2016 Grad Nights

[akaler2010]

Do you know when they typically announce grad nights? We are thinking of planning a trip out there in mid-May, but I know grad nights run around that time. We 100% want to avoid them.

Thanks!

 

[Girimama33]

If you want to avoid them 100%, you need to go within the first two weeks of May. They start happening after that.
Not sure when they announce the dates.

 

[Cal-Pie]

They usually announce the dates for the next year on Facebook right after the current years grad nites end. The fact that they haven't released dates yet makes me wonder (hope) if they are making changes for next year.

 

[kirstie101]

This site has dates listed... not sure if they're accurate or not.
http://www.usastudenttravel.com/disneyland-grad-nite/

 

[Indiana Scott]

FWIW, the first two weeks (especially the first week) of May are a great time to go. Very low crowds!

 

[Cal-Pie]

This site has dates listed... not sure if they're accurate or not.
http://www.usastudenttravel.com/disneyland-grad-nite/

I found the same dates listed on another site, makes me think they are legit.
http://www.grad-nights.com/gradnightcalifornia.htm

 

[agamble]

They usually announce the dates for the next year on Facebook right after the current years grad nites end. The fact that they haven't released dates yet makes me wonder (hope) if they are making changes for next year.

I would not expect them to cancel them. If you go to Disneyland.com you can see they have the website for schools to register.

 

[Cal-Pie]

I would not expect them to cancel them. If you go to Disneyland.com you can see they have the website for schools to register.

I wouldn't expect that they would cancel them either, which is why I said "make changes". Just wishful thinking on my part.

 

[akaler2010]

Thanks everyone. I'd love to go the 9th-12th, but we just found out that my husband's university has finals that week, so we will have to see. Hopefully we can go and avoid these days!!

 

[Sith]

We went this past May, and there were 3 grad nights during our trip. Honestly, the grads were no trouble at all. I realize we may have gotten lucky, and that different groups of grads behave better/ worse than others, but I've heard others report similar experiences. Now, the middle school groups are a whole different story and should be avoided like the plague!

 

[JoRollo]

We went this past May, and there were 3 grad nights during our trip. Honestly, the grads were no trouble at all. I realize we may have gotten lucky, and that different groups of grads behave better/ worse than others, but I've heard others report similar experiences. Now, the middle school groups are a whole different story and should be avoided like the plague!

I'm glad to hear this as it looks like 2 out of our 3 days next May 2016 might possibley be grad nights. My main concern is Did the parks close very early and have no fireworks those nights? Thanks

 

[Sith]

I'm glad to hear this as it looks like 2 out of our 3 days next May 2016 might possibley be grad nights. My main concern is Did the parks close very early and have no fireworks those nights? Thanks

The grads were in both parks during the day, but their actual Grad Night party was in DCA. Disneyland remained open for everybody, but DCA did close a little early for everyone except the grads. I have not heard how it will be done this year.

 

[purple figment]

I'm glad to hear this as it looks like 2 out of our 3 days next May 2016 might possibley be grad nights. My main concern is Did the parks close very early and have no fireworks those nights? Thanks

Neither park closed early on grad nights this year. The actual Grad Nite event was held in DCA from 10 PM - 2 AM which was after the park's regular closing time.

The grads all had park hopper tickets so most spent the day in DL. The mornings were fine, but we saw more grads beginning in the afternoon and evening. It was noticeably more crowded in Tomorrowland, around Indy, Big Thunder, Splash and any other thrill rides so if you are planning on going any of them, it is best to do so in the morning.

As far as fireworks, at this time we don't know what DL will do next May. Usually DL only does fireworks Fri, Sat and Sun evenings in the offseason and doesn't begin nightly fireworks until the start of the summer season which is Memorial Day weekend. This year because of the 60th anniv DL has had nightly fireworks since May 22, but there's no way of knowing if they will continue after the holidays or go back to their regular off season schedule in January.

 

[JoRollo]

Neither park closed early on grad nights this year. The actual Grad Nite event was held in DCA from 10 PM - 2 AM which was after the park's regular closing time.

The grads all had park hopper tickets so most spent the day in DL. The mornings were fine, but we saw more grads beginning in the afternoon and evening. It was noticeably more crowded in Tomorrowland, around Indy, Big Thunder, Splash and any other thrill rides so if you are planning on going any of them, it is best to do so in the morning.

As far as fireworks, at this time we don't know what DL will do next May. Usually DL only does fireworks Fri, Sat and Sun evenings in the offseason and doesn't begin nightly fireworks until the start of the summer season which is Memorial Day weekend. This year because of the 60th anniv DL has had nightly fireworks since May 22, but there's no way of knowing if they will continue after the holidays or go back to their regular off season schedule in January.

Thank you for that I'm hoping as they have extended the 60th anniversary celebrations they will continue with nightly fireworks for guests visiting to celebrate. Fingers crossed. Would you suggest if one of our park days falls on a grad night maybe staying in California adventure that day as might be quieter?

 

[Butterfly123]

Just be prepared that in addition to grad nights there are often band groups, and other school groups that plan random park day trips in May and early June. It's hard to completely avoid school groups at this time of year.

When we had grad nights we would start our day in DL, and then when it started to get busy in the afternoon we moved over to DCA. Just try to get the bigger rides that appeal to teens done in the morning, and focus on shows and such in the evenings.

 

[purple figment]

Would you suggest if one of our park days falls on a grad night maybe staying in California adventure that day as might be quieter?

You can definitely do that because most of the grads will be at DL. You could also go to DL in the morning and if it starts getting too crowded for your family, hop to DCA if you have hoppers. Also, once your family has entered a park, one person can go to the other park and get FPs for everyone.

 

[JoRollo]

You can definitely do that because most of the grads will be at DL. You could also go to DL in the morning and if it starts getting too crowded for your family, hop to DCA if you have hoppers. Also, once your family has entered a park, one person can go to the other park and get FPs for everyone.

Thanks!

 

[neonderlyn]

Can anyone tell me where i can find the dates for the 2016 grad nights so i can try to plan my trip around them.

Thanks

 

[Sherry E]

Follow/watch figment_jii's thread with the list of 2016 events (that might impact crowds). There are some tentative grad night dates listed so far, but figment_jii will update them when the dates are confirmed - http://www.disboards.com/threads/2016-calendar-of-events-school-breaks-and-dlr.3434866/.


ETA: I merged together the two current threads titled "2016 Grad Nights." One thread should be fine.