Should I be scared?

[Cinmon Toast & Tacos]

Okay, we were told to suck it up when we found out that both Pirates and California Screamin' would be closed next week, since that was the price you pay for going when it's not so crowded.

Now I'm getting scared.....it looks like all the hotels are booked solid, DL will be crazy busy, and we're going to spend the whole day waiting in lines. Which is what we were trying to avoid by going during the kids fall break instead of summer break.

Should I be scared? It's our first time for our kids, and they're little, so we aren't going to be running through the park at rope drop, sprinting for fast passes, etc. Since we can't do all that, are we doomed to stand in lines all day or is there a touring plan that can save us?

I'm trying to get past panic mode and move on to planning mode.

I have the Unofficial 2011 guide with those little clip-out touring plans in the back. Does anyone know if they work?

I really want the kids to have an amazing, magical time! This is it for us.

 

[Jaybird6]

We used the Unofficial Guide Touring Plans this August when it was pretty busy (7-8 out of 10 most days). They seemed to work great, but we don't have children so we used the adults-only plans. We never waited longer than 30 minutes for any ride, but the walking back and forth across the park took a toll on our feet.

 

[skiingfast]

I think you are too worried. The hotels are booked solid, they are booked on certain nights due to halloween parties.

The parks will get busier later in the day on Monday and Friday dues to the Halloween parties.


If you want to do some strategic planning look at Ride Max.

 

[sonnyjane]

I think you are too worried. The hotels are booked solid, they are booked on certain nights due to halloween parties.

The parks will get busier later in the day on Monday and Friday due to the Halloween parties.

I agree with skiingfast - you are worrying for no real reason. Do be mindful of what the Halloween parties mean for your park hours on the days that you'll have to leave Disneyland earlier, but it is still the off-season and you'll hardly be waiting in lines for hours as you're imagining lol. Try to relax

 

[todzwife]

Try not to panic...we were there the Mon-Wed before T-giving (10/10) and it was INSANE...but we managed.
My tips?

Get there EARLY. Period. If it opens at 8, be there are 6:45/7:00. ONLY line up where there is a CM already standing for the security line. We were SO ticked one morning, DH got there super early, was 1st in line for security and there weren't any out there...then there were a few on the other side and NONE came to the side he was waiting on. Several CM's saw us and the line forming behind us, one even wiped the table off in front of us, but NO ONE mentioned they weren't opening that side. By the time they opened, it was too late to get in the other line, we were SO far back. All that waiting for NOTHING. Be aware.

If you have little ones, hit those rides they might like that get busy, first.

One day, we did Nemo first. MM we did Fantasyland first.

Eat early.

Take a rest mid-day.

Take it slow, don't worry too much about seeing EVERYTHING.

Remember to have fun!

 

[Scribble Kitty]

Even if the park is busier and lines are longer then you wanted/expected, act like it's normal and your kids will react the same. If you're disappointed with lines and waits your kids will be too, and that really will make the whole trip harder for everyone.

 

[MND]

Okay, we were told to suck it up when we found out that both Pirates and California Screamin' would be closed next week, since that was the price you pay for going when it's not so crowded.

Now I'm getting scared.....it looks like all the hotels are booked solid, DL will be crazy busy, and we're going to spend the whole day waiting in lines. Which is what we were trying to avoid by going during the kids fall break instead of summer break.

Should I be scared? It's our first time for our kids, and they're little, so we aren't going to be running through the park at rope drop, sprinting for fast passes, etc. Since we can't do all that, are we doomed to stand in lines all day or is there a touring plan that can save us?

I'm trying to get past panic mode and move on to planning mode.

I have the Unofficial 2011 guide with those little clip-out touring plans in the back. Does anyone know if they work?

I really want the kids to have an amazing, magical time! This is it for us.

I wouldn't be concerned. Touring Plans show crowds on the weekned, but the weekdays look light. Plus, during the off season, good attractions are always bound to be closed. When we are there the first week of November, Pirates, Small World and It's Tough to be a Bug are all closed.

Relax and have a good time!

Mike

 

[snesguy]

> Should I be scared?

If you see Mickey running at you with a chainsaw, then maybe, otherwise I wouldn't be frightened.

There is a Microsoft SharePoint convention in town next week which causes the hotels to be busier than usual. They have their own private party at DL on Tuesday 10/4 so I'm hoping (since I'll be there a few days too) that they'll all go to the private party and will be too busy attending the convention to go to the parks on other days.

