HalloweenTime at DLR Info and Photo Superthread #3

[KiwiMouseGirl]

Hello Disers!  You probably don’t know me as i’m a bit of a lurker here on the Halloween thread, but have decided to finally show myself Now, I think I may end up in a bit of a dilemma, but im hoping that you will be able to help me. My friend Alicia and myself are currently planning our trip to Disneyland for the Halloween season of 2013. We are planning on arriving late in September and staying somewhere like the tropicanna or carousel inn. We will do SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo, Knotts and some shopping. We are then moving to the Paradise Pier hotel where we will stay for around 8-9 nights with 7 days in the parks (We won’t be getting annual passes, and if our travel agent can’t get us 7 day hopper passes we will just get a 5 day and 2 pay park hopper pass. Not a biggie for us) We will then go to L.A where we will do Universal Studios, Six Flags and some exploring around Hollywood. The only issue is that I may be doing competitive dancing next year, and nationals is on Labour weekend. I couldn’t afford to miss 3 weeks of practice so would have to leave for the trip on the Monday after (20th of October) If we still did our original plan of San Diego and other attractions first THEN Disney, would we miss out on the Halloween season? Or would we catch half of Halloween and Half of the Christmas overlay? If push comes to shove i’ll either be choosing Disney over dancing, or switching our Halloween vacation to a Christmas one. Help? Thoughts?

 

[Eeee-va]

KiwiMouseGirl, I couldn't follow exactly what days you were considering going to Disneyland? (San Diego is kind of a trip from Anaheim. If you are doing Sea World AND San Diego Zoo, I think I would stay a couple days in San Diego, instead of making Anaheim my "base." Knotts from Anaheim is fine.)

Halloweentime usually starts mid-to-late September, and I think the last day for Halloweentime is usually (but not always) October 31. It could possibly go a few days later; I think it has some years.

Historically, I understand crowds are lower for 1-2 weeks immediately following Halloween (with shorter hours), and there are quite a few Christmas decorations up during that period. But Christmastime does not officially start until about mid-November. So you will not get the whole feel of Christmastime. I find Christmastime a more magical period than Halloweentime, even though I adore dressing up in costumes, which adults can do at the separate ticket Halloween parties. If you love villains or have never experienced Halloween, you may prefer Halloweentime though!

So there may not be a way for you to truly see both holidays. But if you want to see some Christmas decorations and some Halloween, it does sound like your later set of dates may work, depending on how long you spend before entering Disney. If your visit to Disneyland includes a few days after Halloween, you may be able to see regular Space Mountain, which I find superior to its Halloween Ghost Galaxy overlay.

It's nearly certain that if you go after October 20, It's a Small World will be closed, unless you visit near or at the start of Christmastime. October and November are still considered "off-season"--though October can get quite crowded--so it's fairly likely, though not certain, that one major ride, and a few smaller ones, will be down for maintenance during your visit. If you went after Christmastime officially starts, there may be fewer rehabs...last year Pirates of the Caribbean was being refurbished for a few months, until right around Thanksgiving (second to last week in November) and this year I believe Indiana Jones will be down from September through early December. Those are examples of recent past schedules. Next year it's rumored that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will have its time under refurb, but that's still just (believable) rumors which may or may not be true during your visit.

Have a great trip, whenever you go!

 

[kim3339]

Advice from the experts ~ I was all set to go the 11th-14th, but couldn't get time off from work. I'm now going Sept. 27th-29th so I can do the party.

I thought I read somewhere on this thread or the older 1 that the 1st party is really busy. Is this true?

Also, I get in early Thursday so I will have all day Thurs and Fri, doing the Haunts Tour Thursday and the party Fri. (Cheaper than the UE). Sat I'll be there until around 2. Getting on all the rides isn't a priority, ~ I'm there this wknd for 4 days. It's more of seeing all of the decorations and activities for Halloween. Don't get me wrong, I'll ride as many as I can, I just want to make sure that 2 1/2 days is enough to take it all in. The other option I'm playing w/ is if you don't think I can get it all in maybe, is keeping the Sat the 13th date as well and going down for just that Sat & Sun. Do you guys think I can get all the Halloween stuff in in 1 wknd or will I need to go down that extra wknd?

