use your pass after the window. We work the lands. FRom Fantasy, Tomorrow, then over to Adventure and then Frontier.
Dont fret too much....enjoy your trip

The WDW fastpass enforcement really made high season touring a bit more challenging.

 

[rokstedy]

My best guess is that it won't be as bad as you might think. I've been during gay days, and yes, it was busy. But this year things are less busy than in the past. I'd estimate something like 45 minutes for matterhorn, 45 minutes for star tours and space mountain (these should be your fast pass priorities), 20 minutes for pirates. Splash mountain could hit an hour if it's warm. Haunted Mansion could be long, but it's one of the more enjoyable waits anyway.


At DCE, you won't see very many rides at all go over 30-40 minutes due to the cars land effect. Use your fast passes grizzly rapids if its warm and/or tower of terror.