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October is a beautiful time of year to visit the Disneyland Resort in California. The weather is still warm, but not too hot and there are plenty of fun things to do for families with kids. Here are some tips on how you can make the most out of your trip this October! 

This post may contain affiliate links. When you click on these links, I get a small percentage back at no cost to you! For more information see my disclosure policy.

Why You’ll Love Disneyland in October

I just want to begin by saying that if you are you thinking about going to Disneyland in October, you should! It can be a very popular time to go, especially near the end of the month as you approach Halloween.

But have no fear, this article will give you everything you need to know about visiting Disneyland in October and the fall season: where to stay, what rides and attractions are open during this season, what food items you need to try, and more! I hope that these tips help make your trip memorable so you’ll want to come back again and again!

If you’re still on the fence about what month to visit, check out my tips for January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, November, and December as well. You can find travel guides for each month of the year, here.

How to Get Discount Disneyland Tickets

There aren’t a lot of Disneyland ticket discounts out there, but they can be found if you know where to look. Make sure that if you buy Disney tickets from a third party, that they an authorized ticket seller.

I personally get my tickets through Get Away Today because their prices are always about $20 cheaper than the prices at the gate! They offer some really great deals on hotel vacation packages as well which is why this company has been one of my favorites for over 20 years now.

You can make payments on your Disneyland vacation package through Get Away Today which is great if you don’t want to pay it all up front. They also have an amazing Peace of Mind Plan that allows you to cancel or make changes to your reservation at any time!

To book your own package, visit www.getawaytoday.com and use the promo code: Clubhouse10 to get an extra $10 off any 2-night or longer Southern California vacation package. (Hotel and 2 ticket minimum purchase to qualify for the discount.)

Tips for Disneyland in October

Crowd calendars show that October can be one of the busier times of the year to visit the Disneyland theme parks because of Halloween Time. But if you know what to plan for, you can have a good time and enjoy the Halloween festivities despite the crowds!

If you are still in your planning phase, be sure to check out my article showing you how to go to Disneyland on a budget!

Arrive Early

If you want to get the most bang for your buck at Disneyland in October, make sure to arrive early so that you can enter the park at rope drop. This means right when the park opens.

On most days, people will begin to line up at the gate about 30-60 minutes before the park opens. You’ll also want to plan for time to get through security screenings.

Guests are generally allowed to enter Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park about 20 minutes before the posted park opening time, but are stopped by a rope until the park officially opens.

Arriving to the parks this early allows you to ride many attractions before more park guests arrive!

Stay at a Disneyland Resort Hotel for Early Entry

If you want to get an even earlier start on your day, consider staying at one of the three Disney Resort hotels. Guests at these hotels are given early admission into select attractions 30 minutes prior to regular park opening. Read my review of the Disneyland Hotel here.

Consider Purchasing Genie+

The Genie+ feature accessed in the Disneyland App allows you to make reservations to  access some of your favorite attractions with little to no wait. You don’t have to wait in long lines with everyone else, and you can save time by using this service. 

Crowd Sizes in October

As I’ve mentioned above, October tends to be one of the busier months at Disneyland, mostly because they do such an amazing job decorating and celebrating the Halloween season. There are also many schools out for fall break during October, which contributes to crowd levels.

If you have little ones, Rider Switch is a great way to reduce wait times for major attractions. Basically, one adult stays with the child that is not tall enough to ride, while the other waits in line and enjoys the attraction. When the first adult is done riding, that person stays with the child while the second adult goes to the front of the line to ride.

Special Events at Disneyland in October

• Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort takes place from September 1st – October 31st and includes many special opportunities, treats, characters, and cavalcades. There are even special ride overlays like Haunted Mansion Holiday and Guardians of the Galaxy: Monsters After Dark, Mater’s Graveyard Jambooree, and a special fireworks show called, “Halloween Screams”. For more information about this amazing time of year, check out my Disneyland Halloween Bucket List.

• Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party is a special ticketed event at Disney’s California Adventure that incorporates trick-or-treating, special parades, characters like Jack Skellington, and more. It is a great time to see some of the Disney villains!The party will take place on select nights from September 5th – October 31st from 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm with access to the park starting at 3:00 pm.