Thanks!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

are you sure its cheaper than the ue? (do you care bout the parade or fireworks?) if so the ue may be worth it) its 108 pp and has tour and party together

 

[Goofy_Mom]

Advice from the experts ~ I was all set to go the 11th-14th, but couldn't get time off from work. I'm now going Sept. 27th-29th so I can do the party.

I thought I read somewhere on this thread or the older 1 that the 1st party is really busy. Is this true?

Also, I get in early Thursday so I will have all day Thurs and Fri, doing the Haunts Tour Thursday and the party Fri. (Cheaper than the UE). Sat I'll be there until around 2. Getting on all the rides isn't a priority, ~ I'm there this wknd for 4 days. It's more of seeing all of the decorations and activities for Halloween. Don't get me wrong, I'll ride as many as I can, I just want to make sure that 2 1/2 days is enough to take it all in. The other option I'm playing w/ is if you don't think I can get it all in maybe, is keeping the Sat the 13th date as well and going down for just that Sat & Sun. Do you guys think I can get all the Halloween stuff in in 1 wknd or will I need to go down that extra wknd?

Thanks!

If you're going solo, you can probably get all your must do's crossed off your list. If you've got little ones in tow, it may be a little harder to squeeze in all your fun. If you're main objective, however, is to do all the "halloween" stuff, you shouldn't have a problem

 

[seadd67]

When we goto WDW for MNSSHP we go twice, Is the DL MNSSHP need to go twice?.

 

[theworldneedscolor]

We are going to the party Friday, October 12, and our goal is to meet characters, see the fireworks, and see the parade. What is the best place to get all these done?

 

[kim3339]

are you sure its cheaper than the ue? (do you care bout the parade or fireworks?) if so the ue may be worth it) its 108 pp and has tour and party together

It's a little cheaper. The CM said the tour w/ the AP discount is $54 and the party on Fri is $46, so $8 cheaper. I do want to see the parade & fireworks, do you get special seating w/ both ~ she didn't mention anything.

If you're going solo, you can probably get all your must do's crossed off your list. If you've got little ones in tow, it may be a little harder to squeeze in all your fun. If you're main objective, however, is to do all the "halloween" stuff, you shouldn't have a problem

Thanks! I'll be by myself so that makes it a little easier. Good to know that it can be done. I love the rides and would love to go on everything, but I've never been for Halloween before so want to make sure I get everything in experience/decorations-wise. And b/w the Tour, Party and FPs, I figure I can get on the themed rides at the very least. Any other rides'll just be a bonus!

 

[KiwiMouseGirl]

KiwiMouseGirl, I couldn't follow exactly what days you were considering going to Disneyland? (San Diego is kind of a trip from Anaheim. If you are doing Sea World AND San Diego Zoo, I think I would stay a couple days in San Diego, instead of making Anaheim my "base." Knotts from Anaheim is fine.)

Halloweentime usually starts mid-to-late September, and I think the last day for Halloweentime is usually (but not always) October 31. It could possibly go a few days later; I think it has some years.

Historically, I understand crowds are lower for 1-2 weeks immediately following Halloween (with shorter hours), and there are quite a few Christmas decorations up during that period. But Christmastime does not officially start until about mid-November. So you will not get the whole feel of Christmastime. I find Christmastime a more magical period than Halloweentime, even though I adore dressing up in costumes, which adults can do at the separate ticket Halloween parties. If you love villains or have never experienced Halloween, you may prefer Halloweentime though!

So there may not be a way for you to truly see both holidays. But if you want to see some Christmas decorations and some Halloween, it does sound like your later set of dates may work, depending on how long you spend before entering Disney. If your visit to Disneyland includes a few days after Halloween, you may be able to see regular Space Mountain, which I find superior to its Halloween Ghost Galaxy overlay.

It's nearly certain that if you go after October 20, It's a Small World will be closed, unless you visit near or at the start of Christmastime. October and November are still considered "off-season"--though October can get quite crowded--so it's fairly likely, though not certain, that one major ride, and a few smaller ones, will be down for maintenance during your visit. If you went after Christmastime officially starts, there may be fewer rehabs...last year Pirates of the Caribbean was being refurbished for a few months, until right around Thanksgiving (second to last week in November) and this year I believe Indiana Jones will be down from September through early December. Those are examples of recent past schedules. Next year it's rumored that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will have its time under refurb, but that's still just (believable) rumors which may or may not be true during your visit.

Have a great trip, whenever you go!

