October Questions

[grimley1968]

Hi all.

I've never been to DL, although I'm an old pro at WDW. I have some questions about DL that I hoped some people could help me with. My DD6's Fall Break occurs, usually, during the first week of October, so that is when I'm possibly looking into going to DL.

- Does anyone have a rough idea of what October park hours usually are?

- What's So. Cal. weather like in early October? I've never even been anywhere close to this part of the country.

- What would crowds be like then? Do Ca. schools have a Fall Break, like some other states? Are there any other crowd factors to consider?

As I said, I can just about write a book on when to go to WDW for weather, crowds, etc., but I'm clueless about DL.

Thanks in advance!

 

[flipturngirl]

The park hours that I remember is open till 10 ish or so. California I do not think will be having a break then seeing as they start in September. From what I remember it is warm then.. .But it could change. Also the crowds when I was there in October was mothers and babys. So lots of strollers. I remember being able to get on the rides fast. LIke the big ones. My dad and I walked on Space Mountain and then got off and on again really fast. But you have to remember that the 50th is over then I think. But do not take my word for the ride issue because when I went in october it was about 7 years ago I think but I think that it is probably still the same Have fun!

 

[iceskatejen]

CA schools don't have fall break.

On weekdays DL will open at 10 and close at 9. DCA will be open from 10-6 usually. On Fridays, DL will likely open at 9 and close between 10 and midnight (DCA will open at 10 and probably close at 8 or 9). Saturdays will have DL opening at 8 or 9 and closing at midnight. DCA will be open from 10-9 or 10. On Sundays DL will open at 8 or 9 and close around 10. DCA will be open from 10-8 most likely.

Weather will still be warm--high 70s or 80s in Anaheim, but mornings and evenings will be cool.

Weekdays shouldn't be very crowded, but weekends always are crowded--lots of locals visit.

Expect a number of rides and shows being down for refurb at that time. It's a Small World will probably be getting it's holiday layover. Matterhorn will in all likelyhood be down as will Fantasmic as both have been running w/o a rehab in some time.

 

[grimley1968]

Thanks! Keep the advice coming!

 

[disney-super-mom]

Expect a number of rides and shows being down for refurb at that time. It's a Small World will probably be getting it's holiday layover. Matterhorn will in all likelyhood be down as will Fantasmic as both have been running w/o a rehab in some time.

I didn't think the Small World holiday layover took place then (the first week of October)? For some reason I remember Small World and Haunted Mansion holiday layovers taking place late September, but I could be wrong. Actually I wish they didn't do the Haunted Mansion holiday layover until after Holloween. Oh well.

 

[iceskatejen]

It's a Small World Holiday doesn't open until November. It might still be open in regular mode the first week of October, but it also might not be. HM goes down first for it's layover (in Sept) and IASW goes down shortly after HMH comes back up in early Oct.

 

[Judy from Boise]

All I have to say is John you are one handsome man

 

[victorandbellasmom]

We were there in Oct 1-6 2005. Park hours were 10-8 (dl) and ?-6(dca) midweek (mon-thur), extended hours during fir-sun. Haunted mansion was finished with its overlay and was operational and it's a small world had not gone under refurbishment yet and was still operational. The weather was warm 70s-90s, we spent our afternoon in the pool. I think becasue of the 50th, it was busier than normal off-season. We managed to get do everything we wanted. Make sure you hit a weekend to ensure fireworks and fantasmic though. Have a great trip. We'd love to go again in Oct, but didn't want to pull both kids out of school (dd's starting kindergarten) so we're braving the crowds in August.

 

[hlbtimes2]

Oct this year is going to be busy. The 50th celebration was scheduled to last 18 months. That would put it ending the begining of Nov. There are rumors that Disney is say it will end in early Oct. My guess is they will say early Oct, then extend it into Nov due to "popular demand". I really dont think it is going to be typical "off season" this year.

Weather will be warm. We were there Oct. 13-17 2005. The first day was about 95-100. Hotter then normal. The next couple days were 80's. The last day or two were 60 and raining.

 

[iceskatejen]

Disney is saying the celebration ends Sept 30th (not quite 18 months)

 

[hlbtimes2]

As of today this is what Disney Vacation planning has to say about the end:

(cut and paste directly from the email)
"Thank You for your email. The 50th Celebration is to go to the end of
2006.
We here at the resort are celebrating every day right up to the end of
December 2006. We hope to see you before all the fun ends. "

 

[grimley1968]

All I have to say is John you are one handsome man

Aw, shucks!

I was really torn over which shirt to wear. I finally chose the one in the picture after some sagacious advice from one Mr. Pat Sajak, I must say. I said to him, "Gimme a break! That shirt won't work!" But he persisted and the result is the lovely picture you see. <--- most reasonable facsimile of an Ed Grimley dance available via these emoticons.

 

[stampinshauna]

We were there the last week of September last year. The weather was great, not too hot, not too cold. The crowds weren't bad at all during the week. Friday night got crowded a few hours before the fireworks. Saturday was crowded, but the longest waits were like an hour, so not as bad a peak season. DL was open until 8 on weeknights, 10 on Friday, and 12 on Saturday. CA was open until 6 on weeknights and 8 on the weekends.

We might be going the first week of October this year as well. I think it is a great time to go!

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[grimley1968]

I just wanted to say thanks again, everyone, for the good advice. I got even more than I could have hoped for. Looks like the first weekend of October will be our week, then, assuming my DD6's Fall Break falls during the first week (I'm about 90% sure of that). It'll just be nice, for once, not having to worry about the parks possibly being closed due to hurricanes. I got trapped in the Beach Club in Hurricane Frances in 2004 when the parks closed the last 2 days of that trip. And, to be honest, SWA has about the same fares to Ontario for us, as they do for Orlando, so it's kind of a wash as far as pricing, it looks like.

 

[eduk8r26]

Some schools do have a fall break. Up here in Ventura they have a week off about the middle of October. But they don't start in September, either. They start around August 20th sometime.

 

[grimley1968]

Ours usually start at about the beginning of August, which puts the end of the first term usually at about the first week of October.