Going to DLR in early Nov. - anyone ever...

[Guatemommy]

We will be in CA in early November - shortly after Halloween. Are shows and fireworks really closed during the weekdays?

Anyone ever go during this off-season and have personal experience?

 

[HydroGuy]

We will be in CA in early November - shortly after Halloween. Are shows and fireworks really closed during the weekdays?

Anyone ever go during this off-season and have personal experience?

Yes and yes.

See

"Historical DLR Park Hours, Entertainment and Refurbs" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2291124

"What You Should Know About Off-Season at DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18462889

 

[J. Galt]

We have been twice during the first week in Nov. It is true that shows and fireworks are suspended during the week, although, I seem to remember catching either Fantasmic or fireworks on a R night one time (I'm sure someone on here will correct me if I am wrong ). Not all stage shows were dark, some ran on a reduced schedule. Halloween decorations will be coming down and Christmas will be going up, but neither will be completed during this week. Small World will be closed to place the overlay for Christmas. That being said.... we LOVED going this week. Crowds were non-existent and we didn't feel that we missed out on any fun.... except for Small World. My kids were sad. We are switching to go after Thanksgiving this year just to see Christmas Small World. Otherwise, I would go that first week in Nov in a heartbeat. To be safe, you might want to work in either a Sun or F night to see fireworks/Fantasmic.

 

[starshine514]

We have been twice during the first week in Nov. It is true that shows and fireworks are suspended during the week, although, I seem to remember catching either Fantasmic or fireworks on a R night one time (I'm sure someone on here will correct me if I am wrong ). Not all stage shows were dark, some ran on a reduced schedule. Halloween decorations will be coming down and Christmas will be going up, but neither will be completed during this week. Small World will be closed to place the overlay for Christmas. That being said.... we LOVED going this week. Crowds were non-existent and we didn't feel that we missed out on any fun.... except for Small World. My kids were sad. We are switching to go after Thanksgiving this year just to see Christmas Small World. Otherwise, I would go that first week in Nov in a heartbeat. To be safe, you might want to work in either a Sun or F night to see fireworks/Fantasmic.

I'm on the fence about this one - torn between going for my daughter's birthday at the beginning of November, or a couple weeks earlier for Halloween. We had just decided on Halloween, but your recommendation is making me wonder if we should stick with the original plan... I love low crowds... Of course, our visit will include a weekend, and that probably rules out low crowds anyway!

 

[Misskitty3]

My DD's birthday is Nov 2nd. We have been once over here birthday and once mid-October. I don't remember a huge difference between the two. It was fun to see the Christmas decorations go up a little more each day. However, if you are a big Halloween fan it could be fun to go mid-Oct especially if you do the Mickey trick-or-treat party.

We still saw the parades too.....

 

[Brady's Mom]

We love the first week of Nov.!! We are planning a trip this year and want to arrive on Halloween (for the party) and then do the parks the rest of the week. We almost always plan a Friday night in our 5 day trip so we can catch parades, F! and fireworks. We don't always spend the time to stake out a spot for fireworks, but almost always stake out a spot for F!. I don't have any experience with WOC, since it started after our last trip.

We love that week for the low crowds, the short lines and the early park closing and the later park opening. I know, we're weird. We always feel like we've done everything we want to do and more by the time evening comes around, so we also enjoy the pool at the hotel and some down time in the room. It also helps keep our kids on a more even bedtime since they will have to go back to school the next week. It just makes life easier for me!

It was really fun to see the Halloween decorations come down and the Christmas stuff go up. It's really great when you can see the Halloween and Christmas decorations in the same area.

 

[DisMike]

I've been twice at this time of year. It's my favorite time to go.

Several pros:

1. Usually awesome weather!
2. All the rides are up and running (except IASW). BFHD!
3. The Christmas decorations are up.
4. Non-existent waits for anything. Longest line was 15 minutes except on weekends and Veterans Day. Then they went up to 25 minutes.
5. All the shows run albeit with reduced number of shows.

Cons:

1. Shorter hours (BFHD. You get to do much more than when the hours are full so who cares?)
2. No fireworks or Fantasmic on weekdays (if it's that important, stay an extra day or get there Sunday and watch the fireworks from your hotel.)
3. IASW is closed rotfl We don't have little kids so again, who cares?


For us the big thing is we don't want to fight crowds and have nice weather. This is Nirvana time for us. I mean EVERYTHING is open!!! NO CROWDS!!! Great weather. The two times we've been there the weather was from 80 - 90 degrees. No humidity. Comfortable evenings. I'll trade that for no fireworks during the week or Fantasmic.

I highly recommend this time of year for anyone...unless we're going to be there . In that case it's a terrible time to go. Everyone should stay away at that time!!