Help planning Fall trip

[holtrp]

We are thinking about going the week right after labor day (Tues 6th-Friday 9th). In years past, I recall pretty much walk on to just about everything during this week. Is this still the case or do annual passholders / refurbs jam it up in the evening these days?

A couple of specific questions: Will DL release a fall / late summer special so we can book a discount room after the spring special expires in the next few weeks? Or if we book now and they release a discount later, can we call and get it applied to our reservation? We are planning on staying at the GC for the first time to splurge on Napa Rose and enjoy the quick walk from parks to room, so a discount would be nice to have.

Also, my 5 year old is in love with space mountain after WDW last year. He would be heartbroken if it was in holiday refurb during our trip. Do they normally shut it down right after labor day? I would think they would wait until later in the month and refurb it for halloween right before the mickey Halloween parties start.

 

[smartlabelprint]

We are thinking about going the week right after labor day (Tues 6th-Friday 9th). In years past, I recall pretty much walk on to just about everything during this week. Is this still the case or do annual passholders / refurbs jam it up in the evening these days?

A couple of specific questions: Will DL release a fall / late summer special so we can book a discount room after the spring special expires in the next few weeks? Or if we book now and they release a discount later, can we call and get it applied to our reservation? We are planning on staying at the GC for the first time to splurge on Napa Rose and enjoy the quick walk from parks to room, so a discount would be nice to have.

Also, my 5 year old is in love with space mountain after WDW last year. He would be heartbroken if it was in holiday refurb during our trip. Do they normally shut it down right after labor day? I would think they would wait until later in the month and refurb it for halloween right before the mickey Halloween parties start.

Sadly NOTHING is walk on, ever, anymore. So it seems. how long since you've been to DLR?

 

[holtrp]

Last time we were there in September was during the financial crisis in 08. Maybe not 'walk on' but pretty darn empty and a lot of fun. We went over Halloween in 2014, which was pretty busy but not terrible. Thinking we might move our trip up to mid august to make sure we get Hyperspace Mountain. The trip would be ruined if they shut it down right after labor day, which seems to be the way they do it.

 

[lalasmama]

We are thinking about going the week right after labor day (Tues 6th-Friday 9th). In years past, I recall pretty much walk on to just about everything during this week. Is this still the case or do annual passholders / refurbs jam it up in the evening these days?

It may be "slower" but not "walk on." As the previous poster mentioned, walk on is rare any more. But, yes, it's likely to be a bit "slower" of a time. Locals still will be coming each evening.

A couple of specific questions: Will DL release a fall / late summer special so we can book a discount room after the spring special expires in the next few weeks? Or if we book now and they release a discount later, can we call and get it applied to our reservation? We are planning on staying at the GC for the first time to splurge on Napa Rose and enjoy the quick walk from parks to room, so a discount would be nice to have.

Specials have been pretty rare at DLR lately. They haven't needed much to keep the rooms filled, especially during the 60th anniversary. So, a small discount may occur, but don't expect anything large. If they release a deal later, yes, you can call and rebook at the better rate.

Also, my 5 year old is in love with space mountain after WDW last year. He would be heartbroken if it was in holiday refurb during our trip. Do they normally shut it down right after labor day? I would think they would wait until later in the month and refurb it for halloween right before the mickey Halloween parties start.

They haven't released an "official" day when (if!) they will change from Hyperspace Mountain (the current overlay) to Ghost Galaxy this season.

 

[holtrp]

We are thinking maybe 9/4-9/7 (Sunday - Wednesday) after a bit more research. Surely the crowds would be heavy on Sunday / Monday for labor day but we would pretty much guarantee access to hyperspace mountain and the last showing of the diamond celebration which would be cool. And then hopefully have two quieter days on Tuesday / Wednesday.

I wish they would let us know further in advance when the scheduled, yearly refurbs are happening. I might call them and see if they know.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

One advantage to moving your trip to mid August would be that you would still get to see the 60th celebration (which is supposed to end 9/05). The crowds may be heavier for Labor Day weekend because people may try to get a last visit in before the 60th ends.

 

[lalasmama]

I wish they would let us know further in advance when the scheduled, yearly refurbs are happening. I might call them and see if they know.

Unfortunately, this is kind of the nature of the beast with DLR. Since the majority (or at least a large minority) are locals, they don't "need" to post the schedules as far ahead as, say, WDW, where the majority is made up of out of town/out of state visitors. The locals for Disneyland aren't planning out 3 months, or even 1 month usually. So, if this or that is down this time, they know they will be back in a few weeks, and that it will be back up at that time, and they will be able to ride it.

Typically, they will have refurbs nailed down about 6-8 weeks ahead, barring any unforeseen issues (like when OSHA appeared and Space Mountain went under a serious safety improvement campaign that wasn't really scheduled too far in advance).

 

[lorijohnhill]

Isn't there a discount out now for late summer/early fall. If I remember correctly, it is good through 9/24.

 

[holtrp]

Isn't there a discount out now for late summer/early fall. If I remember correctly, it is good through 9/24.

Do you have a link to this? All I see is the tail end of the Celebrate Spring and special annually pass holder package along with military discount.

