October at DL

[left210]

Is it crowded at DL in October? Are the pools still open? Will Carsland still be crazy by then? Is the weather in the 70s and 80s?

 

[KateDrake]

We're getting excited for our annual October trip! We've been for the last few years during that time, so I'll take a stab at answering.

First of all, it is generally pretty mild during October. The E-ticket rides still have lines, but they generally have Fastpass available. Fantasyland can still have a bit of a wait on a few things, but generally it isn't too bad compared to high season. And many rides are absolute walk ons. Think 60 minutes in standby at Space, 30 on Dumbo, and walk on or short wait at Buzz Lightyear.

Now that's how it was last year, but everything has of course changed with the re-done DCA. It sounds like Cars Land will still be slammed, so it will be vital to get there at rope drop. But I'm guessing the rest of the park will be quite manageable. We were able to get a ton done last year, and I think that will bear out again with the exception of Cars Land.

Temperatures are usually in the high 70s-low 80s, but it does get cooler in the morning and evenings. I'd bring a sweatshirt. It's probably too cold to swim at night, but I think it would be heavenly during the heat of the day. I think it largely depends on where you come from. Canadians think it's balmy, but my SoCal cousins are already wearing coats by October, so it just depends!

Hope that helps, and you have a great trip!

 

[Eeee-va]

Mid-October in particular can get fairly crowded due to fall breaks and locals wanting to take in the Halloween atmosphere. We went on a Saturday in mid-October 2010 and New Orleans Square was probably the busiest I've ever seen it, likely due to Haunted Mansion Holiday. Some other parts of the park weren't too crowded, and I'd have to guess weekdays could be more pleasant. Party days get very busy close to the party start time.

Like KateDrake, I think this year could very well be different thanks to Cars Land.

 

[RebeccaMcK]

Maybe we should form our own little October trip club right here.

I'm going with my DD7 and husband October 21-26, and we'll attend the Halloween Party (first time ever) on the 23rd. Staying at Paradise Pier Hotel (never stayed on site before - I grew up in SoCal and never had to...lived there for 33 years). Tomorrow or Monday I get to call Dining and make our table service meal reservations since we'll be 60 days from the end of our trip.

They don't have the park hours out yet for October, on DLand's site, but we're planning to do the early admission hour every day we can make it that early (might not be able to do it the morning after the Halloween party since we'll be out later than usual). I already know that there most likely won't be any Fantasmic and Fireworks shows on the weekdays (if we want to see them, we'll head into DLand on our arrival night since we get there on the Sunday - that is, if we're not exhausted). That's partly why I got the Halloween party tickets, so we can at least be in the park for the special party fireworks. Rented "Nightmare Before Christmas" so my daughter could become familiar with it - it'll help for the Haunted Mansion Holiday ride (it'll be her first time riding, period).

I've heard IASW will be closed (for them to do the holiday overlay for November/December...it's very nice), and the Casey Jr circus train, Storybookland Canal Boats and Indiana Jones Adventure will also be closed (which is why I'll try to ride Indy when I'm there for just one day September 2nd, with my parents). Heard a rumor that Alice In Wonderland ride might be closed but haven't seen anything in print yet (online) to indicate that. It's the trade-off we make, going during "off season" - some things will be closed. I wonder if Single Rider lines will be operating? Normally they might have them for Splash, Indy, Ca Screamin', GRR, Soarin' and TSMM.

Anyway, someone told me on another thread to basically gauge the crowd levels by the hours DLR will be open....if the parks close somewhat early at night, low crowds (or less than moderate anyway) could be expected. And while the park hours aren't listed yet for October - most of the time it seems that on weekdays (I've only paid attention to weekday stuff since we really won't have weekends in the park on our trip) DL is generally open from 8-6 (or sometimes open at 9 am) and DCA is generally open from 10-8....which to me means lower crowd levels (and most local kids will be in school). Crowd levels would be higher on the weekends (and probably at the Halloween parties but I'd think Friday's party would be more crowded than Tuesday's) when they're open from 8a-Midnight (DL) and 10-9 (DCA). I also trust TouringPlans' crowd level predictions, not so much for Orlando but for Anaheim (at least, the few times I've used them in the past for Disneyland visits I thought they were spot on).

Anyway, if we use our FPs wisely and plan our mornings effectively October trips can be quite fun. We're bringing light jackets or sweatshirts for when it cools off at night. Might not even feel cold to us any more since we're very used to Colorado now.

 

[cooniez]

Maybe we should form our own little October trip club right here.

I'm going with my DD7 and husband October 21-26, and we'll attend the Halloween Party (first time ever) on the 23rd. Staying at Paradise Pier Hotel (never stayed on site before - I grew up in SoCal and never had to...lived there for 33 years). Tomorrow or Monday I get to call Dining and make our table service meal reservations since we'll be 60 days from the end of our trip.

They don't have the park hours out yet for October, on DLand's site, but we're planning to do the early admission hour every day we can make it that early (might not be able to do it the morning after the Halloween party since we'll be out later than usual). I already know that there most likely won't be any Fantasmic and Fireworks shows on the weekdays (if we want to see them, we'll head into DLand on our arrival night since we get there on the Sunday - that is, if we're not exhausted). That's partly why I got the Halloween party tickets, so we can at least be in the park for the special party fireworks. Rented "Nightmare Before Christmas" so my daughter could become familiar with it - it'll help for the Haunted Mansion Holiday ride (it'll be her first time riding, period).

