Halloween at DL

[AmyPond]

That's the week we went last year, and it was a breeze!

Walk-on to POTC, BTMRR, and many others. 10-20 minute lines for Indy & Splash. That's during the week. By Friday, it did start to get crowded. But M-Th, you're gonna have a great time with great weather and short lines. Have a blast!

-Bob

Thanks! I hope that's the case for us. That would be fantastic.

You know, sometimes I feel like the only person on the planet who prefers Disneyland (and everything, really) when it's hot. 90-100 weather is my perfect day. Makes me wish my summer trip hadn't fallen through even though I am so excited to get a shot at Halloween season!

You're a nut!! Anything over 72 or so is just too hot for me! But I'll deal with it because it's Disneyland and I love it there.

 

[Sherry E]

I am with you! I love heat...so a hot day at DLR doesn't bother me much
And maybe that is why I can't remember it being that hot when we went, like SherryE and ukstich had mentioned
Besides, to make full use of the PiratesCove at HoJo, you want it to be warmer
I think our crowds for that last week of September will be GREAT!! I am not worried! (and hoping it's hot...for me and Belle Ella )

Noooooooooo! If it's hot like in the 90's or 100's, I won't be able to go to DLR. I get really sick in the heat (no matter how hydrated I am), as well as really bad burns (no matter what sunscreen I use). Been this way since childhood. The only way I was able to handle it in 2008 was because we arrived in the late afternoon/early evening and the temperature had dropped some. The next day it dropped down to the 80's, and the day after that, it dropped to the 70's. Otherwise, if it had been predicted to be in the 90's and above the whole time, I wouldn't have been able to go. So that is not good at all for me or those of us who are super-sensitive to heat.

But September is often times hotter than all the summer months - so it's not like you guys are going to get there and find that it's 50 degrees. It will be plenty hot. Don't worry!

 

[Sherry E]

Thanks! I hope that's the case for us. That would be fantastic.

You're a nut!! Anything over 72 or so is just too hot for me! But I'll deal with it because it's Disneyland and I love it there.

I think we can't really say that this year will be a certain way because last year was a certain way or the year before was a certain way (crowd and weather-wise, I mean) at DLR. We can only kind of guess what days might have lighter crowds based on certain factors. And I still think your days (all the way up until 10/1) will be pretty okay and manageable. I think your days at DLR will be less crowded than all of October will be!

This year, the whole game changes because of World of Chaos. That very likely could push a whole bunch of people over into DL.

 

[AmyPond]

Noooooooooo! If it's hot like in the 90's or 100's, I won't be able to go to DLR. I get really sick in the heat (no matter how hydrated I am), as well as really bad burns (no matter what sunscreen I use). Been this way since childhood. The only way I was able to handle it in 2008 was because we arrived in the late afternoon/early evening and the temperature had dropped some. The next day it dropped down to the 80's, and the day after that, it dropped to the 70's. Otherwise, if it had been predicted to be in the 90's and above the whole time, I wouldn't have been able to go. So that is not good at all for me or those of us who are super-sensitive to heat.

But September is often times hotter than all the summer months - so it's not like you guys are going to get there and find that it's 50 degrees. It will be plenty hot. Don't worry!

Sherry, do you go to DLR often since you're fairly close? Just curious.

If not, are you planning a Halloweentime trip this year?

 

[Sherry E]

Sherry, do you go to DLR often since you're fairly close? Just curious.

If not, are you planning a Halloweentime trip this year?

I don't go often - well, a couple of times a year, and last year I didn't do any weekend trips - only two 1-day trips (money wasn't agreeing with me for hotel stays). So I don't go often in the sense of going every week like some folks do. I don't have an AP anymore (let that expire last year). I once didn't go to DLR for something like 6 years (between 2001 and 2007), which was rough!! It was weird making my grand return there after 6 years and seeing everything that had changed. It took some getting used to. It was familiar and unfamiliar at the same time.

I do plan on going during Halloweentime for at least one day - and hopefully more than that if money cooperates this year. I am just on the fence as to whether or not to skip the TOTP again and go sometime in the last few days of September (kind of what I am leaning towards, but not if it's 90-100 degrees!) or wait and go in October. It partly depends on how much the darn TOTP tickets cost. I am mildly intrigued by the TOTP being held in DL, but not intrigued enough to pay outrageous money. So once the powers that be at DLR finally release the full Halloweentime schedule and TOTP prices, that will help me make more of a decision!!

 

[AmyPond]

I don't go often - well, a couple of times a year, and last year I didn't do any weekend trips - only two 1-day trips (money wasn't agreeing with me for hotel stays). So I don't go often in the sense of going every week like some folks do. I don't have an AP anymore (let that expire last year). I once didn't go to DLR for something like 6 years (between 2001 and 2007), which was rough!! It was weird making my grand return there after 6 years and seeing everything that had changed. It took some getting used to. It was familiar and unfamiliar at the same time.