What days are you going? You do want to avoid the weekend since Columbus day holiday is coming up.

 

[sojocomo]

We are in a similar situation to you. Our first family trip to DL. We will be there 10/11-10/15. My feeling is that our kids don't know what to expect. DL is some mystical magical figment in their heads. They will totally imitate whatever emotions me and my DH emote. I am purposely not going with a set-in-stone plan. If the line is too long at ride "X", then we'll go to ride "Y". If we miss "X" altogether, then that is what makes you want to come back

 

[lwilkison]

Okay, we were told to suck it up when we found out that both Pirates and California Screamin' would be closed next week, since that was the price you pay for going when it's not so crowded.

Now I'm getting scared.....it looks like all the hotels are booked solid, DL will be crazy busy, and we're going to spend the whole day waiting in lines. Which is what we were trying to avoid by going during the kids fall break instead of summer break.

Should I be scared? It's our first time for our kids, and they're little, so we aren't going to be running through the park at rope drop, sprinting for fast passes, etc. Since we can't do all that, are we doomed to stand in lines all day or is there a touring plan that can save us?

I'm trying to get past panic mode and move on to planning mode.

I have the Unofficial 2011 guide with those little clip-out touring plans in the back. Does anyone know if they work?

I really want the kids to have an amazing, magical time! This is it for us.

You sound just like me when we first took our DD (3 yrs at the time).

It is DLR...breathe!

Magic abounds.

When you get up on your first morning, have breakfast, relax, get over to DLR, spend the morning, enjoy and your kids will to! It is Disney-freaking-land! You can't help but feel the magic!

We would go back to our hotel room and have lunch and a nap/break...then head back and try not to over think...you can get a park schedule at the gates...let's you know what character is where and when.

If you are unsure...ask any cast member...they are super helpful!

Above all...HAVE A GREAT TIME! If things don't go according to plan, just roll with it...you might find something even more magical

 

[BecomingObsessed]

Ridemax is predicting pretty ride lines!! I've been building plans with 15 rides in a day and it's getting them ALL in with HUGE breaks in the day (upwards of 6 hours!). I wouldn't spend your time worrying. Just think about how much FUN you're going to have

 

[MyYearWithTheMouse]

Touring Plans' crowd predictions have been wrong all summer so I wouldn't count on anything they say.

That said, Disneyland is so much more than rides. It's an experience, particularly for little ones. Take in the entertainment, look at the details, plan a couple of attractions and let the rest ones go. I honestly think it's a mistake to spend your time at the park running from attraction to attraction. THere's so much more to see and do.

 

[Niebz]

You'll have fun at Disneyland no matter what if you let yourself. Try not to get caught up in the stress/fear and just enjoy it. The lines are never really completely unmanageable. There are always attractions with shorter wait times to intersperse with longer ones, plus parades and shows and down times so you'll never be stuck waiting in lines the whole time. Just breathe and go with the flow and I promise you'll have a much better time!

 

[aroseinwintr]

We are in a similar situation to you. Our first family trip to DL. We will be there 10/11-10/15. My feeling is that our kids don't know what to expect. DL is some mystical magical figment in their heads. They will totally imitate whatever emotions me and my DH emote. I am purposely not going with a set-in-stone plan. If the line is too long at ride "X", then we'll go to ride "Y". If we miss "X" altogether, then that is what makes you want to come back

Hey I will be there the same time as you....
I love to go in October

 

[Mike_M]

Even if the park is busier and lines are longer then you wanted/expected, act like it's normal and your kids will react the same. If you're disappointed with lines and waits your kids will be too, and that really will make the whole trip harder for everyone.

Great advice.

I'm a big advocate for enjoying the queues. There is plenty of ambiance to view while in line and much of it adds to the experience of the attraction. That's how my parents were in line when I was a kid and it's how I learned to enjoy them as well. My kids do fine in long lines as a result of how I show them all the interesting stuff to see while in line and they are two very impatient kids.

-Mike_M

 

[Cinmon Toast & Tacos]

I started to get a bad feeling when I read the October lines post and the one about the possibility of getting walked/fully booked hotels. I'm seeing trip reports and it's looking even worse than I thought!

I planned this whole trip for 11 other people. They were relying on me researching everything (which I did, here and in other places) to try to get us there at the best time.

