October Hours

[pipervali]

I'm hoping they go up soon too. We're doing an LA trip, with only one day at DL, and I'm trying to plan my itinerary based on when the parks will be open the longest.

 

[deanimal]

So it's five weeks and three days until we arrive and still no hours for our dates, Sept 30 - Oct 2. Is there some sort of big change planned? This is our first visit in a while and I'm wondering if this is normal or if I should start worrying.

 

[HydroGuy]

So it's five weeks and three days until we arrive and still no hours for our dates, Sept 30 - Oct 2. Is there some sort of big change planned? This is our first visit in a while and I'm wondering if this is normal or if I should start worrying.

Whoever said the calendar is updated 6 weeks in advance was giving an estimate. Normally it is 4-6 weeks in advance. Every once in awhile it is less than 4 weeks.

 

[BeckWhy]

I've noticed that Disneyland doesn't generally post the next upcoming month until the current month ends. Does that make sense? I would assume you'll see the week of September 30th's hours posted on or after September 1st. I could be wrong, it's just an assumption.

 

[jdpopp]

My guess is it has something to do with this:

Disneyland Resort Hotel guests are now able to enjoy an Extra Magic Hour EVERY day at EITHER Park!

Now through 09/29/12, guests of the three Resort Hotels can enter either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure one hour prior to the scheduled opening.

The Magic Morning schedule for those with 3 Day + Park Hopper Tickets has not changed.

Notice it ends on Sept. 29th. My guess is that they are figuring out if they are going to be keeping the early entry for DCA and they will hopefully post the schedule soon. I'll be headed there from October 15th to the 19th

 

[SlightlyocdDisneyfan]

We start our trip Sept 30th too. I have been checking multiple times a day for weeks (boy, that sounds compulsive in print) and watched as each day posted through the 29th. Ugh! Glad to hear I'm not the only one anxiously awaiting park hours.

 

[deanimal]

We start our trip Sept 30th too. I have been checking multiple times a day for weeks (boy, that sounds compulsive in print) and watched as each day posted through the 29th. Ugh! Glad to hear I'm not the only one anxiously awaiting park hours.

Nope, you're in good, if slightly neurotic company!

I guess for me its highlighted a bit by the comparison with our WDW trip planning. We're going there in the middle of February and I already have my dining reservations made, and my daily plans figured out. It just seems really strange that I know the parade times for the Magic Kingdom for mid February but not the opening time for Disneyland five weeks from this Sunday!

 

[Jacie]

Silly calendar... We arrive September 30th, and that's conveniently the first day due for hours. Pffft!

Edit, because I see I'm not alone, haha!

 

[hulliechrisp]

i guess you can add me the list of WDW regulars who are getting frustrated trying to over-plan our vacations...oh well...

 

[RavenRequiem]

I'm not a WDW vet. I'm just an over-anxious, very excited birthday girl. I'm trying not to over plan but since there are 2 things that I HAVE to see, I just want to know what the time frame will be. Since it has been so long, I want to make sure we have plenty of time in the parks. We get 3½ days since we're doing MHP.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Does anyone know when the schedule and hours for each park for October will be posted on Disneys site? I am trying to decide if we need to stay an extra night (Friday) or if the evening shows will be during the week at all!

Friday in October will be a Halloween party. You won't get any nighttime entertainment that day unless you buy tickets to the party.

 

[bumbershoot]

Do you think they will have fireworks on Columbus Day (Monday, Oct 8)? It might be our only chance to see fireworks because our trip is all mid-week.

Oh gracious, it's columbus day that weekend. I managed to forget that. Dang. We experienced pretty heavy crowds over that holiday weekend a couple years ago; when we entered DCA on our first day, even as AP holders they insisted on stamping our hands, because the day before the parks had gotten closed!

But I always forget when the holiday is celebrated, because I only think of it as being on my birthday (my b'day is the actual holiday, which is only occasionally when the holiday is celebrated). So I can and can't believe that I missed it!

Nope, you're in good, if slightly neurotic company!

