Halloween at DL

[Diznygrl]

I for one would be majorly PO'ed if DL ever decided to "hold Halloween hostage" like at WDW. I think it would be enough just to be able to go trick or treating, dress up in costume, meet villains, ride rides, be surrounded by great decorations and fun Halloween party music, all while being INSIDE DISNEYLAND. It would be enough for ME. Halloween Screams, Ghost Galaxy, and all the Halloween things that regular guests currently get to experience should just be considered an added atmospheric bonus to party guests, not an exclusive.

DL AIN'T WDW, and if they ever tried to pull that junk, they'd learn the hard way that us Disneylanders don't play that game.

 

[PeytonSdiz]

I for one would be majorly PO'ed if DL ever decided to "hold Halloween hostage" like at WDW. I think it would be enough just to be able to go trick or treating, dress up in costume, meet villains, ride rides, be surrounded by great decorations and fun Halloween party music, all while being INSIDE DISNEYLAND. It would be enough for ME. Halloween Screams, Ghost Galaxy, and all the Halloween things that regular guests currently get to experience should just be considered an added atmospheric bonus to party guests, not an exclusive.

DL AIN'T WDW, and if they ever tried to pull that junk, they'd learn the hard way that us Disneylanders don't play that game.

Totally OT, but I love your signature. Where did you get that picture?

 

[Diznygrl]

Totally OT, but I love your signature. Where did you get that picture?

It's actually the design on a laptop sleeve that I bought at DL. I took a picture of the sleeve with my camera and cropped it.

 

[Sherry E]

On the one hand, I can't imagine that DLR would possibly be that silly as to withhold entertainment that would be part of the normal Halloweentime festivities - like the fireworks and Ghost Galaxy - and only let the TOTP guests experience those. Plus, it seems like it would be a big inconvenience for them to do that in general. On the other hand, I can see them wanting to throw whatever they can into the TOTP 'package' to lure folks into feeling compelled to buy the tickets.

But it's true - DLR is not WDW, and there are not a whole lot of other options for people if they don't attend the TOTP and don't want to get caught up in the WoC madness. Closing DCA early for the TOTP was much less of an interference than closing DL early will be. And people will, indeed, be ticked if they take a weekend trip to DLR and 2 out of the 3 nights they are there are nights when DL closes really early (Friday and Sunday). I guess DLR is banking on that scenario happening over Columbus Day weekend, and, thus, it will send all of the disgruntled holiday-visiting people (who wanted to get into DL) over to DCA, where they will then say, "Hey! Let's check out that World of Color thing!"

I still feel a little like WoC is being forced on us; like no matter what happens, all roads lead to World of Color, and Disney wants to make sure we all see it no matter what! And the thing is - I am sure when I eventually see WoC, I will enjoy it and think it's wonderful. But do I want it interfering with my Halloweentime activities? No!

So I remain on the fence about whether I will embrace the TOTP in DL concept (depends on the ticket prices) or if I will rebel agianst it!!

I am just waiting for Disney to now suddenly decide that they are going to have a Very Merry Christmas Party so they find a reason to close DL early again in December and either charge more $$$ for tickets or send people fleeing over to DCA to see WoC!!

But we can rant about that over in the Disney at Christmas super thread. This thread is for Halloweentime ranting!

...Oh, and it's also for doing the Halloweentime Information Boogie!!


(Now if I could only do the Information Boogie to help me figure out what the heck is happening on "Lost" before the series ends in less than 2 weeks, I would be ahead of the game!!)

 

[srauchbauer]

So cool...join the club of excited HalloweenTime peeps. You have to know how to dance though
Our trip this year is going to be a surprise to our kids..if DH & I can keep a secret. I hope it doesn't slip-out. That is why it is so good to have forums to release the disney-excitement to those that feel the same!
Can't wait to see your pics!

we all love to dance so can we join the club of excited Halloween Time peeps. DH must be pretty serious about going since he kind of talked about it at dinner last night. Didn't give any details just asked the kids (ages 5 and 3) what their favorite rides were last year and if they would be willing to try new ones this year.

Keeping fingers crossed that i can find some cheap airfare from Minneapolis. Anybody use a specific travel agencies for booking their trips?

 

[amamax2]

I will play it by ear but I might be inclined to do my Halloweentime DLR visit - whether it be one day or more than that - in the last days of September rather than October, which will likely be more crowded.

Sherry - I'm sorry if I am being dense, but do you mean you think it will be more crowded in Oct? I am trying to plan a trip to see the Halloween stuff - had hoped to go to TOTP, but not if they jack up the prices - and was planning mid-Oct but if I'm not going to TOTP, then want the lowest crowds, lol!

Thanks for any advice!

 

[PHXscuba]

I heard the first weekend last year (Sept 24/25) was really nuts because two of the things were brand-new -- Ghost Galaxy overlay, new Halloween Screams fireworks. I also believe they reached capacity on the Friday night of Columbus Day weekend (not sure about Saturday). So I'm not sure that any weekend is going to be easy, especially if they block off some of the evenings for TOTP this year.