I've heard IASW will be closed (for them to do the holiday overlay for November/December...it's very nice), and the Casey Jr circus train, Storybookland Canal Boats and Indiana Jones Adventure will also be closed (which is why I'll try to ride Indy when I'm there for just one day September 2nd, with my parents). Heard a rumor that Alice In Wonderland ride might be closed but haven't seen anything in print yet (online) to indicate that. It's the trade-off we make, going during "off season" - some things will be closed. I wonder if Single Rider lines will be operating? Normally they might have them for Splash, Indy, Ca Screamin', GRR, Soarin' and TSMM.

Anyway, someone told me on another thread to basically gauge the crowd levels by the hours DLR will be open....if the parks close somewhat early at night, low crowds (or less than moderate anyway) could be expected. And while the park hours aren't listed yet for October - most of the time it seems that on weekdays (I've only paid attention to weekday stuff since we really won't have weekends in the park on our trip) DL is generally open from 8-6 (or sometimes open at 9 am) and DCA is generally open from 10-8....which to me means lower crowd levels (and most local kids will be in school). Crowd levels would be higher on the weekends (and probably at the Halloween parties but I'd think Friday's party would be more crowded than Tuesday's) when they're open from 8a-Midnight (DL) and 10-9 (DCA). I also trust TouringPlans' crowd level predictions, not so much for Orlando but for Anaheim (at least, the few times I've used them in the past for Disneyland visits I thought they were spot on).

Anyway, if we use our FPs wisely and plan our mornings effectively October trips can be quite fun. We're bringing light jackets or sweatshirts for when it cools off at night. Might not even feel cold to us any more since we're very used to Colorado now.

Darn! I haven't had any time to research our October trip (which is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 26-Nov. 2nd with maybe 5 days in the parks?). I have read that they do ride refurbs during the off-season, but I didn't realize it would be so many of the ones my DD (4) loves. :-(

 

[RebeccaMcK]

Darn! I haven't had any time to research our October trip (which is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 26-Nov. 2nd with maybe 5 days in the parks?). I have read that they do ride refurbs during the off-season, but I didn't realize it would be so many of the ones my DD (4) loves. :-(

I know the feeling. My DD7 loves Small World but that one won't be accessible (I forewarned her and she said, "Aw, maaaaaaan!"). We'll still head over that direction because I'm hoping the Merida meet'n'greet ("Brave") will still be going on over there. I took her on the Casey Jr circus train in December, and she has been on the Storybookland canal boats before - so since they'll be closed this time I promised we'll seek them out next time. We probably can't see the Aladdin show over at DCA either - might not be on during weekdays by the time we get there. I'm just glad that Space Mtn, Big Thunder and Cars Land will be open. Space and BTMRR have closures coming up but they're very short, in September and November. I found a thread on here somewhere (sorry I don't have the link since I just printed the page to keep) that listed all the scheduled rehabs. And I think a few things here and there might just be running on weekends by the time we go (10/21-26), like the canoes and maybe the riverboat.

 

[cooniez]

I know the feeling. My DD7 loves Small World but that one won't be accessible (I forewarned her and she said, "Aw, maaaaaaan!"). We'll still head over that direction because I'm hoping the Merida meet'n'greet ("Brave") will still be going on over there. I took her on the Casey Jr circus train in December, and she has been on the Storybookland canal boats before - so since they'll be closed this time I promised we'll seek them out next time. We probably can't see the Aladdin show over at DCA either - might not be on during weekdays by the time we get there. I'm just glad that Space Mtn, Big Thunder and Cars Land will be open. Space and BTMRR have closures coming up but they're very short, in September and November. I found a thread on here somewhere (sorry I don't have the link since I just printed the page to keep) that listed all the scheduled rehabs. And I think a few things here and there might just be running on weekends by the time we go (10/21-26), like the canoes and maybe the riverboat.

I will have to spend some time researching this before I put in my official vacation request. We typically go during the Summer (usually June) so we are used to having everything open and all shows running everyday. I don't know if we should plan 5 days in the parks if most rides and shows will be down since we were just there this past June. Will have to talk this one over with the hubby since I don't believe he is aware of everything that will be closed and that most shows won't be running weekdays.

 

[aleighc1]

I know the feeling. My DD7 loves Small World but that one won't be accessible (I forewarned her and she said, "Aw, maaaaaaan!"). We'll still head over that direction because I'm hoping the Merida meet'n'greet ("Brave") will still be going on over there. I took her on the Casey Jr circus train in December, and she has been on the Storybookland canal boats before - so since they'll be closed this time I promised we'll seek them out next time. We probably can't see the Aladdin show over at DCA either - might not be on during weekdays by the time we get there. I'm just glad that Space Mtn, Big Thunder and Cars Land will be open. Space and BTMRR have closures coming up but they're very short, in September and November. I found a thread on here somewhere (sorry I don't have the link since I just printed the page to keep) that listed all the scheduled rehabs. And I think a few things here and there might just be running on weekends by the time we go (10/21-26), like the canoes and maybe the riverboat.

According to this:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/park-hours.cfm?month=10&year=2011

IASW didn't close for the holiday makeover until the 24th, so perhaps it'll still be up for a couple days at the start of your trip? We're doing almost the exact same dates as you (we'll be there the 21st-27th, and going to the party on the 23rd), so I'm keeping my fingers crossed it'll be open on our first day at the park, which will be the 22nd.