Haunted Mansion and Small World refurbs?

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

We will be at DL from 10/23-10/30. I have read that HM and SW are changed for holidays. From past experience, will either of these rides by operating while we are there?

Thanks for the info-

 

[sonnyjane]

Haunted Mansion Holiday will for sure be running, as they like it up by Halloween. Last year it opened 9/25. It's a Small World Holiday, however, will not be up, as it usually opens mid-November. Last year it opened 11/13.

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

Haunted Mansion Holiday will for sure be running, as they like it up by Halloween. Last year it opened 9/25. It's a Small World Holiday, however, will not be up, as it usually opens mid-November. Last year it opened 11/13.

Thanks for the information. Do you know if we can expect Small World to be open at all or will they be getting it ready for the Christmas season?

 

[sonnyjane]

Thanks for the information. Do you know if we can expect Small World to be open at all or will they be getting it ready for the Christmas season?

Last year IASW was closed 10/25 (Sunday) and as I mentioned reopened 11/13. If last year is any indicator, they let it run through the weekend, then put it down that evening, beginning work on Monday, so if the dates were to be the same, I'd predict they'd have it open at least 10/23 (Sat.) if not also 10/24 (Sunday), so you should hopefully be able to catch it early in your trip.

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

Last year IASW was closed 10/25 (Sunday) and as I mentioned reopened 11/13. If last year is any indicator, they let it run through the weekend, then put it down that evening, beginning work on Monday, so if the dates were to be the same, I'd predict they'd have it open at least 10/23 (Sat.) if not also 10/24 (Sunday), so you should hopefully be able to catch it early in your trip.

Thanks for this tip. We'll be sure to see Small World early.

 

[Sherry E]

I agree with Sonnyjane, except I will make one disclaimer: It'a a Small World may still be up. I wouldn't say for sure that it will not be up just yet. The reason I say this is because I was at DLR last October on the 24th, a Saturday, and we rode on IASW to look for the Disney character doll additions to the ride. But Vala, one of our great DIS-ers on this board, was at DLR a few days later - the 28th, I think it was - and she said that IASW was shut down by that time. So since you will be arriving on 10/23, which is a Saturday, you may possibly get to see IASW on the 23rd and 24th. I would assume DLR would leave it up for that weekend and then close it down by Monday the 25th, probably.

Also, I should point out that last year's holiday/Christmas season at DLR began one week earlier than it normally had begun - on November 13, two weeks before Thanksgiving - so the IASW Holiday overlay had to be up and running by that date. However, if DLR goes back to its regular holiday schedule this year and starts Christmastime only one week before Thanksgving rather than two weeks before, the 'regular' version of IASW could, perhaps, be up and running a little bit longer than it was last year, maybe until the end of October.

In any case, whenever the holiday season begins in November, I think you may have a shot at seeing IASW in its non-holiday form on the first day or two of your trip, the 23rd and 24th, based on my experience last year. That is, unless those sneaky Disney people totally change up the schedule on us!!

One other thing - if you are a Space Mountain fan, there is a chance that the Halloween overlay for that - Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy - will return this year, so you will have a chance to experience that, as well as the cool Halloween villains-themed fireworks! Last year was the first year DLR had Ghost Galaxy, so based on its popularity, I could see it making a return. There is also talk of a possible Toy Story Midway Mania Halloween and/or Christmas overlay, but no one knows as of yet if this will happen this year or, perhaps, after the DCA overhaul is complete in 2012-2013.

In any case, Halloweentime at DLR is a great time to go and you will have a fantastic time! I hope you follow along with our Halloween at DL superthread, which is chock full of fabulous photos and information! -

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2408927

ETA: Sonnyjane must have read my mind, because apparently she was typing her last post about IASW when I was typing this one!

 

[S. S. Columbia]

Last year they took down IASW (to install the holiday overlay) on the last Monday in October. In previous years ('03 to '07), IASW was taken down on the second-to-last Monday in October.

Here are some previous dates that IASW was down to install the IASW Holiday overlay, based on MP’s weekly DLR updates:

2009: Oct. 26 (Mon.) to Nov. 12 (Thurs.) (18 days)
2007: Oct. 22 (Mon.) to Nov. 8 (Thurs.) (18 days)
2006: Oct. 23 (Mon.) to Nov. 9 (Thurs.) (18 days)
2005: Oct. 24 (Mon.) to Nov. 10 (Thurs.) (18 days)
2004: Oct. 18 (Mon.) to Nov. 4 (Thurs.) (18 days)
2003: Oct. 20 (Mon.) to Nov. 7 (Fri.) (19 days)

In 2008, IASW was closed for a major refurb (Jan. 22 to late-November).

Last year they announced the refurb/overlay dates in mid-September.

HTH

 

[Jenna319]

Anyone know if haunted mansion will be open for labor day weekend?? Every year I've gone in September, it's always been closed. Hoping to catch it this year!

 

[sonnyjane]

Anyone know if haunted mansion will be open for labor day weekend?? Every year I've gone in September, it's always been closed. Hoping to catch it this year!

Traditionally they close after the busy Labor Day weekend for the refurb.

 

[HydroGuy]

It is not a "refurb". It is an "overlay". Menaing that they modify the ride to look and act different for holidays. Do they get some actual refurb work in during this time? Would not surprise me. Why not? But that is just taking advantage of scheduled overlay downtime.

 

[sonnyjane]

It is not a "refurb". It is an "overlay". Menaing that they modify the ride to look and act different for holidays. Do they get some actual refurb work in during this time? Would not surprise me. Why not? But that is just taking advantage of scheduled overlay downtime.

Semantics guess I meant overlay.

 

[ConnieB]

Traditionally they close after the busy Labor Day weekend for the refurb.

Do you happen to know how long the overlay takes...or when it will reopen?

 

[sonnyjane]

Do you happen to know how long the overlay takes...or when it will reopen?

Well, last year they closed Sept. 8th I believe (Tuesday after Labor Day) and opened Sept. 25th, so a little less than three weeks?

 

[HydroGuy]

Do you happen to know how long the overlay takes...or when it will reopen?

You can check out closures historically here:

"Historical DLR Park Hours, Entertainment and Refurbs" - www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2291124

HM generally closes on the Tuesday after Labor Day and is down for 2 1/2 weeks re-opening the Friday two weeks later.

 

[Sherry E]

Do you happen to know how long the overlay takes...or when it will reopen?

If DLR follows its usual patterns and doesn't do anything surprising with its schedule this year, then the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay, Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy and the official start of Halloweentime at DLR will begin on Friday, September 24th. And Mickey's Trick or Treat Party would then begin one week later, on the first Friday in October, which would be 10/1 this year.

Of course, in 2007, Halloweentime began one week earlier than it began in 2008 or 2009, so you never know what that sneaky Disney will do! Things are always subject to change, and they could always alter their schedule a bit, based on crowd levels, seasonal entertainment, whatever. Since World of Color is starting this year, if that significantly increases crowds in any way, DLR could very well decide to start Halloweentime earlier than usual or even one week later than they normally do it. You just never know.

 

[Podgieree]

We are planning a trip starting Sept. 21 so I am waiting to see what will be open and when. I would prefer to go on weekdays while we are there as I want to miss the weekend crowds. No matter what is open or closed, I'm sure that we will have a great time.