May or October with 5 year old?

[Boardwalk_bride]

Hello,

We were planning on a DL trip for May 2021 but have decided to postpone by a year. It will be our first time to California so we'd rather go when we will be certain everything is back to normal. Anyway, that will be 2022, and our daughter will be 5. We picked May before based on some previous research and recommendations on these boards, but now I'm wondering if October could be fun with Halloween? I'd love to be in Disney for Halloween and am thinking the weather would be better in DL vs WDW. Any thoughts? If we are making the trip to Cali we also want good weather (we are near Toronto).

TIA!

 

[Mike_M]

With a 5 year old along (IMO the best age to introduce someone to DL ) October will probably be a good option.

During October, the park will close early for the Halloween party on some nights which requires separate ticketed admission, and a 5 yr old in my experience will be tired out and ready for heading back anyways by then so I don’t think you’ll be missing out on anything.

I also believe that HMH is less scary than regular HM (could just be my opinion. Never got a chance to take my kids on HMH when they were younger) so that could be a fun extra.

Weather should be good and mild.

 

[Becca1007]

I took a 4 (almost 5 year old) to Disneyland for the Oogie Boogie Bash this October. I would say that the party was not worth it for him. They focus on villains and the treat trails were dark and spooky he was not ready for that... so I would choose May for the longer park hours.

 

[StarlitNight05]

I'd stick with May. The weather will be more pleasant which makes a huge difference, especially for a 5 year old who will tire more easily. October is also very crowded. People flock for the Halloween decorations, which can make for some congested walkways.

 

[lalasmama]

I'd personally stick with May. The hours are better, and the crowds are smaller. Things are relaxed.

October is great fun, and I love the Halloween parties! However, it's often crowded and spendy.... If you want to go to the Halloween party, over $100 per person for just a few (6 to 8) hours. If you don't want to go to the party, then you can't go into California Adventure once the party starts, so you miss a lot of the decor after dark over there. In our family, the kiddo who loves Halloween the most is also the one who gets crankiest after 9:00 pm (despite being 8 years old), so he'd be a bit fussy staying up late, and he'd be a bear about missing any of the party. ... But he'd also be pretty ticked that he couldn't go to that specific park during the Halloween party if we were already there.

 

[LilyJC]

Ugh, tough call! Halloween at DLR is fantastic even if you aren’t interested in the party. October is so festive, and the seasonal treats are usually beyond yummy! That said it will be crowded.

One thing in May to keep an eye on if everything goes back to normal is the Grad Nite situation. Not horrendous if you happen to be there during a Grad Nite day, but also not always incredibly enjoyable. Just something to consider!

 

[whoever]

October will be cooler. May has been HOT lately in SoCal. Crowds will be higher in October as overlays and seasonal events will both drive attendance and limited park hours as one of the parks will close early for ticketed events.

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

Thanks everyone! I see excellent points on both sides. I'm starting to lean toward May now, especially since I really love Fall in Ontario and there is more to do around that season at home than May. I did know about Grad Nights when we were planning for 2021, so I'll remember to take a look at it. Still feeling bad about not being able to go in 2021, but realize that is really a small issue (and thankfully we went to WDW in January of this year!).

 

[tsumgirl]

Thanks everyone! I see excellent points on both sides. I'm starting to lean toward May now, especially since I really love Fall in Ontario and there is more to do around that season at home than May. I did know about Grad Nights when we were planning for 2021, so I'll remember to take a look at it. Still feeling bad about not being able to go in 2021, but realize that is really a small issue (and thankfully we went to WDW in January of this year!).

The 2021 Grad Nite dates have already been announced.

May 14,15,19,21,22,26,27
June 1,2,4,5,8,9,11,12,18

Here's a link to the official site, just in case anything changes before then:
https://www.disneyyouth.com/programs/field-trips/dlr/grad-nite-disneyland/

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

The 2021 Grad Nite dates have already been announced.

May 14,15,19,21,22,26,27
June 1,2,4,5,8,9,11,12,18

Here's a link to the official site, just in case anything changes before then:
https://www.disneyyouth.com/programs/field-trips/dlr/grad-nite-disneyland/

I totally meant to say 2022. We were planning to go in 2021, but I'd rather wait an extra year now.

 

[pindecisive]

I'd say May. I've been twice in October for Halloween and it's always so so busy. Busy to the point it's not as magical.

 

[montreid]

Halloween for six to eight to are a lot of fun....doesn't really have to be oogie night either as the daytime there's a lot of overlay and characters out. It's a blast. During the weekdays they are fine. Weekends do get a bit busier with the AP holders joining in the fun and really crowd up.

Just the little one will be a blast. This would also be a reason to be a grand Cali or in the best westerns or Tropicana to go back and forth easily throughout the day with the little one

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

October will be cooler. May has been HOT lately in SoCal. Crowds will be higher in October as overlays and seasonal events will both drive attendance and limited park hours as one of the parks will close early for ticketed events.

Not necessarily! October can be super hot. You just never know!

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I vote May. I really enjoy the weather and park hours in May. I love Halloween but it’s just so crowded. For a first time visit, the park will be so magical as is, no holiday extras needed.

 

[Comicbookmommy]

I believe May will be less crowded at well, and if it’s a first trip for your LO then maybe a purely simple Disney trip would be best before a seasonal trip. Then you also don’t have to worry much about the crazy changeover time when the party starts and crowds get nuts, or being barred from the park too early on party days.

However If your child LOVES Halloween, then I would say October, and attend the party at least once (If I can afford it I’d go twice since you have to go so much slower with young children, so once for the candy trails and characters, and another night for the parade, and riding rides and soaking in the atmosphere of Disneyland lit up spookily). The decorations and treats and candy trails would be worth it for any Halloween fan.

As mentioned the weather can be a crapshoot for both months. It was super hot in October a few years back and made wearing costumes unbearable. Definitely doesn’t feel much like breezy fall when you’re sweating bullets!

Either way I’m sure you’ll have a blast! Have a wonderful trip!

 

[disneychrista]

I'd say early May is good. The parks will be "normal" not dressed for the Holiday, which IMO is best for a first trip.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... However If your child LOVES Halloween, then I would say October, and attend the party at least once (If I can afford it I’d go twice since you have to go so much slower with young children, so once for the candy trails and characters, and another night for the parade, and riding rides and soaking in the atmosphere of Disneyland lit up spookily). The decorations and treats and candy trails would be worth it for any Halloween fan...

Just to clarify that since 2019, the Halloween Party has moved to DCA. The 2020 Oogie Boogie Bash was announced already for DCA, but since WDW already cancelled their Halloween parties, no one knows for certain whether DCA will cancel theirs, too. Here's hoping that by next year, Halloween Time will be back to normal. OP, if you do choose October, keep up to date with this board so that you will know if/where the parties will be in 2022 and what else will be offered.