Annual Passes - Which is most popular?

Frozen2014 · Jul 23, 2016

Researching for next August and trying to understand Annual Passholders. Using this year's calendar, we are looking at coming to Disneyland either the last week in August (so similar to the week of Aug 29th) or the third week of August (so similar to the week of Aug 15). The only reason we (well "I" as DH doesn't agree) am looking at mid August instead of end of teh summer is to catch Haunted Mansion.

I know that some Passholders are blocked in the summer until Aug 22nd...but when I look at Disney's site of blockout dates, most have no blockout dates during the summer. It seems that only the lowest levels are blocked (i.e. Southern California Select AP, and the old Southern California AP that is no longer for sale)...but the other 5 types are not blocked.

So my question is...do most people have the lower annual pass levels, and thus it makes a difference on crowds with many being blocked? I've mentioned on another post that "it's packed" website lists both these weeks as ok...as does "theme park insider"...but Touring Plans and RMH Travel show the week of Aug 15th much busier. What is the most accurate crowd calendar? I will probably subscribe to touring plans, but need to wait unitl the end of the summer so that the year subscription covers both possible dates.

sheetz · Jul 23, 2016

It's not so much that the majority of AP holders have the lower tiers passes, it's that a large percentage of those AP holders rush to the parks immediately when the summer blockouts are lifted. That means the first few days after the blockouts are lifted are typically insanely busy. After that the crowds settle back to normal off season.

Note that Aug 22 also happens to be the first Value day.

Indiana Scott · Jul 23, 2016

It's probably better to get an AP that's right for you rather than whats popular.

Kender · Jul 23, 2016

Indiana Scott said:
It's probably better to get an AP that's right for you rather than whats popular.

Pretty sure the OP is asking because they're trying to gauge potential crowd levels from APs and not that they are looking to get one.

Frozen2014 · Jul 23, 2016

Kender said:
Pretty sure the OP is asking because they're trying to gauge potential crowd levels from APs and not that they are looking to get one.

Yes exactly. We're coming from Canada so may be a one time trip. We would avoid the week of Aug 22nd (i.e. similar week next summer) but seeing how bad the crowds would be the Aug 15th week vs last week. So trying to understand if the bulk of annual pass holders are the lowest tier since these are the only ones that are blocked out during the summer.

smartlabelprint · Jul 24, 2016

Why do you need an AP for a 1 time trip?

Frozen2014 · Jul 24, 2016

smartlabelprint said:
Why do you need an AP for a 1 time trip?

We don't. Not purchasing one. Trying to understand the crowd levels of the 3rd week in August (when only the lowest annual passes are blocked) vs the last week in August (when no passes are blocked). So wondering if most buy the lowest level since this still leaves many annual passes that are not blocked during 3rd week.

smartlabelprint · Jul 24, 2016

Frozen2014 said:
We don't. Not purchasing one. Trying to understand the crowd levels of the 3rd week in August (when only the lowest annual passes are blocked) vs the last week in August (when no passes are blocked). So wondering if most buy the lowest level since this still leaves many annual passes that are not blocked during 3rd week.

Oh duh! I'm tired.

Frozen2014 · Jul 24, 2016

smartlabelprint said:
Oh duh! I'm tired.

NP. My post was confusing.

smartlabelprint · Jul 24, 2016

Frozen2014 said:
NP. My post was confusing.

But I read the whole thread and someone else said you werent buying one.

Frozen2014 · Jul 24, 2016

Lol.

SDdisneyguy · Jul 24, 2016

This has been our observations for the past year since we bought our Signature passes.

There seems to be a lot more of the cheaper lower tiered passes than the more expensive signature passes. We have visited the parks every month for the past year during the week and on weekends and it seems whenever we go on a day that is NOT BLACKED-OUT; the crows are just pure madness. Our best experiences have been on a Saturday when MOST of the passes are BLOCKED out. I checkthe DL App regularly and have seen that weekdays during the summer have been especially busy.

If you are trying to catch the Haunted Mansion before it goes down for halloween makeover; I recommend you go around Aug 15. By this time, most of the lower tiered passes are still blacked out and there are some schools back in session. I will definitely avoid the first weekend after the passes are unblocked because you will have a drove of people running back to use their passes again after being blacked out all summer.

That's my .02

Skyegirl1999 · Jul 24, 2016

The popularity of the pass is a little irrelevant. I think your real question is "when the summer blackouts lift, does the park get a lot more crowded?"

The answer is yes, there is a bump in attendance. It's usually not *quite* as bad as the June pre-blackout madness, but from one day to the next, you'll see a sudden influx as those passholders show back up.

This year, I expect it might be a big bump because of the entertainment ending Sept. 5 and people trying to get in "one last time" to see it, but I think you're talking about 2017, right? So that won't be a factor.

By next year, there should be a better understanding of crowd levels on the tiered-pricing scale, but for now, I'd suggest going the last week before the passholders come back, if possible. As always, YMMV, especially since the crowd levels have been much more unpredictable lately.

Frozen2014 · Jul 24, 2016

SDdisneyguy said:
This has been our observations for the past year since we bought our Signature passes.

