October - Is there a good time to go?

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We have been going the first week in December and as most of you know, the crowds are really low. We have 3 little ones so we prefer to go when it is slower and less crowded. We don't mind the days when the park closes early... We have to go earlier this year and I feel like I am so out of it.

Is there a time in October that would be less crowded? We want to avoid the rush before Halloween. Is there a parade in October (kids love those)

or is there a better time in November to go? Again we want to beat the T-day crowds. Any dates you can throw out there that would be good for me??

 

[RuthieT]

We have done DL twice in December and we are now gonna try going in October. We are looking forward to seeing it decorated for Halloween and doing the Trick or Treat Party. We are going October 11th-18th. I dont know if there is really a slow time at DL anymore... We are hoping for crowds like they were the first week in December.

 

[avalon451]

We went in October last year, the 12th-16th, and I was anxious about crowds, because from all accounts it's getting to be very busy during October now, what with the Halloween parties and such. We just HAPPENED to luck out and be there the one week when it wasn't too bad. Apparently there were horrendous crowds the week before and the week after we were there.

I guess what you have to look for are the Fall break crowds. Arizona and Utah both have many large school districts that are out for fall break, usually the first or second week in October, or maybe the second long weekend, Thurs-Mon. Gay Days is usually the first weekend in Oct. So, you'd want to check the websites of the Phoenix area districts to see when most of them are having fall breaks. Then find out when the Utah Educators Association conference is (UEA, otherwise known as "Utah Escapes to Anaheim"!)

We were there the Sunday before Columbus Day, so we thought it would be crazy with the 3-day weekend. Actually it wasn't too bad on Monday, Columbus day-- busy, but not too bad. Then Tues and Wed were really quite mellow (I remember going on Space Mountain at 4 p.m. on Wed, and there was only a 10 minute wait!). Then by the time we left at 3 p.m. on Thursday, it was starting to get quite busy again... the Utah schoolkids were descending on their first day of break.

The Halloween parties happen in DCA on the weekends in October. We weren't really interested in doing that, but we really enjoyed the Halloween decorations all over during the week!

 

[DLR29]

Yeah we went this past October during the 2nd weekend and it was pretty crowded. Much more crowded than early December. But the 1st or 3rd weeks should be pretty light crowd-wise. At least, closer to early December crowd levels.

 

[Krissy Marissy]

We have done DL twice in December and we are now gonna try going in October. We are looking forward to seeing it decorated for Halloween and doing the Trick or Treat Party. We are going October 11th-18th. I dont know if there is really a slow time at DL anymore... We are hoping for crowds like they were the first week in December.

I believe some of arizona has their fall break that week so you may have heavy crowds. I hope not but I know a few people from AZ and that is their fall break.

 

[RuthieT]

So do you think we should change our dates to like October 18th to 23rd?? Instead?

 

[Teki]

The last time I went in October they weren't doing any of the Halloween stuff they do now, so it was pretty dead crowd wise when I was there the week before, however now they do alot so its probably pretty crowded

 

[DisneyMomma81]

So do you think we should change our dates to like October 18th to 23rd?? Instead?

We're considering those dates as well, maybe the next week (weekdays). We won't be going any earlier in Oct. I believe the CHOC walk is the 18th.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

early dec is less crowded then oct we were there last oct 3erd an the 10th is think was the trick or treat party.

 

[disney-super-mom]

I think October will be much busier than early December, although there's a few mid-week days which shouldn't be too bad.

Oct 1-4:
*Gay Days
*Utah's Education Association Convention, so since kids won't have school, families from Utah will be at DL in large numbers during these dates.

Oct 10-18th:
Many of the schools in Arizona have these dates off for fall break, although Chandler school district has Oct 3-18th off.

September 28th - October 18th:
Orange County school district is off for spring break.

October 30th - November 1st:
Nevada Day weekend, expect large Nevada crowds.

Of course other schools in the western states will have fall breaks as well, and of course the Halloween decor and parties can bring in the crowds too, but this will give you an idea of some of the larger fall breaks and events that will affect crowds at DLR.

The first 2 weeks in November should have lower crowds, if that's something you can consider.

 

[amyamya]

Last year when I was planning our October trip on these boards, a lot of people were trying to tell us that October was crazy crowded and I just thought we would get lucky if we went during the week. They were RIGHT. October is no longer "off season." I could not believe the crowds. We were in the parks Oct. 7, 8, 9 a Tues/Wed/Thurs. MM was so crowded both times we did it we could not believe it. Even the CMs were scratching their heads at how many guests there were. I hate to be on the "October is CRAZY" bandwagon, but I'm afraid I won't visit the park at that time again!

If I was looking at the same dates you are I would pick weekdays in early December. Plus it was HOT when we were there (100's), so you have to think about that as well. We spent a lot of our "park time" at the hotel pool.

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

So do you think we should change our dates to like October 18th to 23rd?? Instead?

That's the week that we are going. I made ressies for the 18th-24th at Hojos about 2 weeks ago. I wanted to avoid the first two weeks to avoid the crowds from the things already mentioned. We won't be arriving until after the CHOC walk on the 18th, and since it is a Sunday and the park is open late, we still should be able to do a lot before the park closes.

 

[sandgrace]

We were there last year Oct. 9-12 it was VERY crowded! They had the TOT Party one of the days that we were there, that could have had something to do with it. Although, the non TOT party days were crowded too! Really the only time I've been to DL when it wasn't crowded within the last 10 years is when it's raining. I used to pray that it didn't rain, but now I bring some rain gear and hope for rain so we can get a lot done!

 

[clairabell29]

We were there last year from Oct 26-30, and it was dead!! The longest we waited for anything was 20 min and that was for TSMM. We litteraly walked onto EVERYTHING, even Nemo and soarin'! SM was 7min wait, Matterhorn 3min, Splash 9min in the heat of the day, and Indy took longer to walk the que then to wait for the ride! those are the ones I remember(Granted we did nemo 10 min to park close on Sunday). My DS got to play with all the Charactors, waits to see them were 5 min, if there was one! We even did the TOT party on the 28th and that was pretty empty too. We did however hit it between everything else that was causing the park to be slam full. Just got lucky, but it was the most magical trip ever and my DS first time and 3rd birthday. I do recomend NOT being there on Halloween, though, heard it was CRAZY!

 

[tracer]

What about mid-late September? Is this a busy time?

 

[RuthieT]

What is the CHOC Walk??? Is it just on the 18th?? We have reservations now for the 11th-18th for HOJO and I am thinking of calling sometime in the next day or 2 to change them to 18-25 of October

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

What is the CHOC Walk??? Is it just on the 18th?? We have reservations now for the 11th-18th for HOJO and I am thinking of calling sometime in the next day or 2 to change them to 18-25 of October

Here is the explanation and the info. on last year's CHOC walk. Yes, it is only on one day, and I believe it is early in the day, in the A.M. But, I have heard that some people do stay in the parks later also. From what I've heard, it isn't too much more crowded later in the day, after the walk is over, though.

http://www.chocwalk.org/pages.cfm?id=58