**** The Official October 2014 - Disneyland Resort Thread ****

[cinderbellasmom]

I'm a September arrival 9/28 but for some reason my brain keeps thinking we're going in October! We'll be there through 10/3 so I guess I'll straddle the groups

 

[DenaRox]

I'm a September arrival 9/28 but for some reason my brain keeps thinking we're going in October! We'll be there through 10/3 so I guess I'll straddle the groups

that's ok, the more the merrier and you early visitors will have a wealth of current knowledge to share with all the later visitors. We have quite a few end of september arrivals. The way i look at it, you guys are lucky enough to be able to join and take part in both groups.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Well glad you found us!! What an awesome way to celebrate an 18th!! I have added your info to the check-in

I should have been more clear...celebrating my daughter's 9th birthday on the 18th!

 

[DenaRox]

I should have been more clear...celebrating my daughter's 9th birthday on the 18th!

well it's an awesome way to celebrate ANY birthday. Sorry for the misunderstanding, lol.

 

[Amilo]

I'm a September arrival 9/28 but for some reason my brain keeps thinking we're going in October! We'll be there through 10/3 so I guess I'll straddle the groups

Haha I am clearly going in October (no other months anywhere in my plans) but I've been checking out the threads for other months anyway.

 

[Suvadoo]

Hi,

My girlfriend and I are staying at BW Stovall's 9/28 -10/3. We booked through Costco. We are driving in from Phoenix. In addition to visiting the parks for 3 days, we're planning to visit the California Science Center to see the Space Shuttle and the Pompeii Exhibit.
It's so great spending time dreaming of my happy place!

 

[cinderbellasmom]

Suvadoo- the Pompeii exhibit sounds cool! We're driving too, wonder if I could convince my husband to take a little detour

 

[DenaRox]

Hi,

My girlfriend and I are staying at BW Stovall's 9/28 -10/3. We booked through Costco. We are driving in from Phoenix. In addition to visiting the parks for 3 days, we're planning to visit the California Science Center to see the Space Shuttle and the Pompeii Exhibit.
It's so great spending time dreaming of my happy place!

Welcome! I have added your info to the check-in. Exciting that you are planning to hit up the science center, it's something my DD would LOVE just not sure how to make it happen without driving lol.

 

[Suvadoo]

Checking in!

Oodalolly- Sept. 28-Oct. 3 Park Vue Inn

Here's a question. It looks like I've picked popular dates. I was just at Disney in March and it was sooooo crowded we could hardly move! We rode 12 rides in 3 days. According to mousewait the crowd index was 97! Anyway, I want to avoid that scenario ever again if at all possible!! Do you think October 5 -10 would be better crowd wise? Am I panicky for no reason? Or do I just need to suck it up?

Hi Oodalolly,

I'm planning to be in the parks 9/29, 9/30, and 10/3. I use touringplans.com to track crowd levels and according to their site: 9/29/14 will be a park level of 2 out of 10 for both DL and DCA. 9/30 will be a 1 @ DL and a 2 @ DCA. On 10/1 DL will be a 1 and DCA will be a 4 and 10/2 DL will be a 3 and DCA will be a 4. I have used their site for the past 10 years and have found it to be very reliable. A "1" on the crowd calendar is the least crowded. Also, I was in the parks last year at the same time and wait times we 10-20minutes at most.
I have some suggestions: If your ticket gives you 1 day early entry to Disneyland, if possible use it on a Halloween Party day. I know it sounds crazy but last year I did this and it was great. DL opened for early entry @ 7am and I was able to do all the rides as walk-ons in Fantasyland (this is the most crowded part of the park) Peter Pan, Toad, Alice, Canal boats, Snow white, Pinocchio and the Matterhorn by 8am. At 8am the rest of the park opened and I was able to walk-on to rides throughout the park until 10am. It was fabulous. I had a park hopper, so at 10am I went over to DCA. Crowds at Disneyland are different from WDW. Every weekend is crowded, particularly Sundays when there are no Southern California pass blackouts. I really dislike big crowds, so I avoid the weekends and the parties. But I also miss out on Fantasmic and the fireworks since they are only shown on the weekends.


Have fun planning!!

 

[Suvadoo]

Another suggestion: Everyone wants to eat at the Blue Bayou. Who wouldn't it's inside of a ride! But according to most of the reviews I've read, the food is overpriced and not very good. On the other hand, Carthay Circle in DCA is wonderful. It's still expensive, but the food is great and there are photos of Walt throughout. Also, the Bloody Marys are fab!! Another great place to eat is the Wine Country Trattoria (in DCA) I love their salads and their wines. Both of these recommendations might not be appropriate with kids since they are places to relax and enjoy the ambience. Kids want to eat quickly and get back to the attractions, which is totally understandable!