Weather at Disneyland in October

The high temperatures at Disneyland in October range from the high 70s to the high 80s. Lows are in the mid to upper 50s.

Rain can be hit or miss in October, but the majority of the time you will find sunny to partly cloudy days. Check out the weather forecast for the month of October HERE.

Daytime temperatures are very warm, and evening temperatures are cooler, so you’ll want to pack a sweater or jacket at night.

But, as you probably know, the weather has a mind of it’s own and can be unpredictable. It can change at any time, so make sure to check the current weather forecast before you leave, so you will know what to expect.

What to Pack for Disneyland in October

Are you wondering what to pack for Disneyland in October? I’ve got you covered! Below you will find a few important items that will make sure you have the best experience at The Happiest Place on Earth.

Visiting Disneyland is all about going with the flow and enjoying every second of your visit, so packing wisely can help reduce any stress or worries during your stay!

Make sure you check out my complete Disney Packing List, what you should have in your Disney Park Bag and how you can use Amazon to save money at Disney!

Rain Ponchos

Although it may or may not rain very much in October, I like to take along some  disposable ponchos with me.

My kids are not big fans of getting wet on rides. Splash Mountain happens to be one of my favorite attractions, so wearing a poncho while riding, allows me to still enjoy it!

It is so much easier to carry around a couple of ponchos than it is to bring a spare set of clothes for my kids when the get wet.

Sun Protection

Although October is right in the middle of Fall, its definitely still a good idea to protect you and your family from harmful UV rays by packing some sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. 

What to Wear at Disneyland in October

I’ve found that October mornings and evenings at Disneyland can be a little chilly, especially if you arrive early for rope drop or stay until closing time. This makes packing tricky sometimes.

I like to wear Disney t-shirts with leggings when visiting during this time, but bring along a light jacket just in case! It’s important to make sure your jacket is lightweight enough so that you have the option of carrying it in your backpack or on yourself tied around your waist.

Where to Get Affordable Disney Shirts

Buying apparel at Disneyland can be expensive, so I always try to find a good deal before I go. Here are a couple of stores I have found that have adorable t-shirts, dresses, ears, hats, and more for great prices.

Jane.com

Jane.com is a boutique marketplace website that has everything from home decor to apparel for the whole family! They have cute Disney-themed apparel every day.

To find these items you’ll want to type “character” or “vacation” into the search bar. This will show you everything for sale that day that is Disney-themed. The deals on Jane.com change daily though, so if you see something you like, grab it while you can!

Amazon.com

Amazon is another great place to find affordable Disney apparel. The key to finding good deals on Amazon is to read the reviews and look for Prime shipping.

I also recommend looking at third-party sellers when shopping on Amazon. You can usually find some great deals from small businesses selling their Disney items on the website.

Disneyland Park Hours in October

Here are the typical hours for Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park in October.

As always, these hours are subject to change so check Disneyland’s website for current information.

Disneyland Park

• Early Entry 7:30 am – 8:00 am
• Open from 8:00 am – 12:00 am
• Park Hopper Hours 11:00 am – 12:00 am

Disney California Adventure Park

• Early Entry 7:30 am – 8:00 am
• Open from 8:00 am – 10:00 pm (closes at 6:00 pm on party nights)
• Park Hopper Hours 11:00 am – 6:00 pm or 10:00 pm

Ride Closures in October

Disneyland is a magical place. It’s no wonder they take pride in their parks and attractions!

One way to stay up-to-date on ride closures for your favorite attraction, Disneyland.com lets you know when the next closure will be by updating its list of refurbishments one or two months ahead of time with October coming soon it may be worth checking out now just to avoid any disappointment later 😉

Disneyland Area Hotels I Recommend

• Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground
• Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance
• Embassy Suites Anaheim South
• Great Wolf Lodge Anaheim
• Cambria Hotel & Suites Anaheim
• The Viv Anaheim
• Disneyland Hotel
• 8 Amazing Hotels within Walking Distance of Disneyland

Final Thoughts

October is a great time of year to visit the Disneyland Resort in California. The weather is still warm, but not too hot and there are plenty of fun things to do with your family for your Disneyland trip. I hope some of these tips san help you make the most out of your trip this October! Do you have any other questions about visiting Disneyland? Let me know in the comments below!

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