What to Expect in Early October?

[momzilla59]

The main Burning question is this:will the Haunted Mansion be open with it's holiday decorations on October 1st, or is that an approximate date?

So MUCH has changed at DL since we last went. For one thing my DD is not 6 months old in a baby carrying pack, she's 13 and walking now, thank goodness.
What am I MOST likely to be impressed by?
What do you think I'll be most disappointed by (removed rides, former attractions, etc)?

I swear I hyperventilate every time I think of this trip. Disneyland for my birthday, what could be more perfect than that?

 

[hambirg]

I just had to say hi. We're from Tacoma and are thinking of going to DL in Sept or Oct. I have to ask if you got that free night deal for PP. I'm tempted, but by DH wants this to be a cheap trip. We're going to drive down to save $, because there are 5 of us. Last time we were there (Jan of 2001) we stayed at Desert Inn on Harbor Blvd. It was kind of dive-ish but location was great and the breakfast was adequate. I don't know what will disappoint you about DL. We were sad to find Small World closed when we were there. I'm getting excited for IJ. That was the thing we missed in WDW. I know Dinasour is kind of the same, but we didn't like it. The only other thing I can think of might be the food (compared to WDW). When we were there in 2001, we hadn't researched much and pretty much ate at the Red Rocket pizza place in Tomorrowland every time for lunch. This time I'm hoping we can hit some other places that will make it memorable. I'd like to do a charactrer meal, but the ones inside the parks don't sound too promising. Well, good luck and I hope you have a great trip.

 

[MrsMud]

I am interested in these answers, too. We are also going to DL early Oct., 1st - 9th. I have been searching for info on crowds, and found that 4th and 5th are not school holidays in So. Cal as they are here. Also I read that Oct. 1st and 2nd are Gay Days at DL. So far no info. on refurbs or holiday decorations at that time, but Space Mountain will be open, yeah!

 

[Blackunicorn]

Yes, Haunted Mansion Holiday will be open on the first Friday in October. They traditionally do a preview event the night before where ticketed guests can attend fun and games and ride the ride before it officially opens. Last year they closed New Orleans Square for the event. Make sure you get a fastpass if you intend to ride on the first day it's open, because the lines are very long. Unless you want to stand in the queu for a while, which is okay too.

Yes, the first weekend in October is Gay Days. The hotels will be fairly packed starting that Friday. I usually run screaming into the night to avoid the crowds. I've gone to the park on the Friday, and it's usually busier than earlier in the week, but not too bad if you utilize your fastpasses and make sure to ride Dumbo, Peter Pan, and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride first thing in the morning. I've never gone to the park during that weekend, I'm too scared.

What not to miss? My family adores Indiana Jones. My 6yo DD has measured her height through the years by what rides she can go on. This year is her Indiana Jones Year. (Last year was her Tower of Terror year. I still have nightmares.) It's hard to tell what other people will love--we've found that our tastes are considered a bit childish by other people. We can ride POTC and BTMRR all day long, and my kids love Splash Mountain. At DCA, we do a lot of Mulholland Madness and splashing around in the water play area, and eating a whoooole lot of tortillas at the tortilla factory tour. (YUM)

Okay, I've just decided that I'm not objective enough to tell you what you will or won't like. I like DL toooo much.

 

[AFMom]

I would say Soarin' Over California is my biggie - it really is amazing. The Indiana Jones ride is one of my favorites as well. Also - Grizzley River Run is a lot of fun!

 

[momzilla59]

Oh boy - I hadn't thought about the crowds on that weekend.
Is it summertime packed or are the lines a little less than 120 minute waits?

Hi to Hambirg and MrsMud - I'll have my green ribbons on - say hi if you cross paths!

