We are one of the thousands of Utahns coming to Disneyland for UEA break (teacher conference) the 12 - 16th of October. We haven't been for a very long time in fact half my children weren't even born yet. We are coming with our six children ages 13 to 2. We are staying at the Residence Inn, Garden Grove in a suite. I just have a few questions as I am starting to plan the details of the trip.

1. Is Friday the 13th or Saturday the 14th the better day to hit DL, we will also be going to DL on Monday the 16th. It seems like Friday will have shorter hours (the October calendar is still not up on Dl.com) but is a few more hours worth the more crowded Saturday? I am sure both days will be crowded with the Halloween stuff, and the Utahns coming and it seems like a lot of people are coming up from AZ that weekend too. Maybe Friday and Saturday crowds will be the same?

2. Sunday, besides a family commitment, we will be going to a character meal. Lilo and Stitch or Goofy's kitchen brunch or dinner? What is the best for our kid's ages 13 - 2? and never before have attended one.

3. Is two character meals going overboard for a first time quick visit to DLR ?as I am also considering doing the princess lunch. Four of the six kids are girls. To much of a good thing??

4. If I am using the FP and baby switch pass together do I only need 4 FP to be able to have six ride from my group or 3 FP to have 5 ride? Not sure if I am understanding using the two together to get the best usage.

5. If we do, do DL on Friday, would you reccomend going over to Mickey's Halloween Treat or staying at DL for Fantasmic and Fireworks? Haven't seen F! before.

Well that is all for now I am sure I will have many more questions as the trip gets closer. Thanks, new member

Welcome!

I would suggest doing a search of this forum; many of the topics you've asked about have been discussed recently.

First off, you will LOVE the Residence Inn. We have stayed there twice now, the first time for 8 nights I think, and last year was 10 nights. It's just like home away from home. (I assume you got the kids suite?!)

I have always found Fridays to be very busy. We're going to San Diego first, and our first day in the park will be a Friday, I am planning on going when they open, then leaving around 2 or so to eat and check into our hotel, then go back for Fireworks that night.

A few years ago we did the Goofy's Kitchen, not only is it expensive, but my personal feeling is, if it takes time away from the park, and you're only going to be there 2-3 days, I would say spend time in the park.

I think that's all I can answer for you. I haven't been to the Halloween treat, but am debating where or not we'll do it this year.

I think you are trying to pack too much into 2 days at Disneyland. If you have tickets to the Halloween treat, I would do that and skip the fireworks. The kids will enjoy that more. The princess lunch will take a big part of your Monday afternoon, with the parks most likely closing at 9pm, you might reconsider. Here is a thread on how Babyswap works.

http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?t=55143&highlight=%22baby+swap%22

The princess lunch is one of our favorite things at the parks. We have 2 girls (7 & 3) and they love it, but we even went when my husband and I went by ourselves! We enjoy eating outside on the water. If time is a major concern, the breakfast at the Grand Californian was really good (french toast to die for) and fairly quick. I liked Goofy's kitchen the least.

To me, the fireworks are probably the best thing I have ever seen at Disneyland. You couldn't drag me away from a chance to see them. Just my .02 on sale today for .01.:p

just to note: there have been numerous discussions that there will be no fireworks in October - due to the Castle being tarped for 50th decoration removal and repainting.

i am going to go to the Mickey's Halloween treat this year...(Oct 13th) - apparently most of the rides are open and the lines are REALLY short - plus you can get LOTS of candy YuMMM

just to note: there have been numerous discussions that there will be no fireworks in October - due to the Castle being tarped for 50th decoration removal and repainting.


ok...well looks like i'm wrong...schedule for October shows that there will be fireworks on various days - I'm glad I'm wrong :)

Kj,

The term UEA stands for "Utahns Escape to Anaheim". No time from the 12th thru the 15th is a good day. We went once at UEA and swore to never go again. The crowds were insane, it reminded me of going at Christmas time. Long waits and ect. Now Monday will be a GREAT day to go because the Utahns have left the state.

The worst day will be on Sat only because the locals will at DL as well. Anyway have a great trip DL is the best no matter what time of year you go. (except for Christmas time)

We are one of the thousands of Utahns coming to Disneyland for UEA break (teacher conference) the 12 - 16th of October. We haven't been for a very long time in fact half my children weren't even born yet. We are coming with our six children ages 13 to 2. We are staying at the Residence Inn, Garden Grove in a suite. I just have a few questions as I am starting to plan the details of the trip.

1. Is Friday the 13th or Saturday the 14th the better day to hit DL, we will also be going to DL on Monday the 16th. It seems like Friday will have shorter hours (the October calendar is still not up on Dl.com) but is a few more hours worth the more crowded Saturday? I am sure both days will be crowded with the Halloween stuff, and the Utahns coming and it seems like a lot of people are coming up from AZ that weekend too. Maybe Friday and Saturday crowds will be the same?

2. Sunday, besides a family commitment, we will be going to a character meal. Lilo and Stitch or Goofy's kitchen brunch or dinner? What is the best for our kid's ages 13 - 2? and never before have attended one.

3. Is two character meals going overboard for a first time quick visit to DLR ?as I am also considering doing the princess lunch. Four of the six kids are girls. To much of a good thing??

4. If I am using the FP and baby switch pass together do I only need 4 FP to be able to have six ride from my group or 3 FP to have 5 ride? Not sure if I am understanding using the two together to get the best usage.

