APs Unblocked - Please help!

[maryrm]

Hi all,

I posted a thread about the dates we will be in DL (8/23-8/27) and some responded re: the APs being unblocked. this is the first week of it being unblocked. so i am trying very hard to change reservations to earlier in august based on the feedback i rec'd here. I thought this week would be better since some schools head back!

my question/s is: are the parks busier during afternoon or evening due to AP holders? It doesn't seem like it would be busy all day especially if we are talking daytrippers. I called the DLH and they have availability all thru august! Also, is it remarkably busier than early August (when more schools are out & more travelers)? Is it as bad as over Christmas or some other holiday weekend?

Just trying to gauge the "damage" Thank you all for your feedback. I've never been to DL and appreciate your help.

Mary

 

[blackjackdelta]

It will busy but maybe less busy earlier in August but noone really knows about this year because of the changes going on. No matter what happens really busy vs very busy many people are not going to like it.

Jack

 

[maryrm]

jack,

when you refer to the "changes going on," do you mean the 2 new rides?

thanks for your feedback.

mary

 

[blackjackdelta]

jack,

when you refer to the "changes going on," do you mean the 2 new rides?

thanks for your feedback.

mary

Yes, LM, ST2.0, GSS and the rides going down(maybe in Sept) I am sure many people will be switching dates around. New places to eat try out for the locals and tourists. Hydroguy is in the parks now so it will be interesting to see his assessment.

Jack

 

[maryrm]

thanks jack. you mentioned you were there once when the ap's were blocked...was it busy the entire day & night or did it let up at all? are all the rides insane or just the new popular ones? i know that may be hard to predict....just wondering about your experience....thanks for your help.

 

[blackjackdelta]

thanks jack. you mentioned you were there once when the ap's were blocked...was it busy the entire day & night or did it let up at all? are all the rides insane or just the new popular ones? i know that may be hard to predict....just wondering about your experience....thanks for your help.

Crowds did not start to back off until after fireworks and then it was still hopping but better and cooler.

Jack

 

[maryrm]

wow, sounds bad...we are still working on changing dates but not too hopeful...thanks again.

 

[MenchieMan87]

I disagree with the claim that the parks are busier on days when the most APs are unblocked, my experience has always been the opposite.

 

[21yankees]

Hi all,

I posted a thread about the dates we will be in DL (8/23-8/27) and some responded re: the APs being unblocked. this is the first week of it being unblocked. so i am trying very hard to change reservations to earlier in august based on the feedback i rec'd here. I thought this week would be better since some schools head back!

my question/s is: are the parks busier during afternoon or evening due to AP holders? It doesn't seem like it would be busy all day especially if we are talking daytrippers. I called the DLH and they have availability all thru august! Also, is it remarkably busier than early August (when more schools are out & more travelers)? Is it as bad as over Christmas or some other holiday weekend?

Just trying to gauge the "damage" Thank you all for your feedback. I've never been to DL and appreciate your help.

Mary

The APs will be unblocked but a lot of Southern California schools will already be back in session. My kids will already be in school during the that week you have mentioned. I believe that's why the APs have been unblocked.

steph

 

[blackjackdelta]

I disagree with the claim that the parks are busier on days when the most APs are unblocked, my experience has always been the opposite.

First you are local so no big travel and stay investment, secondly you are not relaying to us when you go. When I have to walk arm in arm with a bunch of sweaty, stinky folks everywhere I go it does impact my stay. When I use to live there the park never really seem crowded.

Jack

 

[HappyHaunt]

Times have changed for sure. I used to try and plan my trips around when I figured school would be in, but now it's all about when AP's are blocked. Last week the days where they were blocked were HUGELY less crowded then the days that even just the lower level AP's were blocked.

I agree with blackjackdelta, it does impact your stay when you've got that many more thousands of locals there. Most of which don't mind standing in long lines because they can just come back next week if they want. Not a luxury those of us who come from further away get.

 

[MenchieMan87]

First you are local so no big travel and stay investment, secondly you are not relaying to us when you go. When I have to walk arm in arm with a bunch of sweaty, stinky folks everywhere I go it does impact my stay. When I use to live there the park never really seem crowded.

I have a SoCal Select annual pass so I try to go when that is unblocked, but when I do buy a blockout day pass (ie. if family/friends are visiting and that's when they want to go) I find it is usually more crowded.

