October or december??

[kauaimickey88]

We are a family of four from Hawaii and are excited for the opening of Cars Land. We are looking at either October (1-5; Hawaii fall break) or December (17-21) and would love to hear from anyone on the pros and cons for either month. Here are our our PRO'S and CON's for both months:

OCTOBER

PROS:
1. Less Crowded
2. Better weather

CONS:
1. Shorter hours
2. Limited amount of shows; more ride closures

DECEMBER

PROS
1. Longer hours
2. More shows
3. Never been to Disneyland this time of year

CONS:
1. Very crowded
2. Unpredictable weather

Again any suggestions would be helpful.

ALOHA!

 

[skiingfast]

DECEMBER

PROS
1. Longer hours
2. More shows
3. Never been to Disneyland this time of year

I would take #2 and switch it to October, and add October's con of less shows to December.

This is because you can catch a Halloween Party in October. See a second parade than during the day and fireworks during it.

Though if you haven't been during the Holidays and have been for Halloween, I would try the Holidays. Just plan for possible wet and cold and consitent big crowds.

 

[ZanderMan]

My wife and I both love Halloween time for sure. She grew up going to Disneyland on Christmas day for 27 years straight. Now she prefers to go around Halloween. I've only been 1 time during Christmas it's was fun but way to crowded for me. So we are going again this year for Mickeys Halloween party IMO is a blast! Park is closed only to people that have tickets to the Mickeys party and the rides are empty because everyone is trick or treating. *Only bad thing last year during our trip was POC was closed for refurbishment!*

Good luck! My vote is Halloween if you haven't been before. Christmas is fun but very very crowded. Wasn't it last year or the year before Disneyland actually wouldn't allow people to enter the park for the first time ever due to high levels of crowd attendance? Also 120+ minutes really sucks to wait for rides IMO.*

 

[kailuagirl]

We are also from Hawaii and I'm looking into around your October break time also. I have friends that went there 2x at that time and loved it. I'll be disappointed about no fireworks during the week, that's my favorite thing. But we've never gone for Halloween time. Our favorite time is right after Thanksgiving. But DD starts kindergarten so that won't work anymore :9(. We love all the holiday lights, sounds and decorations, it's so magical. And we love the nice change to cold weather and getting to bundle up. But I have heard that it is crazy busy the closer it gets to Christmas. My heart would say to go for December, just for everything that comes along with it, minus the crowds. We don't like it when it's crowded So I think I would choose October.

Hopefully Hawaiian will come out with some good rates for that time.

 

[kauaimickey88]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I think we are definitly leaning towards October.
@kailuagirl...yes we are also hoping that Hawaiian has a special airfare special...we missed the one they had a couple of weeks ago....

 

[Minnie21]

I'm from Hawaii and we'll be going during the fall break too! I am a teacher and have been looking forward going during the Halloween overlay for a long time! We'll be flying Hawaiian as well, we just got our tickets with miles because the prices for miles kept going up

 

[guynhawaii]

Aloha,

December is the best. However, you need deep pockets and patience because it is also the most expensive time of the year with the largest crowds. If you can swing it, take your children out of school a week early before their Christmas break to soften the crowd factor.

My family and I went in October of 2006 during the HI school break. The weather was perfect. However, the crowds just became overwhelming as the three-day weekend approached. This year I am taking the kids out of school one-week prior to their HI Fall Break and visiting DLR for the last eight days of September.

The plan is to enjoy the Halloween decorations and the first Halloween Party without the October crowds. Also, we can enjoy a DLR Hotel discount which expires on 01 October.

 

[kailuagirl]

Good suggestion guynhawaii about going earlier in Oct. I didn't realize there was a holiday in there, ugh! I wish Hawaii school's had a Thanksgiving break.

Good luck on your decision and keep us posted! We all seem to be looking for the Hawaiian deals. I missed them too kauaimickey. I had it for $318 r/t and then it disappeared before I could finish and this was for end of May, beginning of June. Have fun!!

 

[xXtowerOFterrorXx]

this may help, Its a chart that gives detailed info on the weather and crowd levels of each month, Tinkerbell is atop the best months to visit.

 

[ValpoCory]

this may help, Its a chart that gives detailed info on the weather and crowd levels of each month, Tinkerbell is atop the best months to visit.

Take these charts with a grain of salt. For instance, January's crowds are heavier around New Year's and MLK Day/Half-Marathon weekend. Avoid those times, and January is an excellent time at the parks.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

id go in DEC its the best time of all in DL the holiday decorations, the parade, its a better choice. My son didnt care bout the halloween party I will always take DEC or NOV when i get a chance

 

[skiingfast]

Take these charts with a grain of salt. For instance, January's crowds are heavier around New Year's and MLK Day/Half-Marathon weekend. Avoid those times, and January is an excellent time at the parks.

I agree that chart is not correct to begin with, and blends data. Like you said crowds can be great the majority of a month, and have a few bad days, it doesn't make a month bad.