Trip October 9-14

[LindseyShea3]

Hello,

My husband and I will be arriving late Tuesday, October 9th and leaving the evening of Sunday, October 14th to celebrate our anniversary. We are a little concerned about the crowds while we are there. I know the weekend before we get there is Gay Days and Columbus Day Weekend. Also, I believe there is a convention while we are there (some hotels are booked already) and on the Sunday that we leave there is the CHOC walk. Do you think the crowds will be bad when we are there? What are the average wait times on the big attractions then (we have never been in October)?

We are also wondering if it would be worth it to pay extra for the Mickey's Halloween party on 12th. We are hesitant to pay extra but want to spend as much time at the park while we are there. We will not have kids with us. Would the Halloween party be worth the extra money? What rides are open and are they crowded? Are the villains only around for the parties?

Lastly, we will need to head to the airport around 3 on Sunday the 14th. Would it be worth it to go to the park that day even though its the CHOC walk?

Sorry for all the questions. This is the first trip my husband and I are going on together to the parks without other family.

 

[MrsPinup]

My DH and I are going that same weekend to celebrate our anniversary too! The Halloween Party is totally worth it. We took the kids a few years ago and DH has been asking to go back, just the two of us. We will be flying in that Friday before the party and flying out Sunday evening.

I don't know what the CHOC walk is, but it is always worth it to squeeze in extra time at DLR

Ride times in my experience, in October, are not too bad since kids are in school. The MHP clears the park out too so you have shorter ride times.

 

[Capt Silly]

We'll be there the same days as you (Oct 9-14), and have also found it hard to find hotel rooms. I don't know what is happening, other than possibly the CHOC walk taking up rooms on the weekend. We were there the same week 2 years ago (our kids have a fall break) and crowds were fairly light. You should have a wonderful time. As for going to the park on Sunday, definitely do it. It's only $15 more per person to add a 5th day, and in my book any time in DL is worth that. And the CHOC walk should be over before the parks open.

We might see you there...

BTW MrsPinup, the CHOC walk is a walk through the parks to benefit Children's Hospital of Orange County. Also, we wont be spending our anniversary, but we were married 23 years ago in Roseville, and my wife's name is Jenn (with 2 Ns).

 

[DLR29]

No experience with the party but October lines are not as low as some people might think. On the weekends, for the major attractions (Space, Indy, Peter Pan, Soarin, ToT), you're looking at 45-60 min lines during the middle of the day. During the week the crowds may be lower...mostly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Lines during the day on Thursday and Friday will be around 30-45 for major attractions.

I also know that if you don't have the Halloween Party tickets, they push you over to DCA and it became REALLY crowded. 20-30 min lines for the Bugs Land rides, 45 for Monsters, over 90 min for ToT...it was one of the most crowded times I've ever seen DCA.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

You are going during fall break for a lot of Arizona schools. A lot of families head to DL for the break. Expect higher than average crowds.

The Halloween Party was a lot of fun.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

my sons school is out first week oct and ive been before in oct its not to badm just plan whats 1st and some things be willing to skip if its to long

 

[bakerudall]

We are also going during those dates without the kids. I am not too worried about it, but I am expecting larger crowds than previous Octobers. Usually, the weekdays are very nice. You will meet a lot of people from Arizona, Utah, Hawaii, Australia, and New Zealand.

With the length of your stay, you can hit all the major rides in the mornings and/or with fastpasses. I will be scheduling mostly entertainment and less-popular attractions for the weekend. If the afternoons get too crazy, we will head to the beach for a few hours and come back for the evenings.

Have fun and welcome to the boards!

 

[DisneytheKid]

Oh yeah I forgot about that. Good point!

You are going during fall break for a lot of Arizona schools. A lot of families head to DL for the break. Expect higher than average crowds.

