If you don't go to Mickey's Halloween Party...

[BensWife]

and head over to California Adventure, does it get really busy there? DH and I have been leaning to NOT do the Halloween Party since our boys are little and don't stay up very late. We have planned a pool day at the GCH on Sept 26th and rented a cabana for the full day. Our cabana day starts at 9:30am is over at 6pm, but by then DL will be closed for the Halloween Party. If we head over to DCA that evening, is it crazy busy? Does everyone go over to DCA when DL closes for the Halloween party? I wonder if we should cut our hoppers down by a day and just not go to a park at all - or maybe do our cabana for a half day, go to DL in the morning, and then be done after lunch when our cabana rental would start at 2:00. What are your recommendations?

 

[Tyggress]

I always head to DCA when the Halloween Parties are happening. Yes, a lot of people head over there, but surprisingly, not as crazy-busy as you'd expect. I think a lot of people with smaller kids simply call it a night at that point and head back to their hotels to rest up for the next day.

Park time is important to me...so my choice would be DL in the morning, cabana in the afternoon, and DCA in the evening. We're doing a half-day cabana at DLH in September...I just can't imagine spending an entire 8 hours poolside. However, everyone's priorities are different.

ETA: I just noticed you said your boys are little. I would maybe do DL in the morning, pool in the afternoon and then call it a night. Last year I told my son (2 at the time) that the parks were closed and it was time to go to sleep. He seemed to accept my answer.

 

[figment_jii]

Assuming last year is a good predictor for this year, DCA is likely to be open until midnight on the 26th (being a Friday with MHP over in DL). So you could potentially get in a fair amount of time after dinner, but with a little one that might be tough.

For me the answer would depend on how many days you'll be at DLR and where that Friday falls into your schedule. If you're only going for a few days, then I would probably opt for DL in the morning, pool in the afternoon, and then DCA after dinner until the little one is ready for bed. If you're going to be there for a good number of days, I would probably opt to forgo the parks and just take it easy (pool, maybe look around DTD after dinner).