September Crowds and Fall Overlay?

[Luvin'theDis]

I was fortunate to go to Disneyland just this past October- but wow was it super busy! I've never been there during those types of crowds, usually we go in May.

So if trying to miss some of the Halloween time crowds I'm guessing that it is less crowded in September? Maybe mid-September?? I know some schools have fall breaks and all but those aren't usually until October right?

Also, for the folks who also visit in the Fall when does the Fall overlay go up? I read that the HM goes down early September for the refurb but do they close other rides/attractions to put up decorations at this time as well??

Not too worried about refurb schedules I guess, as I am aware that during slower times it does happen more often, I'd much rather have less crowds!

I tried to find Sept/08 park hours to start planning but not sucessful in my search, I'm guessing though that they are closed earlier similar to October.

We are hoping to plan another trip in 2009 because we felt like we missed so much do to the busy time we picked, thought about going in May but doesn't look like the funds will be up for another trip until September - now we just have to pick the perfect time to go!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I think the crowds are fine in September. You will really enjoy going that time of year. I like it best in early September, right after the kids are back in school from Labor Day. There's a bit of a breather for DL and DCA, and it's still hot enough to enjoy the water rides. It seemed a bit lighter to me this year, but then got heavier at the end of the month. Folks definitely commented on the unusual crowds in early October.

The fall overlay goes up within a week or two after Labor Day. They pretty much start when they close the HM. They also keep the park open longer on the early September weekends, as they don't seem to put the Electrical Parade and Fantasmic to bed for the season, until maybe the 2nd or 3rd weekend.

Does that help?

 

[S. S. Columbia]

... they don't seem to put the Electrical Parade and Fantasmic to bed for the season, until maybe the 2nd or 3rd weekend. ...

I respectfully disagree with you about the Electrical Parade in September.

In September, the Electrical Parade usually isn't shown after Labor Day.

Here's a calendar from Sept '07:

http://www.laughingplace.com/Guide-Cal-DLR2-200709.asp

HTH

 

[Luvin'theDis]

Thanks for all the help!

We are probably thinking the first weekend right after Labor Day week - well either that week or the next simply because October seemed too busy and well November is starting to get a little too cool.

Would love to be able to see Fantasmic though since the last two times we were there it was dark - I want the kids to see it at least once!

So it sounds like they try and decorate the park while HM is closed - I'm guessing too that they do most of it during the hours the park is closed too maybe so that they aren't interupting the guests while hauling out all the pumpkins.

Now I just have to wait for the fall HoJo rates to come out!

 

[XTinabell]

We went the beginning of September this year (Sept. 9-13 after labour day) and the crowds were non existent. We walked onto every ride with minimal to no wait at all. You were right, the hours were short. The park closed at 8pm on week nights and the usual midnight on the weekend.

There were a several refurbs and no shows during the week (unless you include the Jedi thing as a show) and the fireworks were only on the weekend. There was no fantasmic this year.

There weren't any decorations of any kind when we were there. They had areas closed off where they were in the process of putting up decorations but we didn't see any the whole time we were there. I hope that helps.

 

[Luvin'theDis]

Thanks for your input XTinabell!! That info does help!

So when you say areas were closed down for decorations, was this a major inconvenience or was is just a few roped off sections? The reason I ask is that one family who will be joining us have never been to Disneyland so I don't want them to miss out on the experience of Disney with a bunch of roped off/construction areas?

More I think about this I'm thinking September is our month!

Thanks again!

 

[XTinabell]

Thanks for your input XTinabell!! That info does help!

So when you say areas were closed down for decorations, was this a major inconvenience or was is just a few roped off sections? The reason I ask is that one family who will be joining us have never been to Disneyland so I don't want them to miss out on the experience of Disney with a bunch of roped off/construction areas?

More I think about this I'm thinking September is our month!

Thanks again!

No it wasn't an inconvenience at all. You know where they put up the giant pumpkin and the christmas tree? On mainstreet? That was boarded up, so it was only small things like that. Out of the way and obvious that they're going to put something there.
Just keep in mind that there is always be the possibility your favourite ride will be down as it is off-season. We were lucky this year, with only minor rides (with the exception of Haunted Mansion) being down.

