Small World Holiday Makeover

[WDWBOB1]

We'll be at DLR October 15-22. The first day of the Small World Holiday makeover is November 14 this year. Will we be able to ride before it's shut down for the holiday transformation?

 

[Sherry E]

We'll be at DLR October 15-22. The first day of the Small World Holiday makeover is November 14 this year. Will we be able to ride before it's shut down for the holiday transformation?

You'll definitely be able to ride IASW before it shuts down. I don't know the exact date it will shut down, but based on previous years I am guessing IASW should probably stay open through Sunday, October 23 (or at least through Saturday, 10/22) and then close for the overlay. I highly doubt that IASW would close a week earlier than that.

 

[WDWBOB1]

Thank you soooo much Sherry!
Bob

 

[LisaT91403]

So does that mean IASW would be closed from 10/24 - 11/14?

 

[skiingfast]

So does that mean IASW would be closed from 10/24 - 11/14?

It's not known at this point, but 2-3 weeks will be needed for the layover.

If it was like last year the dates of closure would be 10/14-11/11

 

[Sherry E]

So does that mean IASW would be closed from 10/24 - 11/14?

LisaT91403 -

I'm positive that IASW will be closed by 10/24 this year. The dates change every year, but as I stated in my earlier post, based on previous years I am guessing IASW should probably stay open through Sunday, October 23 (or at least through Saturday, 10/22) and then close. It's always right around that time that it goes down for the overlay. It could be an early closure and shut down by 10/17, though that seems early to me.

Now, as for when it will reopen as IASW Holiday is a different story. Again, that date changes each year. The holiday season officially begins on 11/14 this year, which is a Monday. However, I have a very strong hunch that IASW Holiday may open a couple of days earlier than that, to capitalize on the Veterans Day weekend crowds. Since Veterans Day is on a Friday this year, certain people will already have that day off work and school and will make a long weekend trip to DLR.

So I would expect that IASW Holiday will probably start to "soft open" by Saturday, 11/12 (if not Friday, 11/11). I would be shocked if it didn't start running on 11/11 or 11/12, even if it's not announced on the Disneyland website.

 

[LisaT91403]

Thanks for that info.

So if the holiday season officially starts on 11/14, does that mean the crowds come that week too (the week before Thanksgiving)? Or is it still "low season" until Thanksgiving week itself?

 

[Sherry E]

Thanks for that info.

So if the holiday season officially starts on 11/14, does that mean the crowds come that week too (the week before Thanksgiving)? Or is it still "low season" until Thanksgiving week itself?

Techincally, that early-to-mid part of November is still considered off-peak season. Lots of people say that early November is a great time to go to DLR, crowd-wise. Normally, when the holiday season starts on Fridays (which is always the case except for this year), lots of people flock to the parks to be there for that first day, just for novelty's sake, I think. This year, because the season is beginning on a Monday, I wonder if the crowds will be a bit lighter. Monday may be a less convenient day for people to come out than Friday.

My guess would be that maybe some extra people will show up on 11/14 (or 11/12 & 11/13) to see the holiday stuff, then it will probably quiet down again a bit until Thanksgiving week. Supposedly crowds pick up quite a bit right before Thanskgiving, and then the crowds drop way down immediately after Thanksgiving weekend passes, as everyone goes back to work and school before their Christmas break.

So if you go to DLR in early to mid November, or after Thanksgiving weekend, I think you will run into lower crowds.

 

[camouseketeer]

Thanks for that info.

So if the holiday season officially starts on 11/14, does that mean the crowds come that week too (the week before Thanksgiving)? Or is it still "low season" until Thanksgiving week itself?

The most crowded I have ever seen Disneyland was on the first day of the holiday season in 2010. Granted, I have not been there during the week between Christmas and New Year's, but I have been there during the summer and the week of Thanksgiving. Those never came close to Friday, November 12, 2010.

The two days before the first day last year (Wed and Thurs) were crowded but manageable, but Friday, November 12, was madness. It was lose your kids if you don't hold on to them, no room to move on Main Street, kind of crowded.

I think the weekend before Monday the 14th will be quite busy because of the Veteran's Day holiday. The week of the 14th will be crowded, especially in the evenings due to locals.

I am not sure of the hours and entertainment schedule during those two weeks. If they are running long hours and full entertainment, they expect it to be busy.

 

[Sherry E]

Fridays-Saturdays-Sundays are always going to have longer hours and more entertainment, even in slow seasons, but in general, that early to mid-point in November (pre-Thanksgiving) is still considered off-peak season - even if lots of folks show up for opening day of the holiday season or for Veterans Day.

This is the November schedule from last year: http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/park-hours.cfm?month=11&year=2010

You'll see that on the weekdays (minus Fridays and possibly Veterans Day) in the first half of November, DL closed at 8 p.m.