Halloween 2016 plans - crowds about the same?

[Elfinbaby]

I started looking into Halloween 2016 recently. We've always wanted to go. Family of six, one dd in a wheelchair/severely disabled but Disney lights her fire! We've done WDW twice, but we are new to DL. The accommodations that suit our needs best are the 2 bedroom VGC but, after doing a little research, that ship might have sailed. However, I'm still going to give renting points a try and thought having some flexibility in my dates would help. We are really interested in a kitchen, space and walking distance to our room. My first choice for travel is the last week of September but we can go anytime during the Halloween season. Are there good/bad weeks in October? Low crowds help so much getting DD around the park but we know how to manage. We are planning to do a Sunday - Thurs/Friday trip. I'm also making a reservation for a suite at Park Vue as a back up but that's pushing it as far as space for us. The idea of not having to pack up meds, gtube, feeding supplies, etc to go to the park makes me so happy I could cry! Is there a better backup than Park Vue?

Thanks for any input!
April

 

[figment_jii]

It's hard to say at this point what HalloweenTime 2016 will look like, both in terms of the crowds and the park. The Rivers of America is closing for a long period (year or more), so that may impact what DL does for HalloweenTime (e.g., decorations, MHP location, etc.). DLR is very slow to release information, so we most likely won't know anything until mid-to-late summer. In terms of crowds, no one knows if the crowds during HalloweenTime 2016 will hold stead, increase, or decrease relative to this year. There was a pretty significant increase in the crowds this year (2015), but it's not known if those crowds will be present again next year.

In general, for October, there are some events that do impact crowds (primarily on weekends, but will some spillover effects). Gay Days is slated for 9/30-10/2 and it's the single largest unofficial convention/event at DLR. Significant increases in crowds are very common. CHOC Walk usually happens on the Sunday of Columbus Day weekend, so large increases in crowds on that day are common. UEA (10/20-10/21) also tends to increase crowds in the park. Also, a goodly number of school districts have Fall Break in October, so that can increase weekday crowds. Overall, October is generally a busy month in the parks, it's just a matter of how busy. To see the range of events that happened this year, check out the 2015 Calendar of Events thread (to see what I know so far about 2016, check out the 2016 Calendar thread).

 

[Elfinbaby]

Thank you! Great info. Your info kind of confirmed what I was thinking - with the 60th Celebration going til next Sept, closures, events, etc., nothing is guaranteed. I think I'm going to stick with my Sept dates and send that in. If it doesn't work out, maybe we will look into other options or wait til 2017.

 

[WestMom2two]

Ok my input is that the busiest time in October is Columbus Day and the week of Columbus day because of the fall school breaks and the holiday. Unfortunately that's the week we are traveling next year to Disneyland. The best week in my opinion would be the 17th to the 24th. We went that week and it was so quiet! Such an amazingweek to go! I would either go first week or 3rd of October. The downside is that later you go in October that chances It's a Small World will be closed for it's Christmas overlay. So if that's important to you aim for earlier in the month!

 

[WestMom2two]

Desert Inn and Suites has a variety of room sizes and is at Park entrance as well. If booked in advance you can get a really cheap room. No money down. So if you change your mind you can cancel within 3 days of your arrival. We have stayed here a couple times.

 

[figment_jii]

The best week in my opinion would be the 17th to the 24th. We went that week and it was so quiet!

UEA is on October 20-21 in 2016. Historically the parks have been fairly busy during those days (when most all of the Utah school districts are on break).

 

[WestMom2two]

@figment_jii So excited to hear this since we had to book the week before, 10-15. This will definitely lighten the crowd load for us!

 

[figment_jii]

I'm curious to see how things go this year (2016). The week after Columbus Day in 2015 was one of the busiest times I've ever been in the parks. I don't know if UEA being at the end of the week impacted crowds or if something else was going on the increased crowds (beyond the general increase in crowds that have been seen since the start of the 60th Celebration), but it was more like peak summer crowds (e.g., the line for Hungry Bear extended down onto the ramp!). In 2016, there is a longer split between Columbus Day and UEA (week and a half), so hopefully that will better distribute the crowds.

 

[Niltiac]

Even though we don't know to what degree the 60th anniversary crowds will stick around next year, you can still probably make an educated guess about the relative crowds. I think the week you picked is a good one. I went during that week in 2014 (end of sept, beginning of oct, right before Gay Days), and it was great crowd-wise. I did notice a distinctive increase in crowds on the Thursday of that week, which was our last day, and I suspect it's because people come early for Gay Days. But by that point in the week you will have already had a good amount of time in the parks. Mon-Wed there were still lines for rides obviously, but the walkways were wide open and we could just about walk into any restaurant and have our pick of tables.

 

[jammyjam25]

I went the last week of September in 2015, with our last day in the parks being the first day (Friday) of Gay Days weekend and the crowds were really great. The only time the crowds were bad was Friday evening bc there was a Halloween Party in DL so the rest of us were all forced over to DCA. That's the only time I've ever been in DCA where the walkways were completely full!

But all in all I think it's a great week to go!