September off season--what's it like?

[JH87]

Anyone been during off-season in September? I am going to be in DLR the week of Sept 19, so first official full week of Halloweentime, but we will be there on a Tues and Wed, when hours are 10a-8p so I am expecting low crowds. I have never been during this time of year so I wanted to get any advice and hear any experiences from other DISers who have been at this time.
I have been during off season in January and LOVED it! I am hoping for a similar situation crowd-wise.
Thanks!

 

[HydroGuy]

Anyone been during off-season in September? I am going to be in DLR the week of Sept 19, so first official full week of Halloweentime, but we will be there on a Tues and Wed, when hours are 10a-8p so I am expecting low crowds. I have never been during this time of year so I wanted to get any advice and hear any experiences from other DISers who have been at this time.
I have been during off season in January and LOVED it! I am hoping for a similar situation crowd-wise.
Thanks!

I went last year at this time. Arrived at the parks Saturday evening then had all day Sunday and most of Monday. The crowds dropped dramatically on Monday as you would expect.

I wrote a blog on my visit that may interest you: http://www.disunplugged.com/2010/09/23/halloween-has-arrived-at-disneyland/

 

[masonite]

We were there last year the week before Halloweentime opened---we were there Mon-Fri---So we were there Friday, the first day it opened. It was crazy busy Friday, compared to Mon-Thur before that.

It's awesome though! One of my favorite times to visit DL Parks! We are going again this year, but the 25-30th instead!

 

[Caseystigger]

We love it this time of year. One year the CM's told us that Tuesday was the lightest crowd day in the off season but Monday thru Friday seemed a lot lighter then the weekends.

Love the seasonal food and the Halloween theme and the somewhat cooler temps.

 

[alyssa810]

We went last year from 9/25-9/30, and we thought the crowds were very managable. It was really, really, really hot though, like highs in 100s. The only "complaint" about going this time was that there were closures on some rides, but from what I've been reading, that's common for the time of year. We're going a little earlier in September this year, and we're hoping for the same crowd levels, and not so much heat LOL!

 

[JH87]

Thanks everyone! You have all confirmed my thoughts on crowd levels. I went during Halloweentime last year, but on a Sat-Sun right in the middle of October and it was nuts! It will be nice to still get to experience Halloweentime without all the crowds. Maybe I can finally get my photo in front of the giant Mickey pumpkin!
I did look at last years weather and saw lots of 90-100 degree days that week! But historically, the averages are much lower so we'll see what I end up with! I have one of those spray bottle fan things that we bought in DLR years ago so I might bring that just in case. Also thankfully Splash and GRR will be open.

 

[ssuriano]

I was there just after Halloween time started last year and loved it! I was with my girlfriend at the time and we were able to hit every ride we wanted at least once or twice, WOC, caught the end of fire works, and rarely had a wait that was more than 30(ish) minutes.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I haven't been there in Sept--but have been in Southern California many times during that time. The only thing I would have to add is that it is actually quite warm that time of the year--some of the hottest temps in so cal (and even where I live in the Bay Area) are in those Sept.-Oct. months---contrary to other areas of the country that often cool down.

 

[Sherry E]

Last year in September was when we had the crazy, record-breaking heatwave of something like 113 degrees in L.A. (where I am) and a few degrees hotter than that in Anaheim!! One of the days was the hottest day in recorded history for Los Angeles! While I can say that was definitely not the norm - it was a literal freak of nature - I do agree with Lisa that September and early October are often quite warm, indeed. They seem to pick up a lot of the delayed heat that didn't fully kick in during the summer, if summer got a slow start (like last year)!

On the other hand, there was one time 4 years ago when I was at DLR for the opening weekend of Halloween Time in September and it rained (heavily) off and on. That was also not the norm! It was the strangest weather. It would alternate from beng a monsoon, where everyone was scurrying to and fro in their ponchos, to suddenly being 80 degrees and sunny. And then it would start pouring again. And then it would clear up again and we got sunburnt. Then, more rain. Anyway, the weather was unstable enough that it kept the crowds way, way down because nobody knew whether it was going to pour or be hot! Lots of rides were walk-ons!

So, Jillian, you never know with this crazy SoCal, almost-Fall weather - it could be 113-118 degrees, or it could be a heavy downpour!

 

[dinglefitzberry]

This seems to be an off season time. Not too many crowds but it still is very hot at this time.

 

[JH87]

So Sherry I guess I am gonna plan on packing my spray bottle fan and a poncho!
I do remember that heave wave last year. It was also terribly hot where I live in Cali too. Hopefully it won't be THAT bad this year. I am going to be following Anaheim's weather so closely during the weeks leading up to my trip.

 

[kez518]

We'll be there the same time as you. We're going Sep 20-27. Glad to read peoples comments saying weekday crowds should be low. Hopefully the heat wont be too bad. Last year we went in Oct for 7days and it wasn't too bad. The weekends were more crowded but when you go for 7 days your most likely have the time to hit the rides and shows you want.

Have a great time!

 

[DebbieB]

I went that week 2 years ago. I don't think crowds were bad but it was wicked hot.

 

[MagicPixieDust]

We were there last year the week before Halloweentime opened---we were there Mon-Fri---So we were there Friday, the first day it opened. It was crazy busy Friday, compared to Mon-Thur before that.

It's awesome though! One of my favorite times to visit DL Parks! We are going again this year, but the 25-30th instead!

Masonite I was wondering if you can remember from your trip last year whether the crowds were crazy all day on the Friday or just later on in the afternoon when locals started arriving after work etc? We will be at DL on the equivalent Friday (i.e. first day of Halloween) this year and just trying to work out what to expect.

Thanks

 

[Sherry E]

So Sherry I guess I am gonna plan on packing my spray bottle fan and a poncho!
I do remember that heave wave last year. It was also terribly hot where I live in Cali too. Hopefully it won't be THAT bad this year. I am going to be following Anaheim's weather so closely during the weeks leading up to my trip.

Exactly! Bring your sunscreen, your spray bottle fan, and then also bring your rain gear too and a heavy coat, and you'll be all set for any situation that comes up!

Last year was an extreme fluke. While it is often hot in September, it's never been that kind of 'my-face-is-melting-off' heat in this neck o' the woods before, like it was last year. And a monsoon-type rainstorm is rare at that time of year as well.