24-Hour Event Strategy?

[Fantaluminishes]

I normally don't use this forum for suggestions because I'm a DLR vet. But I'm thinking of going to the 24-hour event in May. Who went to last year's event? Was it super crowded, and if so, what times are the most congested.

Also, I've heard that Grad Night may be taking place at the same time. Does anyone know if this is true, and if so, how does that work? Isn't Grad Night a private event, or have they changed that because there are so many Grad Nights?

 

[jaydoe]

I'm very curious about this too. This will be our last day in the park and I'm curious how busy this event was last year.

 

[lalasmama]

I was there for the first one on 2/29/12. What a zoo!

My only suggestion would be to be ready for a busy place! I'd be there early in the day, and get all your "must rides" done early in the day. I'd plan your less-popular rides and/or fast-loading rides for the late evening. Between 9pm-1am, expect to be mostly people watching. Maybe enjoy a midnight snack. Then things should start lightning up around 1am-2am with any luck, and you can go on open rides a little easier again.

Can't help with the Grad Nite aspect of it, but it seems like last year they did GNs in one park and the 24hr at the other, if I am remembering correctly. No promises that I am, though!

Regardless of GN or not, the amount of teens at Leap Day/Night 2012 was astounding, and their behavior generally left a lot to be desired. But I don't think DLR was prepared enough for it, either. At any rate, just be ready to witness some more rambunctious activities, smoking of questionable substances out in the open, and enough language to make a sailor blush. ... At least, that was our experience.

 

[SMD]

I went to both. Last year the headliners stayed busy but the rest of the park died down once it got real late. I walked on most Fantasyland rides. Read the schedule because not all attractions will stay open. Some may close and reopen. Food lines stayed pretty long, especially for special food. Meet and Greets band photo ops also had lines. DCA closed for grad night and reopened. There was a mass movement of people, but once they cleared the grads the line to get in moved quickly.

 

[figment_jii]

Also, I've heard that Grad Night may be taking place at the same time. Does anyone know if this is true, and if so, how does that work? Isn't Grad Night a private event, or have they changed that because there are so many Grad Nights?

Luckily, there is no Grad Night scheduled on the 24-hour event night this year. Last year they had a grad night scheduled, but this year the Grad Nights are slated for 22nd (Thu) and 24th (Sat).

 

[CaoilinnsMom]

How does the 24hr event work for admission the next day? Can you go in early? Or do you get charged for 2 days admission?

 

[SMD]

How does the 24hr event work for admission the next day? Can you go in early? Or do you get charged for 2 days admission?

You can stay in the park on Day 1's admission until the park closes at 6am. When the park reopens on Day 2 (probably 2-3 hours later) it's considered another day.

 

[crystal1313]

We are going to this. It's our first experience with the 24 hour events. We plan on getting there early. Getting in a couple rides. Maybe grab lunch. Then get hand stamps and head back to the hotel for a nap. Then go back to the parks before all the locals come in. Hoping by about 3pm. We made reservation at bb so we don't have to deal with food lines. We are most looking forward to being there in the early am hours. Im a little nervous about park hoping cause I don't want to be told the parks are at capacity when trying to get back in. Going to play that by ear.

 

[Cheshirecatty]

We are going to this. It's our first experience with the 24 hour events. We plan on getting there early. Getting in a couple rides. Maybe grab lunch. Then get hand stamps and head back to the hotel for a nap. Then go back to the parks before all the locals come in. Hoping by about 3pm. We made reservation at bb so we don't have to deal with food lines. We are most looking forward to being there in the early am hours. Im a little nervous about park hoping cause I don't want to be told the parks are at capacity when trying to get back in. Going to play that by ear.

Hi Crystal!

We went to the first event(Leap Year) and the lines to get into Disneyland when it first opened, were really huge!

We figured this would be the case, so we simply decided to enter an hour after it opened. By the time we got there, the lines to get in were tiny or non-existent ---it was great!

We left in the late afternoon---crowds were really growing, and when lines for the bathrooms snake out the door and all around the area, that's my signal to "get out"!

One thing that grossed us out a bit, was the amount of people(those who had waited in line for HOURS to get in) laying around sleeping, everywhere there was a quiet corner/spot---Innoventions, the Opera House, the Main Street Cinema, etc. Also, the bathrooms got filthy, later in the day,(at least the ones we used).

The Leap Year event was understaffed, and I don't think they ever dreamed how popular(and crazy attended it would be), and when we left Disneyland in the late afternoon, they assured us(in their opinion), that we would be able to get back in, and that they did not think they would get anywhere near to closing the Park.(I realize that we could have stayed, to be safe---it was our choice to leave).

We ended up choosing NOT to go back, but we watched it on the news---Boy Howdy!!!

Like lalasmama said, there was some unsavory crud going on---just be prepared. Not trying to talk you out of it---we still had a lot of fun in the morning and afternoon, we just wouldn't want to be there at night(when the crowds had built to fantastic proportions).

