Tell me about Disneyland in October

[ryan840]

HI What is Disneyland like in October? I've never been there and we would like to see HM decorated for Halloween next year but I'm worried about the crowds. I'm used to WDW in early May, with low crowds and short wait times- so what should I expect? Any DVC (or their equivelent) resorts to try out? Also, if you all could give me some tips for saving money on hotels and anything else, I'd love it! Do they have the dining plan there, and MNSSHP? What else should I know as I plan my trip? Thanks in advance! Oh, one more thing- what is CA like? Would it be compareble to any of the other parks in WDW or is it in it's own league? Thanks again!

 

[pppiglet]

October would be perfect. The weather is not too cold or hot. The crowds are low.
We have never been to WDW, but from what I've been looking at (we are going next year) Calif Adv. most resembles your MGM Studios. We love it though as it is not as crowded as DL. I don't have any info on hotels. We only live 15mins away.

 

[iceskatejen]

Last October was very busy, but I think that had to do with the 50th. If you're looking at 2007, then things will be back to normal and you're looking at light-moderate crowds (note weekends are always busy at DL because of the locals). There's no guarantee that Nightmare Before Christmas will be back in 07. Every year we hear rumors that it's not coming back the next. It is this year, so if you could swing it, come this year, just in case. No DVC in DLR and I doubt there ever will be (not enough room), though you can use DVC points at DL resorts (though I hear that the point/value ratio is not good). At DL there's really no reason to actually stay on property as many hotels/motels are as close or closer than 2 of the 3 DLR hotels. There is a dining plan, but it's more of a convenience than a money saver, so I hear (local AP holder, so I don't use it or the hotels). We don't have MNSSHP, but we do have a trick or treating event in DCA. Not on the same scale from what I understand. I didn't go last year, nor do I plan to this year. DCA is closest to the Studios. In fact I felt like I was in an expanded version of our Hollywood Pictures Backlot when I visited the Studios. Truth be told, I like DCA better than the Studios at WDW, but that might have a lot to do with actually knowing where everything is at DCA. I also think DCA is a bit easier to navigate.

 

[dreamcometrue]

We are AP holders and October is one of our favorite months to go. My DD birthday is October 8th so we usually go the weekend closest to her birthday! The crowds are never that bad.

 

[ryan840]

Thanks so much everyone. I'm sure I'll be spending lots of time here in the next year and a half while I plan my trip. My birthday is October 20th, is that a good time to go? What a great birthday that would be! (Especially for helping me forget how old I'm getting ) Any more tips/info would be greatly appreciated.

Here is a silly question for you all- I bought non expiring tickets this year for WDW to save on future trips, are they usable in Disneyland? I would just look at my tickets but I took them to my dad's to put away for safe keeping... I never thought about it before tonight since we never planned on going to DL so soon...

 

[HeatherinNC]

We are going Oct 11 this year, so I'll let you know how the weather is! Hopefully it will be awesome

 

[victorandbellasmom]

We were there the first week in Oct last year. It was busier than I expected due to the 50th but we still had an unbelievable time. Haunted Mansion was reopened with the Holiday changes and I believe only Indiana Jones was down. Hours are shortened (10-8 on weekedays for dl and 10-6 for dca) but we were there for 6 days so we did everything we wanted to do. We did miss out on Snow White and the Electrical Light Parade due to it being the off season, but that just gave us another reason to go back. Make sure your trip includes a weekend if you are interested in watching fanatsmic of the fireworks.
I'm not too sure about the non-expiring wdw tickets. i don't believe they are transferable to disneyland.

 

[CHOPR]

We are going Oct 20 th of this year for the first time to DL. Everything I have read, asked, researched and checked about DL for Oct. seems to be decent crowds but not too crowded, nice weather ( just about the same all year there anyway,right?) and to check out some of the shows which some say are better than WDW. Half the fun is planning right? We're staying at the GC from Mon. to Fri. and will not have to deal with the famous weekday traffic too much. I get enough of that here in NY. I do hope the Angel's are in the playoffs and maybe see the Yankees in a playoff series. The stadium/ park is across the highway from DL.
We have perfected the art of fastpass, times and order of park sections to go in WDW and now we must conquer DL! Good luck on your trip!

 

[ZeusNike]

Late October or anytime in November is our favourite time to go. The weather is usually great, HM usually has it's Nightmare overlay on and (at least by early Nov) the park is decorated for Christmas and that is absolutely gorgeous! Other than Nov 05 (50th) the midweek crowds have been very light every time we go at that time of year. Weekends are always busier but any non-50th year we have gone, even the weekends were not bad at all. This past fall was the exception of course...yikes! The number of people was amazing. We had a terrific time though, it was just more important to get to the parks early and use fastpass and we really wanted to see DL on it's 50th.

 

[ryan840]

I'm getting some great info, thanks! I hadn't even thought about the traffic, I'm so used to WDW... If I stay at one of the DL resorts (not the GC, can't afford that yet) will we be able to avoid it? What type of transportation system do they have? Another silly question- which airport do we fly in to? How long does it take to get there from the airport? If we don't rent a car what are our options? Is it a good idea or a waste to rent a car? LOL, sorry for so many questions, but I do only have a year and a half to plan this you know Are there really any benefits of staying at a DL resort like there are in WDW? Package delivery, EMH, that sort of thing? I hear it's sometimes closer and cheaper/nicer to stay at a non Disney hotel... Thanks again!

