Help picking dates in September

[DBMC]

We are planning on going to Disneyland some time in September, but I am not sure on the exact dates yet. We plan on doing the six day park hopper. We have small children, so we need a lot of time. I would like to go during the least crowded time possible. I also want to see Fantasmic. It would be neat to see the Halloween decorations, but it is not a must for us. So, all that said, what dates would you recommend? I was thinking about the 11th-16th. That would give us a weekend to see the shows, and a possibility that the Halloween decorations might be up for the last couple of days. And if not, maybe it will be less busy because of people waiting for the decorations? Thoughts?

TIA! Desi

 

[Pinocchio #1 Fan]

As far as crowds go, any time in September except Labor Day weekend is just fine. I, personally, would go one week later than the week you picked, just to make sure I wouldn't miss the Haunted Mansion. With six days, you will really have time to enjoy the parks at a nice, slow pace and enjoy all the entertainment Disneyland and DCA have to offer!

 

[skiingfast]

Those dates sound great. You may want to wait a week to be sure to catch Halloween Season.

If any of them are trick or treat age you may want to go the 23rd to 28th and you may catch a party. This would let you see F! and RDCT on the 23rd and a Halloween Screams fireworks at the Friday the 28th party.

However we still have a few months to know the seasons final dates.

 

[DBMC]

Do you think that waiting for the halloween stuff would make it more crowded? My husband hates crowds, and we will be pushing a double stroller, and I will most likely be using an ecv. It would be cool to get to do the halloween stuff, but crowds are my top priority.

 

[skiingfast]

It hardly makes a difference in September. Like siad above other than Labor day week which is mildly busy, it get uncrowded and only the weekend are busy for the rest of the month.

 

[DBMC]

Hmm. Well I might have to reconsider then. Thanks!

 

[HydroGuy]

We are planning on going to Disneyland some time in September, but I am not sure on the exact dates yet. We plan on doing the six day park hopper. We have small children, so we need a lot of time. I would like to go during the least crowded time possible. I also want to see Fantasmic. It would be neat to see the Halloween decorations, but it is not a must for us. So, all that said, what dates would you recommend? I was thinking about the 11th-16th. That would give us a weekend to see the shows, and a possibility that the Halloween decorations might be up for the last couple of days. And if not, maybe it will be less busy because of people waiting for the decorations? Thoughts?

TIA! Desi

It sounds like you know exactly what you want. I am providing this just to be 100% sure you are fully informed. Have a magical visit!

"Choosing When To Visit DLR: Summary of High and Low Season and When Each Happens" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=36509602

 

[DBMC]

Thanks HydroGuy!

I can't make up my mind. It would be nice to have more than one chance to see fireworks, and fantasmic, just in case weather or bratty kids are a problem.
Maybe I will skip worrying about trying to do a party. I think I need to decide if I want the weekend at the beginning or the end of our trip, and if I want to do one or two weekend nights. I think I am leaning towards starting on a saturday night, and ending on a Thursday. But I do think we will go a week later than I was thinking so that we can see the Halloween decorations.

I am so glad there are other crazy people out there who think about all of this. Everyone else seems to think I am nuts.

 

[CSAColl]

If you end up going the 23-28th, we should meet for a Mickey Swap!

 

[specialks]

Our past two Sept visits did see a great difference in crowd levels when we hit the beginning of Halloween season. You can see my dates below. However, I wonder if our first visit was so low on crowds because of the economy. We've never been back on those dates again because my kids are in school now. We have yet to experience the low crowds like we did during our Sept 2008 trip. Just make sure you're prepared for short hours and closures! For us it was fine because our kids were young. Now that they know the rides so well, they get really bothered by closed rides. They've never once mentioned the crowd level.

 

[DBMC]

Well, I was looking at rates for park vue, and past the middle of the month it shows limited availability, and says I need to call about availability. I wonder if that means they expect bigger crowds?

Thanks specialks. My kids are 3, 4, and 7. We went last Easter, and a lot was closed, and even then we didn't get to ride everything, so I am not too worried about closures. And they will get to ride the ones that were closed last time. (Splash Mountain, Star Tours) Plus little mermaid and cars land. And they usually go to bed at 8 anyway, so we should be ok with the short hours. I think once we don't need strollers anymore we will try going in a busier season.

My husband keeps laughing at me because I can't make up my mind. I think I have gone back to early September. Haunted mansion will be closed, but I have ridden it a million times, and my lil ones won't notice. Still not sure if I want to do a weekend at the end or beginning though. Would be kinda nice to go out with a bang, but might be better to do the weekend first when we are not all worn out yet...

 

[skiingfast]

Well, I was looking at rates for park vue, and past the middle of the month it shows limited availability, and says I need to call about availability. I wonder if that means they expect bigger crowds?

I think, you are over thinking this, can you make a decision already?

I checked some dates on a third part site and it's barely different each week of September for the dates I checked. Nothing indicating any big crowds. You may of run into something because it's 6 months out.

 

[DBMC]

I think, you are over thinking this, can you make a decision already?

You have no idea! I think I am going to go with the 8th-13th.

I know it is really far in advance, but that's how I roll. Hehe. Now I just need to keep my fingers crossed that we can save up the money in time!