No WOC 9-14? (Black hole week)

[Linkura]

Some aren't correct, especially in Fantasyland.

Not surprised. Times have gone up in the app now as well.

 

[onlyoneash]

Today was so much better! Thanks for the pixie dust. As of 5 pm, DL has definitely become insane (DCA closed so EVERYONE came over here). We got so much done earlier though, so we will just leave this zoo after we use one more fastpass!

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Today was so much better! Thanks for the pixie dust. As of 5 pm, DL has definitely become insane (DCA closed so EVERYONE came over here). We got so much done earlier though, so we will just leave this zoo after we use one more fastpass!

Sooooo glad you had a better day! It felt a little busy today but we did a lot and it was fun.

 

[KBinCO]

We've had a great first two days! We woke up at 5am Colorado time yesterday, had an 8am flight, and were through the gates by 10:30. We were able to get in 13 rides including RSR (the only FP we got) and Pirates, jungle cruise was walk on for us, most rides we did had a 5-10 min wait. We didn't have to best WOC view but still made it. Today we got soarin FPs first thing and then rode TSM with a 10 mins standby wait. We got evacuated off the little mermaid which my kids found to be very exciting, esp since we rode it yesterday so we didn't miss anything. We saw frozen today which was great and rode pirates again since my kids love it now... we left at 5 and are chilling at our pool now. The crowds seemed much better today. There's very little left for us tomorrow- we want to get on haunted mansion and do more in fantasyland but I think we've done pretty well so far.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

We've had a great first two days! We woke up at 5am Colorado time yesterday, had an 8am flight, and were through the gates by 10:30. We were able to get in 13 rides including RSR (the only FP we got) and Pirates, jungle cruise was walk on for us, most rides we did had a 5-10 min wait. We didn't have to best WOC view but still made it. Today we got soarin FPs first thing and then rode TSM with a 10 mins standby wait. We got evacuated off the little mermaid which my kids found to be very exciting, esp since we rode it yesterday so we didn't miss anything. We saw frozen today which was great and rode pirates again since my kids love it now... we left at 5 and are chilling at our pool now. The crowds seemed much better today. There's very little left for us tomorrow- we want to get on haunted mansion and do more in fantasyland but I think we've done pretty well so far.

Sounds like the parkhoppers worked out really well for you! Glad you've had a good time so far, and hope you have a wonderful day tomorrow!

 

[Linkura]

I'm betting tomorrow and this weekend are going to be a zoo due to Halloweentime officially starting. We arrive Sunday- going to be watching the wait times very closely today.

 

[onlyoneash]

I'm betting tomorrow and this weekend are going to be a zoo due to Halloweentime officially starting. We arrive Sunday- going to be watching the wait times very closely today.

Morning into the afternoon today was fine! But yes, this evening (first day of Halloween) was insane. Couldn't even walk in adventureland + New Orleans area. At one point, Haunted mansion line wait was 120 minutes, but the line announcement said it was 150 minutes. The line was so long, they had to move all the strollers to even have this tiny walking path. Then they got the ropes out for Fantasmic and crap hit the fan. I have never in my life seen so many people packed into one space. We were trapped in front of Haunted mansion for 45 min just trying to get to a bathroom (not in line, just literally trying to walk to the nearest bathroom). My kid ended up peeing his pants. There was no path to walk. The people in front of us said they hadn't been stuck that long in a walking path since visiting Tokyo Disneyland. Good thing is we had a change of clothes and had Fantasmic dining seating to watch the show so that was a lifesaver.

Tomorrow we are spending a few morning hours before our flight to catch what we missed. A bunch of APs are blocked on Saturday I've heard!?!, so I'm hoping it will actually be slower tomorrow. The park really only got busy after 5pm all the days we were there, so just beware of that. The locals definitely come after work/school to check out the new Halloween stuff (because it is awesome!)

Good luck next week!

 

[Geemo]

Morning into the afternoon today was fine! But yes, this evening (first day of Halloween) was insane. Couldn't even walk in adventureland + New Orleans area. At one point, Haunted mansion line wait was 120 minutes, but the line announcement said it was 150 minutes. The line was so long, they had to move all the strollers to even have this tiny walking path. Then they got the ropes out for Fantasmic and crap hit the fan. I have never in my life seen so many people packed into one space. We were trapped in front of Haunted mansion for 45 min just trying to get to a bathroom (not in line, just literally trying to walk to the nearest bathroom). My kid ended up peeing his pants. There was no path to walk. The people in front of us said they hadn't been stuck that long in a walking path since visiting Tokyo Disneyland. Good thing is we had a change of clothes and had Fantasmic dining seating to watch the show so that was a lifesaver.

Tomorrow we are spending a few morning hours before our flight to catch what we missed. A bunch of APs are blocked on Saturday I've heard!?!, so I'm hoping it will actually be slower tomorrow. The park really only got busy after 5pm all the days we were there, so just beware of that. The locals definitely come after work/school to check out the new Halloween stuff (because it is awesome!)