I'm unhappy that I may have disappointed my family -- we've got one member who has a recent back injury and who walks fine but can't spend hours standing in lines (medium-ish times are ok). He's a macho guy and isn't happy about the back situation, so it's not like I can toss him into a wheelchair. We've got really little kids that have the patience level of gnats. One of our family members was against going at all because she has issues with crowds. I made this huge pitch about how fall is so much less crowded, it won't be a cattle call, etc. So -- oops. My bad.

I'm looking stupid and I'm going to need to work hard to manage my own slight agoraphobia!

I think it will be all about attitude. Everyone must start out happy, including me! But wow -- I really didn't expect it to be THIS bad, and no Pirates! Columbus Day in the middle of our stay is the wrench in the works, I think. I didn't catch it. Plus Halloweeen.

Thanks for all the replies -- I'm off to do a little more digging in to the best ways to do more with less. We will prevail! I will find the magic! I'm going to make sure my kids have a good time. (insert inspirational music here)

Any more suggestions would be extremely welcome......We're leaving in 4 days.

 

[sonnyjane]

I started to get a bad feeling when I read the October lines post and the one about the possibility of getting walked/fully booked hotels. I'm seeing trip reports and it's looking even worse than I thought!

I planned this whole trip for 11 other people. They were relying on me researching everything (which I did, here and in other places) to try to get us there at the best time.

I'm unhappy that I may have disappointed my family -- we've got one member who has a recent back injury and who walks fine but can't spend hours standing in lines (medium-ish times are ok). He's a macho guy and isn't happy about the back situation, so it's not like I can toss him into a wheelchair. We've got really little kids that have the patience level of gnats. One of our family members was against going at all because she has issues with crowds. I made this huge pitch about how fall is so much less crowded, it won't be a cattle call, etc. So -- oops. My bad.

I'm looking stupid and I'm going to need to work hard to manage my own slight agoraphobia!

I think it will be all about attitude. Everyone must start out happy, including me! But wow -- I really didn't expect it to be THIS bad, and no Pirates! Columbus Day in the middle of our stay is the wrench in the works, I think. I didn't catch it. Plus Halloweeen.

Thanks for all the replies -- I'm off to do a little more digging in to the best ways to do more with less. We will prevail! I will find the magic! I'm going to make sure my kids have a good time. (insert inspirational music here)

Any more suggestions would be extremely welcome......We're leaving in 4 days.

I don't understand...you just got a full page of responses telling you that you're worrying for no reason, and then you posted this update saying that you're worried you've disappointed your family!?

The recent post about the long line getting into the parks for the first night of the Halloween party and is not indicative of how each ride line will be. Today is a weekend and according to Mousewaits, the longest line is 55 minutes for Haunted Mansion Holiday, but that ride has FP, and the current return time is 8:30 for a 6:30 FP. The next longest is Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy at 50 minutes, but that is also a FP ride. Those are the two seasonal rides, so of course I'd expect their lines to be longer since they are only offered during this time. Most of the other rides have only 5-15 minutes of waiting. And this is a weekend night. Weekdays will be less crowded.

 

[GenGen22]

I agree with what everyone has said here and relax and enjoy your magical time. I have been to DL many times and I just barely found this site while planning my trip to WDW. With that said, I didn't plan anything no reservations accept for hotels and what parks I wanted to go to. Not even which days I wanted to go to each one. We had a blast each and every time. The first time I took my daughter I didn't even know about PIN trading. We found that out our second trip. Which made it even more fun. The only thing I agree with a previous poster is that the Nemo ride does have a really long line compared to the rest of the rides unless you are riding splash Mountain that is another one, but Splash does have a fastpass which I would get first thing in the morning. But everything else is completely doable. You wont have to wait much. We usually go during summer and haven't had to wait but 30 minutes accept for the two rides I mentioned.

Have an AWESOME time

 

[sojocomo]

Your family should be HAPPY and APPRECIATIVE that you went out of your way to plan such a special trip.

If they have a problem with the crowds, it isn't your fault and they can always go back to the hotel for a rest. As for the injured member of the party, he can always rest and take in the sights and shows. The children are the least of your concerns - they will be thrilled with the magic of Disney. Know that there will be inevitable child meltdowns - and maybe some adult ones too

You did your best. Now go out there and have a fabulous Disney vacation!

 

[sojocomo]

Hey I will be there the same time as you....
I love to go in October

It's going to be sooooo fun! The last time I was in DL was 2003 when I was pregnant with my oldest.

Are you going to a Halloween party?