Halloweentime too busy and hot?

[meggles]

We were just at DL/DCA last week Wednesday-Saturday and it felt pretty busy, with the exception of Wednesday which was ok. It was also 90+ degrees. The combo of the two made it much harder than our mid-October trip last year. We chose to come in September this year, thinking the crowds would be less (since we were avoiding gay days, Columbus Day/CHOC walk, and Utah fall break) but it didn't feel that way at all. Anyone have a similar experience the last couple weeks? Will you return during halloweentime again? (Especially if you don't go more than once a year.)

Next year, we are looking at early nov, dec, or feb...we'll take the chance of rain over crowds and excessive heat!

 

[figment_jii]

We were just at DL/DCA last week Wednesday-Saturday and it felt pretty busy, with the exception of Wednesday which was ok. It was also 90+ degrees. The combo of the two made it much harder than our mid-October trip last year. We chose to come in September this year, thinking the crowds would be less (since we were avoiding gay days, Columbus Day/CHOC walk, and Utah fall break) but it didn't feel that way at all. Anyone have a similar experience the last couple weeks? Will you return during halloweentime again? (Especially if you don't go more than once a year.)

Next year, we are looking at early nov, dec, or feb...we'll take the chance of rain over crowds and excessive heat!

I think weather is just to variable to really make a decisions about September versus October. I've been there when it was hot and when it was very pleasant, so I just think it's luck of the draw. I agree that mid-week was pretty warm (90's), but by Saturday is had cooled (80 high) enough to be tolerable for me.

In terms of the crowds, I actually didn't think Wed, Thur, or Fri were very busy. Saturday and Sunday were busy, but that's somewhat to be expected. I guess I wasn't expecting super low crowds, so it didn't seem that bad to me.

 

[Fivers]

My family's been coming for about 20 years, and we've definitely noticed a significant increase in crowds over the years, but especially since Carsland opened. That being said, I'm here right now, and we're finding the crowds so far have been the best we've seen in awhile, although I expect that will start to change tomorrow. The parks still feel quite busy, but the wait times haven't been as bad as we've seen.

I know my Mom went last year or the year before earlier in September, and she found it quite busy (and hot), not sure why this week has been better for us. It is definitely warm though! But I agree with figment, the weather can be so up and down I wouldn't count September out just because of the weather. I believe this September has been unseasonably warm though. I'm also from Canada, so I'll take the warmth over the snow any day!

 

[waltonmkb]

I agree! We were there last Sunday thru Friday and I thought it was very crowded and hot! We went this same time two years ago and thought it was perfect, but totally different experience this time. We had a little kid with us who doesn't like roller coasters so we couldn't utilize fastpasses and just had to stand in line in the heat! We have to try a different time next trip.

 

[elamarca]

We have party tickets for Friday night and this weather.. yikes. I've been keeping tabs on it for several days and it just keeps getting worse and worse. Now we're up to a high of 100 degrees on Friday. Yikes!! Not what I expected for October.

 

[TwinsRmyLife]

we were there last sun-fri and there were definitely some busy times. But mostly we found it ok. DL in the mornings we rode everything with very minimal wait times. CA in the afternoons were, with the exception of RSR and Toy story..never more than a 15 minute wait for anything.found it down right dead at CA a couple of the afternoons. when we did see the parks get more busy we rode single rider and utilized FP's and I think our longest wait of the whole trip was 30 minutes for Toy story. the heat, yes got brutal. I can't even imagine it over 100 degrees. we were dying at 90ish. thankfully there are lots of indoor and water rides that give you a chance to cool down and rest your feet. a couple days we went back to our hotel from like 2-5 to get some relief, mornings and evenings were lovely temps though. I would definitely do september again!

 

[OregontoDisney]

Yes! We went the 21-27th and found it very hot and crowded. I think we will try to avoid halloween time in the future. Our purpose for choosing Sept was to avoid crowds. Thurs was the worst, the crowd on main street couldn't even move forward for a long time.

 

[meggles]

Yes! We went the 21-27th and found it very hot and crowded. I think we will try to avoid halloween time in the future. Our purpose for choosing Sept was to avoid crowds. Thurs was the worst, the crowd on main street couldn't even move forward for a long time.

Yep, I don't think early park closures are a good thing during a holiday period, especially the day before another planned early closure. DCA closed early that Thursday and then Friday was the first Halloween party so DCA was swamped.

I know the weather is unpredictable, but 90-100 is somewhat unseasonably warm, especially now that we're into October.

I'm guessing that Halloween time has just become too popular. It's more moderate/busy crowds than the lower crowds people have come to expect in September.

