October half term - how busy?

[dlpSteve]

Denise's Mum, Step Dad and little brother want to visit DLRP during the Halloween season and with her brother at school that means it would have to be the half term week (22nd - 26th October). Just looked and the prices seem very reasonable but just how busy would it be?

We've been at the height of Summer and during Christmas and boxing day last year was the only day we've ever been in the parks where we would consider it to be 'too busy'.

Thanks and hope you all had a nice Christmas.

 

[Cyrano]

Although Halloween now seems to be DLP's busiest season I think 31st seems to be the busiest so they may be okay

 

[Ware Bears]

We've booked those dates Steve, we got a good deal too.

I think although it will be busy, the following week will be even worse because of the 31st plus 1st November being a French national holiday. Not all UK schools have the same weeks in October either. I'm expecting it to be much busier than the week you went this year but we've never been to DLRP when it hasn't been busy!

Hope you and Denise had a lovely Christmas

 

[Disney owl]

We've been about 3 years ago though and thought it was fine, Went on everything we wanted to & whilst we did queue they weren't huge.

 

[jillrobinson]

I don't know how or who decides but our half term isn't until the following week, so there's obviously a UK split in dates which should help.

 

[pigby]

Hi Steve

Hope you and Denise had a great Christmas - we did - got back from DLRP late Boxing Day. We too have been at Halloween and let me tell you, the crowds at Halloween were nothing compared with over Christmas - you should be fine. As Elaine says a lot of school hols in October are the last week i.e. the week before you, so I would think that it is a great time to go.

 

[NIK]

I went during Half term hols in October in 2004 - NIGHTMARE! It was packed to the gunnells. I wouldn't knowingly go during a school holiday period again

 

[Torchy]

Those are the roughly dates we went this year, first few days was reasonable but after thursday it was absolutely heaving. Dont forget that the UK school holidays dont have that much of an effect on the park - its the french school hols and to an extent dutch/spanish. On Wednesday (a little) and thurs/friday the park was overrun with french and spanish families, even though the hotels werent that busy.

Even at our local travel agent there are no real incentives to take our kids during the hols (and avoid missing lessons etc), so next year we'll be going the week before.

 

[dlpSteve]

Thanks for all the replies - anyone know when the French school holidays are for autumn? I could only find up to and including the summer term dates.

EDIT: found the dates, French school hols for surrounding area is the week after - that's one obstace out the way!

Monday - Thursday or even Sunday - Wednesday would seem like the best option, though if I find out the French are off that week too we may have to reconsider.

For people who have said it is busy - have you been in the peak summer period and how would you compare it?

 

[TotallyAngelic]

The 31st and the 1st were really really busy last year Steve, equivalent to the weekend before Christmas, and busier than when we went in July. If you want the Halloween party night then you really have no choice, but if you just want the Halloween theming and don't want it to be mad busy I would avoid those 2 dates. Hope you both had a lovely Christmas and wishing you all the best for a magical 2007!

 

[dlpSteve]

Hi Sarah, Christmas was good - hope it was for you too.

It looks more than likely we will be going the week of the 15th which should be fine - it was great at that time of year in 2006. Can't wait to see the Halloween decorations again.