Will Halloween Weekend Be Awful?

[letthembelittle]

So here is my deliema, we have APs that expire on November 8th, we also have a timeshare condo week booked for Escondito (near San Deigo) for Oct 30th - Nov 6th. We would like to go to Disneyland for 2 (possibly 3 days), it seems like it would be better to go either before (maybe check into a hotel on late Thurs night - drive to condo after long day at the parks on Sat) or after our condo week (arrive on Friday afternoon - leave early Monday morning) so we arent paying for someplace we arent staying, would you go Halloween weekend with a 5 1/2, 3 1/2, and 1 1/2 year old? Will it be too crowded to really be fun? Or would you go the weekend after? Also I really want to stay at HOJOs and we could only do that the last weekend since Halloween weekend isnt available for the AP discount.

 

[Sherry E]

I don't think we know just yet what crowds will be like. Here is how I am envisioning things:

This year is a whole different ballgame because of World of Color coming to DCA, and the impact it will have on that park as well as on DL. Since it appears that the Trick or Treat Party may be moving from DCA over to DL, that will affect DL's hours. The TOTP always runs on Halloween and, I think, the night before it too.

However, if the TOTP is going to be held in DL instead of DCA, then that means they would have to close DL hours early on all the nights of the TOTP, meaning that - in my opinion - DL will probably be jam packed with people earlier in the daytime on both Halloween and the day before it. People who are not going to the TOTP will want to get as much activity in at DL before the park closes for the TOTP. People who don't see any traces of Halloween stuff at DCA will wander over to DL to see what's there. At least that's the scenario I am picturing.

So I believe it will be a madhouse this year. Hopefully I am very wrong! It's only a guess. Even if it is a madhouse, you can still have fun and work around certain things to have a great time...but I would fully expect heavy crowds this year, especially over Halloween weekend. I would probably still go anyway, but I would just be mentally prepared!!

Last year in December, we went on the same weekend we had gone for the previous 2 years, and the crowds were substantially heavier all day long. I was not prepared for that because I was expecting the same sort of crowds we had encountered in 2007 and 2008. October was also more crowded than it had been in 2008, so I think this year will only mean more people. But it is manageable with the right planning and preparation!!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

If MP sources are correct, DL would close early Friday and Sunday for TOTPs. And Sherry is right that could have serious adverse effect to daytime crowds.

 

[HydroGuy]

I do not think it is ever "awful" at DLR. How could the happiest place on earth be awful?

 

[letthembelittle]

I do not think it is ever "awful" at DLR. How could the happiest place on earth be awful?

Well "awful" might not be the best word but due to all the crying kids and stressed out people I have seen on our trips I dont really think it is "the happiest place on earth"!! I guess I will try to be patient to see what ends up being planned for Halloween but I am kinda leaning towards the next weekend even though it would be nice to see it all Halloweeny. I know dh would so much rather have low crowds and less entertainment since with little kids they dont really have the patience to wait too long in lines.

 

[spacemermaid]

I do not think it is ever "awful" at DLR. How could the happiest place on earth be awful?

It was awful when I had to tote around my ex (definitely a NON-DISNEY person) there!

So, the Trick of Treat Party is only on weekends? I definitely want to go during Halloween time this year, but I'm trying to figure out when the busiest days will be...

 

[HydroGuy]

It was awful when I had to tote around my ex (definitely a NON-DISNEY person) there!

So, the Trick of Treat Party is only on weekends? I definitely want to go during Halloween time this year, but I'm trying to figure out when the busiest days will be...

OK, I stand corrected. Your story reminded me of grad night when I was 18. My date was awful. I did not have a good time but am glad I did it.

 

[spacemermaid]

OK, I stand corrected. Your story reminded me of grad night when I was 18. My date was awful. I did not have a good time but am glad I did it.

"Dates So Bad That Even Being at Disneyland Doesn't Improve Them": tomorrow at 3 on the next Jerry Springer!

 

[Disney Dreams]

Halloween at Disneyland? Easy. Busy busy busy. (Of course, I don't have a crystal ball, but that's my opinion).

- Dreams

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I was there last year on Halloween weekend. Thursday the 29th was not very crowded, Friday the 30th was really, really crowded, and Halloween itself wasn't too bad, possibly due to the blockouts on the low level APs.

That said, I agree with the others. We do not yet know what kind of effect World of Color is going to have on the crowds.

 

[cccdisney]

I was there last year on Halloween weekend. Thursday the 29th was not very crowded, Friday the 30th was really, really crowded, and Halloween itself wasn't too bad, possibly due to the blockouts on the low level APs.

That said, I agree with the others. We do not yet know what kind of effect World of Color is going to have on the crowds.

I agree! We were there the same time and the 30th was far more crowded than the 31st. But that probably was because of the blockouts.
One thing I learned was to bring costumes for the kids even if you aren't planning on doing the ToT Party. The 3 DLR Hotels had trick-or-treating at the hotels for their guests. It was lots of fun (and not too crowded). We just threw together a make-shift costume for the kids.