 

[Lissame]

I disagree with the claim that the parks are busier on days when the most APs are unblocked, my experience has always been the opposite.

This was absolutely *not* true last week.

Monday and Tuesday were the last days the SoCal APs were unblocked, and the parks were insanely busy. On Wed when they were blocked, the crowds were much lighter and more manageable. It was noticeably different.

 

[TeddiBarra]

This was absolutely *not* true last week.

Monday and Tuesday were the last days the SoCal APs were unblocked, and the parks were insanely busy. On Wed when they were blocked, the crowds were much lighter and more manageable. It was noticeably different.

Right. But TLM ride and ST2 are what that was all about, that plus they could go and school was out. Come on now, it isn't like that every Monday and Tuesday when So Cal and So Cal Selects are unblocked.

Maryrm- do you or a spouse or someone in your family have a smart phone? Maybe you should get one of the wait times apps, and watch it for a few days. I think it can get to the point of there being no right answer. You aren't going at Christmas, Or Thanksgiving. Or Spring Break. It will be busy, but I don't think this "insane" thing is going to pan out.

Avoid Sunday Aug 21st. It will be busy that day.

 

[Eeee-va]

In general, the days right before the summer blockout period are very, very crowded, and right after the summer blockout period seem to be brisk too.

Blockouts the rest of the year seem to be more hit and miss. Days when kids are out of school and passes are NOT blocked can be nightmarish. I heard the Monday-Wednesday before Thanksgiving 2010, when lots of Southern California kids are out of school, were really packed, while the blocked days after Thanksgiving 2010 were actually better. Not to say this year will necessarily be the same, granted.

But then, the two weeks around Christmas are just packed, period, blockouts or not! So there's no hard and fast rule. Best we can do is guess based on prior years' experiences.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Hi all,

I posted a thread about the dates we will be in DL (8/23-8/27) and some responded re: the APs being unblocked. this is the first week of it being unblocked. so i am trying very hard to change reservations to earlier in august based on the feedback i rec'd here. I thought this week would be better since some schools head back!

my question/s is: are the parks busier during afternoon or evening due to AP holders? It doesn't seem like it would be busy all day especially if we are talking daytrippers. I called the DLH and they have availability all thru august! Also, is it remarkably busier than early August (when more schools are out & more travelers)? Is it as bad as over Christmas or some other holiday weekend?

Just trying to gauge the "damage" Thank you all for your feedback. I've never been to DL and appreciate your help.

Mary

You're sort of asking: If I go to Seattle, Washington, is it going to be rainy, really rainy, or crazy rainy. Ultimately, it's Seattle. It's going to rain.

You are going to a major tourist attraction during the summer. It's going to be crowded. The SoCal AP holders get talked about here on the DISBoards like some sort of ogres to be avoided at all costs. I think the increase of crowds due to blockout dates are exagerated. Is it going to be busier? Yes. Is it going to be a torrential downpour that signifies the end of time? No. The week between Christmas and New Years is arguably the busiest week of the year at Disneyland. I will give you one guess what group of people are blocked out during that week. That's right... Those holding SoCal APs.

Will the days RIGHT before or after a blockout be busier? Of course. Other than that? It's the difference of how rainy. The key is... Plan for it, use your rain gear (i.e. FPs, a plan, do things opposite crowd patterns) and enjoy.

As for, "it doesn't seem like it would be busy all day" is like saying that it seems on someday in Seattle it won't rain. That's true. But during the rainy season... not likely. It's Disneyland. It's summer. It's going to be busy. Keep in mind that Dis ny knows their attendance patterns like a science. They block out the lower level passes when they don't need them for incoming revenue. Why don't they need those people during most of summer? Simple. The rest of the world is there.

- Dreams

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I disagree with the claim that the parks are busier on days when the most APs are unblocked, my experience has always been the opposite.

It may *seem* like this to you, but unfortunately the attendance records just don't prove your response. If you look up the numbers, they give a more accurate picture.

 

[furb & dez]

It may *seem* like this to you, but unfortunately the attendance records just don't prove your response. If you look up the numbers, they give a more accurate picture.

*nod* Hard evidence trumps anecdotal evidence, by far.

 

[maryrm]

you all make very valid, thoughtful pts...thank you. i am considering all the feedback.

lisa, where do you look up the records re: crowds? i'm curious. thank you.