October Advice?

[TXHauntedMansionFan]

We're looking at taking a three day trip to DL sometime in Oct, but we've never been that late in the year. We definitely want to see the holiday fireworks and HM turned into the Nightmare before Christmas. Does anyone have any info about crowds during mid-late Oct? Is the weather usually pretty good & is the Halloween party at DCA worth the extra $$? Are the hotels usually any cheaper than August?

Thanks for the help in advance.

TXHMF

 

[HydroGuy]

See "Detailed Weather Data for DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158

Also see post #2 in this next thread for some info about October 2009. Be careful taking advice from anyone with October experience before 2009 as things have changed.

"Understanding AP Blockouts and Impact on Crowds" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2365983

 

[TXHauntedMansionFan]

Wow, thanks for the links...I had no idea that October was such a busy time at DL. Is it even worth a trip if its going to be that crowded? Maybe if we only go during the week (arrive early Tues - leave Friday morning)?

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Just plan carefully ~ avoid Gay Days, UT & AZ fall breaks, Columbus Day and the Choc Walk ~ I think later in the month, weekdays should be fine.

 

[Husker Mickey]

We went to DL the last two or three Octobers and yes it is busy. We went before the Choc walk last year, in the parks Oct. 14-17. We were there over the weekend or at least on Fri. and Sat. It was very crowded on the weekend. We did our early entry earlier in the week and made the most of it. We were always at the gates at opening, doing the part of the park that we knew would be very busy the rest of the day. Make sure to use the FP system. Also, watch the fireworks as soon as you can in your trip in case of winds - that is when the Santa Anas can really blow - they will cancel the fireworks if the upper level winds kick up. If you do some preliminary planning, it is doable.

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

We went during the 18-28th of October this past year and it was great, and not very crowded. While the first few weeks of October were crazy busy with all of the crowds for special events and school breaks, the 3rd and 4th weeks (after all that madness was over) was great. From what I've seen, most of the people who posted that it was very busy went during the first 2 weeks. The posts from people who were there during the 3rd week (including myself) said that it was good during that time. I did my research and avoided the weeks that were predicted to be crazy and it worked. Of all our trips (always during off-season), this was one of the most pleasant in terms of crowds. I loved the Halloween decorations and everything that was there during this time of year, and I would definitely go back during October as long as I did my homework and chose what looked like would be the least crowded week. We also loved the trick or treat party and for us, yes, it was worth it to at least go once. It was a great opportunity to get pictures/autographs of some of the more rare characters/villains and it was just fun overall.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

1. Go later in the month. We went over the weekend of Halloween (10/30-11/1) and it was busier than say September, but not packed. Waits were very reasonable (except Space Mt GG).

2. Halloween fireworks were shown nightly last year, so going on a weekend isn't as crucial.

3. Trick or Treat Party is absolutely worth it! It was a lot of fun, an I'd do it again in a heart beat.

4. Weather was fabulous! We wore shorts/capris and t shirts during the day and jeans & t shirts (plus brought along a sweatshirt) at night. We used the sweatshirt after about 8 or 9 pm, but often took them off in the queues when we were away from any breeze.

5. Hotels: book early. HOJOs has some ET dates already for late October. We got some good AP rates there, but when my in laws booked their room to join us a few weeks later, prices went up. The difference in our standard room prices was about $20.

 

[deejdigsdis]

I'm thinking about Oct. as well. Just looked up when CHOC walk is this year...Oct. 17th.

 

[raftislander]

We went over Columbus Day weekend in 2009, arriving Friday and leaving the following Monday. It was very busy that weekend and they closed the parks due to capacity on a couple of the days. Nevertheless, armed with a good touring plan you can have a wonderful time. A woman I work with was there with her family just ahead of my stay and encountered virtually no crowds during the weekdays. She was still there the Friday I arrived, and was amazed at the difference in crowd levels that day.

LOVED Halloweentime! We went to the Trick or Treat party on Friday night and got loads of rides in on many favorites: TSMM, TOT, CS, and Soaring as well as rides on all of those Paradise Pier rides that my DD always wants to go on, but I don't think are worth the wait. We walked on to everything. Lines for characters varied from insane (Mickey and Minnie) to short (Princesses as the evening got later). Candy was OK- lots of it but not enough good stuff(chocolate). Remember that with DCA closed for the special event party that crowds of passholders/parkhopper ticket holders will be forced to go over to DL if they want to stay in a park. The new fireworks show and Ghost Galaxy overlay on Space Mt. brought tons of people to the parks as this was the first year for both. I would expect there to be the same increased crowd level this year. The crowds around the Hub for fireworks were huge. Everyone in my family (and my friend's family) loved the Halloween Screams fireworks show. My daughter and I could not get from the HUB (post fireworks)over to ROA to see second Fantasmic! showing on Sat due to crowds. On Sunday we went over ROA while first show was going on so could grab good seats when people left after first show. I think DL added third showing of Fantasmic! both nights If you know how to be at gate opening and make good use of your MM and FPs you will be OK. We had several rides on SMGG despite the line being 90-120 minutes most of the weekend. I think the longest we ever waited for any ride was 25-30 (and it was for SMGG).