Early planning stages for DL have some questions

[luvDaMouse]

I have been thinking about our vacations for next year and being a DVC member we need to book so far in advance. Our family wants to see Disneyland so I was thinking about Oct 2012.
Now for My questions,
Is this a good time of year?
What about weather in Oct?
Is the HM decked out in Nightmare before Christmas? ( my dd favorite)
Do you think cars land will be open by then?
Do you think 5 days is enough time?

We are thinking about flying into Vegas or phoenix spending a couple days in Grand Canyon then a couple of days in Vegas then driving to Disneyland for 5 days.

I am hoping to be able to book the GC at 7 months.

I welcome any and all suggestions!
Thank you!
Dana

[tinkwest]

Sounds like a great vacation.

October is one of my favorite times to visit. The parks slip in to their autumn mode and feel very cozy and welcoming.

October can be a crazy weather month. You may have days down in the mid or high 70s but it is also not unusual for 90+ degree weather. Definitely plan on using the pools at the hotel. Winds can be strong (possible firework cancellation) at times but temps remain warm. Nights are usually 50s/60s. Usually not much or any rain to speak of, although if I remember correctly we had just a bit last October. But not enough to worry about.

HM should be in the Nightmare design all of October if things remain as in the past. I am in the group of people that love it that way and look forward to the change each year.

If things go as projected I believe Cars Land should be completed by then, although there may be some construction continuing in other parts of the park. From the looks of it everything is moving along at a fast pace and I find it all very exciting.

I think you will be able to enjoy a lot in five days. Hours may be shorter at the parks during that time of the year, but late dinners in Downtown Disney or at the Hotels after the parks close can stretch out your Disneyland day!

[BrerGnat]

I think you have a great plan. October is a wonderful month to visit, and the projected completion of the DCA renovation is "Summer 2012" at this point. So, arriving in October is a great way to see all the new stuff without the crushing crowds of the Summer season.

I think 5 days is just enough time to see everything.

Good luck booking GCV. It's a wonderful resort! If you can't get in there, though, the Disneyland Hotel is a great second option, and you can use your points there.

[luvDaMouse]

Thanks for the replies my husband is so excited with Cars Land. At first he said maybe it will be too new and there still maybe some kinks and we should wait until 2013. But then I showed him the short video on it and his eyes lit up and he said he would wait on line 8 hours and not complain just to ride it!!

I can use my points in the Disney Land Hotel??? is that part of the Disney collection?

When you say shorter hours, what time would the park close?

[tinkwest]

Originally Posted by luvDaMouse

... When you say shorter hours, what time would the park close?

Disneyland may close 8pm on weekdays, 11-12 weekends. DCA may close as early as 6pm on weekdays with 10pm weekend closing times.

There may be some days set aside as Halloween Party nights which could close Disneyland to regular ticket holders as early as 6pm. DCA may actually extend park hours to regular ticket holders on Halloween Party nights. That is if the Party continues AND if the Party stays at Disneyland and does not go back to DCA.

This is based on trends over the past three to five years.