Which would you choose...

[1Grumpy9]

I am looking at visiting DL and DCA for the first time next year. I am looking at two different times (only a week apart from each other) and I was looking for some advise on which week would be better (crowd wise).

The dates my friends and I are looking at are:

Sept. 27 - Oct. 3

or

Oct. 4 - Oct. 10

The other question I have is when do the Halloween parties start? We are looking at going to a Halloween party while we are there.

There is some price differences between the two weeks, but not too much (we are looking at staying at a good neighbor hotel).

 

[cruisehopeful]

I would go with the first week since Gay Days is Oct 5-7 and that gets very crowded. You will be able to do a Halloween party when you are there. While we won't know that schedule until only a couple months before, they have been having them the last week of Sept for several years. You will need to buy your tickets for that as soon as they go on sale since they sell out.

 

[mom2rtk]

I would go with the earlier dates to miss Columbus Day weekend.

 

[figment_jii]

I don't know that there are a huge crowd difference on the weekdays (Tue-Thu) for your two choices, but the weekends may (most likely will) be quite different. Gay Days (10/5-10/7) is one of the biggest unofficial events that happens at DLR and it happens to fall on Columbus Day (10/8) weekend as well in 2018, so I'd expect pretty big crowds at weekend (Fri to Mon).

In terms of the Halloween Parties, they have historically started in mid-to-late September. In 2017 the first party was on 9/20, in 2016 the first party was on 9/23. There are rumors that the MHP will undergo significant changes in 2018, so its hard to say whether any of the previous information/dates will be good indicators for what is happening in 2018. However, as mentioned, DLR has not (historically) released the MHP information until mid-summer (early July).

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I would choose the earlier dates for sure.

 

[tarheelalum]

The earlier dates might be a little less crowded, buy still very crowded because it's Halloween time. Both will be fine so just pick the dates that work best for you and have a great time.

 

[Lolly&Rue]

Earlier dates for sure.

 

[MacMama0930]

Definitely earlier. I went second week in October in 2016 and it was slammed. I think due to Columbus Day and A LOT of Arizona, Utah and Hawaii schools get a week long Fall Break. We went 9/28 and 9/29 (party on 9/29) and it was MUCH more pleasant!

 

[tink89]

I would do the earlier date. That way you can avoid the Columbus day crowds. Although anytime at Disneyland is great.

 

[1Grumpy9]

Thanks everyone for the advise...That earlier date works out better for most of us, but I wanted some advise since this is our first trip out there.