I do plan on going during Halloweentime for at least one day - and hopefully more than that if money cooperates this year. I am just on the fence as to whether or not to skip the TOTP again and go sometime in the last few days of September (kind of what I am leaning towards, but not if it's 90-100 degrees!) or wait and go in October. It partly depends on how much the darn TOTP tickets cost. I am mildly intrigued by the TOTP being held in DL, but not intrigued enough to pay outrageous money. So once the powers that be at DLR finally release the full Halloweentime schedule and TOTP prices, that will help me make more of a decision!!

How much has the TOTP cost in the past? I honestly don't even know what it is. LOL! Maybe I should eventually go back and read all of the pages of this thread.

 

[Sherry E]

How much has the TOTP cost in the past? I honestly don't even know what it is. LOL! Maybe I should eventually go back and read all of the pages of this thread.

Here is a link from AllEars (from last year) that shows what the TOTP dates and prices were - when it was in DCA.

http://allears.net/dlr/tp/dca/mht.htm

So this means that if the TOTP is in DL this year - and it sounds like it will be - they will hike up the prices because DL is bigger than DCA and they will have to fill more area with Halloween-ish activities. If the price is too much, I will probably just skip it and go sometime in late September - when it seems like many other people are going!!

 

[AmyPond]

Thanks for the info. For some reason, it never occurred to me that the rides would be operating during the TOTP. I thought it was just an event to get candy and get your photo taken with characters.

I'm still not sure if I think it would be worth the money just for two adults (my husband and myself.) But it definitely looks worth it for kids.

I doubt we'll do it though. I mean, I suppose it would be a possibility if it meant more time in the parks with shorter lines. But I don't know. I doubt my husband would be interested. And it would be our last evening there. Which means we have to get up mega early the next day to get on the road.

 

[Sherry E]

Thanks for the info. For some reason, it never occurred to me that the rides would be operating during the TOTP. I thought it was just an event to get candy and get your photo taken with characters.

I'm still not sure if I think it would be worth the money just for two adults (my husband and myself.) But it definitely looks worth it for kids.

I doubt we'll do it though. I mean, I suppose it would be a possibility if it meant more time in the parks with shorter lines. But I don't know. I doubt my husband would be interested. And it would be our last evening there. Which means we have to get up mega early the next day to get on the road.

The TOTP is cool and fun - even for adults only - but I don't think I would need to do it every year. I could skip a year here and there. Of course, when I went in 2008, they were handing out gobs of candy (including my faves, 3 Musketeers and Nestle Crunch), and even some healthy snacks here and there, but I seem to recall hearing some people say last year that the CMs were being a little more stingy with the candy/treats. There used to be lots of treat stations all over DCA, and some of the characters who were out for special photo ops were rare or not seen in the parks during the day (for example, if you want to meet Jack Sparrow, the only way to see him now is at the TOTP since they took him out of DL as a regularly appearing character). There were also dance areas and live music. They turned the Pacific Wharf area into Pirate's Wharf. Mickey and Minnie were wearing their Halloween outfits. There was some merchandise that was only sold at the TOTP. There are decorations that are only up for the TOTP.

I mean, basically, it's a fun event - and if they have enough time to really go all out with it being in DL this year, I think it could be even more fun. I still kind of wish they would have just left the TOTP in DCA because it is going to interfere too much with DL's hours in October, but it is what it is. So if they really add in a bunch of treat stations and more characters and all kinds of extra 'stuff' around the entire park, it could be worth it to plunk down the money and see what the TOTP is like in DL. But not if it's toooooo terribly much more than those prices from last year.

 

[mmmears]

Just checking in again. I guess we're all still waiting for the TOT dates, huh? Can someone help me with a few questions:

1) Has anything been "formally" announced yet (like the dates that HM will open up)?

2) During the TOT, will there be rides open, or just the party. If yes, do those rides have long lines.

I'm thinking about the end of September, but we won't be going if the decorations and HM aren't up and running by then.

TIA!

 

[Vala]

1) No, nothing has been announced.

2) Before anything is announced about the party, no one can tell which rides will be open. We don't even know for sure where the party is moving so far.

While the party was in DCA most rides were open. I got to check with my friends about the lines, I was more focussed on the party aspect than on the rides.

 

[Sherry E]

Mmmears -

As Vala said, nothing has been formally annouced yet. We are still assuming that the start date of Halloweentime will be Friday, September 24th, based on what DLR did in 2008 and 2009. Of course, that could change and they could suddenly decide to start it earlier or later. (It started earlier in 2007, so you never know).

The TOTP looks like it is going to begin on Friday, October 1, and be held on every Friday, Sunday and Tuesday in October. Based on the unofficial reports we have already read, the TOTP looks as if it is heading to DL and away from DCA, forcing DL to close hours earlier on TOTP nights. Again we assume that the prices for the tickets will be higher than they were when the TOTP was held in DCA, simply because DL is larger and there is more ground to cover. Exactly how much they will charge is anyone's guess.

I think we will find out about the exact TOTP prices and dates before we actually get word of the official Halloweentime start date (in July), so that TOTP info will likely be coming soon.

There are rides open - in fact, at DCA I think most of them were open but a few may have been closed. All the big ticket items were open, as I recall - and the lines were not as short as I expected them to be given that this was a ticketed event.

