Questions Galore About October in Disneyland!

[fayt19]

Hi, guys! So, my family's planning a trip to Disneyland for this October. It'll be the three of us: My mom, my dad, and me, the teenaged daughter. My first question is, will it be weird having a group of three for all the rides? I know it's always best to have even numbers, and the perfect group, it seems, is four. Then you get your own cart in the roller coaster, and what-not. I don't really want to be sitting with strangers on rides. And this sounds silly, but I LOVE ride photos(like California Screamin' has one, right? And Splash Mountain, to name a few?) and I don't want strangers in our photos! So, that's my first question.

Secondly, what time of October would be best/least crowded? I thought I read somewhere the last three weeks of October were less busy than the first week; I have absolutely no idea, though. Also, when would be the best date for us to get tickets for the Trick-or-Treat Party? I assumed weeknights would probably be less crowded, but I don't know anything other than that. We just want the least crowded, obviously.

Also, since we're moving to Washington, we're planning on getting annual passes. I see we can go ahead and order them online, but before we 'activate' them or what-not can we use them to get discounts on the Disney hotels? And they get a discount on the Trick-or-Treat Party tickets, correct? So, my question there is if we can order annual passes now, and if we can go ahead and use them for purchases.

So, just four little questions... It seems that every post of mine becomes a novel... so, basic overview:

1) Are groups of three acceptable at Disney?

2) What time of October is the least crowded? Which Trick-or-Treat Party is likely to be the least crowded?

3) Can we purchase annual passes and get to use them for discounts now?

Thanks so much for any help, guys!

 

[fayt19]

... Anyone?

Bueller?

 

[ScooterL]

Of course groups of three are acceptable. But, on rides which have a single rider line (such as Toy Story Mania, California Screamin', Mulholland Madness) you may have to ride with a stranger. Sometimes they ask, sometimes they just put another person with you. For Splash Mountain, the logs hold 6 people, so you will almost always have someone who is not part of your group with you.

Least crowded in October...hmmm. I'd say the week of the 19th is probably the best, or maybe the week of the 13th (*after* Columbus Day, which *is* crowded). The last week should be ok, too. Remember that it's ALWAYS going to be busy Friday-Sunday with all of the locals, so if you can go Monday-Thursday those days will be the best. For the Halloween party, they sell a limited number of tickets, so even if it's sold out the crowds aren't too bad. I think you're most likely to get a non-sold out night if you go on a Wednesday or Thursday night.

You can certainly request an AP discount on hotel rooms even before you have an AP. The last time I checked in I was NOT required to show my AP, but usually they ask for it. I think you'd be ok if you had the voucher, but you could always go activate it and bring it back to the front desk if you had to. For tickets and stuff you book on-line I think you are out of luck - you have to have a valid pass ID to be able to set up an AP account on Disneyland.com which will let you access the AP-exclusive content. You might be able to call and order tickets, but if you do that they charge you an additional fee for shipping and handling, whereas it's free if you do it on-line.

Hope that helps!

 

[PinkBudgie]

Hi!

I don't know the answers to some of your questions, but sure you can have 3 people at DL. If you don't want to ride with a stranger on rides made for two, just switch off riding with your mom and dad. During non crowded times you might be able to get a whole vehicle for yourself for pics, but if it is crowded that might not happen. I suppose it would never hurt to ask, all they can do is say no.

 

[catexer]

be aware that traditionally Gay Days happen in October. This means an extremely crowded park. I'd google Anaheim Gay Days and see when it is this year.

The Halloween Party as others have said is a separate ticket event with limited tickets so it doesn't become over crowded. It is a lot of fun.