 

[Suvadoo]

Hi Everyone,

I hope you don't think I'm spamming with useless information. I'm not trying to be a know it all, I'm just sharing what has worked for me on previous visits to the DL resort.

Everyone wants to experience Radiator Springs Racers, but obtaining fastpassess requires standing is a line for at least 20 minutes and FP's are gone in the morning. Also the standby line is usually 60- 120mins. So my group uses the single rider line and we have never waited more than 20minutes. The ride vehicles seat 3 in the front and 3 in the back row, so I have never been seated in the middle. Usually, another person from my party is in the ride vehicle I'm racing against which makes it really fun.

I know this stategy won't work for families with small children, but I have been able to ride RSR at least twice a day using single rider line (more if I wanted to).


Hope this helps someone

 

[Amilo]

Hi Everyone,

I hope you don't think I'm spamming with useless information. I'm not trying to be a know it all, I'm just sharing what has worked for me on previous visits to the DL resort.

Everyone wants to experience Radiator Springs Racers, but obtaining fastpassess requires standing is a line for at least 20 minutes and FP's are gone in the morning. Also the standby line is usually 60- 120mins. So my group uses the single rider line and we have never waited more than 20minutes. The ride vehicles seat 3 in the front and 3 in the back row, so I have never been seated in the middle. Usually, another person from my party is in the ride vehicle I'm racing against which makes it really fun.

I know this stategy won't work for families with small children, but I have been able to ride RSR at least twice a day using single rider line (more if I wanted to).

Hope this helps someone

Perfect! I'll do that! Thanks for the info!

 

[Amilo]

Sorry, error post.

 

[DenaRox]

Hi Everyone,

I hope you don't think I'm spamming with useless information. I'm not trying to be a know it all, I'm just sharing what has worked for me on previous visits to the DL resort.

Personally this is the exact reason i frequent website forums like DIS for the knowledge and awesome people willing to share what they know. I do not think anyone would be anything but thankful for your helpful information. So thanks bunches

 

[Cheshirecatty]

Personally this is the exact reason i frequent website forums like DIS for the knowledge and awesome people willing to share what they know. I do not think anyone would be anything but thankful for your helpful information. So thanks bunches

I very much agree!

I appreciate any and every tip shared here on the boards!

 

[mcgraws]

I am in!!! Our FIRST Disneyland trip will be from Oct 1-7th. We arrive at LAX from Halifax, NS, Canada about 11am on the 1st and head straight to The Grand Californian for a 6 night stay. We've been to WDW 3x before but never Disneyland. I am really looking forward to MSSSHP (Did WDW's last year, twice!). We will have a car rental so we will go offsite and do a few things through the week as well, haven't decided what yet, so feel free to offer suggestions. We would like to do a great LA tour, any suggestions for that would be appreciated.
After our Disneyland vaca we are heading to Las Vegas for a wedding and a few days there before heading back home on the 12th.

 

[Newsiemj]

Did everyone staying on property already make their reservations? I haven't yet, but I'm wondering if I should reserve now just to make sure I get a room and then call back if a discount is announced later in the year? I guess I'm just asking how far in advance I should reserve. We have never stayed at DLR hotel before, we've always just done Priceline bidding, but we are celebrating a BIG event for our family and are splurging (more details on that celebration later once it's official).

 

[Amilo]

Did everyone staying on property already make their reservations? I haven't yet, but I'm wondering if I should reserve now just to make sure I get a room and then call back if a discount is announced later in the year? I guess I'm just asking how far in advance I should reserve. We have never stayed at DLR hotel before, we've always just done Priceline bidding, but we are celebrating a BIG event for our family and are splurging (more details on that celebration later once it's official).

I made mine already but I like to plan ahead.

 

[dlawallace]

We will be there Oct. 23rd-27th...one day at hollywood studios ans three days at Disney.... (also plan on doing the Halloween party on the 24th)...havent been since 2009 so we are VERY excited

 

[2tinkerbell]

I have booked our hotel through Costco already. We are staying at the DLH, which is a big surprise for my DD. I get so excited that I've even reserved the shuttle from the airport to the hotel. I am now trying to figure out what we should do. I am hoping that they come out with the dates of the Halloween Party soon.