September Check-in - September has Arrived!

[BensWife]

I am excited and have to share. We just booked a full day cabana at the GCH for Sept 26! That is the first day of the Halloween party, and since we decided not to do the Halloween party, we thought it would be fun to do a pool day. I'm not sure about needing it all day, but I am thinking it will be fun to eat lunch poolside! We also made reservations at the Blue Bayou on Thursday, Sept 25th which is DH's and my official 10th wedding anniversary! I'm getting excited!!

 

[02AggieGirl]

That sounds like a great plan!

 

[thm]

I was on a work related ticket purchasing website, and it said Disneyland closes at 5 on Thursday the 18th. Anyone have info about this?

 

[auteur55]

I wouldn't believe that. I would be asking for my money back if they were closing down that early. I am completely amazed that September is only a month away and there is no released schedule. I just don't get how they operate like that when so many people plan these trips way out and spend a ton of money.

 

[Sherry E]

I was on a work related ticket purchasing website, and it said Disneyland closes at 5 on Thursday the 18th. Anyone have info about this?

If that's true (it's hard to say because the official schedule has not yet been released), then it could be some sort of private or corporate event at fault. There are times when companies or wealthy people rent out Disneyland for events, and the park closes to the public -- Disneyland tends to do this sort of thing in the off-peak season (and September is part of the off-peak season, technically) rather than during peak season.

 

[Wrangler]

If that's true (it's hard to say because the official schedule has not yet been released), then it could be some sort of private or corporate event at fault. There are times when companies or wealthy people rent out Disneyland for events, and the park closes to the public -- Disneyland tends to do this sort of thing in the off-peak season (and September is part of the off-peak season, technically) rather than during peak season.

Would they close both parks? Or just Disneyland?

 

[auteur55]

I just checked on the website to try and make reservations for Disney restaurants after 5 and none are available so I'm inclined to believe the 5:00 closure.

So this is my first time doing a full blown disneyland vacation and I've tried to pick the perfect week and do a ton of research. To find out they are closing Disney at 5:00 after people have spent hours and thousands of dollars planning these vacations is egregious. I'm just beside myself that this is how things operate. Are they going to be selling discounted tickets that day? Is it fair that so many should have 3 hours of their park time they've paid for cut out just as a surprise since you're encouraged to book 60 days in advance even though no schedule is released.

Maybe i'm over reacting but i'm paying nearly $3000 dollars for a vacation where they can just decide to close the park on a whim due to a "private party." Unbelievable. I'm going to be calling tomorrow to see if I can change my week.

 

[Wrangler]

I just checked on the website to try and make reservations for Disney restaurants after 5 and none are available so I'm inclined to believe the 5:00 closure.

So this is my first time doing a full blown disneyland vacation and I've tried to pick the perfect week and do a ton of research. To find out they are closing Disney at 5:00 after people have spent hours and thousands of dollars planning these vacations is egregious. I'm just beside myself that this is how things operate. Are they going to be selling discounted tickets that day? Is it fair that so many should have 3 hours of their park time they've paid for cut out just as a surprise since you're encouraged to book 60 days in advance even though no schedule is released.

Maybe i'm over reacting but i'm paying nearly $3000 dollars for a vacation where they can just decide to close the park on a whim due to a "private party." Unbelievable. I'm going to be calling tomorrow to see if I can change my week.

I only checked Ariel's Grotto, but the last reservation for both Wednesday the 17 and Thursday the 18 is 5:00pm but Carthay Circle is 7:30 on the 18th. I think I would give them another week to get the schedule up.

 

[auteur55]

California adventure looks like it will stay open that's why there are reservations. It's definitely Disney that's in contention. That's the day I booked my daughter at Bibbity and we had a whole Disney day planned out.

 

[zanzibar138]

I just checked on the website to try and make reservations for Disney restaurants after 5 and none are available so I'm inclined to believe the 5:00 closure.

So this is my first time doing a full blown disneyland vacation and I've tried to pick the perfect week and do a ton of research. To find out they are closing Disney at 5:00 after people have spent hours and thousands of dollars planning these vacations is egregious. I'm just beside myself that this is how things operate. Are they going to be selling discounted tickets that day? Is it fair that so many should have 3 hours of their park time they've paid for cut out just as a surprise since you're encouraged to book 60 days in advance even though no schedule is released.

Maybe i'm over reacting but i'm paying nearly $3000 dollars for a vacation where they can just decide to close the park on a whim due to a "private party." Unbelievable. I'm going to be calling tomorrow to see if I can change my week.

If you have park hoppers, you can just go to DCA that night instead of DL

Unfortunately there is no perfect week. You'll always have to deal with large crowds, events, seasonal parties, reduced hours, reduced entertainment schedule, scheduled ride maintenance, or some other factor that could leave you feeling ripped off. The week before you'd have Dapper Day crowds to deal with. The week after, you'd have MHP and the associated crowds.

Chances are you've already got a lot booked for your trip, you've got your leave booked at work/school, and done a lot of research. I would stick with your existing plans and just work around it.

Our trip finishes earlier that week before the early closing day, but honestly, it would not bother me in the least if it was part of our trip. And that's coming from someone who is spending nearly $10,000 and 14 hours on a plane to get there, and probably won't get there again for another 5+ years.