ANY weekdays in October are likely to be better than weekend/holiday days on the whole. Maybe try during the week of Sept. 27?

PHXscuba

 

[Sherry E]

Sherry - I'm sorry if I am being dense, but do you mean you think it will be more crowded in Oct? I am trying to plan a trip to see the Halloween stuff - had hoped to go to TOTP, but not if they jack up the prices - and was planning mid-Oct but if I'm not going to TOTP, then want the lowest crowds, lol!

Thanks for any advice!

No, you're not being dense at all - don't worry about that! Any question you have, ask away. Yes, I meant that I think October will be busier than the end of September. I wasn't sure if the TOTP would be enough of an enticement to me to go to DLR in October, or if I should just pick a day or two in late September to see all the Halloweentime stuff, but minus the TOTP and with fewer people.

PHXscuba is right - October has gotten busier in general anyway, in the last couple of years. This year, with the TOTP in DL and World of Color dominating much of what happens in DCA, I suspect it will be quite busy in Ocotber of this year. But, as PHXscuba pointed out, midweek days are almost always going to be better than weekend dates.



I am a bit under the weather today, so I am retiring my Halloweentime Information Boogie shoes for tonight so I can rest. But I really appreciate everyone keeping this thread alive and in the forefront with discussions, info, speculation, ranting, photos and dancing - whatever it takes!! Hopefully, by keeping as many of the Halloween-related topics flowing through here as we can, it will cut down on the number of other Halloween-related threads that will pop up between now and September, which can be confusing for people when they don't know where to look for info. Oh, there will still be Halloween-related threads, of course, but if we can get as much information here in our super thread, the better!!

 

[amamax2]

Thanks to both of you!

Yes, it would definitely be during the week - we always go Tues - Thurs (NEVER on a weekend, lol!).

Week of Sept 27 is looking like a winner...I can't belive Oct has gotten so bad, it was always one of our favorite times to go, but haven't been for a couple of years.

Thanks again and feel better Sherry!

 

[srauchbauer]

We were just looking at the Disney site and it stated that TOT will be at DCA in Fall 2010.

 

[tdashgirl]

We were just looking at the Disney site and it stated that TOT will be at DCA in Fall 2010.

Yes, but it also says "Check back in summer 2010 for details." SIGH.

 

[PeytonSdiz]

Thanks to both of you!

Yes, it would definitely be during the week - we always go Tues - Thurs (NEVER on a weekend, lol!).

Week of Sept 27 is looking like a winner...I can't belive Oct has gotten so bad, it was always one of our favorite times to go, but haven't been for a couple of years.

Thanks again and feel better Sherry!

We're probably going to be there the 27th - October 1st. Normally I like to do one weekend day but it just didn't work out this time. Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

I think the 5-day hopper at the price of a 3-day may still be available at that time. I'm really hoping so! We were only planning on getting a 3-day hopper since we're in town for other reasons besides Disneyland. But if we have the free upgrade to the 5-day, we may be able to head to the parks at least for a couple hours each day.

I was thinking we'd do two full park days. Anyone have any suggestions on which days two you'd think would be best to do open to close in the parks? (27th-2nd?)

We were just looking at the Disney site and it stated that TOT will be at DCA in Fall 2010.

Link?

 

[tdashgirl]

Link?

www.disneyland.com/halloween

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

We were just looking at the Disney site and it stated that TOT will be at DCA in Fall 2010.

That's because nothing has been officially announced.

 

[Sherry E]

That's because nothing has been officially announced.

Yes, exactly - the stuff on the website is what's been there for a while now, even going back a couple of months. They haven't updated it yet because they are still trying to solidify all the Halloweentime details. That's their standard synopsis/text for Halloweentime that they keep up on the DLR site until the actual, official details are released in July.

As I've said, I don't think that Disney had any intention of having the TOTP in DL when 2010 began. I think their plan was always to keep it in DCA. But, as the year started and the finalization of World of Color was underway they encountered bumps in the road that have to be smoothed out in terms of handling crowds, and they suddenly realized that it would probably be too diffcult to have the TOTP in DCA and it would have to be moved to DL if they were going to have it at all. This is largely because Paradise Pier will be closed at night, and it sounds as if a 'holding area' of sorts for people waiting to see WoC will be in the Hollywood Backlot area. DCA isn't all that large, so by keeping two major areas of the park devoted to WoC, it seems silly and inconvenient to have the TOTP for 2010 (until they can get it all sorted out and see what the flow of things is).

 

[Belle Ella]

Well, one thing I was concerned about with the TOTP heading to DL and closing the park early for regular guests leaving them with only one nighttime option for entertainment being WOC because of the closing of Aladdin in mid-August may hve been ever-so-slightly cleared up.

If you haven't seen the news already, it was announced in the DisneyParks Blog that Aladdin is being extended. But they don't say until when, so who really knows if it will be into October or not, but I think it would really help if they are execting DCA to accomodate people after being kicked out of Disneyland.

All assuming that's the way things are going to go, of course!

