AP's at Christmas question

[Susie63]

Have the higher end ap's always been blocked at Christmas? I thought about buying AP's for our trip but only the Signature + are not blocked. Are there really that many non ap holders in the parks, to reach capacity over the Christmas break and New Years.

 

[Malcon10t]

Yes. Funny part is that is why it is harder to get around. You have a lot of people who really don't know how the park is set up. It is fun to listen (and try to help) people not used to the park. I overheard a mom advising their family after lunch, the plan was to ride Space, then Big Thunder, then Screamin', then Indy, then Soarin'... I asked if they'd like a couple pointers, and explained the layout a little better.

You will find a lot of out of the country tour groups, the Rose Bowl brings a LOT of people, and everyone who gives their family a trip for Christmas. This upcoming year will be our first year in 20 years we don't spend our 2 week vacation at DIsneyland. We will be there for a couple days though! We are heading to WDW instead!!

 

[MacMama0930]

That was a change just this year and I think it did help with crowd control. I'll look back at the numbers but I don't think they were all 10s like in years past.

 

[valiamo]

Yes, they are always blocked and it is PACKED over Christmas. Like you many are getting away from the cold and winter. The park will be at or near peak during the times you expect to be there. There will be times when they close the gates to more people.

The river boats will be running, the train will be back in operation, the electrical parade is back, Fantasmia running. guardians will be open, there is lots of stuff to bring guests in.

Main Street will be wall to wall guests and most rides will be over an hour wait. Christmas is the busiest time of year, it will be and feel like 10/10 crowds.

We have been, and will be again this year, there during the first weeks of December, and it is crazy busy even then.

 

[Malcon10t]

In the past, when the premium pass was the only one with access, Christmas to New Years was estimated at 20% AP holders. This past year when the changed it to Signature Plus with the increase, it was estimated the AP holders represented 12%. But they still were a 10 every day. I didn't see a difference crowd wise this past year at Christmas (we were there Dec 22-Jan 4th.)

 

[Susie63]

I am fully expecting wall to wall people. Take advantage of MM, fastpass and single rider lines for DH and DD. I'll be soaking it all in on a bench in front of the castle......sigh...I can't wait. If we need more than 5 days I'll just buy one park per day tickets. It is hard to keep up with all the changes. Thanks for the input.

 

[PHXscuba]

I had friends who went in January the first day that local APs were unblocked ... it was the first day DL closed to capacity for the holiday season. I heard that the 2 prime weeks of the holidays were overall less crowded this year with all but the very top AP blocked. It is a recent change in the AP levels.

PHXscuba

 

[starry_solo]

All but the very top two passes have always been blocked at Christmas time - at least for the last ten years.

Premier (DLR AND WDW pass)
Signature Plus (previously known as Premium).

Back before the addition of the premier pass, only the premium was unblocked during Christmas.

It just gets more crowded.

Only time during the holidays that it isn't is Black Friday (AM) AND new year's day (also am)

 

[Malcon10t]

I had friends who went in January the first day that local APs were unblocked ... it was the first day DL closed to capacity for the holiday season.

Not true. Gates closed on Dec 27, 29, and 31st.

I heard that the 2 prime weeks of the holidays were overall less crowded this year with all but the very top AP blocked. It is a recent change in the AP levels.

As someone who was there from Dec 22nd, to Jan 4th (and has been there every year during this same block of time since 1999), this is not true. The days leading up to CHristmas (Dec 22-25) were pretty light for the season, but would still be busy, however, after CHristmas is was the normal exceptionally crowded period. The Rose Bowl teams were fun to watch make it thru the park. On both Dec 27th and Dec 31st, the park was so active, they ran out of VIP guides to help with tours. They actually had to transfer back guides who had moved to other areas of the company, but still were classified currently trained in guiding.

 

[Niltiac]

All but the very top two passes have always been blocked at Christmas time - at least for the last ten years.

That is true, but I think the recent change in AP structuring that people are referring to is the introduction of the Signature pass which allows admission all year except for the last two weeks of December. Theoretically, adding that pass could have caused a decrease in AP attendance at Christmastime. Previously, people had to choose between lower AP's with plenty of blackout dates throughout the year, or Premium which was valid all year. Some people probably chose Premium due to all the other blackout dates, and then visited during Christmas simply because they could. Now people have the opportunity to save a decent amount of money on their AP's if they just give up Christmas/New Years, so there are probably fewer people opting for the highest-level pass.

Edited because I had my terminology mixed up.

 

[gottalovepluto]

...It is fun to listen (and try to help) people not used to the park. I overheard a mom advising their family after lunch, the plan was to ride Space, then Big Thunder, then Screamin', then Indy, then Soarin'... I asked if they'd like a couple pointers, and explained the layout a little better...

I think my legs are getting sore just reading that plan!

 

[Malcon10t]

Some people probably chose Premium due to all the other blackout dates, and then visited during Christmas simply because they could. Now people have the opportunity to save a decent amount of money on their AP's if they just give up Christmas/New Years, so there are probably fewer people opting for the highest-level pass.

In the past, the attendance was approximately 20% APs during the 2 week period of CHristmas during the black out period. Yes, it did lower the AP holders this year, as it was said to only be about 12% instead of 20%. But it still closed many times. That said, due to so many areas closed that prior years was open lowered, the capacity of the park. The park had fewer people, by probably a couple thousand, but even with that the rest of the park was exceptionally crowded. Especially in the evenings.

 

[rentayenta]

It's that packed over the winter holidays.