Arriving late afternoon on CP Saturday, many questions!

jeanico2000

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jul 18, 2010

• Nov 25, 2015

• #1

We will be arriving at Disneyland on Saturday December 5th and were planning to head to the park between 5:00PM and 5:30PM for dinner before spending the balance of the evening riding and exploring, until we found out that the 1rst CP that day starts at 5:30PM! Sooo... what happens to people arriving in the park around that time? Is main street closed down? And how long does the CP last? Do people start leaving the park between the first and the next show, which is scheduled at 7:30PM? And isn't that going to have an impact on the PTN parade at 8:50PM? I can only imagine the mind blowing crowd levels! Any pearls of wisdom would be very much appreciated!

 

lvdis

love disney

Joined

Aug 20, 2009

• Nov 25, 2015

• #2

I read somewhere they can funnel people around the area, but I can't find exactly where I read that. I did find where Sherry responded to a question I had about how CP was set up (in the Christmas thread) - http://disboards.com/threads/disney...hread-5-holidays-begin-friday.3358217/page-92 (see post #1829). Here's a quote from her response -

The whole area does not shut down. It's extra crowded during the time of the performances -- and also during the fireworks, and during the parades.

Candlelight is held in Town Square, right in front of the Train Station. So if you wanted to view it, for example, you would be facing the train station. There are seats (for VIPs, etc.) directly in front of the stage. Behind the seats and around the sides of Town Square there are standing areas where people can view Candlelight. There are a lot of people standing around.

While Candlelight is going on, people who wish to enter and exit Disneyland can still do so, but a lot of people try to exit at one time, which causes extra congestion in the whole area. All of the shops and everything are still open.

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I hope this helps some! Saturday, 12/5 is our arrival day too, but our flight doesn't get into SNA until 6:10PM. I still can't decide whether to take it easy that night or add an extra day to our tickets so we can head in to the parks since they are both open late that night (11pm and midnight). I guess we'll wait and see what time we actually arrive to the resort area and how we feel after traveling. I hope you have a great trip!

 

jeanico2000

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jul 18, 2010

• Nov 25, 2015

• #3

lvdis said:

Saturday, 12/5 is our arrival day too, but our flight doesn't get into SNA until 6:10PM. I still can't decide whether to take it easy that night or add an extra day to our tickets so we can head in to the parks since they are both open late that night (11pm and midnight). I guess we'll wait and see what time we actually arrive to the resort area and how we feel after traveling. I hope you have a great trip!

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Thank you so much! I hope you have a wonderful trip as well!

 

lvdis

love disney

Joined

Aug 20, 2009

• Nov 25, 2015

• #4

This thread might help too if you haven't already looked at it! http://disboards.com/threads/candlelight-processional-2015.3447474/

 

NovemberMom

Mouseketeer

Joined

May 13, 2010

• Nov 25, 2015

• #5

We were there on Saturday and it was crazy packed on Main Street because of the fireworks and PTN. We were told by cast members at Adventureland to take an employee walkway that is usually closed to the public behind the Main Street shops to avoid the crowd and go to the exit. It was pretty cool because we got to see where they parked the Jungle Cruise boats. I am sure they will open up that walk way during CP so people can get around the crowds.

 

Malcon10t

DIS Veteran

Joined

Feb 21, 2006

• Nov 25, 2015

• #6

Your best bet will be to follow directions of the CMs. Most likely, they will send you to the right tunnel into the park. Then, to avoid Main St, especially at 530, to the far right where they will have the gates to the walkway behind the stores on the east side open (west side runs from north to south, east side runs north.) It will be VERY slow going as the choirs are coming in from 530-545 and everyone will try to stop and watch.

Another option would be take the monorail in.

 

T

theluckyrabbit

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jul 23, 2012

• Nov 26, 2015

• #7

Agree about trying to take the monorail into DL or spend some time in DCA.

 

lunaland

Mouseketeer

Joined

Oct 20, 2014

• Nov 26, 2015

• #8

We usually veiw Candlelight on Sunday and have navigated both parks on a couple of CP Saturdays. For the life of me I can't remember if the monorail is running during Candlelight or not. I would go to DCA, or plan on a rushed walk down a packed and dark Main Street. There will be lots of crowd control CMs to keep things moving, so you should be able to get in. I wouldn't count on being able to do anything on Main Street, though. Also, depending on who the narrator is, be prepared for a slim (but possible) chance of a temporary capacity closure. In 2013 we went on Saturday because Kurt Russell was the Sunday narrator and CMs were saying it was possible the park might be closed.

 

jeanico2000

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jul 18, 2010

• Nov 26, 2015

• #9

Thank you to everyone who responded to my questions! Your insight and tips are very much appreciated! To all my fellow disboard members in the US, a very Happy Thanksgiving!