Oct Trip? Busy during Gay Days/Columbus Wkend?

[aliceindisneyland]

Planning trip for DD's 2nd birthday. Her BD is Thurs Oct 9, and we'll go on Mon/Tues or Thurs/Fri (socal select AP). I'm seeing Gay Days as Fri Oct 3- Sun Oct 5 and Columbus Day weekend is Sat Oct 11-Mon Oct 13. Do either of these events really add to the crowds? Do schools even get Columbus Day off anymore? Thurs Oct 9 & Fri Oct 10 would put us in DL on her actual BD, but she's only 2 so it won't bother her a bit to celebrate on a different day. Mon Oct 6 & Tues Oct 7 are close enough, but is overflow crowd from Gay Days expected after Sun Oct 5? Will use HOJO Entertainment Card price if we stay on 5th/6th--it's not available for 8th/9th.

 

[bluegrizzlies1]

im going 12-17 oct if you have not gotten your tickets yet I would suggest getting them from the gay days anaheim website you can not beat the price.

As far as being busy who knows I dont ever think there is a off peak time there just go for it and have fun.

 

[avalon451]

It's supposed to be pretty busy that week; AZ schools are mostly out on fall break. However, lately the crowds have been reported at lower levels, blamed on the economy and gas prices, so it's hard to predict.

Mon/Tuesday might be slower, but if you go Thurs/Friday you'll be able to see the fireworks Friday night (unless there are high winds and they get canceled); because in Oct. they usually only show fireworks on the weekends.

 

[pinktink83]

AZ schools have early release on Wed Oct 8, and the following Thursday and Friday off. So those days may be busier than Mon and Tues of that week would be. (mon and tues are generally slower days anyway!)

We are planning to go on Mon and Tues that week, and I hope the Gay Days aren't still going on then. I would hope that they all have to be back to work by Monday morning.

Either way I dont think it will be very busy that week, October is a slow month and the park doesnt even open until 10am most days that week, and closes earlier, too.

FYI: Its A Small World is closed for refurb. that week, so is the Sailing Ship Columbia and the New Orleans Railroad!

 

[audrabolster]

Last year it was very, very busy.

 

[julw]

I agree, I think many people are going to be surprised just how busy October will be. We made two trips last year in October, and both were VERY busy. We are going again in October this year because of the Trick-or-treat party, and that is when my kids have fall break from school. We used to take them out of school to go, but it's getting too hard as they get older.

Also, I have been playing around with changing my travel dates a bit, and also looking at maybe booking a package deal instead this time, but EVERYTHING (well...everywhere we would like to stay - on property or hotels close by on Harbor) is already booked! We are going Oct. 6th- 11th and already have reservations and it's a good thing because I couldn't get something if I tried now.

 

[BlueBayou]

Some Phoenix, AZ area schools are out the whole week of Oct. 13th.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

we will be there 5-11th and I excpect it to be a bit busy but not to bad I know the schools around here were out the 13th.

 

[lulubelle]

I have heard that crowds are way down this year, so you could hope for that.

But if it is like last year, it will be very busy both weeks.
Have a wonderful vacation, whatever you choose!

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

If it's like last year, I'd expect most of that month to be crazy crowded. Too much going on that month to consider a slow time anymore.

But as others have said, crowds have been low this summer. So I'd hope for that to continue!

 

[edit1]

If it's like last year, I'd expect most of that month to be crazy crowded. Too much going on that month to consider a slow time anymore.

But as others have said, crowds have been low this summer. So I'd hope for that to continue!

This is so true. We went last October and it was soooo busy but if this summer is any indication then perhaps this October will be slower than last year.

 

[aliceindisneyland]

Also, I have been playing around with changing my travel dates a bit, and also looking at maybe booking a package deal instead this time, but EVERYTHING (well...everywhere we would like to stay - on property or hotels close by on Harbor) is already booked! We are going Oct. 6th- 11th and already have reservations and it's a good thing because I couldn't get something if I tried now.

I'm having the same problem finding open dates. I did manage to secure a res at HoJo for 5th & 6th w/Entertainment Card rate...if I can't find a good rate for 8th/9th, guess our decision has been made! Noticed that Harbor hotels with availability were running the same rates or w/in $10 of rates I noted for August--high season. Wondering if this is inflation, or the hotels anticipating being busy?
Thanks to all for the advice & info--especially the AZ schools--love this board!

 

[KAYELIZ]

Have you tried Travelocity? They have some discounted rates for that time frame, including the Disney hotels.

 

[jelong]

Please be aware that there is a video game convention going on at the Anaheim Convention Center on October 10th and 11th this year, which will draw around 15000 video game players to the area. I would imagine that many of them will be visiting Disneyland on Thursday the 9th and/or Sunday the 12th.

Go to the BlizzCon website for details. www.blizzcon.com

 

[avalon451]

Another way to check is to look at the hours of operation posted, to see what Disneyland is anticipating. You can tell if Disney expects it to be busy if they have the maximum hours, 8 a.m. -midnight. I see Columbus Day is still expected to be quite busy; hours are 8-11.

 

[The Rocketeer]

Also, I have been playing around with changing my travel dates a bit, and also looking at maybe booking a package deal instead this time, but EVERYTHING (well...everywhere we would like to stay - on property or hotels close by on Harbor) is already booked! We are going Oct. 6th- 11th and already have reservations and it's a good thing because I couldn't get something if I tried now.

In February, I booked the Hojo's Entertainment rate for Columbus Day weekend. Both Saturday and Sunday showed availability, but in the process of booking, Saturday night was no longer available. I went ahead and booked Sunday night and then called Hojo's in-house reservations and they were able to get me the $59 rate for Saturday. The rate was available, just not online. The lesson it taught me was to always double-check and call directly. Maybe it would be worthwhile to call directly and see if there are any cancellations. Plans change all the time. Hope you find something soon.

 

[pinktink83]

AIY-YI! I better get hoppin!!!! And to think I was going to wait until a couple weeks before our trip to reserve our hotel rooms!!!!!

 

[JaneJetson]

Beware.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/dis...y/index?bhcp=1

Miley Cyrus is celebrating her birthday at Disneyland on October 5th. Someone in another disboards thread called and was told that Disneyland will close at 5pm that night (but DCA will be open later.) You can only stay past 5pm if you purchase birthday party tickets ($250) in addition to your park ticket.