Sorry! Proposed itinerary is as follows;

Fly out of Auckland airport
Arrive LAX on the same day
Check into hotel and spend the rest of the day at downtown disney
SeaWorld
Shopping Day
San Diego Zoo
Shopping Day
Knotts
Move to Paradise Pier Hotel
Disney
Disney
Disney
Rest Day
Disney
Disney
Disney
Disney
Check out of PP, bus to L.A
Universal Studios
Explore Hollywood
Six Flags
Spare Day - More exploring??
Check out of hotel - Fly homeeeeee

We were thinking about staying in San Diego for afew days, but the ammount of time 'travelling' was adding up and I can't take a whole heap more time off work than what's already planned. it would be fine if we were going to travel and do an attraction on the same day (eg, travel back from San Diego and then go to Disneyland) but we are the avid arrive 30-40 minutes before park opening time. When I went in April the few hours between opening and mid day were invaluable. Walking onto every ride! Short lines for characters! It was great! Because Halloween isn't a largely celebrated holiday in New Zealand i'm really looking foward to seeing Disneyland all decked out! I think I may just pass on dancing this year and continue with our original plan of early October for travel. What are the crowds like at Disney around the first 2 weeks of October? I'm hoping that even if it's busy we can do alot of touring in the morning and rest in the afternoon. Returning to the parks at night for more touring (providing MNSSHP isn't on)

 

[JadeDarkstar]

yes you get seats for the parade eathier by small world or castle. im gona find out how to get seats by the castle because then we can see the fireworks too for 8 more id do the UE to get the good seats.

 

[kim3339]

yes you get seats for the parade eathier by small world or castle. im gona find out how to get seats by the castle because then we can see the fireworks too for 8 more id do the UE to get the good seats.

Thanks for that! I'm down there this Fri, so I think I'll just stop by the Tour booth.

 

[Mel522]

Hello Disers!  You probably don’t know me as i’m a bit of a lurker here on the Halloween thread, but have decided to finally show myself Now, I think I may end up in a bit of a dilemma, but im hoping that you will be able to help me. My friend Alicia and myself are currently planning our trip to Disneyland for the Halloween season of 2013. We are planning on arriving late in September and staying somewhere like the tropicanna or carousel inn. We will do SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo, Knotts and some shopping. We are then moving to the Paradise Pier hotel where we will stay for around 8-9 nights with 7 days in the parks (We won’t be getting annual passes, and if our travel agent can’t get us 7 day hopper passes we will just get a 5 day and 2 pay park hopper pass. Not a biggie for us) We will then go to L.A where we will do Universal Studios, Six Flags and some exploring around Hollywood. The only issue is that I may be doing competitive dancing next year, and nationals is on Labour weekend. I couldn’t afford to miss 3 weeks of practice so would have to leave for the trip on the Monday after (20th of October) If we still did our original plan of San Diego and other attractions first THEN Disney, would we miss out on the Halloween season? Or would we catch half of Halloween and Half of the Christmas overlay? If push comes to shove i’ll either be choosing Disney over dancing, or switching our Halloween vacation to a Christmas one. Help? Thoughts?

If you plan on getting a 5 day hopper and a 2 day hopper, it would be cheaper to get an deluxe AP. For this year, there doesn't seem to be blackouts for the time frame your looking at, so as long as it stays the same next year, you would be fine.

Since you plan on going to the San Diego Zoo and Sea World, I would suggest staying a few nights in San Diego. The drive between Anaheim and San Diego can be 1-2 hours depending on traffic.

 

[KiwiMouseGirl]

If you plan on getting a 5 day hopper and a 2 day hopper, it would be cheaper to get an deluxe AP. For this year, there doesn't seem to be blackouts for the time frame your looking at, so as long as it stays the same next year, you would be fine.

Since you plan on going to the San Diego Zoo and Sea World, I would suggest staying a few nights in San Diego. The drive between Anaheim and San Diego can be 1-2 hours depending on traffic.

We have been thinking about MAYBE getting annual passes. But being in New Zealand I don't know if I would be back to use it before it expired. Maybe i'll have to con miss Disneydreamsdancer into a trip in 2014 The only reason we wanted hopper tickets is to use the magic morning. But we are planning on staying at the Paradise Pier hotel, so as long as they continue the Early Entry scheme into when we are planning on going. Deluxe AP's might be the way to go.