 

[CHOPR]

If we were going straight to DL we would have flown into Long Beach airport which is closest and I believe all the area airports have the DL shuttle.We are flying into Lax only because LA is our first and last stop. THey have the monorail which may be under construction this Oct.,but your not going till Oct 2007? I have little ones who don't like to walk-- spoiled kids these days and like the thought of the GC being so close but I keep hearing how all these other hotels are so close. We are renting a car because it's more than a DL trip but it really bugs me that even with a resort stay I will be paying $10.00 a day parking. That seems greedy of DL to me and gives me a sore spot I'm not spending enough?
I'd rather give that to the bellman! Won't ruin my vacation though. Sorry ,now i'm ranting and it has nothing to do with your questions. Good luck!

 

[iceskatejen]

Depending on where you are staying, you won't need to pay $10 to park (parking at the DLR hotels is included in your resort fee, so you're paying that anyway). If you're at the GC, you're within a short walk to both parks, so no need to park in any of the DL theme park lots. Most of the hotels across the street are a short walk also. The only reason to pay is if you're more than a block away.

Anaheim Stadium is actually about 2 miles from DL, not just on the other side of the highway like you are thinking.

No, the weather is not the same all year (big misconception from those who've never been to CA). October is pretty nice, but does get very cool in the mornings and evenings.

The monorail will be under construction in October, no doubt about that one. It's got to close in order to put in the station for the subs. They'll probably need to move the Monorail's elevator in order to accomodate the Sub station.

 

[GadZuggs]

We're looking at an October trip to DL. Our school system has a week long Fall Break. Do CA or nearby states have Fall Breaks?

 

[echo63]

We went to DL last Oct 7-9, and both parks were crowded. Granted that it was the Columbus day weekend, but the crowd level was a lot higher than we expected. On Sat evening, we had an early dinner at DTD, and when we tried to get back into DL at around 7 pm, we stood in line for a good 10 minutes, and once inside, we literally moved with a pack of several thousand people down main street. Getting out of DL at around 11 pm was no joy either. DCA was better, but not by much. So, I would avoid Columbus day weekend at all cost.

Weatherwise, October is the preferred month to go!

 

[iceskatejen]

Last October was completely unusual. I'm sure it all had to do with the 50th. Also, never, ever try to get into DL through the main gates at 7pm--PARADE TIME! It is a zoo right then. The 7:00 parade starts in Town Square, the first place you'll come to. If you're in DTD, use the monorail if it's running (which it won't next Oct.). If not, either expect a long line or wait until later.

No, S CA schools don't take fall break. Columbus Day isn't a holiday here either, though it seems to bring in out of staters.

 

[CHOPR]

Depending on where you are staying, you won't need to pay $10 to park (parking at the DLR hotels is included in your resort fee, so you're paying that anyway). If you're at the GC, you're within a short walk to both parks, so no need to park in any of the DL theme park lots. Most of the hotels across the street are a short walk also. The only reason to pay is if you're more than a block away.

Anaheim Stadium is actually about 2 miles from DL, not just on the other side of the highway like you are thinking.

No, the weather is not the same all year (big misconception from those who've never been to CA). October is pretty nice, but does get very cool in the mornings and evenings.

The monorail will be under construction in October, no doubt about that one. It's got to close in order to put in the station for the subs. They'll probably need to move the Monorail's elevator in order to accomodate the Sub station.

I checked on my GC reservation and the $10.00 fee is included as you say--I had gotten bad info apparently. Agita for nothing

I realized the stadium is not walking distance , but to me it's just on the other side of the highway (I haven't been to DL but have been to LA many times.)
As far as the weather I guess someone like me from NY with the changing seasons thinks of LA weather with an average of a 20 degree change all year as basically the same. Same clothes to pack in October or July
Too bad about the monorail but at the GC I guess we really don't need it.

 

[iceskatejen]

Hmmn, upper 50s-triple digits is an average 20 degree change? To me, that's more like 40-50 degrees. Even in LA, it'll hit 100+ during the summer and in the winter sometimes doesn't get out of the 50s. The area where I live (a bit more inland and south of DL) will vary from low 50s (though it's also been known to snow here) for highs to 120 in August.

 

[CHOPR]

I guess we could argue this all day but the average lows and average highs for LA through out the year are about 20 degree differences. SInce you decided to make a statement about this I checked the weather site and it shows avg. lows in Jan. of 48 degrees- avg. high 68 degrees. August- avg high 85 degrees-avg low 66 degrees. Each month of the year continues this way with 20 or so degree AVG. differences.These of course are only averages and that was my initial point-- the weather does not change much short of spurts of cold or hot days. I hope when we're in DL the avg. holds true.

 

[Dizneydaz]

October is a wonderful time to visit DLR area. And while DCA might be most like MGM it has alot more rides. We now have Tower, and one of the best coasters, Screamin', also Maliboomer and Mulholland Madness. One of the complaints when the first opened DCA was that there wasn't as much for younger kids. They've taken care of that some by building Flik's Fun Fair with rides for kids. Also-don't miss the Alladin show-it is Broadway quality and not to be missed. We've seen it 9 times and haven't been to DL in about 1 yr. (getting our AP again next week-took a short break-did WDW twice during that time)

While I like MGM studios, I like DCA more. MGM has alot more shows, DCA has more rides. My fav. time is just before sunset around the boardwalk area as the lights come on. It's really beautiful. October can get chilly so bring something with sleeves.

Have fun.