October 4th to 9th - any problems?

[Crisi83]

I'm currently trying to plan a trip and looking at October 4th to 9th. The only point of the trip is to go to Disneyland and my AP expires the 11th. Last year we accidentally were there for a CA work/school holiday and a charity walk, so I wanted to make sure there wasn't anything on those dates I didn't know about. I'm also assuming that one of those weekday nights we should be able to do the Halloween Party. But just looking at room prices and airfare, that seemed like the cheapest week.

 

[tlovesdis]

Sunday the 4th will be the last day of the Gay Days weekend, so it might be pretty busy. And around here the first two weeks of October are fall school break (and in a lot of other places too) and lots of people go to Disneyland!

 

[Sherry E]

Have you checked figment_jii's thread with a list of events and school breaks happening throughout the year? Here it is - http://www.disboards.com/threads/2015-calendar-of-events-school-breaks-and-dlr.3358090/

There are two separate lists in the first post -- one for events and one for school breaks. The list is always being updated, but those events and breaks can have some impact on crowds in the parks.

Other than that, I think your dates will be fine -- and, yes, there should be a Halloween party somewhere during your trip, on at least one night.

 

[Crisi83]

I just saw the gay days thing. We'd be arriving on the 4th, so I'd probably hit the parks in the evening, but not that long. Now I'm looking at various dates though, trying to find hotel rooms.... One set of dates I'm looking at would be over that whole weekend, so does gay days get pretty crowded? What goes on? I really don't care if its gay day, unless it makes things really busy...

Crowd calculaters seem to say that other then monday which is higher for whatever reason, the rest of the week is pretty low crowds.

 

[figment_jii]

Gay Days is one of the largest unofficial events that happens at DLR so it does impact crowds. While you are not going to see anything like capacity level crowds, it does tend to mean that the parks are more crowded than they would be if there was no event that weekend. I don't think it means you're going to be seeing unreasonable long lines, but most attractions won't be walk-on either (except maybe early in the morning right after rope drop). Personally, I think CHOC walk made the parks busier than Gay Days, but it could be because CHOC walk was only on one day and it was part of the 3-day weekend (for some).

 

[Nonsuch]

I just saw the gay days thing. We'd be arriving on the 4th, so I'd probably hit the parks in the evening, but not that long. Now I'm looking at various dates though, trying to find hotel rooms...

Gay Days has some of the best rates for onsite hotels, you must register at gaydaysanaheim.com.
Actually booking is through the Disney Meeting (convention) site.

 

[Imdboss]

We've gone during that week several times. Last year our first day in the park was Wed and it was amazing, the crowds were low and wait times were around 15-20 for most things. Thurs our friends joined us for their first trip ever and it was noticeably busier (I was a little bummed they didn't get to enjoy Wed with us), wait times were more like 30-40 min. Fri we did MHP so we weren't in the park until 4, had a blast at that like always. The weekend was crazy so that's good you will be avoiding that!

 

[sc426]

Sunday the 4th will be the last day of the Gay Days weekend, so it might be pretty busy. And around here the first two weeks of October are fall school break (and in a lot of other places too) and lots of people go to Disneyland!

Not in LA. In LA the first week of October is a very good time to go to DL. Kids are in school and the next big school holiday is not until veterans day weekend in November. The first week in octoberis a very good time to go. Very low crowds and during the middle of the week is the best time to hit the rides.

 

[Crisi83]

Thanks for all the advice guys! I finally settled on Oct 4-9 since I found a suite finally that worked for us. I was having such a hard time with many places being all full! Or more likely, one of our dates being sold out and the rest free!

 

[McNs]

I'll see you there!

We've been there during gay days last two years. It is busy but their official park days are DL sat and DCA Sun, so on each day the other park will be a little less busy.

 

[bcwife76]

I'll see you there!

We've been there during gay days last two years. It is busy but their official park days are DL sat and DCA Sun, so on each day the other park will be a little less busy.

Thanks for the tip! We will be there Oct 1-3 so this helps with our planning too

 

[Canadian Harmony]

We'll be there that week too! I'm so excited to go! I think I'm more excited than the girls are, if that's even possible.

 

[Crisi83]

Because I got an AP, this will be our third trip there in a year (others where with two differnt sets of friends and for the star wars celebration!) but I think my 2 yr old will still be over the moon when we get there She was so excited to see Minnie and go on rides last time...

 

[McNs]

I'm so excited to go! I think I'm more excited than the girls are, if that's even possible.

Ha! I'm the same though my DD9 does rival me for Disney fanatacism...

 

[Canadian Harmony]

We're going to have a 9 year-old DD with us too! She turns 9 on the Wednesday and her sister turns 11 on the Monday. Best birthday ever, I'd say!

 

[McNs]

Rethinking my approach to this thread.

This is the worst week in the year to go. Anyone else thinking of going from October 2 thru October 9, forget it. Parks will be packed, you won't get on anything, it's hot. Best to rethink your plans!

 

[Indiana Scott]

Isn't HM down for its overlay that time of year?
Depending on how much you like this ride it may be an issue for you and I think it's makes the other local rides more busy since it can soak up a lot of people.
Just a thought.
Scott

 

[Nonsuch]

Isn't HM down for its overlay that time of year?

The overlay is installed in early September for the start of the Halloween Time, which is mid September.

 

[figment_jii]

Isn't HM down for its overlay that time of year?

As mentioned, both of the Halloween overlays should be up and running at that point and it's a little too early for IaSW to close for the installation of its holiday overlay.

 

[Indiana Scott]

Thanks for the clarifications.