Mid October or Early Nov.?

[Oregonluvsdisney]

So, we have the option to make our annual voyage the week of October 17th or November 3-10th. Which would be best?

We will stay at the HOJO so we are wondering if the annual pass/ET rates would be better in Nov.?

How are crowds?

I think we will only get Fireworks and Fantasmic on the weekends is that correct?

We generally go the week after Veteren's weekend. And since we have APs we need to get our trip in before they expire on Nov. 11th.

Any insight would be great!
Kim

 

[DisMike]

Haven't been in mid-October but have been twice the 1st part of Nov. We were there during the middle of the week and not on the weekend so take that into account.

Weather: AWESOME! Mid 80's to low 90's with no humidity. Got soaked on Splash Mountain (too much weight in the front and actually went under the water) and didn't mind a bit.

Crowds: Only once got a fastpass and never waited more than 15 minutes for any other ride. We were able to ride anything and everything we wanted as many times as we wanted (except for Veteran's Day when the crowds were bigger).

Fireworks and Fantasmic were only on the weekends and we missed them but so what.

Either way I think you'll be fine. Enjoy!

 

[Sherry E]

Even though I am a big advocate of going during the Halloween Time season, if lower crowds are the most important thing to you, I actually think the crowds in between Halloween Time and the Holiday season at DLR will be the lightest, so therefore, that November week might be best.

If you go in the week of October 17th, you will get the full array of Halloween stuff, and if DLR makes the Halloween Screams fireworks exclusive to MHP (Mickey's Halloween Party) again, you have the option of attending the party to see them.

October tends to be busiest in the first couple of weeks leading up to Columbus Day, then it quiets down a bit. The crowds then increase in the immediate days leading up to Halloween. At least this has been the overall pattern for the last few years, as Halloween Time has gotten exceedingly more popular.

So I think if you choose the October 17th week, you will be getting one of the least crowded weeks of October, most likely. But it won't be un-crowded. It will just be less crowded than if you were to go pre-Columbus Day or in the week leading up to Halloween.

This year, we are not yet sure when Halloween Time (as a season) will end. There's a possibility it could extend as late as November 6th. IF that happens - and right now it's only a guess based on DLR's previous patterns of season start and end days - most likely the Holiday/Christmas season start date will be later in November than it has been the last couple of years.

Any way you slice it, if you do the November 3 - 10th date, you will still be getting the lowest crowds, I believe, because it will fall in between Halloween (the actual holiday) and the start of the Christmas season at DLR.

 

[lilpooh108]

Here's another vote for early November. The weather in October sometimes can be hot. November has light crowds, and if you go early enough, some of the Halloween stuff might still be up (was there last year when we took relatvies the weekend of Nov 6-Nov 7). Plus the HMH overlay will be up and the lines may be shorter to see HMH!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

November should be a pleasant in-between time. Halloween will be over, but Christmas season won't have started yet. Park hours will be shorter, but crowds should be lower. Weather may be cooler. The SoCal wildfires should have died down. HM will still be done up with Jack Skellington. Space only goes down for a day or two to remove the Halloween overlay, so you're unlikely to miss it. Small World will be down getting it's holiday overlay. Hojos currently lists Nov. 3, 6, 7, 8, and 9 on their calendar with ET/AP rates but no dates during the week of October 17.

 

[Oregonluvsdisney]

Thanks all for your input. We have decided to go with Nov. We have small kids so low crowds are important. We are bummed with this time of year since Small World is down, but oh well. I wish they would have fireworks at least during the week, but oh well on that too. We will get to at least see some of the halloween stuff, maybe we will get there someday for the party...

Thanks again!

 

[Sherry E]

Thanks all for your input. We have decided to go with Nov. We have small kids so low crowds are important. We are bummed with this time of year since Small World is down, but oh well. I wish they would have fireworks at least during the week, but oh well on that too. We will get to at least see some of the halloween stuff, maybe we will get there someday for the party...

Thanks again!

I think that's the best choice for your situation. And again, just in case Halloween Time officially extends through November 6th, you will get the whole Halloween experience for at least the first few days of your trip (meaning the Halloween Round-Up and all the pumpkins everywhere).

If Halloween Time does not officially extend through 11/6 this year, you will still see traces of Halloween stuff as it slowly comes down and the Christmas decor begins to go up. An interesting little transitional, holidays-colliding sort of vibe, I'd say! But you'll miss the bulk of the Halloween crowds and you will be there before the huge Christmas holiday crowds pile in, which will be good!

 

[GrandBob]

So, we have the option to make our annual voyage the week of October 17th or November 3-10th. Which would be best?

We will stay at the HOJO so we are wondering if the annual pass/ET rates would be better in Nov.?

The HoJo ET Rate calendar is here:
http://www.hojoanaheim.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=14

No ET rate for your Oct dates. For your Nov dates, 5 of the 7 days would be on the ET rate -- all but the weekend, Nov 4-5. That would save you some money. For the other two days, be sure to ask for the DIS discount of 15% off.

I agree with the others -- Nov would be a lot quieter, though the hours will be shorter and the entertainment only running on weekends.

-Bob
ETA - I just noticed you're AP holders. Great! The HoJo rate calendar is the same. But for the two days not on the 50% discount, ask for a 20% AP discount. Score!