24 hour event in 2016?

[freckles04]

I'm planning a trip for late May 2016 and had finally settled on May 21-28, 2016. Even bought plane tickets (although I can switch dates through Southwest if needed). I then remember the 24 hour event was the Friday before Memorial Day last year, which would be 5/27 next year, and that is something I want to stay far away from. I'm feeling really bummed at the moment! Is there any speculation on whether this event will take place at the same time again, or with 2016 being a leap year, maybe it will be in February like in 2012?

Thanks, experts, for any thoughts... Disneyland makes announcements on these things wayyyy too late imo!

 

[SMD]

Disney hasn't said anything, nor would they normally have by now. The 2012 event wasn't announced until Dec 31st, so I'd expect to know by the first week of Jan if that is happening. The 2013 event was announced 30 days in advance in April. But if nothing happens in Feb you can kind of assume they'll do a summer kick off again. They might do both.

 

[freckles04]

I guess if nothing else I can either A) move dates (although that week works reeeallly well for all who are going) or just make the 27th a beach day. thanks.

 

[StormyCA]

That 24 hr event was for the kickoff for the 60th celebrations so I think it was a 'one off'. I don't think it's going to be a regular Memorial Day Weekend event. Next year, however, is leap year, so if there were going to be 24 hr events I'd think they'd be Leap Year Day (Another Disney Day), possibly one on or near Disneyland's actual 'birthday' (7/17), or if there is a super big event like a ride opening/reopening or important movie premiere.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

That 24 hr event was for the kickoff for the 60th celebrations so I think it was a 'one off'. I don't think it's going to be a regular Memorial Day Weekend event. Next year, however, is leap year, so if there were going to be 24 hr events I'd think they'd be Leap Year Day (Another Disney Day), possibly one on or near Disneyland's actual 'birthday' (7/17), or if there is a super big event like a ride opening/reopening or important movie premiere.

Yes, that 24 hour event was special for the 60th, but that was actually the third year in a row that Disney did the 24 hour event over Memorial Day weekend. Those other dates you mention are good possibilities too, but I wouldn't discount Memorial Day. It's possible that's just the time of year Disney has settled on for this type of thing.

 

[figment_jii]

As longtimedisneylurker said, they've been doing the 24-hour day on the Friday before Memorial Day for the last three years, so that would seem like the most likely date in 2016. I was looking at the Annual Passholder blockout calendar and none of the APs are blocked on Feb 29 (which is a Monday, so that works against having the 24-hour day on that day), but the SoCal/SoCal Select APs are blocked on May 27th (and not the preceding or following Fridays). It'll be interesting to see if they have another 24-hour day in 2016 (I hope so!).

 

[agamble]

I guess if nothing else I can either A) move dates (although that week works reeeallly well for all who are going) or just make the 27th a beach day. thanks.

Could be a good day to extend your trip. Character breakfast outside the parks in the morning, beach in the afternoon. Sounds fun.
We didn't want to go to the 24-hour party either, but then we extended our trip an extra day just to go because we wanted to see the new fireworks and parade. Wait times in the morning were actually very good as many people were there for food and merchandise, not rides. We ended up leaving early though because it was so crowded and was quite miserable in the afternoon. Plus there was no way we were getting a spot for the parade. However, reportedly it was not as crowded the previous year. Maybe they won't have one this year with all the construction going on. Then again, maybe they'll need one to draw in more crowds since the construction might just keep some people away.

 

[starshine514]

As longtimedisneylurker said, they've been doing the 24-hour day on the Friday before Memorial Day for the last three years, so that would seem like the most likely date in 2016. I was looking at the Annual Passholder blockout calendar and none of the APs are blocked on Feb 29 (which is a Monday, so that works against having the 24-hour day on that day), but the SoCal/SoCal Select APs are blocked on May 27th (and not the preceding or following Fridays). It'll be interesting to see if they have another 24-hour day in 2016 (I hope so!).

That is a really good indicator that the 24 hour day will be then. OP, I'd venture that it will be crowded, but not as crazy as this year's was.

 

[Jerryp49]

Grad nights for that week are May 21 , 23 , and 25 so I would expect it to be crowded.

 

[Geemo]

I had the thought there might be a 24 hour event on Leap Year Weekend.
Isn't that what Disneyland did in 2012 for the 24 hour event? Although I think Feb 29th was a Friday in 2012.

 

[SMD]

In 2012 there were park managers and execs lining Main St wearing Mickey gloves urging us to come back in 4 years, which is why I think people have assumed there will be another one. Leap year 2012 was a Wednesday, which is probably why the crowds weren't too bad until 7pm or so. But it was only DL park that stayed open. Now the word is out about 24 hours days, so in some ways I expect more people would go this year.

They sort of surprised everyone by doing it again in 2013, since the assumption was it was a leap day promotion and there were issues with crowd control the previous year. That probably scared a lot of people away, plus the theme wasn't great. They did do both parks that time, but there was a grad night in DCA in the middle. Then in 2014 there was a good theme and even without a grad night it drew more crowds. And then there was the mess this year.

As long as it continues to be a profitable promotion for them, I don't see why they wouldn't do another leap day event and do another summer kick off.

 

[freckles04]

Grad nights for that week are May 21 , 23 , and 25 so I would expect it to be crowded.

We have non-Disney plans for the 21st and 25th so will only have to deal with grad night on the 23rd.

 

[figment_jii]

I had the thought there might be a 24 hour event on Leap Year Weekend.
Isn't that what Disneyland did in 2012 for the 24 hour event? Although I think Feb 29th was a Friday in 2012.

The very first 24-hour event was on Leap Day in 2012 (called One More Disney Day). It started at 6 am on Feb 29 and went until 6 am on Mar 1. Feb 29, 2012 was a Wednesday. Since then, both resorts (DLR and WDW) have been doing the 24-hour day as the kick-off to summer. So far, there haven't been any indications for either DLR or WDW if there will be a 24-hour day at all, or on the Leap day, or on the Friday before Memorial Day.

 

[freckles04]

It turns out that we would actually be in the park on grad night for 2 out of our 4 days. the other week we could go would be June 18-25. Can someone advise me which is worse? May 21-28 for grad nights? Or the June week with increased summer break crowds?

 

[Geemo]

June 19th is Father's Day...

 

[freckles04]

Those are the only 2 weeks we can go. Father's Day vs grad night?

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

It turns out that we would actually be in the park on grad night for 2 out of our 4 days. the other week we could go would be June 18-25. Can someone advise me which is worse? May 21-28 for grad nights? Or the June week with increased summer break crowds?

I personally would go with the June dates. I like the weather usually at that time of year. The parks will be fully on summer schedule so will be open longer.