Planning 1st trip to DL

[gatorchinsky]

We are trying to plan our first trip to DL for either September or October of this year. We would prefer to go in September because we like the less crowds, but since we were afraid that the HM would be down we thought mid October. Now I see that DL will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of the HM on 09-09-09.

We live in Florida and are WDW vets and are use to WDW giving out information far in advance. For a planner like me, not knowing what is happening at DL in advance is a little frustrating. When will information come out about whether the HM will go under for the holiday overlay or not? We love the HM at WDW and would not want to miss it at DL since we've never been, but with air and other planning, we don't want to wait too long to decide on the exact dates.

Would that week of the 40th anniversary of the HM be very busy? I believe Labor Day is that Monday. Is that normally a busy week at DL? I know at WDW it is a very good week to go. We were actually at WDW this past Labor Day week and had very short lines (even on Labor Day itself).

Any information would be helpful. Thanks.

 

[HydroGuy]

We are trying to plan our first trip to DL for either September or October of this year. We would prefer to go in September because we like the less crowds, but since we were afraid that the HM would be down we thought mid October. Now I see that DL will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of the HM on 09-09-09.

We live in Florida and are WDW vets and are use to WDW giving out information far in advance. For a planner like me, not knowing what is happening at DL in advance is a little frustrating. When will information come out about whether the HM will go under for the holiday overlay or not? We love the HM at WDW and would not want to miss it at DL since we've never been, but with air and other planning, we don't want to wait too long to decide on the exact dates.

Would that week of the 40th anniversary of the HM be very busy? I believe Labor Day is that Monday. Is that normally a busy week at DL? I know at WDW it is a very good week to go. We were actually at WDW this past Labor Day week and had very short lines (even on Labor Day itself).

Any information would be helpful. Thanks.

As I am sure you are aware, the reason WDW has evolved to posting so far in advance is because of ADRs which are taken 6 months in advance. ADRs often revolve around EMHs and other things, and so WDW posts schedules at least six months in advance.

DLR takes ADRs (called PS at DLR - Priority Seating) 60 days in advance. Plus, DLR caters much more to locals on day trips who have much less interest in dining. Bottom line is DLR does not need to post so far in advance.

As WDW vet you are frustrated, but imagine the frustration of a DLR vet accustomed to not having to book or plan things very far in advance having to have everything worked out six months ahead of time including which parks on which days!

So here are some resources to help.

Calendar of park hours inthe past

http://www.laughingplace.com/Guide-Cal-dlr2-200809.asp

I find that MousePlanet knows about and posts information and about rides and shows far ahead of DLR. They do this in their weekly park updates. Here is a link:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/search.php?type=c&cid=dl

In most years you would find out about HMH (Haunted Mansion Holiday) about two months in advance. Maybe not until August. This year may be different because of the HM 40th.

For the last 7-8 years HM has gone down the Tuesday after Labor Day and re-opened on a Friday about 2-1/2 weeks later. Since the HMH overlay covers both Halloween and Christmas, DLR for sure wants to have it going well before Halloween. Your date in mid-Oct is completely safe to have HM up. However, it is likely IASH will be down at the time for its holiday overlay. Also, you will not be seeing the normal HM but a modified version for the holidays. Some people get excited about it but I prefer the normal HM.

I have not been on Labor Day but reports around here are mixed. Some years Labor Day weekend is crowded and others it is not too bad. However, once Labor Day is over DLR normally goes into off-season mode. Lots of rides go down for refurb after running hard all summer long. Matterhorn often goes down for a month or two. Off-season will have lower crowds but last year lots of people complained that it was much more crowded in October than in recent years.

Also see "What You Should Know About Off-Season at DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18462889