 

[avalon451]

I don't know about October, it's so hard to say. Predictions here were dire for this October. Apparently with the Halloween parties and decorations it's supposed to be ALWAYS busy. Especially since so many school districts in Arizona and Utah have fall breaks. Well, our fall break came during the week of the 12th-17th. I knew from research that Gay days was the first weekend, that Arizona was out of school for the second week, that Columbus Day (13th) would be busy, and the Utah Educational Association and fall break fell on the 16th-19th.

I think we just lucked out and hit it perfectly. We got in on the 12th, it was busy but not terrible. Columbus Day was, again, busy but certainly not awful. Tuesday and Wednesday were really quiet! I recall Space Mountain had a 10 minute standby time at 4 p.m. on Wednesday! Thursday was getting pretty busy by the time we left at 3 p.m.

Maybe if you can look at school calendars for next year you could hit it right in October. Then, the refurbs are back up, decorations are up, and crowd levels might be brisk but quite manageable.

 

[Luvin'theDis]

We are seriously thinking September will be the month to try next year...now I just wish that it wasn't 10 months away!

Now the decision will be do we go early September or later September when hopefully the transformation is complete, that way it isn't mid transformation? But I suppose it is a lot busier when the HM first opens...I'm still leaning for the first half or middle of September to hopefully miss the big crowds - this past October we were practically shoulder to shoulder with people every time we visited the park...crazy busy!

Man, I love planning Disney vacations...and this going yearly thing could totally work for me!

 

[XTinabell]

We are seriously thinking September will be the month to try next year...now I just wish that it wasn't 10 months away!

Now the decision will be do we go early September or later September when hopefully the transformation is complete, that way it isn't mid transformation? But I suppose it is a lot busier when the HM first opens...I'm still leaning for the first half or middle of September to hopefully miss the big crowds - this past October we were practically shoulder to shoulder with people every time we visited the park...crazy busy!

Man, I love planning Disney vacations...and this going yearly thing could totally work for me!

If you really want to avoid the crowds I would aim for beginning of September after labour day. I heard the crowds picked up later September (this year) and there were a few conferences later in the month which is apparently normal.

 

[Luvin'theDis]

Hmmmm...conferences hey? Well we are hoping to go the first weekend after labor day so hopefully this will be a good time!

Our kids are still young enough that missing school that early in the year shouldn't be too damaging to their school year.

Thanks again for all your input!

 

[momtoccc]

This is helpful.. I was thinking of going in October next year with dd but now I think we might do September instead. She loves to swim so having it warmer for that will be a plus. She will only be in Kindergarten so I think missing 1-2 days of school will be ok. Guess we will definitley have to do a weekend so we can see the fireworks and stuff. Are the fireworks on Friday/Sat or Sat/Sun??

Thanks!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

UEA is early next year (10/1 & 10/2) Gay Days should be the 1st weekend of Oct. 2009 ~ I'm hoping to go the 3rd week of Oct. 2009. Columbus Day will be the 2nd Mon. of the month (the 12th). Any idea when the AZ Fall break will be next Oct.??

 

[momtoccc]

What is UEA??

 

[S. S. Columbia]

What is UEA??

UEA = Utah Escapes to Anaheim.

Many school districts in Utah usually get a couple of days off in October so the teachers can attend the Utah Education Association Conference.

The UEA is usually around the middle or end of October, and it's like an unofficial fall break. Many Utahns travel to DL, and the two UEA days and the weekend tend to be much busier.

The next UEA is scheduled for Oct. 1 and 2, 2009.

HTH

 

[momtoccc]

Thanks for clearing that up for me

 

[lulubelle]

Just another vote for mid September. We always go the weekend following Labor Day and the crowds are always low. Labor Day is late in 2009 - not until the 7th, so I would say the second or third week. The only downside is a lot of attractions are closed or down and sometimes a heat wave hits...bad...like over 100 degrees. But, it is usually in the upper 80's. October is out for us. Although we had a lot of fun at the DCA Halloween party and the decroations were top notch, the parks were a mad house and it was still very hot!

 

[CarrieQuiteContrary]

I have to agree. We went September 15-19 and walked on pretty much every ride but Nemo and Peter Pan. It was phenomenal, especially paired with the 80+ degree weather!