AP Effect on President's Weekend Planning

[garada3]

According to the Disney calendar:

Sunday February 20 - all APs blocked; Fantasmic! at 9:00 & 10:30; DL closes at midnight; CA closes at 10:00
Monday February 21 - only Deluxe AP is valid; Fantasmic! at 9:00 & 10:30; DL closes at midnight; CA closes at 10:00
Tuesday February 22 - all APs are valid; WoC at 8:15; DL closes at 9:00; CA closes at 8:00


We arrive on Sunday evening and plan to be in a park by 8:00pm. We want to enjoy the Fantasmic Dessert Package either on Sunday or Monday.

So far the plan is a DL focus on Monday because the park is open longer and a CA focus on Tueday.

Question: Which day is the better option for Fantasmic!?

Do I need to factor AP attendance into my plans?

I am thinking that with all APs blocked that Sunday night might be better for experiencing attractions? However, we will not have fastpasses because of our late arrival. Will we spend most of our time in line?

If the advice is to see Fantasmic! on Sunday, should we see the first or second show? Is it possible to arrive to DL at 8:00 and still check in for seats and then see the 9:00pm show?

Thanks in advance!

 

[sierranevada]

I would do Fantasmic! on Monday. Planning to arrive in the parks at 8 pm on Sunday would cut it way too close to see the show that night. You risk missing the show entirely if there are any travel delays and you will not be there for check in so you will get what ever is left on the seating.

 

[MAH4546]

Just a reminder, but all AP's are never blocked. Premium APs are always valid.

That said, you are going on a very busy holiday weekend. It's going to be crowded regardless, unless it rains.

 

[Disney Dreams]

In my opinion, you are focusing on the wrong element. AP holders are not the concern. The holiday weekend is. Families, students, those whose offices close. It's the 3 day weekend that is your concern, not the AP holders.

Is it possible to arrive at 8pm and see the 9pm Fantasmic! with the reserved seating? Sure. Will it be rushed? Yes. Will you get the best possible seat? No. Will delays risk your missing the entire thing? Yes. Would I do it? Probably. Should you? Depends on how you like to gamble. Or, better yet do the second Fantasmic! and give yourself an extra hour and a half leeway.

Will not having FPs affect your time in lines? As wonderful as FPs are, let me ask you this: What attractions interest you the most. There are only 7 attractions in Disneyland that have FP, 4 in DCA. They are not the do-all, end-all for everything. Enjoy the evening, do not get stressed out by wait times, and maybe save the FP attractions for the next day.

The one thing you have not mentioned in your plan is fireworks. If you plan to see them, you want to see them on your first night, in case they are cancelled. This will allow you another chance to see them; whereas, if you wait until your last night to see them and the are cancelled, you are out of luck.

HTH,
Dreams

 

[Raindown]

In my opinion, you are focusing on the wrong element. AP holders are not the concern. The holiday weekend is. Families, students, those whose offices close. It's the 3 day weekend that is your concern, not the AP holders.

This. I wouldn't be surprised if Tuesday actually ends up being the lightest of your days. As far as everything else, Dreams has already given you some good advice and things to consider.

 

[HydroGuy]

In my opinion, you are focusing on the wrong element. AP holders are not the concern. The holiday weekend is. Families, students, those whose offices close. It's the 3 day weekend that is your concern, not the AP holders.

This. I wouldn't be surprised if Tuesday actually ends up being the lightest of your days. As far as everything else, Dreams has already given you some good advice and things to consider.

I agree. IMO the OP has misconstrued the AP effect and unique crowd patterns that result.

1. The issue is primarly with the SoCal AP holders which are much more numerous and have many more blockout days.

2. The time frame is more closely associated with when something new has opened or with major holidays that have special shows and/or decorations (e.g., Thanksgiving or Christmas).

3. The time frame also tends to especially bunch around times before and after extended blockout periods - especially the summer blockout.

For me I would not even thing about the SoCal AP issue during this time.

Regarding Fantasmic and arriving in park by 8PM, I agree seeing a 9PM will be way too rushed even with the dessert reservations.

Do the Fantasmic on Monday if it is a priority.

 

[garada3]

you will not be there for check in so you will get what ever is left on the seating.

We are fine with not getting front and center seating. Based on what I have read, all F! Dessert Package seats have decent views. Our main purpose in purchasing the package is to not have to wait to see the show. We would rather be experiencing attractions. If we decide to see the 10:30 show, can we check in at 8:00pm?

Just a reminder, but all AP's are never blocked. Premium APs are always valid.

Thanks! I learn something new each time I am on the boards! Are there many people with the Premium AP?

In my opinion, you are focusing on the wrong element. AP holders are not the concern. The holiday weekend is. Families, students, those whose offices close. It's the 3 day weekend that is your concern, not the AP holders.

Is it possible to arrive at 8pm and see the 9pm Fantasmic! with the reserved seating? Sure. Will it be rushed? Yes. Will you get the best possible seat? No. Will delays risk your missing the entire thing? Yes. Would I do it? Probably. Should you? Depends on how you like to gamble. Or, better yet do the second Fantasmic! and give yourself an extra hour and a half leeway.

Will not having FPs affect your time in lines? As wonderful as FPs are, let me ask you this: What attractions interest you the most. There are only 7 attractions in Disneyland that have FP, 4 in DCA. They are not the do-all, end-all for everything. Enjoy the evening, do not get stressed out by wait times, and maybe save the FP attractions for the next day.

The one thing you have not mentioned in your plan is fireworks. If you plan to see them, you want to see them on your first night, in case they are cancelled. This will allow you another chance to see them; whereas, if you wait until your last night to see them and the are cancelled, you are out of luck.

So AP holders are not the issue, it is visitors like us

We would like to see the fireworks, preferably from in front of the castle. So if fireworks should be part of the Sunday night plan, can we check in for the 10:30 F! around 8:00pm and then still find a spot in front of the castle?

I like your idea of not stressing out on Sunday night about FP attractions. We will do what we can do then go all out FP wise on Monday.

This. I wouldn't be surprised if Tuesday actually ends up being the lightest of your days.

I hope Tuesday is a light day! We hope to fit as much as possible into 2 1/4 days.

For me I would not even thing about the SoCal AP issue during this time.

So I stressed about AP attendance for nothing I am such a newbie to the DL side of the Walt Disney Company.

Thank you all for the advice!