September in Disneyland?

[tarheelalum]

As others have noted, its always crowded now. But in September it's crowded AND it usually is blast furnace hot the majority of the time.

 

[Disney Lvr of Old]

Were the Halloween parties happening while you were there?

We were there 9/23-9/30 so hit the first party on the 27th. It's something I am glad I did but would never do again. It was too crowded and messy and congested. Maybe if my son were older (he was 5 at the time and I had him in a stroller).

 

[tlovesdis]

As others have noted, its always crowded now. But in September it's crowded AND it usually is blast furnace hot the majority of the time.

HAHAHAHA lol! I agree! It was horrible last September! I know it's not always like that, but man was it hot! One year we went in mid October and it was over 100 every day! YUCK!

 

[Disneydreamsdancer]

I'm looking at taking a trip with my 21 year old daughter in late August or early September, after Labor Day. I've never gone in September. The lower crowds and cheaper onsite hotel prices appeal to me; but I know more attractions will be closed. Plus I worry about Season of the Force and all the 60th nighttime shows being gone by that week.

I'd love some input from anyone who has been at that time of year or who has researched this at all!

Hey there!

Was at a Disney TA update yesterday and they announced Season of the force has been extended indefinitely, I would say you'll be fine up to when/if they swap over to Ghost Galaxy for Halloween. We are going this September too, was there last Sept too and I didn't find the heat too bad (although we had just come from WDW! which was roasting) but everyone is different

 

[jlwhitney]

We are going the end of september and terrified that will be 100 + like it was in 2012 when we went last. Also worried about entertainment schedule. We only have sunday monday and tuesday. Hoping paint the night and the new fireworks will still be going on.

 

[DisneylandDarling]

@jlwhitney We went at the end of of September last year and it was pretty warm, but not scorching. I want to say mid and upper 80s the entire week we were there. Paint the Night will almost certainly still be going. It's such a popular parade that it won't be going anywhere any time soon. Same with Disneyland Forever. You may have to hit Disneyland Forever and Paint the Night on Sunday, though. When we were, they played throughout the week (IIRC) but it may be different this year because it won't be a major anniversary year.

We went the first Halloween party that Disneyland had last year, and it was a lot less organized than the following party night. We were really surprised how chaotic that first night was. I think because it was the first party and the Cast Members weren't as synchronized and prepared as the next nights.

 

[Daisybelle]

Hey there!

Was at a Disney TA update yesterday and they announced Season of the force has been extended indefinitely, I would say you'll be fine up to when/if they swap over to Ghost Galaxy for Halloween. We are going this September too, was there last Sept too and I didn't find the heat too bad (although we had just come from WDW! which was roasting) but everyone is different

You just made my day! Thank you!!

 

[MuddyriverMC]

So, basically, it's a crapshoot on whether it's hot, crowded, and miserable?

We live in a desert where it's 90+ every day from May- Sept/Oct ( Except this week which is unseasonable cold in the 70s) so the heat doesn't bother me.
Are the miserable crowds from the perspective of Disneyland Vets who remember the non crowded times? Or are they just plain miserable for everyone?
We're going Sept 12-17 and I'm a little scared of all the negativity I've heard on here. I'm trying to remind myself that the place is magic, and most of the people doing the complaining are ones who go often? We get to go once every five years or so, and I'm kind of looking at it like going to the county fair. It's always blasted hot, the lines are loooooong, everything is expensive, but my family still goes and has a fabulous time and looks forward to it every year.

 

[jlwhitney]

@jlwhitney We went at the end of of September last year and it was pretty warm, but not scorching. I want to say mid and upper 80s the entire week we were there. Paint the Night will almost certainly still be going. It's such a popular parade that it won't be going anywhere any time soon. Same with Disneyland Forever. You may have to hit Disneyland Forever and Paint the Night on Sunday, though. When we were, they played throughout the week (IIRC) but it may be different this year because it won't be a major anniversary year.

We went the first Halloween party that Disneyland had last year, and it was a lot less organized than the following party night. We were really surprised how chaotic that first night was. I think because it was the first party and the Cast Members weren't as synchronized and prepared as the next nights.

Yes I have kinda figured that we will need sunday for parade and fireworks. We may be able to do Sat night, we will get to DL by 1pm I think its more if kids are able to function or not that day (east coasters). We will hoppers so that helps.

I hope they don't have the party on that Sunday, I have no idea what days they usually are.

 

[DisneylandDarling]

Yes I have kinda figured that we will need sunday for parade and fireworks. We may be able to do Sat night, we will get to DL by 1pm I think its more if kids are able to function or not that day (east coasters). We will hoppers so that helps.