Link: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...nted-genies-run-extended-at-hyperion-theater/

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Well, one thing I was concerned about with the TOTP heading to DL and closing the park early for regular guests leaving them with only one nighttime option for entertainment being WOC because of the closing of Aladdin in mid-August may hve been ever-so-slightly cleared up.

If you haven't seen the news already, it was announced in the DisneyParks Blog that Aladdin is being extended. But they don't say until when, so who really knows if it will be into October or not, but I think it would really help if they are execting DCA to accomodate people after being kicked out of Disneyland.

All assuming that's the way things are going to go, of course!

Link: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...nted-genies-run-extended-at-hyperion-theater/

Oh, I hope Aladdin gets extended through October... I was so sad to hear it was being replaced by Toy Story, and Toy Story wouldn't be ready for our October trip... going to keep my fingers crossed on this one, I love Aladdin!

 

[Sherry E]

Well, one thing I was concerned about with the TOTP heading to DL and closing the park early for regular guests leaving them with only one nighttime option for entertainment being WOC because of the closing of Aladdin in mid-August may hve been ever-so-slightly cleared up.

If you haven't seen the news already, it was announced in the DisneyParks Blog that Aladdin is being extended. But they don't say until when, so who really knows if it will be into October or not, but I think it would really help if they are execting DCA to accomodate people after being kicked out of Disneyland.

All assuming that's the way things are going to go, of course!

Link: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...nted-genies-run-extended-at-hyperion-theater/

I think this is great for a couple of reasons.

First of all, the initial plan was to close Aladdin in August and then leave the Hyperion dark for something crazy like 7 months until the Toy Story musical got there! That made no sense to me - even though they are doing all this work on DCA to make it a better place for all of us, the reality is that it's not that big of a park and it doesn't have that many attractions in it, and closing off something for so long that was one of the real highlights of DCA seemed like it would only drive people away from DCA or force them all into other areas.

Next, now that TDA/Disney sees that it has its hands full with trying to carefully plan out how to handle the WoC crowds and where to 'stash' them while they wait for their WoC show, one of their ideas was to have a holding area in the Hollywood Backlot area. That is going to crowd up the backlot area quite a bit, but at least letting Aladdin run (if, indeed, it is still playing in October and if they are still doing nighttime shows like what was recently announced) would eat up some of the people-traffic for chunks of time.

It would most definitely be helpful to keep Aladdin open for some nighttime shows in October to leave some other alternative for those folks who are not interested in attending the TOTP but want some kind of nighttime entertainment.

 

[PeytonSdiz]

I think this is great for a couple of reasons.

First of all, the initial plan was to close Aladdin in August and then leave the Hyperion dark for something crazy like 7 months until the Toy Story musical got there! That made no sense to me - even though they are doing all this work on DCA to make it a better place for all of us, the reality is that it's not that big of a park and it doesn't have that many attractions in it, and closing off something for so long that was one of the real highlights of DCA seemed like it would only drive people away from DCA or force them all into other areas.

Next, now that TDA/Disney sees that it has its hands full with trying to carefully plan out how to handle the WoC crowds and where to 'stash' them while they wait for their WoC show, one of their ideas was to have a holding area in the Hollywood Backlot area. That is going to crowd up the backlot area quite a bit, but at least letting Aladdin run (if, indeed, it is still playing in October and if they are still doing nighttime shows like what was recently announced) would eat up some of the people-traffic for chunks of time.

It would most definitely be helpful to keep Aladdin open for some nighttime shows in October to leave some other alternative for those folks who are not interested in attending the TOTP but want some kind of nighttime entertainment.

I am completely dense about all of the WoC stuff. I haven't followed any of those threads. It seems like a neat show, but that's all I really know about it. Is the WoC show going to cause crowd problems on our trip!??

 

[Sherry E]

I am completely dense about all of the WoC stuff. I haven't followed any of those threads. It seems like a neat show, but that's all I really know about it. Is the WoC show going to cause crowd problems on our trip!??

It's hard to say just yet. When WoC officially debuts - which will be very soon - I am hoping we can count on a few DIS-er to come back and tell us about what the crowds are like. It will definitely affect crowds in some way, but how significantly and how immediately is the question - and how will this translate to the usual Halloweentime and Christmastime crowds?

There may be quite a few folks waiting to see WoC until after the initial hype dies down (I fall into that camp). I think that if the TOTP is being held in DL, that will force some folks over to DCA for lack of anything else to do at 6 p.m. Paradise Pier in DCA is closing at night to focus on WoC, and it sounds as if part of the Hollywood Backlot area will be used to hold some of the WoC crowds until it's time to let them into the viewing area. So a large part of DCA will be affected by or devoted to WoC in some way, shape or form. And DCA is not that big of a park, so it will be intersting to see how crowded it actually seems.

Another interesting thing will be to see how many people seem to leave DL and go to DCA on non-TOTP nights, because that will indicate a clear choice in wanting to see WoC and not just an issue of being forced out of DL on a TOTP night. And will this make an obvious difference in lessening the crowds at DL?