Good luck next week!

Saturday morning, I hope you area able to get all the last minute rides in for you and the kids!!
I'm going to send more your way.
Hope I didn't wake you tonight with all this pixie dust so late...

Have a safe trip home.

Geemo

 

[Linkura]

Morning into the afternoon today was fine! But yes, this evening (first day of Halloween) was insane. Couldn't even walk in adventureland + New Orleans area. At one point, Haunted mansion line wait was 120 minutes, but the line announcement said it was 150 minutes. The line was so long, they had to move all the strollers to even have this tiny walking path. Then they got the ropes out for Fantasmic and crap hit the fan. I have never in my life seen so many people packed into one space. We were trapped in front of Haunted mansion for 45 min just trying to get to a bathroom (not in line, just literally trying to walk to the nearest bathroom). My kid ended up peeing his pants. There was no path to walk. The people in front of us said they hadn't been stuck that long in a walking path since visiting Tokyo Disneyland. Good thing is we had a change of clothes and had Fantasmic dining seating to watch the show so that was a lifesaver.

Tomorrow we are spending a few morning hours before our flight to catch what we missed. A bunch of APs are blocked on Saturday I've heard!?!, so I'm hoping it will actually be slower tomorrow. The park really only got busy after 5pm all the days we were there, so just beware of that. The locals definitely come after work/school to check out the new Halloween stuff (because it is awesome!)

Good luck next week!

I am so sorry to hear about your child. That sounds terrible. Sounds like we will avoid that area entirely tomorrow night. I hate big crowds like that and probably would have had an anxiety attack if I were stuck in that.

 

[KBinCO]

Friday was our last day. I did purchase maxpass but I think we could have survived without it- it just wasn't worth it for us but it had its pluses. We did use it to grab a haunted mansion FP early. There is nothing about that ride that is worth a 110 min wait! Things like pirates and jungle cruise were easy early, but after our late breakfast reservation, fantasyland was a madhouse. Lots of rides breaking down and all the other rides with long waits and just walls and walls of people. Wait times on the app weren't matching posted wait times at all and often the posted wait times didn't seem accurate either.

We ditched and headed to CA where I had a RSR FP, then got a TSM FP and we did turtle talk. CA was just less stressful.

We went back to DL for dinner, then lined up an hour and a half early for fantasmic. Once that and the fireworks were over, my mom and husband left and I shut down the park with the kids. We did so much after the fireworks! All the thing we hadn't gotten to do at fantasyland earlier, we were able to get done. We walked right on to the jungle cruise which was fun in the dark. The only thing we couldn't do was the train because every time a train came to a stop, no one would get off.

So we got back to our hotel at 1am with my 7 and 8 year olds, 28,000 steps and 11.5 miles of walking later. It was worth it staying late though, even though it was never my intention.


We did a lot in our 3 days but it was definitely more stressful than our 2 previous trips and the crowds definitely take away from the magic a bit. Overall though, we had a good trip.

 

[tnzzz]

Friday was our last day as well. We were there until about 1, got a handful of pictures in with the decorations and rode Haunted Mansion. We left the area and drove home to Northern CA, but it took an extra hour to get through LA traffic, ugh.
So glad we returned to see all of the Halloween decor, and my daughter loves Nughtmare Before Christmas, so HM was a big deal for her.

Seemed like black hole week treated everyone relatively well, we enjoyed ourselves but realized 1) that there really is no slow time in DLR, I give up trying to find it, and 2) that length of a trip with two littles was too exhausting! It wasn't until we were driving home that it hit me that we spent 6 days in the parks! Three full days and three half days. Yikes, next time I'm adding an extra day in the middle to relax and limiting our park days to maybe 4 total.

 

[Linkura]

Starting to think I should reverse our plans for tomorrow/Monday hearing about the insane traffic in NOS. Late arrival tomorrow, was going to do NOS/Adventureland/Frontierland/Critter Country and then Fantasyland/Tomorrowland/Toontown Monday. Might reverse that except for a few rides. I REALLY don't want to get stuck in the insanity near HMH tomorrow! Sounds like getting that side of the park done fast first thing on Monday morning might be a better idea instead. And GG FP are running out slightly slower than HMH, so we have a better chance of getting a reasonably-timed FP for that tomorrow as well. We also have an ADR at Cafe Orleans on Monday.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Starting to think I should reverse our plans for tomorrow/Monday hearing about the insane traffic in NOS. Late arrival tomorrow, was going to do NOS/Adventureland/Frontierland/Critter Country and then Fantasyland/Tomorrowland/Toontown Monday. Might reverse that except for a few rides. I REALLY don't want to get stuck in the insanity near HMH tomorrow! Sounds like getting that side of the park done fast first thing on Monday morning might be a better idea instead. And GG FP are running out slightly slower than HMH, so we have a better chance of getting a reasonably-timed FP for that tomorrow as well. We also have an ADR at Cafe Orleans on Monday.

What time does "late arrival" mean for tomorrow?