 

[figment_jii]

Yes! We went the 21-27th and found it very hot and crowded. I think we will try to avoid halloween time in the future. Our purpose for choosing Sept was to avoid crowds. Thurs was the worst, the crowd on main street couldn't even move forward for a long time.

I was also there on Thursday (9/25) and it didn't seem that bad. When were you on Main Street? Was it just after the parade? I was on Main Street about two hours after opening, again in the late-afternoon, and early evening and it wasn't gridlock at any of those times.

In general, I think September HalloweenTime crowds have picked up, especially towards the end of the month when the parties start. Crowds might be lower on the weekdays just after the start of the season (so for this year, it would have been 9/15-9/18). You won't get full HalloweenTime mode (e.g., HMH, SMGG, Halloween Carnival, characters in costume), but the first two weeks in September sounded less busy (not the weekend). It's kind of the inbetween time (post summer, pre-HalloweenTime).

 

[SMD]

In general, I think September HalloweenTime crowds have picked up, especially towards the end of the month when the parties start. Crowds might be lower on the weekdays just after the start of the season (so for this year, it would have been 9/15-9/18). You won't get full HalloweenTime mode (e.g., HMH, SMGG, Halloween Carnival, characters in costume), but the first two weeks in September sounded less busy (not the weekend). It's kind of the inbetween time (post summer, pre-HalloweenTime).

I think that Disney has realized that Halloween will attract people, so they've started advertising the early start date of Halloween time to get people there in Sept.

 

[figment_jii]

I think that Disney has realized that Halloween will attract people, so they've started advertising the early start date of Halloween time to get people there in Sept.

I'm kind of surprised they haven't opted to start the Halloween Parties a week earlier. I suppose it's a balance because not everyone is thinking of Halloween in September, so they don't want to add mid-September parties and not have them sell out.

 

[SMD]

I'm kind of surprised they haven't opted to start the Halloween Parties a week earlier. I suppose it's a balance because not everyone is thinking of Halloween in September, so they don't want to add mid-September parties and not have them sell out.

I think in the last 3 weeks there have been 3 after hours events, too. When it reaches the point where they can make more from extra parties than having the parks available for other things, I'm sure it will happen.

 

[figment_jii]

I think in the last 3 weeks there have been 3 after hours events, too. When it reaches the point where they can make more from extra parties than having the parks available for other things, I'm sure it will happen.

I thought at least one of those was for Cast Member Legacy Awards and someone said this week's was for a Cast Member party. So, the only non-Disney sponsored event might have been the one in DCA last week, which was for the "Topper Club" (looks like it's has to do with top performing Farmer's Insurance Sellers).

Getting back to the thread topic, I suppose what this is means is that HalloweenTime decorations and activities, combined with the MHP at the end of the month, and potential private parties/early closures, September can be a busier month than folks are used to. I still think it also has to do with the fact that September is a "split" month...the first half (pre-HalloweenTime) and the second half are very different in terms of crowds.

 

[TwinsRmyLife]

Yes! We went the 21-27th and found it very hot and crowded. I think we will try to avoid halloween time in the future. Our purpose for choosing Sept was to avoid crowds. Thurs was the worst, the crowd on main street couldn't even move forward for a long time.

yes that thursday night when DCA closed early was brutal. that being said it was the only time we ever felt like the park was really overly crowded. for that reason we avoided DCA on the friday knowing DL closed early and it would be probably be the same thing. We just did a full day in the parks and left around 6 before DL closed and it was fine. I would suggest that if one park closes early to not make your way to the other park..ever lol! just plan your day accordingly.

 

[OregontoDisney]

I was also there on Thursday (9/25) and it didn't seem that bad. When were you on Main Street? Was it just after the parade? I was on Main Street about two hours after opening, again in the late-afternoon, and early evening and it wasn't gridlock at any of those times.

In general, I think September HalloweenTime crowds have picked up, especially towards the end of the month when the parties start. Crowds might be lower on the weekdays just after the start of the season (so for this year, it would have been 9/15-9/18). You won't get full HalloweenTime mode (e.g., HMH, SMGG, Halloween Carnival, characters in costume), but the first two weeks in September sounded less busy (not the weekend). It's kind of the inbetween time (post summer, pre-HalloweenTime).

Yes, it was late evening the parade had been over a little while, we just decided the park overall was just too busy so we tried to leave to go shopping in DTD instead. We gave up fighting the crowd and just stood and waited in one place until it was a little less crazy!

 

[mikana876]

I was there last week Monday through Friday. The only time we thought it was busy was on Thursday after 6pm when CA closed early. Then suddenly DL became crowded! Other than that night, we thought crowds were great! Much better than the summertime crowds that we are used to. BUT I will say that the weather was a tad hotter than I expected.