 

[Mel522]

We have been thinking about MAYBE getting annual passes. But being in New Zealand I don't know if I would be back to use it before it expired. Maybe i'll have to con miss Disneydreamsdancer into a trip in 2014 The only reason we wanted hopper tickets is to use the magic morning. But we are planning on staying at the Paradise Pier hotel, so as long as they continue the Early Entry scheme into when we are planning on going. Deluxe AP's might be the way to go.

The reason I suggested an AP is that a 2 day hopper is $200 and a 5 day is $290 bringing your total to $490 per person. A deluxe AP is $469 ($21 cheaper,) so regardless if you make another trip, it's still cheaper. The prices will probably be different next year, but I bet it will still be better to get an AP.

 

[KiwiMouseGirl]

The reason I suggested an AP is that a 2 day hopper is $200 and a 5 day is $290 bringing your total to $490 per person. A deluxe AP is $469 ($21 cheaper,) so regardless if you make another trip, it's still cheaper. The prices will probably be different next year, but I bet it will still be better to get an AP.

That's true! As long as they keep Early Entry for DLR hotel guests we will most likely be getting AP's. If I do get an AP I might try and shedule in another trip and get a Premium AP, so I can go whenever during the year

 

[ams1201]

My husband wants to know if it is possible to use one of our park hopper days as a separate admission to a Halloween party.

 

[JacksGirlz]

You need a separate ticket for the Halloween Party.

 

[Eeee-va]

Since you plan on going to the San Diego Zoo and Sea World, I would suggest staying a few nights in San Diego. The drive between Anaheim and San Diego can be 1-2 hours depending on traffic.

This is what I was trying to imply, only I did so less eloquently! Assuming your later dates of October 20 like you said, this seems to be your current schedule? I might have misinterpreted some of the transitions.

10/20 - Fly out of Auckland airport
Arrive LAX on the same day
Check into hotel and spend the rest of the day at downtown disney
10/21 - Drive 1.5-2 hours to Sea World; visit Sea World;drive 1.5-2 hours to get back to Anaheim
10/22 - Shopping Day
10/23 - Drive 1.5-2 hours to San Diego Zoo; visit zoo; drive 1.5-2 hours to get back to Anaheim
10/24 - Shopping Day
10/25 - Knotts
10/26 - Move to Paradise Pier Hotel
Disney
10/27 - Disney
10/28 - Disney
10/29 - Rest Day
10/30 - Disney
10/31 - Disney
11/1 - Disney
11/2 - Disney
Check out of PP, bus to L.A
11/3 - Universal Studios
11/4 - Explore Hollywood
11/5 - Six Flags
11/6 - Spare Day - More exploring??
11/7 - Check out of hotel - Fly homeeeeee

You won't be able to make Christmastime unless you leave much later and also readjust your dates. If Christmas decorations are a priority, I'd think about pushing Disney closer to the end by a couple days.

If you got an AP, assuming blockouts are like they are now--you could go to the parks on your Downtown Disney day, visit for a couple hours on your rest day, etc. Of course, if you need an enforced rest day, maybe you should buy 7 days separately!

If I were planning, I'd think about doing this. (It would get you into the Paradise Pier a day early, but in a trip this big, that's a pretty small addition.) If you had an AP, I'd visit the parks a bit more.

10/20 - Fly out of Auckland airport
Arrive LAX on the same day
Check into hotel and spend the rest of the day at downtown disney (or if you have an AP, visit Disneyland for a few hours, or if you think you'd be up to it, just go down to San Diego now)
10/21 - Drive down to San Diego (1.5-2 hours); check into hotel; shop, visit Old Town San Diego or Maritime Museum if you feel like it
10/22 - Sea World
10/23 - Shopping/other activities in San Diego
10/24 - San Diego Zoo
10/25 - Drive to Knotts (1.5-2 hours?); if in the budget, check into Paradise Pier that night

Then Disney/etc.

Even if you buy a 5-day pass to get 1 Magic Morning (which shouldn't be needed if you are in the Paradise Pier), you can upgrade a 5-day pass to a Deluxe AP later in your trip.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

lol to do halloween and christmas youd have to go oct 30th lol and stay 20days i think

 

[Davids-Coco]

lol to do halloween and christmas youd have to go oct 30th lol and stay 20days i think

Generally Christmas starts after labor day weekend. So you could probably do about 15 days instead and get 1 of each.