I hope they don't have the party on that Sunday, I have no idea what days they usually are.

The parties are usually never on Sunday nights (the only exception being if Halloween is on Sunday or if the day before is on a Sunday). The parties are usually on Monday or Tuesday and then Friday nights throughout October.

Travel days are tough. We don't even have that long of a flight (2 1/2 hours, give or take) and it just wipes us out. I can't imagine coming from the east coast! We usually fly in and hit the parks right when we get to the hotel. I think this time we're going to fly in later in the day (6-7 p.m.) and just relax and get an early night so we'll be ready for the next day.

 

[jlwhitney]

The parties are usually never on Sunday nights (the only exception being if Halloween is on Sunday or if the day before is on a Sunday). The parties are usually on Monday or Tuesday and then Friday nights throughout October.

Travel days are tough. We don't even have that long of a flight (2 1/2 hours, give or take) and it just wipes us out. I can't imagine coming from the east coast! We usually fly in and hit the parks right when we get to the hotel. I think this time we're going to fly in later in the day (6-7 p.m.) and just relax and get an early night so we'll be ready for the next day.

I agree travel days are hard. It will be a play by ear day. That is good about parties not on Sunday.

Is the party worth it? We have done the one at WDW a few times. Just not sure with the time change if we should even attempt it, are ride lines that much shorter? I am hoping to do the extra morning hour thing some to knock out things. We will have a 3.5 year old and an 8 almost 9 month old.

 

[DisneylandDarling]

[.

 

[jlwhitney]

In my opinion, it's totally worth it! The atmosphere is amazing, they hand out lots of candy, and the fireworks are really cool! If you aren't into the trick-or-treating, the ride times are pretty low - sometimes even walk on. I'm sure it is pretty similar to the one in WDW.

Last year, my cousin and his family went with us and they weren't too sure about the party and weren't going to go. We convinced them to go with us on one of the party nights and they absolutely loved it! That was one of the highlights of the trip for them. Granted, they had older kids with them (3, 6, and 8). They were able to go on a few rides after they were done trick-or-treating with little wait. It does go later in the night (11 p.m. on weekday nights, 12 a.m. on Friday nights), I'm not sure if you would be able to stay too late with a 8-9 month old to make it worth it. The first parade, I believe, is around 8:45ish and then fireworks follow about 15 minutes after the ending of the parade. So the main entertainment ends by around 9:50 p.m.

The baby is the easy one he will sleep in the stroller...lol

 

[DisneylandDarling]

The baby is the easy one he will sleep in the stroller...lol

Then I would totally do it! So much fun!

 

[BayouQueen]

I've lived in So Cal all my life and September is often really hot, maybe the hottest month of the year. It's Santa Ana wind season and we get heat waves. That's just the way it is. I like to call it our "Indian summer." But the park is still fun, and it's really great to be able to enjoy warm nights in the parks.

 

[Daisybelle]

So, basically, it's a crapshoot on whether it's hot, crowded, and miserable?

We live in a desert where it's 90+ every day from May- Sept/Oct ( Except this week which is unseasonable cold in the 70s) so the heat doesn't bother me.
Are the miserable crowds from the perspective of Disneyland Vets who remember the non crowded times? Or are they just plain miserable for everyone?
We're going Sept 12-17 and I'm a little scared of all the negativity I've heard on here. I'm trying to remind myself that the place is magic, and most of the people doing the complaining are ones who go often? We get to go once every five years or so, and I'm kind of looking at it like going to the county fair. It's always blasted hot, the lines are loooooong, everything is expensive, but my family still goes and has a fabulous time and looks forward to it every year.

We usually go in July when it's both crowded and hot. Honestly we've never had a problem. We go in knowing it will be busy and always get there early and enjoy the cooler mornings and lower crowds. We know it will get busier as the day goes on so we do things that wont' be as busy and enjoy the shows/parades. And a nap. Then head back for a full evening. As Kathy Werling says on the Disney World show, just pack your patience. We've never had a bad time despite heat and crowds. And a Dole Whip or two never hurts.

 

[jlwhitney]

I've lived in So Cal all my life and September is often really hot, maybe the hottest month of the year. It's Santa Ana wind season and we get heat waves. That's just the way it is. I like to call it our "Indian summer." But the park is still fun, and it's really great to be able to enjoy warm nights in the parks.

I live in Florida and live for cold nights in a theme park. I don't want to go in september but its when it worked out and we could gty a 2 bed DVC villa since we are going to DL for 4 nights then onto Aulani in Hawaii. DVC is just so hard to book if you don't own. I am crossing fingers for high 80s s at the worst and might cry if ti goes over 100.