Have a great trip

 

[clairabell29]

We went the last week in October last year, it was fantastic! The longest wait we had was 25 min and that was for the new TSMM! We didn't even bother with fastpasses. Most things we just walked on! We also did the TOT party on a wed I believe and it wasn't too crowded. Even though park hours are shorter you get sooo much more ride time in, at least thats what we found. We had such a great time we're planning another trip for Oct 25-30 this year. If you want to see fireworks, be sure to include a weekend day. My son's Birthday is the 27th, so we'll be doing the trick or treat party again this year, too. As for 3 on a ride, in october you shouldn't have to ride with anyone during the week, as long as you miss the events the first half of the month! Just be sure to take in all the sights and sounds, its decorated wonderfully. OH and don't forget to find Jack at the haunted mansion!

 

[jernysgirl]

The first week in Oct has UEA as well as Gays Days on the first weekend. The following weekend leads into the busy 3-day weekend for Columbus day. The next weekend is the CHOC walk on the 18th. And then you start getting a lot of crowds for Halloween. Last year there were horror stories about how busy Oct ended up being. And remember, that every night there is a Halloween party, DCA will close early. Just make sure that you go into the trip knowing that it might be busy and have a plan! And if its not that busy then you can have even more fun!

 

[fayt19]

Thank you guys so much for your replies! We're thinking about the week of the 19th. My mother just asked me, "So, three days is enough, right?" I say, "But... can't we have at least four days?" And she says, "But we don't want to be there on the weekends, right?"

But I have a couple more questions. One, is that they won't have fireworks and everything running every day, right? So we'll need at least a Friday or Saturday to be able to see those?

And secondly, does anyone know of any sites that have the October '08 park hours/entertainment schedule? I'm just trying to get an idea here.

Thanks again for the help so far.

 

[pixiewings71]

Parties of 3 are fine, I've done DL a couple times just me and my 2 girls, no issues at all. But yes, if a ride has a single rider line it's quite possible you'll be riding with a stranger, that isn't a big deal tho, I've ridden with strangers and had a GREAT time!!

Oct is a great time to go, but you should wait until closer to start fully planning. It's impossible to say what the hours might be, what might be closed, when Gay Days might be (which results in higher crowds) etc etc. There are many variables that might make the time you pick busier or slower. The ToT party is GREAT fun, you should do that if you are there when it's running, really, it's so worth it!

Fireworks generally run daily, unless the winds are too high and they have to cancel, F! may only be shown on the weekends. Weekends are traditionally busier but that doesn't mean you can't have fun. We go on weekends a lot and we have a good time, we just know it will be busy and deal with it.

 

[RuthieT]

when researching what dates for our up and coming trip in October we have decided on October 18-24. We will go one night during our trip to the Trick or Treat Party!

 

[Husker Mickey]

We went last year toward the last of October, so hopefully I can help with what the schedule will look like. We went Wed. - Sat. to the parks. Wed. and Thurs. the DL schedule was 9:00 or 10:00am opening and an early close - 8:00pm. Fri. and Sat. had a lot more hours scheduled - 8:00am - 12:00 midnight. The fireworks only ran on the weekends. Keep in mind that the Santa Ana winds blow in October and the fireworks may be cancelled so plan on going the first night that you can just in case the other nights get cancelled. This is our third year at the parks in October. We love this time of year at Disneyland. Can't wait for this year - Oct. 13-18th! HTH!

 

[HydroGuy]

Thank you guys so much for your replies! We're thinking about the week of the 19th. My mother just asked me, "So, three days is enough, right?" I say, "But... can't we have at least four days?" And she says, "But we don't want to be there on the weekends, right?"

But I have a couple more questions. One, is that they won't have fireworks and everything running every day, right? So we'll need at least a Friday or Saturday to be able to see those?

And secondly, does anyone know of any sites that have the October '08 park hours/entertainment schedule? I'm just trying to get an idea here.

Thanks again for the help so far.

October 2008 hours and entertainment. http://www.laughingplace.com/Guide-Cal-dlr2-200810.asp

If I had three days on off-season I would probably choose Thurs-Sat. That would give two nights to see Fantasmic and fireworks (Fri and Sat). Hit the rides hard on Thursday and Friday during the day. Friday night will likely get crowded as will Saturday all day. If I did not mind missing some entertainment then I would do Wed-Fri to give one evening. If I did not care at all about entertainment then Tue-Thurs would be best. HTH.