 

[Blackunicorn]

Well, traditionally, my family visits during the last week of September, so that we can avoid crowds and still see the Haunted Mansion Holiday. During the 2002 trip, crowds were so small that we were unable to use a single fastpass until the last day, at which point we used the fastpass system to ride the Haunted Mansion Holiday once. (My kids hadn't seen Nightmare Before Christmas, so we were unenthused and didn't ride again.) We never stood in line for more than 20 minutes for any ride, and were able to rided everything we wanted to ride as many times as we wanted.

During the 2004 trip, crowds were heavier, and we made a lot of use of fastpasses. We still never stood in line for more than 20 minutes, and still had a very fun, relaxing time. Both trips, we actually had to take our time on the Indiana Jones line so that we could see the fun stuff on the walls.

Hope that actually answers some questions.

 

[momzilla59]

Thanks, Black Unicorn, I apprecaite the info!

And Hambirg, yes we're doing the 4th night free. There's nothing like staying onsite, East coast Or West. We've done both and always stay onsite when we can afford it.

 

[MrsMud]

I'll be looking for you, Momzilla! I am hoping to avoid the crowds that weekend, too. We arrive Sat. PM. I figured we would go to Knott's on Sun., then DCA Mon and hopefully by Tue and Wed. crowds will be gone for our DL days. Wow, I'm glad HM will be done up for Halloween, I have never been on it but I'd like to give it a try this trip. That is if I can talk my kids into it. My 9 year old is a roller coaster, thrill ride maniac, but don't even bring her NEAR a haunted house! Oh, well, we'll see...

 

[momzilla59]

I'll be looking for you, Momzilla! I am hoping to avoid the crowds that weekend, too. We arrive Sat. PM. I figured we would go to Knott's on Sun., then DCA Mon and hopefully by Tue and Wed. crowds will be gone for our DL days. Wow, I'm glad HM will be done up for Halloween, I have never been on it but I'd like to give it a try this trip. That is if I can talk my kids into it. My 9 year old is a roller coaster, thrill ride maniac, but don't even bring her NEAR a haunted house! Oh, well, we'll see...

We're arriving on Sunday, after a leisurely 2 day drive from WA. I plan on park hopping back and forth Mon., Tues. and Wed, then it's over to Knott's on Thursday for Knott's Scary Farm, (or whatever they're calling it this season).

You could try my method for getting kids on rides. You know how kids can be repetetive with their requests, so- I act like a kid for a while, and ask the DD if she'll ride a ride with me over and over....then say "If you go on it with me just Once I'll never ask you again." Usually we get off the ride with her yelling "lets do it aGAIN". The only ride this failed with was the ToT in WDW - but this year she says she's willing to give it a try.
I never have Forced her on a ride - you have to know when they Really mean "no I do not EVER want to ride this".

The HM is a treat, I hope you can get Your DD onto it. Find some images and sound files online for her to pique her interest. I love coasters too, but I Always ride the Mansion!

ohman- talking Disneyland and I'm late for work!

 

[WheresGoofy]

I think the FP for the haunted mansion was removed. I think I read that before our trip and don't think I saw the FP machines for the mansion a couple of weeks ago.

October to us is great time to go. The waits are generally pretty short. I don't remember waiting for anything for more than 20 minutes during our October trips...except for the Holiday Mansion. That was a longer wait. We were there the first weekend it was open with the Nightmare theme a couple of years ago. My dw is not a big fan of the HM, but really enjoyed the Nightmare Before Christmas version.

 

[hambirg]

momzilla59-I think we'll be going the week of Oct. 17th now. My DD8's birthday is the 19th. She got to go to WDW last year for her birthday. I may never get to go back to slumber parties and homemade cake I'm going to price all the recommended places on Harbor Blvd. It would be nice to have a suite and complimentery breakfast is nice to have too. But. . .the deal with PP would make it only $128 a night for 5 nights. The kids would love the pool and the themeing. I'm torn right now and will have to crunch the numbers. Where are you planning to stop on the way down? I was thinking about swinging over to Monterey for a night. My husbands parents were married there, but he has never been there. I was once as a teenager and remember it was beautiful.

