Need help picking Fall Dates - please help!

[Misskitty3]

We would like to visit DL sometime during Oct or the beginning of November (prior to Thanksgiving). We will spend at least 4 days at the park and take one day to go to the beach.

Last year, we were at the park from Nov 1 thru 5 and we had a great time. During that time, IASW was closed so I would really like to pick a time this year that it would be open.

We also LOVE parades and fireworks so would want to come at a time when both would be offered (maybe this is all the time???).

Oh, and the first week of Oct is out because I won't want to attend during the Gay Day craziness.

So, what dates should we be looking at? Any chance, that IASW will be open by the beginning of November?

 

[Misskitty3]

bump...

 

[hlbtimes2]

Last year IASW was closed from Oct. 23- Nov. 9, this year should be simular. Give or take a day on either end. Parades are offered at least once day, twice on weekends and during busier times. Fireworks are going to be on weekends (Fri/Sat and Sun nights). If you go in late Oct, you would be able to catch the Halloween events in DCA. If you wait and go in mid-Nov, the park will be decorated for the holidays and they should be offering the holiday parade and fireworks ( at least I think that usually starts around NOv. 15).

 

[Misskitty3]

Thank you Linda! Now I have some thinking to do....

 

[*Susan*]

Personally, I would choose Nov. We have stopped going in Oct because it is getting so crowded! The first weekend like you said, is Gay Days. Then after that you have the Columbus Day holiday which many schools take as an entire week off. Next is the Halloween time crowds. I love the Christmas decorations though, so I might be biased.

 

[iceskatejen]

Whatever you do, don't come Veterans Day weekend. Unless 20 minute lines for the bathroom and hour-long food lines sound like your idea of fun. The last two have been insanely packed.

 

[Misskitty3]

Okay so the weekend of Nov 11 is out for Vetrans day and IASW probably won't be open until then so maybe we should go the week before Thanksgiving?

 

[Misskitty3]

One more question about October...

If it is more crowded during October, I am assuming that the park has longer hours - would that be correct?

 

[dizzyami]

We were actually there last year - the 15th - 19th (Sun - Wed), and the crowds were not bad at all!!! The Halloween decorations were up, HM was holiday, and IASW was original. The park hours were 10am - 8pm - and fireworks and Fantasmic were only available the weekends (we caught it on Sunday).

We absolutely loved the trip, and are going again on our fall break (7th - 11th) this year.

 

[MateasMom]

I would choose October! For the most part, we were VERY pleased with all they went through for the Halloween celebration this past year. The decor was ADORABLE, and they had lots of little extra things, plus all the characters in costume. We can't wait for the Halloween celebrations this year! The weather will be better for a beach trip in Oct too.

 

[kjhgarden]

We were there last Oct. 12 -16th. The weekend was crowded but the park was open until midnight, Friday and Saturday, and by 10 pm the crowds were very low. It was also sprinkling with rain so maybe that helped too. Monday the 16th was great, low crowds, great weather, but the park closed at 8pm.

 

[RMH]

I would avoid Oct 27 - 30. All of the Utah schools are out Oct 29-30 giving them a 4-day weekend for UEA. That tends to be a busy time and being the last week before Halloween it will likely be even busier this year.

I agree with other posters that October weekdays are great for low crowds. You won't see Fantasmic! or fireworks until the weekend, but the weather is generally nice. Hours are short (10:00 - 8:00) so mid-day breaks are a little tough if you want to get a 'full' day in, but if you skip them you can do quite a bit. It is our favorite time.

 

[Chumpson]

I guess I won't be making my trip on October 9th through 14th now. Dang Columbus Day, why do we celebrate that? AND it coincides with a week off for "Fall Break" YUCK.... Back to the drawing board.

 

[RMH]

I guess I won't be making my trip on October 9th through 14th now. Dang Columbus Day, why do we celebrate that? AND it coincides with a week off for "Fall Break" YUCK.... Back to the drawing board.

While Columbus Day is busy (Monday, Oct. 8 this year) the days after are usually quiet - at least this was our experience in 2005. Fall Break is a tougher one to predict since it varies between school districts on when, if, or how long it is offered. If you are targeting October I would say the 9 - 14 are good dates. September will have lower crowds due to no fall breaks and Halloween. In November you have Vets Day to deal with but also lower crowds with colder weather.

 

[dizzyami]

I guess I won't be making my trip on October 9th through 14th now. Dang Columbus Day, why do we celebrate that? AND it coincides with a week off for "Fall Break" YUCK.... Back to the drawing board.

It is our fall break - but that is just for some schools in AZ. They are all not the same, and some only have a couple of days off. Last year during our fall break it was not crowded Sun - Wed.

 

[Chumpson]

The vacation for fall break just gives me another reason to put it off, but I think the best reason is to wait for April and go when kids fly free. I am assuming that the 4th night won't help as much as two free tickets as I bring my family of 5 to disney. I just don't really want to way an extra 6 months.

 

[imjen]

The only thing with kids fly free is it seems they really up the price on the adult tickets so once you add it all up, you don't save much, if at all, compared to just scoring a good deal on regular tickets at another time of the year. This is especially true if you have an odd number of people and need to buy another full price ticket. At least it seemed that way to me when I calculated it a couple months ago during the special with Alaskan. Good luck on whatever you decide!

 

[dizzyami]

The vacation for fall break just gives me another reason to put it off, but I think the best reason is to wait for April and go when kids fly free. I am assuming that the 4th night won't help as much as two free tickets as I bring my family of 5 to disney. I just don't really want to way an extra 6 months.

Hopefully you can find a good time to go!!! Honestly though, the fall break is in Arizona - it really is not like we all jump on buses and go to DL - however tempting that might be!!!