 

[VicMom]

That's rather annoying if they do that. Are they going to compensate some hours by opening earlier so you can attempt a day out of it? I would be less than impressed if that was on one of our days as, if you have a younger child and need to take a nap or rest break in the afternoon, you may have barely gotten back and they're closing before dinner? Totally disrespectful for those spending the better part of a week there and spending a few thousand dollars to do so.

 

[4Mickeys]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post, I only just found this site this week. My last Disneyland visit was in 1997! I am bringing my 3 children (DS 13 DS 10 DD 10) for their first visit . We will be there 10 September to 21 September we have a 10 day pass. We are coming from Australia and are all so very excited. We are staying at the Desert Inn & Suites. I have enjoyed reading all your posts in this thread as well as getting great tips in the other threads. 6 weeks and 1 day to go. Our PhotoPass+ arrived in the mail today .... its starting to feel real. Nice to meet some other September Disney visitors

 

[larina]

California adventure looks like it will stay open that's why there are reservations. It's definitely Disney that's in contention. That's the day I booked my daughter at Bibbity and we had a whole Disney day planned out.

At least you have some notice and can start to rework your days so that it becomes a split day, finishing at DCA. I know it's not your ideal, but you have lots of time to make it work. Good luck. I miss the BBB days.

That's rather annoying if they do that. Are they going to compensate some hours by opening earlier so you can attempt a day out of it? I would be less than impressed if that was on one of our days as, if you have a younger child and need to take a nap or rest break in the afternoon, you may have barely gotten back and they're closing before dinner? Totally disrespectful for those spending the better part of a week there and spending a few thousand dollars to do so.

I think I'd skip nap that day and aim for going to bed on the early side. I know it's irritating, but it happens. I'm used to going at Christmas when.the parks are open until 11 and midnight. I was starting to be really irritated about the shorter hours in September, but reminded myself that it will all be fine. It is Disneyland, after all. Who can go to the happiest place on earth and make it a bad thing? Not me, that's for sure!

 

[madasax12]

I was on a work related ticket purchasing website, and it said Disneyland closes at 5 on Thursday the 18th. Anyone have info about this?

This would be a bummer - but if that is the case then we will just attack the park early and go most of the day. Head back to the DLH for some pool time, and then hit CA after 5.

I would be not super happy but its one of those things that if its out of my control I dont want to ruin a day by being mad about it.

And after looking at our trip that is the day we are leaving anyways and planned to be on the road at around 2pm, leaving from the park. So I feel for people who have to work around it, but just try to make the best out of it and it will work out!

 

[auteur55]

The Disneyland crowds will descend on CA at 5:00 and it could be unbearable. If they close at 5:00 I'll have to reschedule my whole week. Move reservations around, change plans, have to call and go through the whole thing over the phone again. But why would I do that when I have no idea if we have a full schedule the other days of the week. I can't plan anything because Disney hasn't even communicated any of this yet even though they are more then happy to take everyone's money in advance. There is also an ethical question of charging the same amount for a full day that's almost cut in half. I get that they get out of this by saying "anything is subject to change at any time" but most business's would not be able to survive on this model and I'm amazed that they get away with it.
I'm sure we'll love our trip and I know it's not the end of the world but this has easily been the most difficult expensive trip I've ever planned for.

 

[bumbershoot]

If that's true (it's hard to say because the official schedule has not yet been released), then it could be some sort of private or corporate event at fault. There are times when companies or wealthy people rent out Disneyland for events, and the park closes to the public -- Disneyland tends to do this sort of thing in the off-peak season (and September is part of the off-peak season, technically) rather than during peak season.

Is it Mariah's birthday again? Or her and Nick's anniversary?

 

[auteur55]

I just confirmed with a disney worker over the phone that the park will close on the 18th at 5:00. DCA will remain open. She said usually when they do this they extend the morning hours but she couldn't confirm. If they extend the morning hours that would be nice and help ease the loss of time a bit. I guess we'll find out when they release the hours.

 

[Sherry E]

Is it Mariah's birthday again? Or her and Nick's anniversary?

Molly -- You read my mind. I was thinking of Mariah and Nick's Cinderella/princess-themed 'event' that they had in DL when I typed that comment last night.

 

[larina]

The Disneyland crowds will descend on CA at 5:00 and it could be unbearable. If they close at 5:00 I'll have to reschedule my whole week. Move reservations around, change plans, have to call and go through the whole thing over the phone again. But why would I do that when I have no idea if we have a full schedule the other days of the week. I can't plan anything because Disney hasn't even communicated any of this yet even though they are more then happy to take everyone's money in advance. There is also an ethical question of charging the same amount for a full day that's almost cut in half. I get that they get out of this by saying "anything is subject to change at any time" but most business's would not be able to survive on this model and I'm amazed that they get away with it.
I'm sure we'll love our trip and I know it's not the end of the world but this has easily been the most difficult expensive trip I've ever planned for.

I think "half day" is a bit extreme.
It's 3 hours out of a 12 hour day AND there's still a park open.

 

[Sherry E]

I think "half day" is a bit extreme.
It's 3 hours out of a 12 hour day AND there's still a park open.

Very true, larina.

I think that's why the occasional, random early closure due to some sort of corporate or private event generally happens in (what Disney considers to be) the off-peak season. The hours won't be as long on many days in September and October to begin with (unlike the peak holiday season or summer season, when the hours are longer at DLR). So I'm sure they (DLR) feel that closing at 5 p.m. -- IF that is even what ends up happening (I don't fully trust the CMs on the phone this far out from September, but we'll see) -- won't be as disruptive at that point as it would be in, say, mid-December.