5. If we do, do DL on Friday, would you reccomend going over to Mickey's Halloween Treat or staying at DL for Fantasmic and Fireworks? Haven't seen F! before.

Well that is all for now I am sure I will have many more questions as the trip gets closer. Thanks, new member


Hi. Live in Utah too. I know lots of other folks hitting DL that weekend. Expect crowds.

1. I would go Friday instead of Saturday. People still work on Friday so the crowds might be lighter.

2. and 3. I would do the Princess lunch or dinner only. Since you only have 2 days- that's not a lot of time for sit down meals. My DS loved the Princess Dinner. The food is good and the view of the Pier is really great when the sun is going down and the lights go on. One character meal should be good.

4. Get as many FPs as there are tickets. That way some of you can ride twice even with the baby switch pass. Trust me on this.

5. I would do the Mickey's Treat but I have seen F! before.

Thank you for all the input. I think we will be hitting big crowds no matter what but Friday and Monday will be our DL days and we will do the princess lunch or dinner. I've done some searches and the information here is great. Thanks

oh no! I was planning an october trip as well, 11th to 15th... what dates exactly are UEA? i didn't realize it would be so busy that's a real turnoff

yeah... i was planning on going that week as well... does anyone have the exact dates?

I don't know about folks coming from Utah, but here in AZ. At least the high schools in my area are out the week of 10/9-10/13. I was hoping for smaller crowds due the season. That's o.k, though. It'll be worth it. Luckily for me I'm travelling with teenagers that are pretty laid back.

UEA dates are Thursday, Oct. 12 and Friday the 13th for all Utah schools. Some districts also have the 16th off, it's a teacher work day. We are in one of those districts. So we will be there the 12th - 16th. Hopefully the 16th won't be as crowded.

Our schools (Surprise,Az) are out October 9-13th also.

wow...that must be why a lot of the hotels are filling up then!

WHEW! Good thing we're not going till later in October! I was getting nervous until someone posted the dates. ;)

We will be in So. Cal. October 24th, but not in Disneyland till the 27th. Our school is not out, we just take the 2 weeks off. (we home school, very flexible)

yuppers..UEA is a busy busy time!
We are from Utah but lived in Long Beach for 7 years, I would always go to DL one fine October day and fine a MILLION Utahns there, promptly turn around and go home!
Now that we are back in Utah, but still have our AP's, we were planned an Oct trip for Halloween TYeat, but decided to take our daughter out of school for 2 days rather then brave the UEA crowds 2 weeks before!

Hi! I am very excited to be taking my 2 year old to his first-ever trip to Disneyland! We have a 2 day park hopper and are planning to spend the night at a nearby hotel (CandyCane Inn?).

My husband is not a fan of big crowds and I can guess that my toddler is not a fan of waiting in line for an hour plus! We are only able to go on a Sat./Sun. I figure Sunday will be less crowded. I also figure that DCA will not be as crowded period.

I saw that the earlier part of October has special days such as Gay day, Bat day, and the CHOC walk. I heard that there is also a day when many folks from Utah swarm the park. Does anyone know what day that is? I also read that these days are not blocked for AP holders so that I suppose makes a difference.

Are there any other special days that I should be aware of?

Will the Halloween Treat affect my visit for better or worse?

I know better than to expect an empty park on the weekend and zero wait time, but even 100 less people would make a difference I would think!

Thanks in advance everyone. I really look forward to hearing your advice. I am counting the days until we go!!!!:D

I saw that the earlier part of October has special days such as Gay day, Bat day, and the CHOC walk. I heard that there is also a day when many folks from Utah swarm the park. Does anyone know what day that is? I also read that these days are not blocked for AP holders so that I suppose makes a difference.

Are there any other special days that I should be aware of?

Will the Halloween Treat affect my visit for better or worse?

Gay Days is Oct 6-8, CHOC is that same weekend, not sure which day. Bat Days was either in August or September - so no worries with that one. Utah swarm is supposed to be the 12th-16th or so. Also the 9th (Monday is Columbus day, so lots of locals then too).

Halloween Treat will be starting on the 13th - with the next ones on the 20th and after.

When are you planning to go?

So far, it seems like Oct. 21-22 are my best bet. I don't want to miss small world before they close it down for holiday masking.

Anyone have a hotel to rec. besides candycane inn? They don't seem to have a non-smoking room available on those dates!

So far, it seems like Oct. 21-22 are my best bet. I don't want to miss small world before they close it down for holiday masking.

Anyone have a hotel to rec. besides candycane inn? They don't seem to have a non-smoking room available on those dates!


lots of people suggest the Howard Johnson: www.hojoanaheim.com/mousesavers - sometimes you can email and get an entertainment rate of about $49/night.

i like the Anaheim Plaza Hotel...I got that one for $55/night next month...well two of my nights it goes up to $79 - Friday & Saturday nights. www.anaheimplazahotel.com. They're fairly close - still fairly easy to walk to - just down one crosswalk from the main one - almost across from the Tower of Terror.

me and my friends are planning on going to dl on either the third sunday or fourth sunday of october....which one would be least crowded?...thanks:)

i'm guessing the fourth sunday will be less crowded...the third sunday (15th) will have lots of people from Utah - apparently they congregate there during some fall break and it happens 12-16th or something close to that.