I know that others were there the whole time, and really enjoyed themselves, so I guess it can be done!

I think being mentally prepared and knowing what to expect, is "half the battle" in ensuring a great trip.

I also know that more/better preparations were made for the second event, and I would guess that this 3rd one, will be even better!

I hope you have a great time , and let us know how it turns out!

 

[crystal1313]

Hi Karry!

Good to know! We are expecting it to be NUTS! It's just DH and I going this trip cause there's no way my boys could hang out late. Lol. We are mainly going because we can wear our TRON costumes again. Lol. And because my DH has never seen the sun come up at the parks. I have twice, at grad night and on July 17, 2005.

Ick. Messy bathrooms sound like NO fun. Eww. I'm hoping since this is their third go of this event, the parks will be better prepared. I'm content just hanging out and people watching

Our friends are going and taking their RV, so they said if it gets crazy we can go out to the Mickey and friends lot and hang in their RV! So that's nice too!! I'm not expecting to get a lot of rides in while we are there. Hoping to ride BTMR at least once. We get there Thursday afternoon so we will have that time too. We've already talked if it gets too crazy or we get too tired we will throw in the towel and leave.

I'm actually most concerned with the food situation in the early am hours. I'm packing snacks but I'm betting we will get hungry at some point and realize not everything will be open. I'm sure we will be fine. Hoping they give out some more info as the even gets closer!

We are going into with not a lot expectations but knowing we will have fun cause we will be together!

 

[ashley0139]

A friend and I are considering going down for the event (we are in LA). We have to work that day so we are thinking about working, going home and eating/napping and then heading down there from about 11p-6a. I'm excited about being there overnight. Come to think of it, even if she doesn't go I probably still will.

 

[lalasmama]

A friend and I are considering going down for the event (we are in LA). We have to work that day so we are thinking about working, going home and eating/napping and then heading down there from about 11p-6a. I'm excited about being there overnight. Come to think of it, even if she doesn't go I probably still will.

I'd be a little concerned with your plan, only because I know these events are really well attended--to the point of hitting capacity--so if you show up at 11pm, you may be waiting a really long time to get in, as they will open and close the gates as people come and go. When I was trying to get in on Leap Day 2012, I waited about an hour at the gates at 9pm, and the lines were still long waiting to get in at 1am.

 

[ashley0139]

I'd be a little concerned with your plan, only because I know these events are really well attended--to the point of hitting capacity--so if you show up at 11pm, you may be waiting a really long time to get in, as they will open and close the gates as people come and go. When I was trying to get in on Leap Day 2012, I waited about an hour at the gates at 9pm, and the lines were still long waiting to get in at 1am.

Hmmm... thanks for the info. I guess I thought at that point they would be starting to die down. Maybe not.

 

[lalasmama]

Hmmm... thanks for the info. I guess I thought at that point they would be starting to die down. Maybe not.

On a typical weekend, yes, it would be dying down by around 11pm... But on the 24-hour events, at least in my experience and what I've read about the other event, it's still very much going strong at 11pm, and people are still arriving.

 

[cagirl4life]

Part of me really wants to go to this event. But the crowds scare me. I was there for Friday the 13th and enjoyed the morning and early afternoon. But as the crowd picked up we ended up just sitting at one of the restaurants then waiting in line till pretty much closing to go on HM. I know I can do crowds but still trying to figure out if it's worth it. I am only 24 and can handle 24+ hours awake. But if I leave I won't come back for later because I don't want to drive and repark because that is more of a nightmare for me than the crowds in the park and I don't stay in hotels usually since my grandma lives about 15 minutes away. But it would be cool to say I did it. And with that kind of crowds it makes you slow down and enjoy the small things I never do.

 

[Gisele]

Oh look over there, another bump!

 

[tstidm1]

Both Parks are busy, but I don't think people realize that both parks are going to be open and there is going to be no Grad Nights. I think Disneyland may reach capacity at some point, so before that happens go to DCA. Spend the rest of the night there. I would make this the chance to see how many times you can ride RSR in a day.

 

[Astylla]

Not to hijack too much..but got my limited edition tee from the Disney Store from the AP preview. Love how it fits. Bought the 3x and even at a 22/24w has some room in the tummy. Very sturdy tee ! Can't make the event..so this comes close. The colors are also VERY vibrant !

 

[hjgaus]

It's a usual school day for my younger son so he PLUS his friends will join the fun mid afternoon! Thank goodness we're staying @ the Grand villas for the night! As for the food or bathroom issue it shall be covered! Just hope they let us back IN the parks at certain times! I thought to use the villa barbecue for hot dogs/burgers and bring whatever favorite snacks the kids want. My husband & I would like to pop in on all the action around 2 AM hopefully it's not too bad! This actually will seem like a Grad nite to my 17 year old son and his friends as my older one DID Grad nite back in 2011! I hope the nite can have some class without too much trash!