You absolutely do want to avoid the Fantasmic section of the park as soon as ropes start going up for that.

 

[Linkura]

What time does "late arrival" mean for tomorrow?

You absolutely do want to avoid the Fantasmic section of the park as soon as ropes start going up for that.

1PM most likely. Or, if we are tired after the early flight and our room is ready, 4PMish.

When do the ropes start going up for Fantasmic?

 

[Skyegirl1999]

1PM most likely. Or, if we are tired after the early flight and our room is ready, 4PMish.

When do the ropes start going up for Fantasmic?

I think around 7? Someone else may know more specifically.

I'd probably just check out the FP options when you get there and plan accordingly. I'm not sure what all of your priorities are or how long you have, but maybe do at least parts of Adventureland/Frontierland tomorrow, then head over to Tomorrowland if you've managed to pull a Ghost Galaxy FP (or do Star Tours and Buzz at least?). You could look for Ghost Galaxy, Indiana Jones, BTMR, or Star Tours FPs when you first enter and just go with what you get. If you can stay late, like after the fireworks, you can pack a lot in at the end of the night, too. Especially on a Sunday.

Then head to HMH on Monday morning, do Critter Country, and hit everything you didn't hit Sunday.

You'll really just have to play it by ear depending on the conditions when you arrive tomorrow.

 

[dina444444]

I think around 7? Someone else may know more specifically.

I'd probably just check out the FP options when you get there and plan accordingly. I'm not sure what all of your priorities are or how long you have, but maybe do at least parts of Adventureland/Frontierland tomorrow, then head over to Tomorrowland if you've managed to pull a Ghost Galaxy FP (or do Star Tours and Buzz at least?). You could look for Ghost Galaxy, Indiana Jones, BTMR, or Star Tours FPs when you first enter and just go with what you get. If you can stay late, like after the fireworks, you can pack a lot in at the end of the night, too. Especially on a Sunday.

Then head to HMH on Monday morning, do Critter Country, and hit everything you didn't hit Sunday.

You'll really just have to play it by ear depending on the conditions when you arrive tomorrow.

They start preliminary set up around 6/6:30, but 7pm is when standby guests are allowed to wait in place for the 9pm show.

 

[gottalovepluto]

...Things like pirates and jungle cruise were easy early, but after our late breakfast reservation, fantasyland was a madhouse. Lots of rides breaking down and all the other rides with long waits and just walls and walls of people. Wait times on the app weren't matching posted wait times at all and often the posted wait times didn't seem accurate either.

We ditched and headed to CA where I had a RSR FP, then got a TSM FP and we did turtle talk. CA was just less stressful.

We went back to DL for dinner, then lined up an hour and a half early for fantasmic...

The beauty of Park Hoppers! I try to explain to friends why it can practically save the day at DL but they just won't try it...

 

[gottalovepluto]

Starting to think I should reverse our plans for tomorrow/Monday hearing about the insane traffic in NOS. Late arrival tomorrow, was going to do NOS/Adventureland/Frontierland/Critter Country and then Fantasyland/Tomorrowland/Toontown Monday. Might reverse that except for a few rides. I REALLY don't want to get stuck in the insanity near HMH tomorrow! Sounds like getting that side of the park done fast first thing on Monday morning might be a better idea instead. And GG FP are running out slightly slower than HMH, so we have a better chance of getting a reasonably-timed FP for that tomorrow as well. We also have an ADR at Cafe Orleans on Monday.

FWIW- everything is so close together the ADR won't be a problem no matter where you are in the parks. And, come hell or high water or darth vader or whatever you would NEVER find me in Fantasyland during any afternoon...

 

[onlyoneash]

We spent our last day at DCA. Left around 2pm for our flight. The slowest day by far. It definitely picked up around noon, but from 8-12 it was awesome. We got more done this morning than both our other days at DCA combined. Next trip I am coming when the most AP passes are blocked (except Christmas of course). That seems to be the new "slowish season". This trip was definitely in the ok category. The last 2 times we went were so awesome, it is hard not to compare.

What I will say is the weather treated us very well. Warm and overcast with a breeze. Sun peaked through once in a while, but we go home with zero sunburns or heat exhaustion.

I would give the advise to anyone who wants to go around Halloween time to avoid opening weekend in the future.

 

[graymatter]

The beauty of Park Hoppers! I try to explain to friends why it can practically save the day at DL but they just won't try it...

Park hoppers saved our trip! Once when our two year old suddenly wanted chicken nuggets for lunch, and CA didn't have them. Over to Disneyland we went. On Friday, our original plan was to start in Disneyland. Then we saw all the people waiting to get in. But no line at CA. Into CA we went, and DH and I were able to ride RSR with less than five minute wait using single rider line (DS was half an inch too short, so disappointing, he would've loved the ride). We went over to DL later and managed to ride a couple rides when everyone was trying to watch the parade. Back over to CA once people started streaming into DL. The parks are so close together, I can't imagine not hopping!