 

[fayt19]

October 2008 hours and entertainment. http://www.laughingplace.com/Guide-Cal-dlr2-200810.asp

If I had three days on off-season I would probably choose Thurs-Sat. That would give two nights to see Fantasmic and fireworks (Fri and Sat). Hit the rides hard on Thursday and Friday during the day. Friday night will likely get crowded as will Saturday all day. If I did not mind missing some entertainment then I would do Wed-Fri to give one evening. If I did not care at all about entertainment then Tue-Thurs would be best. HTH.

Thanks so much for the responses, everyone, and thanks a bunch for that link and your opinion, HydroGuy. Am I just stupid, or did they not show Fantasmic at all the month of October? Are we not going to get to see that? Unless I missed it or they didn't list it on that website...

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks so much for the responses, everyone, and thanks a bunch for that link and your opinion, HydroGuy. Am I just stupid, or did they not show Fantasmic at all the month of October? Are we not going to get to see that? Unless I missed it or they didn't list it on that website...

I noticed that too. If you are stupid then so am I.

Fantasmic was down for refurb last October. It will be up this October and generally shows Fri/Sat/Sun nights in off-season - same as fireworks.

 

[fayt19]

I noticed that too. If you are stupid then so am I.

Fantasmic was down for refurb last October. It will be up this October and generally shows Fri/Sat/Sun nights in off-season - same as fireworks.

Well, I doubt you're stupid, so I guess we're right.

Oh, it was? Okay, thanks for the info! Can I see both the fireworks and Fantasmic on the same night? I'm hoping to do the Dessert Reserved Seating for Fantasmic. I've heard you can see the fireworks from there, too. But is it true that you can see them well?

 

[HydroGuy]

Well, I doubt you're stupid, so I guess we're right.

Oh, it was? Okay, thanks for the info! Can I see both the fireworks and Fantasmic on the same night? I'm hoping to do the Dessert Reserved Seating for Fantasmic. I've heard you can see the fireworks from there, too. But is it true that you can see them well?

There is a new fireworks show that is starting this month and I do not know the answer. For the previous fireworks show that ended last month you missed a lot seeing them from the Fantasmic location in New Orleans Square. I have heard this will not be as true with the new show.

If you want to see Fantasmic and fireworks the same night and you want to see the fireworks near the castle (usually the best spot) you can only do that if Fantasmic is shown twice at 9 and 10:30 and by going to the 10:30 show. The fireworks are at 9:25 so you see them and then rush to NOS after to see Fantasmic.

 

[fayt19]

There is a new fireworks show that is starting this month and I do not know the answer. For the previous fireworks show that ended last month you missed a lot seeing them from the Fantasmic location in New Orleans Square. I have heard this will not be as true with the new show.

If you want to see Fantasmic and fireworks the same night and you want to see the fireworks near the castle (usually the best spot) you can only do that if Fantasmic is shown twice at 9 and 10:30 and by going to the 10:30 show. The fireworks are at 9:25 so you see them and then rush to NOS after to see Fantasmic.

Alright. Thanks, again, for the info!

This is probably a random question, but do you(or anyone else who might be reading) know if people with annual passports get to take part in magic mornings if not staying on Disney property? I'm very curious.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

This is probably a random question, but do you(or anyone else who might be reading) know if people with annual passports get to take part in magic mornings if not staying on Disney property? I'm very curious.

Unfortunately, no.

 

[fayt19]

Unfortunately, no.

Oh, no! That's so unfair. People with three-day hoppers get one!

 

[Kayla's Mom]

Oh, no! That's so unfair. People with three-day hoppers get one!

You can buy your park hoppers and use the MM, THEN upgrade them to the annual pass.....