WazowskiLOVER has some great photos of herself at the TOTP dressed as Peach from "Finding Nemo," in this cumbersome starfish outfit, trying to get on TSMM!! Hilarious!!

Of course, we have no idea what will remain open in DL if this, indeed, is where the TOTP is held. We assumed that they would give us access to the entire park and its rides, but something on the DLR website about trick or treating in "the ultimate Disney neighborhood" made us think that they may only have TOTP-related things in certain sections of DL. So they may just put treat stations in certain areas and the rest of the park might just be regular/non-Halloweentime DL. DCA is so much smaller, so they could kind of spread things around. But DL is so big, and I just don't know if Disney has the time or the inclination to deck out all of DL in Halloweentime decor and put treat stations and other Halloween touches all over the park. I wish they would - that sounds cool - but it will require more time, money and effort on their part.

 

[Sherry E]

Bump!

 

[TheZue]

Mmmears -

As Vala said, nothing has been formally annouced yet. We are still assuming that the start date of Halloweentime will be Friday, September 24th, based on what DLR did in 2008 and 2009. Of course, that could change and they could suddenly decide to start it earlier or later. (It started earlier in 2007, so you never know).

The TOTP looks like it is going to begin on Friday, October 1, and be held on every Friday, Sunday and Tuesday in October. Based on the unofficial reports we have already read, the TOTP looks as if it is heading to DL and away from DCA, forcing DL to close hours earlier on TOTP nights. Again we assume that the prices for the tickets will be higher than they were when the TOTP was held in DCA, simply because DL is larger and there is more ground to cover. Exactly how much they will charge is anyone's guess.

I think we will find out about the exact TOTP prices and dates before we actually get word of the official Halloweentime start date (in July), so that TOTP info will likely be coming soon.

There are rides open - in fact, at DCA I think most of them were open but a few may have been closed. All the big ticket items were open, as I recall - and the lines were not as short as I expected them to be given that this was a ticketed event.

WazowskiLOVER has some great photos of herself at the TOTP dressed as Peach from "Finding Nemo," in this cumbersome starfish outfit, trying to get on TSMM!! Hilarious!!

Of course, we have no idea what will remain open in DL if this, indeed, is where the TOTP is held. We assumed that they would give us access to the entire park and its rides, but something on the DLR website about trick or treating in "the ultimate Disney neighborhood" made us think that they may only have TOTP-related things in certain sections of DL. So they may just put treat stations in certain areas and the rest of the park might just be regular/non-Halloweentime DL. DCA is so much smaller, so they could kind of spread things around. But DL is so big, and I just don't know if Disney has the time or the inclination to deck out all of DL in Halloweentime decor and put treat stations and other Halloween touches all over the park. I wish they would - that sounds cool - but it will require more time, money and effort on their part.

That would be SO cool if they had it in DL...even if it was just on halloween itself. We went on the 31st last year and DCA was beyond packed, I've never seen it that busy. TSMM's wait was around 1.5 hours I think....and we waited lol. The characters were awesome, we'd spend the entire time looking for handy manny for our 18 month old and he was at the party along with the little Einstein guys. We got a pic of my oldest with Woody and he was dressed as Woody too. I'd go again in a heartbeat even with the price and crowds...it was a really good night.

A couple other things we noticed about halloween last year:

If you want to see JUST halloween stuff I'd go earlier in October. We went from the 25th-31st last year and the Christmas stuff was already replacing the halloween, there wasn't a ton of halloween left in the stores, and the the snow even showed up on the castle half way through our trip.

If you stay on site for halloween itself they have a really good trick or treating set up on Halloween itself. I know at the grand they could trick or treat at Whitewater, Story Tellers, the gift shop, the guest services counter, and a few others. They also had photopass set up with a nice little hay bale display for the kids, and some fun games. It was unexpected and really nice, I'll put the picture of the hay bales with our kidlets on the bottom of this post.

Here's Woody & Woody:

The GCH photo op:

 

[Sherry E]

Great pictures, TheZue! I love Woody & Woody, and the second photo by the hay bale is adorable!

That's really good information to know as well - I don't think anyone knew that there was a PhotoPass set-up at the GCH for Halloween. It makes me wonder why they don't have that set up at the GCH all throughout Halloweentime season, to give more people a chance to take advantage of it, just like the Santa/PhotoPass set-up by the Christmas tree is at the GCH all the way up through Christmas (and then Santa leaves on 12/26). It seems like it would be a way to bring a bit of Halloween to at least one of the DLR hotels. Otherwise, the hotels have no Halloween touches at all, with the exception of on Halloween, I guess. And the DLH & PPH always get short-changed in the PhotoPass department. It's always the GCH that gets the PhotoPass photographers.

 

[FlameGirl]

This may be the cutest thing I've ever seen in my life.

 

[BELLEDOZER]

"bump"

 

[Sherry E]

Bump again!

 

[mmmears]

Thanks for the helpful replies! I guess I'll just keep checking this thread and I'll hope for the best on the dates.

 

[Sherry E]

Bump!