 

[hambirg]

WheresGoofy- I see you have stayed at Hojo, Fairfield, Carousel and GC. Which did you like best of the first three and would you pick one of those three over PP? I'm still torn over where to stay.

 

[momzilla59]

momzilla59-I think we'll be going the week of Oct. 17th now. My DD8's birthday is the 19th. She got to go to WDW last year for her birthday. I may never get to go back to slumber parties and homemade cake I'm going to price all the recommended places on Harbor Blvd. It would be nice to have a suite and complimentery breakfast is nice to have too. But. . .the deal with PP would make it only $128 a night for 5 nights. The kids would love the pool and the themeing. I'm torn right now and will have to crunch the numbers. Where are you planning to stop on the way down? I was thinking about swinging over to Monterey for a night. My husbands parents were married there, but he has never been there. I was once as a teenager and remember it was beautiful.

Better check fast - I found out that the Candy Cane Inn was all booked up for the time frame we wanted. We stayed at the Jolly Rodger one trip, that was very reasonable but fairly bare bones. For me, staying on property just adds to the fun of the whole trip. It's just the whole feeling of being There - not to mention the Mickey wake up calls I guess it all boils down to if you feel it'll add to your whole trip experience. For us, it's worth it. For some, it's not.
We haven't decided where to stay on the way down, thinking about Sacramento for the mid-point. I've been too busy vibrating over Going to think about getting there!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Fall is a great time to go! Have been to Disneyland in September, October and November (not in the same year!) and it is my favorite time to go. We are going back this September and took advantage of getting PP for $120 a night for four nights. I was set to go to the Hojo to save money but cannot turn down that rate. One note: fastpass is gone on Haunted Mansion except when the have the Holiday version. You don't usually need fastpass when its just the regular version. It was strange to see huge waits for it in December, that is usually what we ride when we don't want to wait! It is very fun to see it during the fall and holidays and compare the differences.

 

[momzilla59]

Disney Pete, maybe some of these answers will be helpful to you

 

[MrsMud]

Mistake, Disregard.

 

[marvel]

Hi everyone,

Just booked our flights from Australia and will be at Disney OCt 2 - 10.
I had read that possibly Pirates and Blue Bayou both closed during this
period. Hopefully I am wrong !!

Cheers.

 

[Hollyster2]

I read there is no Haunted Mansion Holiday for 2005. I am trying to find the link. I am going to be there the first week of October too. The 50th anniversary Haunted Mansion souveniers are supposed to be great!

 

[Goin2DL]

momzilla59-I think we'll be going the week of Oct. 17th now. My DD8's birthday is the 19th. She got to go to WDW last year for her birthday. I may never get to go back to slumber parties and homemade cake I'm going to price all the recommended places on Harbor Blvd. It would be nice to have a suite and complimentery breakfast is nice to have too. But. . .the deal with PP would make it only $128 a night for 5 nights. The kids would love the pool and the themeing. I'm torn right now and will have to crunch the numbers. Where are you planning to stop on the way down? I was thinking about swinging over to Monterey for a night. My husbands parents were married there, but he has never been there. I was once as a teenager and remember it was beautiful.

You might find the week of October 17th more crowded than you might expect. We are from Salt Lake City and we used to go every October on the UEA weekend. That's when all the schools in the state of Utah are our of school for two days making it a four day weekend. We went in October of 2003 and swore we would never go again on UEA weekend. It seems the whole state of Utah relocates to Disneyland that weekend. I saw more neighbors at the park that year than I see in the grocery store on weekends. This year (2005) the UEA holiday falls on October 20th and 21st so you might find a whole lot of extra Utahns there that week. Other than that it's an awesome time of year to go. We still like to go in the fall, we just try and avoid UEA weekend. Haunted Mansion Holiday is the best!! Of course I believe that anything at Disneyland is the best!! Good luck and have fun!!