I guess for me its highlighted a bit by the comparison with our WDW trip planning. We're going there in the middle of February and I already have my dining reservations made, and my daily plans figured out. It just seems really strange that I know the parade times for the Magic Kingdom for mid February but not the opening time for Disneyland five weeks from this Sunday!

Well it's not like WDW doesn't change things. When we were there for our first visit Dec 2010, we had a pre-opening Crystal Palace ADR. And then they decided to open early without fanfare, so when we got there for our early breakfast, the park was already open. Very very frustrating!

Since Disneyland just doesn't require the same level of planning that WDW does, it's easier to deal with when they are later getting their hours out. And I don't think they *change* their hours to the extent that WDW can do.

 

[HydroGuy]

Well it's not like WDW doesn't change things. When we were there for our first visit Dec 2010, we had a pre-opening Crystal Palace ADR. And then they decided to open early without fanfare, so when we got there for our early breakfast, the park was already open. Very very frustrating!

Since Disneyland just doesn't require the same level of planning that WDW does, it's easier to deal with when they are later getting their hours out. And I don't think they *change* their hours to the extent that WDW can do.

When WDW changes hours it is usually expanding them. And in my experience they do it far more frequently than does DLR. DLR waits longer and then puts out schedules it sticks too. WDW puts hours and entertainment out far in advance and then adds things (hours, entertainment) in the preceding month. Which is better?

 

[sweethannah]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bumbershoot

Well it's not like WDW doesn't change things. When we were there for our first visit Dec 2010, we had a pre-opening Crystal Palace ADR. And then they decided to open early without fanfare, so when we got there for our early breakfast, the park was already open. Very very frustrating!

Since Disneyland just doesn't require the same level of planning that WDW does, it's easier to deal with when they are later getting their hours out. And I don't think they *change* their hours to the extent that WDW can do.

When WDW changes hours it is usually expanding them. And in my experience they do it far more frequently than does DLR. DLR waits longer and then puts out schedules it sticks too. WDW puts hours and entertainment out far in advance and then adds things (hours, entertainment) in the preceding month. Which is better?

I don't mind them adding the entertainment after the fact but the hours at least would be nice




Posted from DISboards.com App for Android

 

[HydroGuy]

I don't mind them adding the entertainment after the fact but the hours at least would be nice




Posted from DISboards.com App for Android

Since the hours for June thru Sept this year were virtually identical to 2011 for DL, and now that DCA is tracking DL, then it is a very good bet that OCt 2012 hours will follow 2011.

See "Historical DLR Park Hours, Entertainment and Refurbs" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2291124

What is tricky I grant is that DCA has longer hours now and when DL is having short hours with parties, etc., DCA will remain open longer on those days.

So Fridays will have DL 8AM-7PM, and DCA 8AM-11PM.

Tuesdays will have DL 8AM-6PM and DCA likely 9AM-8PM.

Other days of the week will not change and DCA will follow DL except close an hour earlier usually.

HTH

 

[Virgoinab]

Since the hours for June thru Sept this year were virtually identical to 2011 for DL, and now that DCA is tracking DL, then it is a very good bet that OCt 2012 hours will follow 2011.

See "Historical DLR Park Hours, Entertainment and Refurbs" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2291124

What is tricky I grant is that DCA has longer hours now and when DL is having short hours with parties, etc., DCA will remain open longer on those days.

So Fridays will have DL 8AM-7PM, and DCA 8AM-11PM.

Tuesdays will have DL 8AM-6PM and DCA likely 9AM-8PM.

Other days of the week will not change and DCA will follow DL except close an hour earlier usually.

HTH

This kind of information for those who know about the dis, is great, fantastic even.

However, for the thousands who do not know and or read the dis, not having hours posted at least 8 weeks out is ridiculous.

Now, I love Disney, however there is no reason they cannot post the hours at minimum, 60 days out. If they can take our reservations on that kind of time line, they could post the hours.