There seems to be a lot more of the cheaper lower tiered passes than the more expensive signature passes. We have visited the parks every month for the past year during the week and on weekends and it seems whenever we go on a day that is NOT BLACKED-OUT; the crows are just pure madness. Our best experiences have been on a Saturday when MOST of the passes are BLOCKED out. I checkthe DL App regularly and have seen that weekdays during the summer have been especially busy.

If you are trying to catch the Haunted Mansion before it goes down for halloween makeover; I recommend you go around Aug 15. By this time, most of the lower tiered passes are still blacked out and there are some schools back in session. I will definitely avoid the first weekend after the passes are unblocked because you will have a drove of people running back to use their passes again after being blacked out all summer.

That's my .02

Thanks so much. That helps. It looks like the two lowest levels are blocked on Saturdays for the most part, and it sounds like it does make a difference. I've been watching the DL app too, but can't tell how accurate it is since I'll often see "Next FastPass available between 4:30pm and 5:30pm"...and this is at 7:30pm at night. So wasn't sure how accurate the wait times are.

We originally just thought we'd come the last week in August since as Canadians our kids are still out of school, but then because of Haunted Mansion, it seems to make sense to back it up by 2 weeks. And yeah, we know to avoid the first week right when the passes are lifted. Makes sense that crowds would be up that week.

PS - How lucky to be able to come once a month.

Frozen2014 · Jul 24, 2016

Skyegirl1999 said:
The popularity of the pass is a little irrelevant. I think your real question is "when the summer blackouts lift, does the park get a lot more crowded?"

The answer is yes, there is a bump in attendance. It's usually not *quite* as bad as the June pre-blackout madness, but from one day to the next, you'll see a sudden influx as those passholders show back up.

This year, I expect it might be a big bump because of the entertainment ending Sept. 5 and people trying to get in "one last time" to see it, but I think you're talking about 2017, right? So that won't be a factor.

By next year, there should be a better understanding of crowd levels on the tiered-pricing scale, but for now, I'd suggest going the last week before the passholders come back, if possible. As always, YMMV, especially since the crowd levels have been much more unpredictable lately.

Maybe i"m thinking of it wrong, but if only 25% of annual passholders are actually blocked (since the top 3 types are not blocked Aug 15th week), then then there are still tons of people that can visit. But if most of the people that have annual passes purchase the Southern California, then the bulk of passholders are blocked. Not sure if that makes sense?

Yes correct...we are looking at August of 2017, but using this year as a gage. True ...next year won't be the 60th anniversary which may drive crowds up in a different way.

Kender · Jul 24, 2016

Frozen2014 said:
I'll often see "Next FastPass available between 4:30pm and 5:30pm"...and this is at 7:30pm at night. So wasn't sure how accurate the wait times are.

I'm guessing you're not adjusting for the time difference at the time you're seeing that since this scenario would be impossible (a FP available for a start time three hours after it would have been valid) since a FP that stops being good at 5:30 would no longer be good at 7:30

The soonest I've ever seen a FP available is for about ten minutes later than the current time (it was a 5 minute wait time on Buzz).

Sorry for the giggle! Just amused me. I've made that mistake with flights before and accidentally told a friend I was landing three hours before I was actually landing. Realized it in time so she didn't get to the airport too soon, thankfully.

agamble · Jul 24, 2016

I would go with the earlier dates you picked. Explain to your husband that the later week has less blockouts and may see large numbers of passholders showing up in the evenings. I've never been in August, but I've read that the middle of August, as schools start back up but passholders are still blocked, is a good time to visit.

Frozen2014 · Jul 24, 2016

Kender said:
I'm guessing you're not adjusting for the time difference at the time you're seeing that since this scenario would be impossible (a FP available for a start time three hours after it would have been valid) since a FP that stops being good at 5:30 would no longer be good at 7:30

The soonest I've ever seen a FP available is for about ten minutes later than the current time (it was a 5 minute wait time on Buzz).

Sorry for the giggle! Just amused me. I've made that mistake with flights before and accidentally told a friend I was landing three hours before I was actually landing. Realized it in time so she didn't get to the airport too soon, thankfully.

Oh my gosh..of course. Now that makes total sense. In Ontario we are 3hrs behind CA. Totally forgot about that. Make me giggle too. Duh.

Frozen2014 · Jul 24, 2016

agamble said:
I would go with the earlier dates you picked. Explain to your husband that the later week has less blockouts and may see large numbers of passholders showing up in the evenings. I've never been in August, but I've read that the middle of August, as schools start back up but passholders are still blocked, is a good time to visit.

His point is that if crowds are worse, and it costs more that week, then is it worth it for one ride?
BUT...when we returned from Disney World, our DD daily didn't ask "when we an go to Disney World again?, but she would constantly ask "When can we go to Monsters again" (Monsters is what she called Haunted Mansion). This question went on for months. Plus it's my very favourite too and is the only ride I remembered myself from when I was a kid. Another thing is that I am limited to rides based on some medical conditions with my eyes...but HM would be one that would be fine.
Good point that for the last week in August, the evenings may get busier as people get off from work and can pop into Disney.
Thanks.

agamble · Jul 24, 2016

But I don't think crowds will be worse, they'll probably be better with the earlier date you picked. It only costs more if you're only going for one day. Multi day tickets are the same price no matter when you go, and hotel prices are probably similar for the two weeks.

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