WDW veteran visiting DL first time in October

[Travel60]

We are DVC members, been to WDW many times but have the opportunity to be on West Coast in October and decided to extend it to a DL visit. We are booked at Disneyland Hotel Monday Oct 29 and Tues Oct 30 and plan to visit the parks those days. I know Mondays are generally busy and it's right before Halloween. But that's what fit the rest of our trip. What should we expect? Any tips for 2 adults trying to see it all?

 

[Travel60]

We're DVC members and have been to WDW many times, love it. We have the opportunity to be on the West Coast and have booked Monday Oct 29 and Tuesday 30 at Disneyland Hotel and plan to spend 29th at one park and 30th at the other. I know Mondays are busy and it is right before Halloween. What should we expect? Any tips for 2 adults who want to see it all?

 

[PatMcDuck]

It will be crowded. If you want to go to one of their Halloween parties, buy your tickets early, ALL their parties sell out, and later into October even quicker. This year Halloween shifts to DCA and Carsland should look amazing with Halloween overlays. They also overlay Guardians Breakout in the evenings (ToT).

I have yet to use it, my next trip is mid October this year, but I want to use the new MaxPass. This allows you to get FP on your DL phone app, instead of walking to each attraction to get one (for either park). (FP not available days in advance, same day there).

Get there as early as you can in the morning, the locals there usually do not get there at park opening. You can see many things before 10 am.

 

[figment_jii]

You should be there during the heart of HalloweenTime, which is a lot of fun. Last year, they had decorations in both parks; the decoration in DCA were new and well worth a look. I don't know if they'll have a Mickey's Halloween Party during your stay (last year, it was the Friday before and then Halloween night), but if they have one when you're there, it'd be worth looking into.

In terms of "see it all"...I don't actually think it's possible to see everything in only two days, but you can hit most of the highlights. Being a Monday and Tuesday, it's possible that there won't be fireworks or F!, but WoC should be presented (I don't know if PtN and Pixar Play Parade will still be running or not).

I would go through a list of attractions, shows, characters, dining locations, etc. and prioritize what you want to see/do the most and go from there. DLR may only have two parks (compared to WDW's four), but there is a lot crammed into both parks.

Are you getting park hoppers? Unlike WDW, the two parks are very close to each other (about 110 yards apart - you can see DCA's ticket gate from DL's ticket gate). While park hopping does take a little time (depending on how busy the gates are), it does greatly improve your flexibility in terms of what to do and when.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

This thread has lots of good information: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets.

 

[Travel60]

Thanks! Did the Halloween Party at WDW a couple of years ago but I'm not sure if worth the $ to do it again. I may plan to be at Cal Adv if one is a heduled at Disneyland.

 

[GenGen22]

Thanks! Did the Halloween Party at WDW a couple of years ago but I'm not sure if worth the $ to do it again. I may plan to be at Cal Adv if one is a heduled at Disneyland.

As far as crowds ant trying to do more attractions, going to the Halloween party if they have one the days your there is a really good idea imo.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Thanks! Did the Halloween Party at WDW a couple of years ago but I'm not sure if worth the $ to do it again. I may plan to be at Cal Adv if one is a heduled at Disneyland.

Rumor has MHP moving to DCA this year, so keep an eye on this forum for news on the party as soon as anything official is announced.

 

[DizneyMommy]

It will be crowded, but because of Halloween Time, not because its Monday. There shouldn't be any school breaks going on by that time so you do have that going for you!