Oct. Trip-Please help me diecide which dates!

[kkendle]

Thank you all for being so helpful. I LOVE this site and I need help planning an upcoming trip. I will be in CA from Sunday Sept. 30-Tuesday Oct 9th...but leaving very early Tuesday so that day is out. I want to drive to San Fran that week for a day or 2 as well...which leads to my dilemma on which days to do at Disney.

I have never been to Disneyland but WDW several times so this is all new to me. I was thinking about going through the Gay Day link to get a good deal on tickets...but they are good starting on Oct. 3rd...not before. I also want to see Fantasmic as well as other shows that likely only show on weekends.

I also know the Halloween parties are thrown in there during that time as well.

However, I like the idea of going on a weekday because of lower crowds. I guess I want it all!

So...I will either have 2 or 3 day park hoppers...was thinking of going on Mon. Oct. 1 and possibly Tues. Oct. 2nd...even though on Tuesday DL closes early for Halloween party.

Then go to San Fran and come back for weekend day on Sunday the 7th to catch the shows that i would miss during the week.

Or I could go Sunday Sept 30th although I will be driving from San Diego that morning so not sure how early we could get there. I could go that day and possible Monday and Tuesday.

Or I could go on Monday the 1st and then the following Sunday the 7th and Monday the 8th,

This is so confusing...thanks to anyone in advance for your opinion on which days might be better and whoever could follow my line of thinking here. I know Gay Days is from the 5th through the 7th I beleive but I don't care about that and don't think crowds will be that much higher due to it.

Thanks! Maybe I should forget about San Fran and just stick around the LA area...that would solve some of this.

 

[marcemc]

We will be there sep. 29th - oct 3rd. The main reason we chose this days is because the weeks following most of schools here in AZ have school break and they all love to go to DL In years past, we have been at the parks during the the second & third weeks of October and they have been crowded (specially at night).

I have never visited the park during gay days but a friend of mine who lives in southern Cali has and she had told me in the past that it's not too bad.

I think your plan of going oct. 1st & 2nd and then going back on a Sunday to catch fireworks and what not it's good. With that said, some locals and experts could give you a clear understanding of what's going on as your dates come closer.

Have fun

 

[kkendle]

Thanks. I have read that Sundays are generally less crowded than Saturday....and Sunday puts us back in LA area for our flight home early Tuesday. Only thing is...I know DL closes early on Tues. the 2nd.

 

[marcemc]

Thanks. I have read that Sundays are generally less crowded than Saturday....and Sunday puts us back in LA area for our flight home early Tuesday. Only thing is...I know DL closes early on Tues. the 2nd.

I know, CA will be really crowded during that evening

 

[kkendle]

That is why I am wondering if avoiding the early DL close dates altogether and maybe go on Sunday the 7th and Monday the 8th just for 2 days but with hoppers.

 

[kailuagirl]

We are trying to go around that time frame also To be honest, I don't think I would drive all the way up to San Fran just for one or 2 days. That is alot of drive time for such a short time. I wonder if you took the train if it would be faster??? My SIL lives near SF and drives down to my other SIL in OC and if I recall its a long drive. That's a hard call to choose which days to go, especially the Tuesday night. I like your idea of leaving San Diego on Sunday early and starting DL then. I think we are going to do that, we fly into SD, going to visit my dad, then leave at the crack of dawn on Saturday the 29th, DH's b'day and head to DL. That's the plan anyway.

 

[kkendle]

If I don't do Disney on the 30th and the first couple of days of Oct...then I would leave earlier for San Fran...maybe Tuesday....then come back Fri or Sat and spend either Sunday or Sunday and Monday at Disney.

We are flying into LA on the 27th actually in the evening and driving straight to San Diego for 3 nights...that part I can't change because I got a GREAT rate on a hotel using reward points...they had some sort of special that you can't get anymore.

I know the trip to San Fran is long...but we did it about 10 years ago and took our time driving down the coast highway and really enjoyed taking our time and stopping when we wanted...so we think we must do it again.

I wish someone would just say...these would be the best days for Disney and this is how you can work in the other things but I guess that won't happen.

I appreciate your input and hope you also have a great trip!