The Halloween Party was a lot of fun.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

No experience with the party but October lines are not as low as some people might think.

ya its been awhile since Oct. has not been considered a crowded month...usually up till lunch time its ok during the week but once it hits early afternoon it can get packed

We'll be there the same days as you (Oct 9-14), and have also found it hard to find hotel rooms. I don't know what is happening, other than possibly the CHOC walk taking up rooms on the weekend.

CHOC walk

AZ school break

Halloween Parties

 

[jsebsirois]

Hey!

True that there is a lot happening in that week but :

1) CHOC Walk : as said, the walk itself will be done when both Parks open so don't worry.

2) There is indeed a convention during that week but remember that most people have to go at their convention during the day and will hit the Parks later at night

As far as Mickey's Halloween Party is concern :

1) We did the one at Disney World twice as adults only and we totally loved it! We'll be doing the one at Disneyland this upcoming October and I can tell that it's a nice way to enjoy the Parks in an all other way. The atmosphere is totally different.

2) A lot of people are going to the party for the special characters, the parade (even if the one at Disneyland is much smaller than the one at Disney World) and other special entertainment. That being said, rides are not the premium thing to do for a lot of visitors so you should be fine to ride a lot during the party. Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain will have long lines because of the special theming during Halloween Time.

3) While some Vilains are out on a regular basis in the Parks (such as Captain Hook and the Queen of Hearts), many will be available for pictures only during the Party. Make sure you try to catch some of these very rare characters!

 

[hulliechrisp]

Anyone know when official park hours for October will be posted? Thanks.

 

[poohj80]

We will also be there Oct 10-14 (arriving midday Weds) on Fall Break from Alabama (going to SD first). Hoping for lower crowds during the week since all DD wants to do is hit RSR. Since this will be her first trip to DL, I want to show her the original park I grew up on but I know we'll be at DCA first.

 

[Brady's Mom]

ya its been awhile since Oct. has not been considered a crowded month...usually up till lunch time its ok during the week but once it hits early afternoon it can get packed




CHOC walk

AZ school break

Halloween Parties

There is also a Utah school break - Oct. 11-15.

We'll be there Oct. 8-12 and planning on the Halloween Party on Oct. 9. We are planning on it being more crowded than we would like, but we really want to be there for Halloween.

 

[jandm]

How were the crowds for everyone that week? Were the weekdays bad?

 

[Virgoinab]

How were the crowds for everyone that week? Were the weekdays bad?

We were there, just my DH and I. Oct 8 - Oct 14

We had been there last Christmas, to get married, and have a family reunion trip. Our dates were Dec 18 to Dec 27, so right in the thick of busy Christmas season. Also was there in June 27 to July 2, busy summer season.

Being there last week, sorry, was just as crowded at times as Christmas was.

Not every day, Tuesday was not bad, Wed was not bad.

MM on Thursday, the line up at the gates went back to the DCA entrance, not kidding, that was a longer line then any MM we had last Christmas. Could not believe it.

By Friday it was nuts, we did two MHP, one Tuesday, and one Friday.

Tues night was not too bad, Friday, busy, busy, busy. But had fun anyway, how could you not?

I would not go back that week again, but that is just my opinion. We tour early in the morning, take a break, and go back a night if hours allow, so we are not novice DL park goer's. We know how to make the most of mm, ee, and fast passes. But it was busy.

Worth it? Of course, but, having experianced this week, and Christmas, just as busy at times in my opinion.

 

[poohj80]

How were the crowds for everyone that week? Were the weekdays bad?

I have to agree with the above. The parks were much more crowded than we expected in Oct. Midday during the week was pretty busy (20-30 min wait for Little Mermaid) but Friday was like that all day and Saturday at DL park was nuts!

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

We had the same experience, 11th through 14th, super packed. There were a ton of people in the parks.

 

[Mary09]

I would not go back that week again, but that is just my opinion.

We were there too and feel the same. The last time I went was a spring break week and I said the same then, too. It might be time for us to move to less-beaten paths for vacations during school breaks.

If anyone knows a nice beach house rental that'll take dogs...