Need some help/tips about trip - Oct. 16-19, 5 adults

[sacteach]

Hi, I've been to DL many times in my life, but this upcoming trip has me a bit stressed

My mom is turning 60 on 10/16, so me (33), my brother (37), sister-in-law (36) and nephew (18) are surprising her with a trip to DL. My brother is NOT a "Disney person", but knows my mom would love having us all there together, so he's willing to go.

One of the main selling points was that I told him that October is not that crowded (I went in Oct about 5 years ago and it was great!). However, my quick reading tonight through these forums tells me I might be wrong -oops!

We are planning on being in the parks on Thursday and Friday, and maybe Sunday. We were going to do something else on Saturday - boys are going to the skate park, girls are going shopping!

So - just how crazy/crowded do you think it will be on those days? What do you think would be the longest waits?

I saw that there is the Trick or Treat event at CA on Thursday and Friday night, do you think that will lessen the crowds at DL at all? Or, will the parks be even more crowded?

Any other things you can suggest for this time period? Thanks!

 

[Brady's Mom]

Unfortunately, you are hitting the Park when Utah schools have their Fall Break. They are off that Thurs, Fri and Mon. I know when we went 2 years ago for Fall Break it was very crowded. I don't have anything to compare it to, because I hadn't been in years and I hadn't found this board, but it was crowded and we spent a lot of time in DCA. Which worked out okay for us, because my little kids were really little and like Bugs Land.

Now that I have my DisBoard Fix, I think I could go when it was going to be crowded and do very well for my family in terms of riding everything we want to ride.

Disneyland didn't seem any less crowded during the Trick or Treat party, but I could be way off. Sorry I can't help more.

 

[avalon451]

So - just how crazy/crowded do you think it will be on those days? What do you think would be the longest waits?

It's going to be very crowded. Do you have APs, or are you buying parkhoppers for those days?

If you are buying parkhoppers, you'll get one Magic Morning, one hour early entry. Be sure and use it, Thursday if you'll be there at opening, Sunday if not.

Other than that, you've been there often; so do you follow the standard rules about getting there early and collecting FPs to use later? If you're not familiar with this kind of touring strategy (lots of veterans aren't, surprisingly) please read the sticky thread by Hydroguy at the top of this forum: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483 It's SOOOO helpful! Most of the vets on this board follow a strategy like this, with the result that even on the busiest days, you'll never wait more than 15-20 minutes in any line, maybe 30 at most. You just have to be willing to get up early and get to the parks 30 minutes before opening, and know what rides to do first to get them out of the way before the lines build. You collect FPs for the big rides that will have 60 minute waits later in the day-- come back later and use them right in a row.

Good luck, and have fun!

 

[casiland]

I am from Utah and I have gone every year for the last 8 over UEA and have never seen major crowds except 1 year. On average the longest we have waited is 30 minutes and that is for Space Mountain. I went the first week of June (according to the disboard, a good time to go) and it was insane. Average wait time's 1 1/2 hour for smaller rides and over 2 hours for the bigger ones. All I am saying is there is really no rhyme or reason to when it will be crowded, so don't let it stress you out. On average this year people are reporting low crowds.

 

[sacteach]

Thanks for the info. Even with Utah on a break, I hope it's not as crowded as a summer day, but we'll deal with it as it is.

I'll definitely explore all the fast-pass options, I was reading through those threads last night and got a lot of great info.

As far as tickets, we are either buying a two-day hopper or three-day hopper.

 

[pinktink83]

If you buy the three day hoppers from getawaytoday.com you get two magic mornings (early entry) that you could use thursday and sunday. Check what time the park opens that day, it may not be very early.

Also, I think when people say its "busy" in October, they mean its busier than it has been in the past during October, not that its busy like a summer day would be!!! I def dont think it will be that busy.

PS. I would say something to your brother that just b/c he agreed to go on the trip, doesnt mean he is off the hook behavior wise. I can just imagine what a sourpuss he could be, and that would totally ruin it for everyone. Part of the deal of him going is that he goes with the flow and doesnt complain. Remind him of that before you get there! Its one weekend out of his entire life. He can put on an act if he really needs to.

 

[avalon451]

PS. I would say something to your brother that just b/c he agreed to go on the trip, doesnt mean he is off the hook behavior wise. I can just imagine what a sourpuss he could be, and that would totally ruin it for everyone. Part of the deal of him going is that he goes with the flow and doesnt complain. Remind him of that before you get there! Its one weekend out of his entire life. He can put on an act if he really needs to.

On the whole, I would agree with this, but I'd add too, that sometimes it works really well to just keep your cellphones handy, and let some members of your group go with the flow. For example, I'd be the maniac wanting to be at the gates at 6:30 a.m. for the 7 a.m. Magic Morning, so I can do FantasyLand, Buzz and Space with no lines. But why drag your brother out if he's not that hot on riding Peter Pan and Toady? Let him sleep in, get some coffee and breakfast, and meet you later in the parks. Everybody will be much happier. You'll still be collecting FPs, but maybe not everybody will want to ride the big rides-- so those who are there will all get their FPs, but if your mom doesn't want to use that Big Thunder Mountain FP, she can hand it over to your brother who slept in. It generally all works out.

Sounds like a really fun family trip! Hope you have a great time! We will be just crossing paths with you; we are leaving 10/16. We're having lunch at BB at 11:30 that day, so if you're hanging around NOS and see a mom and a 13 year old daughter with Lime Green Mickey Mouse heads attached to their persons, give a wave!

 

[ladykatherine]

What are the dates your going this year I thought UEA was the 16th -20th?