Next Oct. - Columbus Monday vs. the next weekend?

[PHXscuba]

I know this is a long way off, but I'm hoping someone who visited this October still remembers the crowd levels and hours from last month.

I am planning for a large group to do 2 days at DLR next October. We have fall break over Columbus Day, which means we can realistically do either Monday (Columbus Day) and Tuesday, or the next Friday and Saturday.

I think hours-open will be better on the weekend, but I don't know about the crowds. Do they do fireworks on Columbus Day, even tho it's a Monday?

Most of the people we are taking have never been there before, and I want to make sure we have the best (possible) combination of hours/crowds/attractions for their visit.

TIA,
PHXscuba

 

[avalon451]

We were there on the Sunday and Monday of Columbus Day weekend last month (stayed through Thursday). Crowds were ok! Sunday was busy, for an example, here's the standby time board on Sunday about 5 p.m.:

Hours were 8-12 on Sunday, with fireworks.

Monday, the hours were originally sheduled to be 8-11, but they changed it a few weeks before to 9-11. Fireworks were scheduled, but they were canceled that evening due to high winds. This is very common in the fall, when the Santa Ana winds are likely to be blowing. The crowds did not seem that bad to me on Monday. Then, Tuesday and Wednesay of that week were really pretty quiet. Thursday, Utah Educational Association conference started, thusly most of the Utah schools were out on fall break, and it was very busy by the time we left at 3 p.m.

Arizona schools mostly had their fall break the week before Columbus day, this year, and sure enough, the crowds were VERY busy the week before we were there. I would want to check if it's the same next year.

HTH!

 

[PHXscuba]

Unfortunately, we ARE the Arizona fall break, so we're wedded to that week with all of the other 'Zonies. I am leaning toward Monday-Tuesday, especially if the hours on Columbus Day/Monday include the fireworks.

PHXscuba

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Yeah, for some reason, fall break is a week later next school year. We have been to DL the past 2 fall breaks. Next year we're heading East.