We might bring my father in-law along so if that happens we'll almost certainly skip GC this trip, because we'll need two adjoining rooms and GC is insanely priced. What is the next best thing around there? Thinking HoJo (kids / pool) but I have read it is sort of dated... Paradise Pier or DLH is always nice. We're also thinking about throwing in a day each at Knotts and Universal, both of which I haven't been to in over 20 years.

 

[figment_jii]

Also, my 5 year old is in love with space mountain after WDW last year. He would be heartbroken if it was in holiday refurb during our trip. Do they normally shut it down right after labor day? I would think they would wait until later in the month and refurb it for halloween right before the mickey Halloween parties start.

At this point, we don't really know much about when HalloweenTime will start at DLR. The best guessing is either September 9 or 16 (I'm guessing the 9th because of the popularity of the season). The start of HalloweenTime and the start of the MHP are not the same at DLR (HalloweenTime usually starts in early-September, while MHPs start in late-September). Historically, Space goes down for 4 days before the start of HalloweenTime, but with the current Hyperspace Mtn overlay in place, it's not known if they'll need more or less time to convert it to Ghost Galaxy (or if Ghost Galaxy will even happen this year given the popularity of HyperSpace Mtn).

 

[holtrp]

At this point, we don't really know much about when HalloweenTime will start at DLR. The best guessing is either September 9 or 16 (I'm guessing the 9th because of the popularity of the season). The start of HalloweenTime and the start of the MHP are not the same at DLR (HalloweenTime usually starts in early-September, while MHPs start in late-September). Historically, Space goes down for 4 days before the start of HalloweenTime, but with the current Hyperspace Mtn overlay in place, it's not known if they'll need more or less time to convert it to Ghost Galaxy (or if Ghost Galaxy will even happen this year given the popularity of HyperSpace Mtn).

Interesting. I had read it typically goes down for 2 weeks in mid-September. The closest thing I could find was a forum from 2009 that had it down the day after Labor Day for two weeks. It wouldn't surprise me if they just left it alone as hyperspace mountain through the holidays this year as Rouge One is launching around Christmas and they will keep hype going for the next installment of Star Wars. Heck, they could keep Hyperspace mountain until the new Star Wars land launches. In any case, I had completely forgotten about the diamond celebration. We were close to booking a trip last spring for that but decided against it. I think adjusting a few days or weeks makes sense if only for that part, then we don't risk missing space mountain.

 

[figment_jii]

Ghost Galaxy debuted in 2009, so they probably needed a longer time to install things for the first time. Based on the wdwinfo.com calendar, it's been closing for four days prior to the start of HalloweenTime for the last five or so years. HalloweenTime has been edging closer to the start of September (e.g., it started on 25th in 2009, but it started on the 11th last year).

In terms of moving your trip, just note that September 1st through 4th (Thu-Sun) is the Disneyland Half Marathon, along with Labor Day weekend, and the last weekend before the official end of the 60th Anniversary. Also, it's worth noting that Haunted Mansion is likely to be closed during this period to have the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay installed.

 

[lorijohnhill]

Do you have a link to this? All I see is the tail end of the Celebrate Spring and special annually pass holder package along with military discount.

We might bring my father in-law along so if that happens we'll almost certainly skip GC this trip, because we'll need two adjoining rooms and GC is insanely priced. What is the next best thing around there? Thinking HoJo (kids / pool) but I have read it is sort of dated... Paradise Pier or DLH is always nice. We're also thinking about throwing in a day each at Knotts and Universal, both of which I haven't been to in over 20 years.

I feel like I am losing my mind. I've been looking for some kind of trip we can take on a $500 gift we were given and told to spend it on something fun for the family. I saw that discount while I was looking around (still haven't figured out anything) and just moved past it because it is prior to my Disneyland dates. Now I can't find any reference to it. I wonder if it was a passholder email??? I still get my brother's passholder emails, though his pass just expired.

I'm sorry. If I come across it again, I will post a link.

 

[holtrp]

Ghost Galaxy debuted in 2009, so they probably needed a longer time to install things for the first time. Based on the wdwinfo.com calendar, it's been closing for four days prior to the start of HalloweenTime for the last five or so years. HalloweenTime has been edging closer to the start of September (e.g., it started on 25th in 2009, but it started on the 11th last year).

In terms of moving your trip, just note that September 1st through 4th (Thu-Sun) is the Disneyland Half Marathon, along with Labor Day weekend, and the last weekend before the official end of the 60th Anniversary. Also, it's worth noting that Haunted Mansion is likely to be closed during this period to have the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay installed.

I didn't realize that was the first year for GG... Great, well hopefully it will be open into Tuesday / Wednesday after labor day. Space Mountain is definitely get off, get back in line over and over a few times at this age (and the kids like it, too .

I knew about the 1/2 marathon and labor day / end of diamond celebration. I don't mind the crowds all that much. I have done Christmas week before and I doubt it can be worse than that. That said, I think we may fly in Sunday morning or Saturday night, hit Knotts / Universal and save Disney for Tuesday / Wednesday depending on when they close Space Mountain. Or maybe do Monday / Tuesday at Disney to see the Diamond Celebration if they are doing a big fireworks show. The big bonus of staying offsite is we'll be able to extend a day or so and surely get some good pool time in.