crowds Labor Day (half marathon) weekend?

[Lindslou]

Hi all,

Some friends and I are thinking of planning our very first DL trip (as a group we have spent some serious time at WDW but only one of us has ever been to DL)! One of us plans to run the half marathon over Labor Day weekend. We were wondering about crowds over this weekend? Because if they are very large we may try to shift our trip to majority pre-marathon or majority post-marathon... whatever shields us from the worst of the crowds.

Any thoughts??

Thank you!

Linda

[tinkwest]

I would expect the week following Labor Day weekend to be less crowded than the week prior to Labor Day weekend. However, another thing to take in to consideration is the fact that quite a few attractions usually close for refurbishment immediately following the Labor Day. So you might want to figure that in to your decision.

[Lindslou]

I would expect the week following Labor Day weekend to be less crowded than the week prior to Labor Day weekend. However, another thing to take in to consideration is the fact that quite a few attractions usually close for refurbishment immediately following the Labor Day. So you might want to figure that in to your decision.

Hmm, that is important to consider. Thanks so much for the info!

[Lindslou]

I would expect the week following Labor Day weekend to be less crowded than the week prior to Labor Day weekend. However, another thing to take in to consideration is the fact that quite a few attractions usually close for refurbishment immediately following the Labor Day. So you might want to figure that in to your decision.

Ok, so I ran this by my friends and we are now thinking we'd rather avoid Labor Day weekend. Which leaves us open to schedule really any time in Sept or Oct. These refurbishments... how long do they usually last? Should we schedule in Oct to avoid most of them?

[tinkwest]

Ok, so I ran this by my friends and we are now thinking we'd rather avoid Labor Day weekend. Which leaves us open to schedule really any time in Sept or Oct. These refurbishments... how long do they usually last? Should we schedule in Oct to avoid most of them?

That of course varies from year to year. Some of the September refurbs might be only 1-3 days of checks after the long summer and high usage. Others are getting ready for Halloweentime, such as Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, and Big Thunder Ranch Petting Farm, and would likely reopen after several weeks, before the end of the month. And there are usually some more long term refurbishments. As a general rule I would say that there are fewer refurbishments in October than in September.

[Lindslou]

That of course varies from year to year. Some of the September refurbs might be only 1-3 days of checks after the long summer and high usage. Others are getting ready for Halloweentime, such as Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, and Big Thunder Ranch Petting Farm, and would likely reopen after several weeks, before the end of the month. And there are usually some more long term refurbishments. As a general rule I would say that there are fewer refurbishments in October than in September.

Thank you so much!

[BrerGnat]

I would bet that since the Diamond Anniversary will be next year, beginning in late spring, most of the major refurbishments will be completed prior to the start of that. You will see the stuff Linda mentioned above closed for the seasonal holiday overlays for a brief time in September.

I would agree that October is a better time to go. However, be aware that the first weekend in October is always Gay Days at Disneyland and that brings with it a HUGE increase in crowds that Friday-Sunday.

[Lindslou]

I would bet that since the Diamond Anniversary will be next year, beginning in late spring, most of the major refurbishments will be completed prior to the start of that. You will see the stuff Linda mentioned above closed for the seasonal holiday overlays for a brief time in September.

I would agree that October is a better time to go. However, be aware that the first weekend in October is always Gay Days at Disneyland and that brings with it a HUGE increase in crowds that Friday-Sunday.

That is good to know about the 1st weekend in October! As much fun as Gay Days must be we'll be pretty focused on getting to all of the rides (since many will be new to us!) so crowd level is important for this one. So much to learn about DL. But that is half the fun! It's refreshing to be going to a place that is so new to us.

[tinkwest]

. . . be aware that the first weekend in October is always Gay Days at Disneyland and that brings with it a HUGE increase in crowds that Friday-Sunday.

Another great point!