AP's unblocked and still no lines????

[SeattleTink]

We just returned back from the DLR and we were pleasantly surprised that the dreaded "AP's unblocked" effect did not take place.

The crowds were surprisingly light from the first day when we arrived into Disneyland on August 23 at 2:00 p.m and for the most part all subsequent days we were there. Wait times were reasonable for middle of the day. Indiana Jones was only 30 minutes, Pirates was 10. By evening wait times were down again.

I was totally prepared for long lines, long waits and masses of people. This did not occur. Surprisingly as the week wore on the crowds got much lighter. We were walking on Pirates and Thunder Mountain.

There is some speculation that the hot temps last week kept the AP holders away - but regardless of the reasoning, we were very pleased at the low crowds.

We even got World of Color fast passes in the blue section for the 10:15 show on August 31 at 11:30 a.m.

While we were prepared for the worst, it was super manageable and actually delightful.

 

[blackjackdelta]

We just returned back from the DLR and we were pleasantly surprised that the dreaded "AP's unblocked" effect did not take place.

The crowds were surprisingly light from the first day when we arrived into Disneyland on August 23 at 2:00 p.m and for the most part all subsequent days we were there. Wait times were reasonable for middle of the day. Indiana Jones was only 30 minutes, Pirates was 10. By evening wait times were down again.

I was totally prepared for long lines, long waits and masses of people. This did not occur. Surprisingly as the week wore on the crowds got much lighter. We were walking on Pirates and Thunder Mountain.

There is some speculation that the hot temps last week kept the AP holders away - but regardless of the reasoning, we were very pleased at the low crowds.

We even got World of Color fast passes in the blue section for the 10:15 show on August 31 at 11:30 a.m.

While we were prepared for the worst, it was super manageable and actually delightful.

Excellent, glad you had a great time.

Jack

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks for the update. After Labor Day I am going to link your post here and a few others into my AP Crowds thread. In August of 2009 the crowds were reportedly intense. This year it seems not so much.

With LM opening at DCA next May and Goofy's Sky School, as well as an updated Star Tours at DL, I wonder what will happen next year?

 

[marcemc]

We just returned back from the DLR and we were pleasantly surprised that the dreaded "AP's unblocked" effect did not take place.

The crowds were surprisingly light from the first day when we arrived into Disneyland on August 23 at 2:00 p.m and for the most part all subsequent days we were there. Wait times were reasonable for middle of the day. Indiana Jones was only 30 minutes, Pirates was 10. By evening wait times were down again.

I was totally prepared for long lines, long waits and masses of people. This did not occur. Surprisingly as the week wore on the crowds got much lighter. We were walking on Pirates and Thunder Mountain.

There is some speculation that the hot temps last week kept the AP holders away - but regardless of the reasoning, we were very pleased at the low crowds.

We even got World of Color fast passes in the blue section for the 10:15 show on August 31 at 11:30 a.m.

While we were prepared for the worst, it was super manageable and actually delightful.

This was a most pleasant surprise for us too. Arrived on aug. 21st. It was a great week to be there. We were so happy, we had experienced the crazy crowds from october last year and I was worried it was going to be like that.

 

[Raindown]

This week and last week have been pretty quite. It is also a reminder that when APs are unblocked Disneyland expects it to be slower. I got some great shots of main street empty this week and last week.

 

[Monkey Monkey]

In addition to the heat, a lot of SoCal schools started up again last week, so I'm sure a lot of AP holders are busy with school getting underway and new routines. I wasn't there last August, but was in 2008 the week before Labor Day and it was practically empty. This was the summer that TSMM opened, so I'm not surprised to hear that it's equally empty even with WoC.

 

[isitnaptime]

Yes, many of our schools in Orange County started on 8/30 or 9/1, which is really early. I've lived in this area all my life and can never remember starting school in August. I'm sure that has something to do with it. My kids don't start until 9/7, so we've been making lots of Disneyland trips and enjoying the light crowds.

 

[disneydreamer74]

I agree...the crowds were definitely light. I was there Aug. 26-31st. I was utterly shocked at the light crowds the entire time. Compared to my last 2 summer trips, DLR looked like a ghost town. We loved it and took full advantage of it. So many days I did not even need my fastpasses..just walked right on.

 

[pumpkin5156]

We went yesterday, arrived two hours after opening (I know, I know, but I had to let my DS4 sleep in as he was up all night) and there were people, but no lines. At certain times I felt crowded walking to and fro, but actual lines were almost non-existent. Peter Pan was 20 minutes at 2PM?? Thunder was a walk on at 7PM?? The longest lines I saw were for food/beverage.

Pleasantly surprised

 

[isitnaptime]

Even today (a Friday!) we had no trouble with lines and we were there from about 9:45 to 12:30. Walked right on Space Mountain (twice), Pirates, and Thunder Mountain. Less than 10 minutes for Soarin and maybe 5 minutes for Screamin and Matterhorn. We got a LOT done in that brief time and then headed over to the Disneyland Hotel to pick up our 5K Run packets.

