Should I go in October?

[zooya]

My son (5 year old) prefers Disneyland over WDW, I am planning a trip for next year. I took him to MNSSHP last October and he loved it. So one of the options will be Halloween in DL. However, we are from the east coast. The 3-hour time difference makes it impossible for him to stay up at night for the special ticketed party / firework / parade. Is it still worth it to go in October? Should I change to a different month (I am also available in May)? Thank you!

 

[Dot2Vegas]

My son (5 year old) prefers Disneyland over WDW, I am planning a trip for next year. I took him to MNSSHP last October and he loved it. So one of the options will be Halloween in DL. However, we are from the east coast. The 3-hour time difference makes it impossible for him to stay up at night for the special ticketed party / firework / parade. Is it still worth it to go in October? Should I change to a different month (I am also available in May)? Thank you!

I would still go in October. If he can't stay up late anyways then the park closing early for the parties would not be an issue for you. Typically DL would close at 6 or 7pm depending on the party day. You could either call it a day at that point or if you have hoppers then you could head to DCA for a little while. Also, another option would be to go to DL on non party days and then you don't have to worry about early closing.
We love the October decorations at Disneyland and the weather is perfect!

 

[BrianL]

I will tell you that I have eben to both MNSSHP at MK and MHP at DL and the DL one was WAY better. It might have had something to do with the coole rweather, but the Halloween vibe was just so much stronger. Plus you have Haunted Mansion Holiday and Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy at that time of year. The way they fog the water on the Rivers of America was awesome too (that might be impossible in Orlando weather).

If he can somehow acclimate to the time difference it would be worth going. Otherwise, October is a wonderful time to be in SoCal. I recommend it!

 

[zooya]

Thanks!

Dot2Vegas, I am aware of the early closing (which is perfect). I just don't want to miss out on the special party after that. I heard the parade is specially spectacular.

BrianL, the rides you mentioned sound great. Are they fully operational (with the Halloween décor and special effects) even during the days? And yes, I am not a big fan of the heat and humidity in Orlando.

By the way, are there trick or treat during the days? My son loves to get free candies that only costs $1.99 a bag in the store! LOL

 

[figment_jii]

Dot2Vegas, I am aware of the early closing (which is perfect). I just don't want to miss out on the special party after that. I heard the parade is specially spectacular.

I think you might be thinking of MNSSHP's parade (Boo To You), which is pretty elaborate and a full parade. MHP (at DL) has the Calvacade, which is like a mini-parade. It's cute, I haven't heard of too many folks that say it's better than Boo To You. The fireworks, on the other hand, are arguable better at MHP. Both Screams (MHP) and HalloWishes (MNSSP) are great, but I like Screams because it has Zero!

If you hop over the HalloweenTime SuperThread you'll find a FAQ for MHP on Post #3. It includes a link to comparison between MHP and MNSSHP.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3270919

BrianL, the rides you mentioned sound great. Are they fully operational (with the Halloween décor and special effects) even during the days? And yes, I am not a big fan of the heat and humidity in Orlando.

Yes and no. The rides (HMH and SMGG) run all day, so they are not party exclusive. There is also the Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree/Carnival, which operates during the day. There are Halloween decorations (mainly on Main Street and a little in Frontierland and NOS), but a lot more are added for the party. You'll see some of them starting to come up before the party (basically being set-up), but not all of the effects appear pre-party.

By the way, are there trick or treat during the days? My son loves to get free candies that only costs $1.99 a bag in the store! LOL

Sorry, no. Trick-or-treating only occurs during MHP.

 

[BrianL]

BrianL, the rides you mentioned sound great. Are they fully operational (with the Halloween décor and special effects) even during the days? And yes, I am not a big fan of the heat and humidity in Orlando.

Yes, to reiterate what Figment said, the overlays are active all day. The HM Holiday runs from late September through New Years, but Ghost Galaxy only runs until just after Halloween.

They are actually very elaborate and could not be changed just for the parties. In fact HM Holiday requires lengthy down-time twice a year to change it and change it back. Make sure you don't go during those times.

 

[zooya]

I think you might be thinking of MNSSHP's parade (Boo To You), which is pretty elaborate and a full parade. MHP (at DL) has the Calvacade, which is like a mini-parade. It's cute, I haven't heard of too many folks that say it's better than Boo To You. The fireworks, on the other hand, are arguable better at MHP. Both Screams (MHP) and HalloWishes (MNSSP) are great, but I like Screams because it has Zero!

If you hop over the HalloweenTime SuperThread you'll find a FAQ for MHP on Post #3. It includes a link to comparison between MHP and MNSSHP.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3270919


Yes and no. The rides (HMH and SMGG) run all day, so they are not party exclusive. There is also the Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree/Carnival, which operates during the day. There are Halloween decorations (mainly on Main Street and a little in Frontierland and NOS), but a lot more are added for the party. You'll see some of them starting to come up before the party (basically being set-up), but not all of the effects appear pre-party.


Sorry, no. Trick-or-treating only occurs during MHP.

Thank you so much Figment_Jii. The link is very informative. I have to print it out to read. LOL

 

[figment_jii]

Just to expand on the closures mentioned by BrianL...Haunted Mansion and Space both have to close to have their overlays installed. HM will usually close starting on the last Monday in August. Space Mountain usually closes starting the Monday before HalloweenTime. Both re-open with the start of HalloweenTime. Space will shut down for one day after Halloween to have the overlay removed (next year Halloween is on a Saturday, so I'm guessing Space would close on Monday, 11/2 rather than Sunday, 11/1). None of the closures should really affect you because you're planning a trip for October (albeit in 2015).

That being said, it is worth noting that Small World generally closes towards the end of October so that the Holiday overlay can be installed. It takes about 18 days for the overlay to be installed, so it depends on when the Holiday seasons starts in DLR. Last year, it closed on 10/21/13. This year, with the Avenger's Marathon being slated for mid-November, it's all up in the air as to when the Holidays will start. But I would basically count on IaSW to be closed sometime during the last two weeks in October.

 

[zooya]

Oh my goodness! I have a lot too learn.

Thanks everyone!