What Would We Miss In September and Will Weekends Be Wild?

[coopersmom]

OK, so we are finally (I hope!) starting to narrow down our upcoming Disneyland vacation. We are looking for a five-day stretch between September 23-October 3. I was hoping to have only one weekend day in there, due to crowds, but that might not be feasible as we also have to plan around family and other obligations.

Here's my question(s) ...

1) What could we expect to miss (refurb-wise) at that time of year. I've looked at historical lists and it seems like maybe Pirates, but Haunted Mansion should have just reopened?

2) That would be right before, or right when, the Halloween party begins. How are weekends at that time of year? Totally nuts or doable? Would we be regretting doing a Fri-Sat-Sun as three of our five days?

3) What five-day span amongst those dates would be optimal, if anyone has any opinion?

We are a family of three (mom, dad, five-year-old son) who are coming primarily prompted by Carsland but this will be our first-ever multi-day Disneyland trip and we want to try to see/do as much as possible ... And probably the last one for at least a few years. We are not big "fight the crowds" folks (spoiled by low season Disney World trips) and our focus would be on the shortest wait times possible.

In terms of shows, I'd love to see Fireworks and Fantasmic, but World of Color is the big must-do since it's unique to Disneyland.

 

[Girimama33]

OK, so we are finally (I hope!) starting to narrow down our upcoming Disneyland vacation. We are looking for a five-day stretch between September 23-October 3. I was hoping to have only one weekend day in there, due to crowds, but that might not be feasible as we also have to plan around family and other obligations.

Here's my question(s) ...

1) What could we expect to miss (refurb-wise) at that time of year. I've looked at historical lists and it seems like maybe Pirates, but Haunted Mansion should have just reopened?

2) That would be right before, or right when, the Halloween party begins. How are weekends at that time of year? Totally nuts or doable? Would we be regretting doing a Fri-Sat-Sun as three of our five days?

3) What five-day span amongst those dates would be optimal, if anyone has any opinion?

We are a family of three (mom, dad, five-year-old son) who are coming primarily prompted by Carsland but this will be our first-ever multi-day Disneyland trip and we want to try to see/do as much as possible ... And probably the last one for at least a few years. We are not big "fight the crowds" folks (spoiled by low season Disney World trips) and our focus would be on the shortest wait times possible.

In terms of shows, I'd love to see Fireworks and Fantasmic, but World of Color is the big must-do since it's unique to Disneyland.

1) It could be that nothing is down during your trip, but there are a lot of rumors going around about possible refurbs. Disney has not announced anything major for fall yet, so hopefully you will be okay. POTC may not be closed during your trip.
2) & 3) The weekends are usually more crowded than the weekdays, but you will get more entertainment on Sat & Sun. Socal AP's are blocked on Saturday, so that would be a better weekend day. Halloween parties will be on 9/28 and 10/2. If it were me and my trip, I would go to DL 9/25-9/29. That way you can see FW and F! on Saturday night (F! is only available Sat & Sun...same with FW, but they have a special show during HP). WOC is every night at DCA.

 

[coopersmom]

1) It could be that nothing is down during your trip, but there are a lot of rumors going around about possible refurbs.

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated. What rides have you heard refurb rumors on?

 

[Girimama33]

Indy & BTMRR are what I have heard from more people. I would like to think that any rides that would be down for a year + would have already been announced...but who knows.
This recent thread goes over all of the rumors...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2958795