 

[tdashgirl]

This is interesting to hear. Yay for APs not getting so bad of a rep

 

[tholczer]

We were also there on 8/23-24 and it was like being there in January. I had also expected wall to wall people. It was very hot those two days, but I understand it cooled off and still didn't bring in the crowds later in the week.

There were lots of reports early in the year about the 800,000+ passholders and how that was going to impact crowds this year and so far, I just haven't seen it. It reminds me of my gym and how there are about 2500 members and you never see more than 100 at any given time.

It always sounds like a good idea to buy a pass and come back in the future for "free", but most people don't love Disney the way we do and just don't, or can't, return more than a couple of times. Although crowd predicting is fun and gets me in the mood for a trip, it is a bit futile.


Tracy

 

[Kenttz]

I went yesterday around 4pm and couldnt believe that it really wasnt busy and was able to get on alot of the rides with little to no wait.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

I'll be there for one day next Sunday. Hoping the lines are short!!

 

[skiingfast]

The only negative thing about crowds was from an AP who Friday after work said the line gettting into the M&F garage was the worst since before summer. But once in DCA and DTD not bad at all. DL the next day didn't seem crazy either.

 

[Funball]

The only negative thing about crowds was from an AP who Friday after work said the line gettting into the M&F garage was the worst since before summer. But once in DCA and DTD not bad at all. DL the next day didn't seem crazy either.

ha ha that was me. i said that! yeah it was crazy busy at 6pm that night but it was a friday, i mean i could of done my taxes for next year and paid my bills and still had time to sit in my car an wait

 

[HydroGuy]

We were also there on 8/23-24 and it was like being there in January. I had also expected wall to wall people. It was very hot those two days, but I understand it cooled off and still didn't bring in the crowds later in the week.

There were lots of reports early in the year about the 800,000+ passholders and how that was going to impact crowds this year and so far, I just haven't seen it. It reminds me of my gym and how there are about 2500 members and you never see more than 100 at any given time.

It always sounds like a good idea to buy a pass and come back in the future for "free", but most people don't love Disney the way we do and just don't, or can't, return more than a couple of times. Although crowd predicting is fun and gets me in the mood for a trip, it is a bit futile.

Tracy

I too have been surprised by the reports of light crowds over the last few weeks. However, we have all heard the saying that the best predictor of the future is the past. Last August DLR was swamped after the AP blockout lifted. We all read about it and BlackJackDelta lived it. Expecting it to be swamped again was an entirely reasonable expectation. Sort of like expecting hotter weather in the summer and cooler in the winter. Not always true but true more often than not. I am sincerely glad for you (and a bit envious actually ) and the other folks who had lower crowds. But there is no way I personally would go right after the AP blockout lifts. It is too unpredictable for me.

 

[SKWDW]

It's PACKED today! Both DCA & DLR have lots of people and fairly long lines. DLR wasn't helped by temp closures of both Indy & BTMR.

DCA has heavier than expected traffic too, according to several CMs here. Many of the guests are wearing their 1/2 Marathon medals and/or shirts, so that could be part of it.

This is my quick budget "Goodbye to the Maliboomer" trip. The Maliboomer is already partially dismantled, so only one tower is in operation. Lines are fairly long and the breakdowns are making the waits longer. It's still worth the long drive!!!!

 

[blackjackdelta]

It's PACKED today! Both DCA & DLR have lots of people and fairly long lines. DLR wasn't helped by temp closures of both Indy & BTMR.

DCA has heavier than expected traffic too, according to several CMs here. Many of the guests are wearing their 1/2 Marathon medals and/or shirts, so that could be part of it.

This is my quick budget "Goodbye to the Maliboomer" trip. The Maliboomer is already partially dismantled, so only one tower is in operation. Lines are fairly long and the breakdowns are making the waits longer. It's still worth the long drive!!!!

How far did you drive?

Jack

 

[SeattleTink]

I too have been surprised by the reports of light crowds over the last few weeks. However, we have all heard the saying that the best predictor of the future is the past. Last August DLR was swamped after the AP blockout lifted. We all read about it and BlackJackDelta lived it. Expecting it to be swamped again was an entirely reasonable expectation. Sort of like expecting hotter weather in the summer and cooler in the winter. Not always true but true more often than not. I am sincerely glad for you (and a bit envious actually ) and the other folks who had lower crowds. But there is no way I personally would go right after the AP blockout lifts. It is too unpredictable for me.

I totally expected from the conversations on this board for it to be packed after the AP blockout. I understood all the reasoning...and it made sense to me. We however, in planning this trip, were limited to dates we could go, so we went right at the week the AP block out was lifted and totally expected to "respect and deal with" the crowds.

What a pleasant surprise it was to find short managable lines. I think because of all the predictions for large crowds it was even more fun when the lines didn't materialize. It truly felt like a gift.

Like anything in life, you can plan, plan, plan...but in reality we are not in control.