I am sorry, but I work in a business where we do long term planning for large building projects, if we can plan 12 months out and post a schedule, Disney can do it at least 60 days out. And I am subject to procurement delivery's, part lead times, and major man power issues/planning.

I do not buy for one minute that they are not capable of better scheduling information then what it appears they have going now.

Unless they are having staffing shortages and do not know from one month to the next how many people they will have show up for work, then can post a 60 day schedule.

Personaly I think the reason they do hang back on posting hours is because they do have such a large local base, that does not need to plan months in advance, so they never really garner very many complaints about not having longer lead times posted.

 

[IBLarsen]

Just wanted to throw out there that in 2009 when we were in the parks the first week of October, DL actually extended park hours almost every night (even mid week) that we were there, but they didn't announce that until 5:00pm, due to higher than expected crowds. After the first two nights of this happening, I asked a CM if we could count on that happening the following evening as well, so we could re-arrange our plan a little. (ex: take a longer break to stay later in the parks), an we were told, that they are taking it day by day depending on what crowds levels reach for each day. Sure enough at 5:00 they announced later closing again.

So my question is, does this happen often? I realize that there is no way to ever count on that happening and it's a nice surprise if it does, but was our experience a fairly unique case?

 

[philliplc]

Since the hours for June thru Sept this year were virtually identical to 2011 for DL, and now that DCA is tracking DL, then it is a very good bet that OCt 2012 hours will follow 2011.

See "Historical DLR Park Hours, Entertainment and Refurbs" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2291124

What is tricky I grant is that DCA has longer hours now and when DL is having short hours with parties, etc., DCA will remain open longer on those days.

So Fridays will have DL 8AM-7PM, and DCA 8AM-11PM.

Tuesdays will have DL 8AM-6PM and DCA likely 9AM-8PM.

Other days of the week will not change and DCA will follow DL except close an hour earlier usually.

HTH

i'm personally waiting anxiously for monday the 1st, since that monday had a party last year - but doesnt this year so is a little hard to predict. if neither park opens until 10 that day we will probably choose that day for something else since we're morning people. if it's 8 or 9 we might stick around.

 

[redsoxfan808]

Since the hours for June thru Sept this year were virtually identical to 2011 for DL, and now that DCA is tracking DL, then it is a very good bet that OCt 2012 hours will follow 2011.

See "Historical DLR Park Hours, Entertainment and Refurbs" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2291124

What is tricky I grant is that DCA has longer hours now and when DL is having short hours with parties, etc., DCA will remain open longer on those days.

So Fridays will have DL 8AM-7PM, and DCA 8AM-11PM.

Tuesdays will have DL 8AM-6PM and DCA likely 9AM-8PM.

Other days of the week will not change and DCA will follow DL except close an hour earlier usually.

HTH

Hydroguy, it looks like for Columbus Day 2011 there was a Fantasmic show at DL. Do you think there will be a Fantasmic show on Columbus Day 2012? If you had a choice between going to Fantasmic on Columbus Day (a Monday) or the Saturday before Columbus Day which would you choose? I was leaning towards Columbus Day in the hope that the crowds might be a little lighter than Saturday, plus I will hopefully get an early entry to DCA on Monday as a GC guest. Thanks.

 

[HydroGuy]

Hydroguy, it looks like for Columbus Day 2011 there was a Fantasmic show at DL. Do you think there will be a Fantasmic show on Columbus Day 2012? If you had a choice between going to Fantasmic on Columbus Day (a Monday) or the Saturday before Columbus Day which would you choose? I was leaning towards Columbus Day in the hope that the crowds might be a little lighter than Saturday, plus I will hopefully get an early entry to DCA on Monday as a GC guest. Thanks.

I do not see any reason why Columbus day hours would change this year at DL. For DCA they will be longer than in the past because of the new practice of keeping DCA open for hours that roughly track DL.

As for Fantasmic, I cannot see where it really matters. I mean if it is first show and you have to arrive 4 hours early on Saturday and 3 1/2 on Monday, is that really different? Go whichever night seems best to you.