September or October?

[PineappleSky]

Hey Everyone! I am sure this has been asked a million and one times, but I am fairly new to this site and was hoping you all could help. I am planning an adult trip for the end of September / early October to enjoy Disneyland at Halloween with my husband and my parents. As much as we'd like to do Oogie Boogie nights we have to budget for other things. However we would like to enjoy everything else that Disneyland & DCA have to offer, but are hoping to find a week that is generally not as busy in those months. What would you recommend? We are not from the US but I think there maybe a stat holiday on the 4th of October. Not sure how busy it will be around this time. We are thinking leaving around the 23rd or 27th of September for about 9 or 9 days, but are open to other suggestions. Please help! TIA.

 

[Chili327]

Looks like late Sept is better than early Oct.

https://www.isitpacked.com/disneyland-crowd-forecast-predictor-calendar/

Probably depends on when “HalloweenTime” starts.

 

[PineappleSky]

Disney generally starts Halloween at the beginning of September and even Universal studios does their horror nights starting Mid September. I'd say the 23rd of September would be safe. But I'd be flexible if its not scary busy. Thanks for the link. Very very helpful.

 

[Aspencreek]

I think the general consensus is that October is now the busiest time of the year at Disneyland. We went in late October 2022 and while we did love the decorations (and Oogie bash!) it was INSANELY busy. So the best thing to do is probably to go as early in September as you can manage, but after the Labor day holiday. And once there plan on rope dropping and staying late. Even when it is crazy packed the first 2 hours of the day are never very busy (tons of late sleepers), and the end of the night mellows out as well.

 

[PineappleSky]

I think the general consensus is that October is now the busiest time of the year at Disneyland. We went in late October 2022 and while we did love the decorations (and Oogie bash!) it was INSANELY busy. So the best thing to do is probably to go as early in September as you can manage, but after the Labor day holiday. And once there plan on rope dropping and staying late. Even when it is crazy packed the first 2 hours of the day are never very busy (tons of late sleepers), and the end of the night mellows out as well.

Thank you so much for your help on this. I will talk to my family to see what they would like to do. September it will be most likely.

 

[catloaves]

One (minor) consideration is that there's quite a bit of construction going on right now and a few things that are scheduled to come online later in 2024. For example, Tiana's Bayou Adventure, and a lot of the restaurants in Downtown Disney. The later you go in 2024, the more likely it is that more things will be open!

But overall, not as important a variable as the weather, crowds, or your own availability

 

[PineappleSky]

One (minor) consideration is that there's quite a bit of construction going on right now and a few things that are scheduled to come online later in 2024. For example, Tiana's Bayou Adventure, and a lot of the restaurants in Downtown Disney. The later you go in 2024, the more likely it is that more things will be open!

But overall, not as important a variable as the weather, crowds, or your own availabilityI

I won't be so upset to miss Tiana's Bayou. I actually expect to miss it. I haven't been to Disneyland in about 5 years and there has been plenty of changes and upgrades to both of the parks we can enjoy. Tiana will just give me a reason to go back if I miss it LOL!