April 18-25 2009: Any major events happening???

[susnoahchris]

We're narrowing down our dates for a trip to Disneyland & DCA in 2009. I'm wondering if anyone knows of any major things happening from April 18-25 that could make the parks super crowded.

I can't find any conventions, we're past much of Spring Break & Easter, and I'm hoping it would be a relatively low crowd week.

If you know of any scheduled events or massive conventions that could bring huge crowds, please, oh please, tell me (I still fear that national cheer & dance competition, but I can't find the dates!)

THANK YOU!!!! I appreciate your help!

 

[camouseketeer]

Traditionally that is the last week for the spring DLR promotion. For the past few years it is has been buy adult tickets at the child's price.

Many families take advantage of this and wait, as you are, until after spring breaks are over, to use their tickets.

While it won't be as busy as spring break, it will not be quiet or empty as people try to use their cheaper tickets before the deadline.

The first week of May will be a much quieter week.

 

[DTDkettleCORNfan]

My friend went at the end of April last year. It was kind of crowded.......but much better than Spring Break. If you can look up the park hours from last April, they are a good indicator of expected crowds. If the park is only open from 10-8, low crowds. Have a great trip!

 

[cruise cruise cruise]

The 08 operating hours for M-Th are 9-10.

We will be there this year the same dates as OP. I hope I have not made a mistake. We had planned on going a week later, but came across great airfare deal and made the switch.

 

[HeatherBelle614]

This was the week we were planning on going, too. (We've never been to DL.)

I have been told that the first week of May would be less crowded, but I've also read that a lot of the shows and attractions can be refurbed then because it's considered off season.

Would we be able to do everything if we went that week in April for 4 days, or should we tack on a 5th day?

Thanks, OP, for asking this!!!

 

[susnoahchris]

Thanks everyone for the responses!

If the crowd levels are low/moderate, I totally think you can get everything done in 4 days. We've done it with ease!!! It's just so easy to bounce from park to park, and taking advantage of the mornings is key...but I think it's totally possible. We're from Boston, so when we go out we try to stay on East Coast time, which means that we leave the parks by about 6pm. Even with that timeline, we still got it all done in 4 days.

We were there last April for our spring break, and the national cheer and dance competition overlapped our visit. It wasn't impossible, at all, but it did get pretty darn crowded--with shrieking girls. I'd still probably book the trip even if they were coming, but if I have any wiggle room I'm hoping to take it into consideration! Last year when we planned our trip, I found so many lists of bad dates to attend (and the list included everything from holidays to massive conventions that descend upon Anaheim.) I can't find that anywhere this time around. I'm just so petrified that I'll book expensive airline tickets and then find out that there's an international band competition or something like that! Hmmmm....

 

[Eaglefan9727]

April 16th through the 19th, 2009 is the weekend of the Long Beach Grand Prix which might bring some crowds in for the weekend of April 17th, 18th, and 19th and possibly Monday 20th and Tuesday the 21st before the race fans head home.

My guess is that it isnt that much of a big jump in the crowds, But could easily being in a extra few thousand people to the park over the whole weekend.

 

[ozvisiter]

We are coming from Australia the kids will dance in DL sometime during the week of 11th through 20th April. I have heard a lot of other Aussie dance schools are going at that time of year. So you might hear a lot of Aussie voices!!!

 

[disneegrl4eva]

ah it seems luck may be with you...I checked on a couple of cheerleading competitions and the one in april will be at the beginning so your safe there...the one thing I was thinking you were going to have to deal with was the food and wine festival...this year it was from 4/11-5/5 and it was packed and hot!! but according to my sources it seems as though they will be starting later next year...in fact they will start the day before you leave....4/24-6/7 so from the sounds of it you should be good to go

 

[susnoahchris]

Wow! Thanks so much to all posters for this awesome information!!! I completely appreciate it!!!