Which days should I avoid in October?

[auntyjenn]

I want to find a quiet time to hit Disneyland. I'm thinking October because it shouldn't be cold yet, and my sister loves the nightmare before Christmas overlay, but I know there are some events that happen in October that might make it more crowded/shorten the days like cast member parties and such. Anyone know when these days might be?

Also, do they do the Mickey's not so scary Halloween parties every night?

Thanks!

 

[JH87]

In 2010, the Halloween parties were on Tuesdays and Fridays, and on Halloween night.
I would try to avoid Saturdays and Sundays......I went on Oct 16-17 which was a Saturday and Sunday and that was the busiest I have ever experienced DLR! (I've never been during Christmas so I'm sure it was nothing compared to that! )

 

[HydroGuy]

I want to find a quiet time to hit Disneyland. I'm thinking October because it shouldn't be cold yet, and my sister loves the nightmare before Christmas overlay, but I know there are some events that happen in October that might make it more crowded/shorten the days like cast member parties and such. Anyone know when these days might be?

Also, do they do the Mickey's not so scary Halloween parties every night?

Thanks!

It will likely be quieter in Septemeber on weekdays if that is what you are looking for.

 

[tzeitel]

We are also planning for October - I have to see the Haunted Mansion done up as NBC! It will be our first time and while I know what the crowds are like in WDW I have no clue at DLR.

I did get some tips on another site - sorry I cannot remember which one it was - and the big one regarding crowds was to check out the Utah school calendar. They have a long weekend in Oct - think it is a teacher's conference - and apparently this is when a lot of people go to DLR. They called it a Disney migration

I checked their calendar and there is a Fall Break Oct 20-21 so I would stay away that weekend (22-23).

 

[jernysgirl]

October is not so un-busy anymore. Gay Days are usually the first weekend, the 3 day Columbus Day weekend is next, the CHOC walk is on Oct 16th I believe, plus UAE school break and all of the Halloween parties mixed in with that. I think that if you wanted to see the Halloween decorations, go the last week of Sep or if it has to be in Oct, go sometime between the CHOC walk and Halloween.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

October is our favorite time to go and it is a busy time, thanks to all the special events and decorations. If you want less crowds try September, but remember that HM and SM close for their holiday overlays.

 

[Queenbillabong]

Is there something going on the last week of September? That's usually a less busy time, but Hojo has not EC rates for that week specifically (before and after, yes)........... darn.

 

[tzeitel]

I was wondering the same thing Queenbillabong. I checked the calendar and there are no holidays etc that week. Maybe it is a convention thing

 

[JH87]

Is there something going on the last week of September? That's usually a less busy time, but Hojo has not EC rates for that week specifically (before and after, yes)........... darn.

I was wondering the same thing Queenbillabong. I checked the calendar and there are no holidays etc that week. Maybe it is a convention thing

Gay Days this year falls on Sept 30-Oct 2....maybe that has something to do with it?

 

[Queenbillabong]

I was wondering the same thing Queenbillabong. I checked the calendar and there are no holidays etc that week. Maybe it is a convention thing

Gay Days this year falls on Sept 30-Oct 2....maybe that has something to do with it?

Oooh, that's probably it (although the last day for the EC rate is Sept 21?). There goes that plan to possibly sneak in the last week of September I guess we'll stick with what we have, Oct 19-22. Hopefully we'll miss the worst of it, but honestly, October is psycho busy every year we've been..........

 

[BELLEDOZER]

I went to DL from Oct 2nd to 10th last year, and these are my observations. First off Gay Days does bring some crowds into the parks, but IMHO never found that the crowds decreased afterward much if any afterwards the entire week that I was there. I you won't have a problem if you get to the parks as soon as they open, take advantage of Fast Passes, single rider lines, and go one the rides you want to do first thing in the morning before Noon, when the crowds really start getting heavy it can be worked around. And if the crowds really start to bug you, then head over to CA for a well needed break from the crowds. There are ways to get around the heavy crowds, it's a matter of planning a bit more than you would in the slower seasons. I found while the crowds were heavy while I was there, I found them to be manageable, just by doing things a little differently than I normally would. So go and enjoy DL in it Halloween time glory. And don't forget to attend a MHP, as they are alot of fun to go to, and it's worth the admission to get in to see the fireworks alone, and this comes from someone who's not into fireworks normally (the Halloween Screams are not to be missed!).

 

[taaren]

For some reason DH's boss always forces us into going in October rather than Sept (though we did make it one year in Nov!). The main weekend to avoid is Columbus Day weekend, though the weekdays on either side of it is usually pretty okay. Maybe this year we'll try MNSSHP ... anyone recommend it as being better with or without kids? We do half of our trips with (this year) two 4 year olds and a 6 year old, and the other half adults only and send the kids home with grandma and grandpa!

 

[brookies_mommy]

We were there right before Halloween set up and it was perfect! The last couple days it did start getting busier becuase people were all coming for that. So I would do end of September, that way you get some not so busy days, but also get SM and HM open with new decor.

 

[auntyjenn]

OK, so what about the first week in November then? Will they close HM or does it stay up through Christmas? How about the weather? my sister doesn't want to go all the way to CA and just be cold.

Thanks!

 

[auntyjenn]

Actually, Oct 23-30 might be fun. does that miss most busyness?