Questions about line-ups in Sept/Oct & more

[staskerw]

Just curious, with the 50th anniversary celebrations going on - do you think the park will be busy during the generally slow periods of last Sept/early Oct?

What about the fireworks - are they planning on continuing them nightly after the summer or just on weekends like in previous years.

Does the Fantasmic run only on the weekends in the fall or daily?

Any idea if there will be any discounted passes available in the fall? Is Disney very particular about locals buying cheaper passes to be used by non-locals?

And finally - I am looking for hotel room suggestionss for 4 adults/2 children - a 2 bedroom suite maybe with a separate living space? Do you expect the hotels to be busier throughout the whole 18 month 50th anniversary celebrations?

 

[Blackunicorn]

--I think that the parks will be busier than normal for that time of year, but I think that it will still be much better than during peak times. I think you'll definitely have to take advantage of FP on the busiest rides, but I don't anticipate extremely long lines.

--I heard that they were going to try to keep everything going during the off-season, but I wouldn't be surprised if they only had parades and fireworks during the weekends. I'm not going to get my hopes up, anyway.

--In previous years, Fantasmic was only on weekends in the fall. I really think that this will probably be the case this year as well.

--I know nothing about discounted passes, but I've heard that they make you show ID to pick up passes intended for local residents. I don't know if they try to check your address after you've got the passes, though.

--I did some research into suite hotels six months ago, but the trip fell through and I can't reliably remember what I found out. I know that it was hard to find suites with a separate living space--most of them had a half wall between the living room and the bedrooms. I tried to find the threads, but unfortunately I had no success. Next time, I'll learn my lesson and write everything down. The best I can do is hope that someone smarter than me reads this and helps out, and also offer the vague memory of liking the look of the Desert Inn and Suites, and the Residence Inn by Marriott.

Good news! I found a link to a map of the area hotels posted by daannzzz. This map was of great help to me. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=615297

 

[hugabearjo]

I don't know about the crowds, but during the 45th anniversary we went off season and still had fireworks and fantasmic nightly. That was our first trip in 17 years so we were surprised when we returned the next year to find that not to be the case. It was only on weekends and not even all of those.

I think this one is bigger then the 45th so I would hope to see them every night.

I hope anyway, We will be there mid Sept. We will have to cross our fingers together.

 

[tinafromidaho]

We are going the first week of October and staying at the Desert Inn and Suites as it has a room with 2 queen beds and a seperate room with a small loveseat/sofa. both rooms have t.v.s and there is a fridge and microwave as well. We got our room for $79.00 a night with a AAA rate. It has had middle of the road reviews but just recently someone from the boards stayed there and posted a great review. Plus it's right across the front entrance.
As far as tickets, we are going to wait as long as possible and see if they do any kind of fall discount rates.

 

[staskerw]

Thanks for the replies!
I am keeping my fingers crossed for nightly fireworks and Fantasmic shows.

Also, thanks for the info on the Desert Inn - that is where I am leaning towards staying