AP dates, construction and June - questions!

[farmfresh]

It feels like time to return...except when I read about massive visitor numbers, and see the amount of construction/closures.

So I'm turning to the collective wisdom of the the board. We were thinking about an April visit, after Easter week. Yet I'm wondering if it mightn't be better to wait for later in June. It seems blackout days are having a great impact, and it looks like 23 June onwards is blocked.

At the same time, this might avoid something of the inital world of colour frenzy, and perhaps give a chance for some of the fences to come down (or am I too optimistic?)

So, if you had your choice, which would you take? And for a (reasonably) regular visitor from oversea, is it even worth it currently? Let me know what you think.

 

[Brady's Mom]

The week leading up to Easter and the week following are blocked out for So. Cal AP's, and only Sat.'s are blocked out for DAP's.

We are going the week after Easter and know that it will be crowded - but we maximize FP and take a break since the park hours will be long. It works for us since our kids have spring break that week and we can use our DAP's one more time before they expire.

 

[HydroGuy]

It seems blackout days are having a great impact, and it looks like 23 June onwards is blocked.

Actually the SoCal AP summer blockouts do not kick in until July 3. See the links here:

"Understanding AP Blockouts and Impact on Crowds" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2365983

 

[mareed]

Actually the SoCal AP summer blockouts do not kick in until July 3. See the links here:

http://northamericanspine.com/

Wrong link posted, I'm guessing?

 

[HydroGuy]

Wrong link posted, I'm guessing?

LOL, I fixed it.

 

[farmfresh]

Thanks Hydroguy...had already checked out your thread...but let me check I'm reading those block out days right ...looks like the cheapest AP starts 23 June....corresponding with the next level, which then has a few more days before they are all blocked July?

Anyone care to comment on current state of parks in any case? Is it a case of more crowds+ more construction = not quite the experience it could be?

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks Hydroguy...had already checked out your thread...but let me check I'm reading those block out days right ...looks like the cheapest AP starts 23 June....corresponding with the next level, which then has a few more days before they are all blocked July?

If you are looking at the MP link I already e-mailed MP because it does not agree with the official DLR link. The DLR link shows the SoCal AP summer blockout starting on July 3.

Anyone care to comment on current state of parks in any case? Is it a case of more crowds+ more construction = not quite the experience it could be?

I think it more of a glass half-full vs. half-empty thing. The actual plus anticipated crowds are causing the new construction plus other planned additions at both DL and DCA.

Does it diminish the DLR experience? Apparently not enough to prevent a growth of 15% more visitors last year. Did some people not come because it was too crowded? Probably. Did even more people come because they like the product? Yep.

 

[farmfresh]

Ok so now i am really confused...you are a renowned oracle hydroguyand so I now doubt myself!! Just checked Disney site and it shows coloured squares from 23 June for select and socal AP - the diff being that the select pass continues its coloured squares right through July, whereas the socal pass blocks 23-26 , then allows a few more days before picking up at 3 July....

So my interpretation is those few days , when both are blocked, could make for reasonable June touring??

As for the crowds/construction scenario, it just seems from photos posted that there is something of an ambiance issue there currently (unless you really like diggers). Wondered if that was actually the case on the ground. We've always admired the careful attention paid to views etc from on the ground or on a ride - seems likely that some of this is compromised by various lake drainings etc. But it could be that regular visitors are not finding that - that's what i was wondering.

The culmination of these musings was...should we bother in the next few months, or just wait till towards the end of the year, when some of the clutter (if not the crowds) might be reduced.

thanks!

 

[HydroGuy]

Ok so now i am really confused...you are a renowned oracle hydroguyand so I now doubt myself!! Just checked Disney site and it shows coloured squares from 23 June for select and socal AP - the diff being that the select pass continues its coloured squares right through July, whereas the socal pass blocks 23-26 , then allows a few more days before picking up at 3 July....

So my interpretation is those few days , when both are blocked, could make for reasonable June touring??

As a renowned oracle I need to confess I lost my divining rod on the way to work today but will do my best without it.

I was responding to your previous post saying something to the effect "All SoCal AP's are blocked out starting in July". I was pointing out that is true for SoCal Select but the regular SoCal does not block out for good until July 3.

To answer specifically, yes I would definitely shoot for days when both SoCal and SoCal Select APs are blocked.

To make it simpler, I am pretty sure all SoCal AP blockouts are also blocked for SoCal Select. That means that you just need to look at the SoCal blockouts here: SoCal AP Blockout Dates (unblocked June 27-July 2).

As for the crowds/construction scenario, it just seems from photos posted that there is something of an ambiance issue there currently (unless you really like diggers). Wondered if that was actually the case on the ground. We've always admired the careful attention paid to views etc from on the ground or on a ride - seems likely that some of this is compromised by various lake drainings etc. But it could be that regular visitors are not finding that - that's what i was wondering.

The culmination of these musings was...should we bother in the next few months, or just wait till towards the end of the year, when some of the clutter (if not the crowds) might be reduced.

I do not like all the walls either and if I had a choice would wait until all or most were down. The Rivers of America walls are to come down in May, as are the WOC walls. There will still be some walls remaining at DCA for the new LM ride construction and whatever else is currently happening at DCA through 2012. But by then hopefully DL will be started on their next new blockbuster E-ticket ride and more walls will go up!

 

[farmfresh]

sounds like we're sorted then! Many thanks!

 

[triplefigs]

We are going June 23-26 for the exact reasons you posted!

 

[farmfresh]

Could be a crowd escaping the crowd!