September or October (Anniversary or Halloween?)

[SeansMom]

Obviously I am DL obsessed! We went last December, but I'm already planning on going again. I have an AA companion ticket that needs to be booked TODAY. SO...I'm trying to choose between the 10th to 18th of September (which would also be our anniversary) and towards the last week of October (returning around the 23rd.)

Any input on crowds, ride closures, etc? I've only been in September once, and that 16 years ago. I remember it being much, much more crowded than I expected, although perhaps a conference was going on. I've never been in October.

I'd also like to squeeze in a day for San Diego. Would you recommend the week-end or week day for thi

 

[Halloweenqueen]

September is great crowd-wise, but you are going to hit the holiday overlay closures of Space Mountain and Haunted Mansion.

Of course October would get my vote! They have a special Halloween party at DL, plus the decorations, treats, and attraction overlays that make that time special. The trade-off is crowds, mostly the weekends.

 

[marciemouse]

October has become a very busy time to visit. The night of the Halloween party are insane as party guests enter and day guests must leave. That said, we loved the fall decor. And if you're into Halloween, you'll be thrilled. If it's lower crowds you want, I'd go in September for sure. Weekdays are always slower, IMO. Have fun!

 

[SeansMom]

Thanks for the input. Decisions, decisions!

 

[tzeitel]

That is a tough call if you have to book today Personally I would not want to go when the HM and SM are closed - it looks like Disney changes Halloween dates year by year so who knows when that will be. So while the crowds would be low in Sept there is a chance you would miss 2 of the best rides - I'd say Oct

 

[marcemc]

I would go in September as part of your Happy Anniversary gift

 

[bluegrizzlies1]

been 2 times in oct and would do it again we went 2nd week both times.

Love the halloween fireworks but I think you have to go to the party to see them now.

Little crowded yeah not bad if you use fast pass

This is on small world

Hello jack on tick tock

 

[SeansMom]

been 2 times in oct and would do it again we went 2nd week both times.

Love the halloween fireworks but I think you have to go to the party to see them now.

Little crowded yeah not bad if you use fast pass

This is on small world

Hello jack on tick tock

Awesome pics! The romantic in me has won out, so our plane tickets are booked for September

Too bad we'll miss Halloween, and maybe not get to ride HM, but honestly it seems there is ALWAYS something closed, so it's not that big of a deal to me. We'll just have to plan on Halloween another year.

 

[cloudconnected1039]

Well, if you're going the dates you said in September, you might be there for some of the Halloween festivities. I know they started "Halloween Time" mid-September last year, and I suppose they'd do the same this year. So that would be a great plus, both the anniversary and the Halloween time stuff!! I LOVE Halloween time at DL, it's sooooo much fun and the trick or treat party is amazing As are the fireworks. Can't get much better in my opinion!!

 

[Sherry E]

Well, if you're going the dates you said in September, you might be there for some of the Halloween festivities. I know they started "Halloween Time" mid-September last year, and I suppose they'd do the same this year. So that would be a great plus, both the anniversary and the Halloween time stuff!! I LOVE Halloween time at DL, it's sooooo much fun and the trick or treat party is amazing As are the fireworks. Can't get much better in my opinion!!

DLR starts Halloween Time based on Fridays in September, not by exact dates or because it's mid-month or anything. It always starts on either the last Friday in September or the next-to-last Friday in September (I've seen both scenarios occur in the last few years). Last year, the next-to-last Friday was September 17th - or mid-month.

However, this year the next-to-last Friday in September is 9/23, and the last Friday is 9/30. My guess would be a 9/23 start date. If they began Halloween Time on 9/16, that would be earlier that they usually do it based on their patterns, even though it seems like it would be the right time based on dates. Could they start the season on 9/16? Possibly. They very well may. They could break tradition and do it that early because Halloween Time has gotten so popular (and busy), but we don't have the start date yet so we don't know.

The seasons always end on Sundays, too, so if Halloween itself were on a Saturday, the season would end on November 1st. This year Halloween is on Monday. So there is a chance DLR may actually end Halloween Time on Sunday, November 6th. It seems a bit late to do it then and awfully close to Christmas season - but it's a strong possibility based on their patterns.

So we shall see.

And the Halloween party always begins one week after Halloween Time begins or two weeks after it begins (again, I have seen both of these scenarios happen in the last few years). It usually ends up being the first Friday in October, but this year I have a feeling the party will begin on Friday, 9/30. I just feel like 10/7 would be too late of a start date for the party, but who knows?

 

[SeansMom]

DLR starts Halloween Time based on Fridays in September, not by exact dates or because it's mid-month or anything. It always starts on either the last Friday in September or the next-to-last Friday in September (I've seen both scenarios occur in the last few years). Last year, the next-to-last Friday was September 17th - or mid-month.

However, this year the next-to-last Friday in September is 9/23, and the last Friday is 9/30. My guess would be a 9/23 start date. If they began Halloween Time on 9/16, that would be earlier that they usually do it based on their patterns, even though it seems like it would be the right time based on dates. Could they start the season on 9/16? Possibly. They very well may. They could break tradition and do it that early because Halloween Time has gotten so popular (and busy), but we don't have the start date yet so we don't know.

The seasons always end on Sundays, too, so if Halloween itself were on a Saturday, the season would end on November 1st. This year Halloween is on Monday. So there is a chance DLR may actually end Halloween Time on Sunday, November 6th. It seems a bit late to do it then and awfully close to Christmas season - but it's a strong possibility based on their patterns.

So we shall see.

And the Halloween party always begins one week after Halloween Time begins or two weeks after it begins (again, I have seen both of these scenarios happen in the last few years). It usually ends up being the first Friday in October, but this year I have a feeling the party will begin on Friday, 9/30. I just feel like 10/7 would be too late of a start date for the party, but who knows?

WOW! I can't believe you know all that, down to the dates!

BTW, since we opted for mid-September, I'd be fine with NO Halloween. It just seems too early for it, and the last two times we went it was Christmas, so I'm kind of ready for a non-decorated park.

Now to decide where to stay that may be just a little magical and romantic

 

[Sherry E]

WOW! I can't believe you know all that, down to the dates!

BTW, since we opted for mid-September, I'd be fine with NO Halloween. It just seems too early for it, and the last two times we went it was Christmas, so I'm kind of ready for a non-decorated park.

Now to decide where to stay that may be just a little magical and romantic

Yep...my head is filled with information that is only relevant here on the DIS!

To be honest, even though I love Halloween Time at DLR (I have a Halloween Time Superthread on this forum), I agree with you. It always seems way too early to me when it ends up starting in the more mid-September range. I even think later in September seems too early. Usually the weather is still HOTTTTT (last year, we had a lovely 113-degree day in September) and that does not say 'Halloween' to me. I like it to feel Fall-like, with cooler weather and leaves on the ground. I don't want to feel like it's beach weather during Halloween Time.

But I suppose DLR gets a head start on the season because it is so popular now. People would probably be unhappy if it did not start in September. I can say that it felt much more Halloween-esque to me when I was there in October as opposed to September, though!

Anyway, we'll probably learn the dates by May or June, so you will know by then if your trip is going to be an unintentional Halloween visit or not. If you end up there before the season officially begins, it will definitely be less crowded. If it turns out that you are there during opening week of Halloween Time, there will be an increase in crowds - they always pick up when a season begins.

Good luck with the decision on where to stay that is magical and romantic! I'm sure it will be wonderful, wherever it ends up being.