WDW vets head to DLR in September 2014: Advice?

[spacemountain1971]

Our family of four (twin 13 year old girls) has gone to WDW most years of their lives. We are going to surprise them with a birthday concert (One Direction at the Rose Bowl. Yes I am crazy!) on September 11 and then go to Anaheim for a few days.

My question regards lodging. We need space and we need cheap. I was able to secure the Fairfield Inn for a good rate but the rooms seem small. They also charge for parking and there is no continental breakfast.

I am seeing Portofino Resort mentioned on Kayak pretty often but the rate is higher and we are farther away. Of course this is all relative since we are used to the distance at WDW.

Do you have suggestions on what hotels are actually good options?

What are the parks like in September?

Thanks much.

 

[HydroGuy]

Our family of four (twin 13 year old girls) has gone to WDW most years of their lives. We are going to surprise them with a birthday concert (One Direction at the Rose Bowl. Yes I am crazy!) on September 11 and then go to Anaheim for a few days.

My question regards lodging. We need space and we need cheap. I was able to secure the Fairfield Inn for a good rate but the rooms seem small. They also charge for parking and there is no continental breakfast.

I am seeing Portofino Resort mentioned on Kayak pretty often but the rate is higher and we are farther away. Of course this is all relative since we are used to the distance at WDW.

Do you have suggestions on what hotels are actually good options?

What are the parks like in September?

Thanks much.

These may help:

"Choosing When To Visit DLR: Summary of High and Low Season and When Each Happens" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=36509602

"HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

You can get more space at the BWPPI mini-suites and some of the other suites along Harbor.

 

[ckmiles]

We are going in September as well and used the Hydroguys threads to find a hotel.

They were very helpful

We are staying at the Ramada Maingate.

 

[figment_jii]

Yes I am crazy!) on September 11 and then go to Anaheim for a few days....What are the parks like in September?

Are you thinking of going for a few days before or after 9/11? I ask because it makes some difference in terms of crowds, entertainment, etc.

At this point, the best guess is that HalloweenTime will start on Friday, 9/12. It also happens to be the Fall Dapper Day. HalloweenTime is great, but it does tend to lead to higher crowds on the weekends (Fri-Sun) as folks come in to see the Halloween decor and activities. Fantasmic and fireworks tend to only run on Fri-Sun during September, so that's also something to keep in mind. WoC and the parades should run daily. If you go prior to HalloweenTime start (so basically the weekdays prior to 9/11), the crowds are likely to be lower, but HM and Space are likely to be closed for their Halloween over-lay installation.

 

[spacemountain1971]

We are going to be there from 9/12-9/18 after the One Direction concert in Pasadena. The unofficial guide said that crowds would be minimal for DLR. I am certainly hoping that Space Mountain will be open. My family is missing the Matterhorn as it is.

 

[figment_jii]

We are going to be there from 9/12-9/18 after the One Direction concert in Pasadena. The unofficial guide said that crowds would be minimal for DLR. I am certainly hoping that Space Mountain will be open. My family is missing the Matterhorn as it is.

Assuming HalloweenTime starts on 9/12 (Friday), Space Mountain should be open, but with it's Halloween overlay in place (Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy). The basic ride doesn't change (i.e., track is the same), but there are some different visual effects and sound effects. The outside of the building also has sound effects and projections.

I don't think you'll see Christmas week level crowds, but I highly doubt the crowds will be "minimal" either. Given that's it's the first weekend after the start of HalloweenTime, the crowds tend to be there to see HMH, SMGG, and whatever other Halloween activities they've got going. In other words, it's not going to be wall-to-wall people, but I wouldn't expect to walk-on to very many rides (especially not HMH or SMGG), except perhaps first thing in the morning. You might not see as much of an effect over at DCA (unless they announce they're doing Halloween activities over there).

 

[mummabear]

Check out Hojo rates via the Dapper Days site. DD is the 12th. The rest of the event info is there too.