Attendance at DL and DCA

[kamgen]

We are planning a trip to DL and DCA and wondering about attendance during certain times of the year. Is early August a busy time? What are the worst and best times to go?? Thanks!

 

[DLR29]

Eary August will be crowded, but it is not one of the most crowded times to go. It's certainly much less crowded than late August. The nice parts about going then are:
-Long hours (DL-8AM-12AM, DCA-9AM-10/11PM every night)
-Pretty much every ride should be running, no big refurbs
-Full entertainment schedule (Fantasmic, fireworks, and World of Color every night)

This year might be slightly more crowded because of the opening of World of Color, but if you plan it out well, the crowds really shouldn't be a major issue.

 

[kamgen]

Is late august worse than early august???
We have a 5 and 3 year old so planning is a big deal to make sure we hit things right.

What days are better or does it not make a difference? We are thinking Mon-Thurs.......

Thanks!

 

[HydroGuy]

Is late august worse than early august???
We have a 5 and 3 year old so planning is a big deal to make sure we hit things right.

What days are better or does it not make a difference? We are thinking Mon-Thurs.......

Thanks!

I believe what he was referring to is that early August when APs are blocked are better than laet August after blockouts are lifted. And I agree 100%.

See "Understanding AP Blockouts and Impact on Crowds" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2365983

As for days of the week, in the summer I do weekdays whenever possible. Other than that it does not matter very much.

 

[kamgen]

Thanks for the info. We were looking at either August 9-13 or August 23-26.

How is the weather at that time? Typical line times? Looking at staying at DL hotel ...is it better than Paradise Pier?

 

[kamgen]

Just hoping to get some more info. We are going to need to rent a car out of LAX....any tips???

 

[mrswh]

We are planning a trip to DL and DCA and wondering about attendance during certain times of the year. Is early August a busy time? What are the worst and best times to go?? Thanks!

Last year we were there August 16-21, and the crowds were really bad. For context, we were there the week Nemo opened in 2007 (2nd week in June) and the week before Easter this year, and those crowds were nothing compared to mid-August. We learned not to set foot in DLR past noon because it was just too painfully crowded. It wasn't just that the lines were long, it was also people everywhere - very difficult to get around. Evenings were like a sardine can - really, I mean, we couldn't even MOVE at times. It was horrible. DCA (as always) was much more manageable, and we love DCA anyway, so it worked out fine for us to hit the DLR rides first thing in the morning and then head on over to DCA before noon. DLR was so bad at night that we didn't even dare venture in for fireworks - we watched them from the plaza.

I am guessing that our dates somehow lined up with unblocking the APs (didn't know about that beforehand unfortunately), and if so, I can attest to the fact that those must be the worst days to go - avoid them if you can!!

Also, don't let the weather scare you off - we had the best weather of all of our trips in August!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Thanks for the info. We were looking at either August 9-13 or August 23-26.

How is the weather at that time? Typical line times? Looking at staying at DL hotel ...is it better than Paradise Pier?

My BF and I went during the middle of August last year on the 11-13 on Tuesday to Thursday. It was crowded during that time, but as not as bad from Friday to Sunday. It was way better to go during the middle of the week than going on the weekends.

When we were there during that time, it was around high 80's to low 90's when we were there. Then the weather at night was way better than during the day.

Most of the big rides like Space, Indy, and Splash were at least an hour while on average for all the rides were around 20 min wait.

DLH is way better than PPH in my opinion because its closer to the parks and I like the theming of the hotel.

 

[letitsnow]

I think last years attendance was unusally high the whole year due to the free entrance on your birthday. Hopefully we will see smaller amounts of people than expected especially this summer. Hopefully people will be split between WOC and F!...since ROA has been closed for several months and will reopen in May.

 

[DLR29]

I think last years attendance was unusally high the whole year due to the free entrance on your birthday. Hopefully we will see smaller amounts of people than expected especially this summer. Hopefully people will be split between WOC and F!...since ROA has been closed for several months and will reopen in May.

Actually, I think we will see an increase in crowds this summer because of WoC. That is a HUGE draw. DCA will certainly be more crowded. As for how the show will affect DL crowds, we do not know yet. But overall, there will probably be more crowds.

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks for the info. We were looking at either August 9-13 or August 23-26.

How is the weather at that time? Typical line times? Looking at staying at DL hotel ...is it better than Paradise Pier?

Absolute no brainer to choose Aug 9-13 this year. Crowds will be significantly lower.

Here is some weather info: "Detailed Weather Data for DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158

 

[blackjackdelta]

Last year we were there August 16-21, and the crowds were really bad. For context, we were there the week Nemo opened in 2007 (2nd week in June) and the week before Easter this year, and those crowds were nothing compared to mid-August. We learned not to set foot in DLR past noon because it was just too painfully crowded. It wasn't just that the lines were long, it was also people everywhere - very difficult to get around. Evenings were like a sardine can - really, I mean, we couldn't even MOVE at times. It was horrible. DCA (as always) was much more manageable, and we love DCA anyway, so it worked out fine for us to hit the DLR rides first thing in the morning and then head on over to DCA before noon. DLR was so bad at night that we didn't even dare venture in for fireworks - we watched them from the plaza.

I am guessing that our dates somehow lined up with unblocking the APs (didn't know about that beforehand unfortunately), and if so, I can attest to the fact that those must be the worst days to go - avoid them if you can!!

Also, don't let the weather scare you off - we had the best weather of all of our trips in August!

Have to agree, we were there at the same time.

Jack

 

[S. S. Columbia]

I think last years attendance was unusally high the whole year due to the free entrance on your birthday. Hopefully we will see smaller amounts of people than expected especially this summer. Hopefully people will be split between WOC and F!...since ROA has been closed for several months and will reopen in May.

Actually, I think we will see an increase in crowds this summer because of WoC. That is a HUGE draw. DCA will certainly be more crowded. As for how the show will affect DL crowds, we do not know yet. But overall, there will probably be more crowds.

I agree with DLR29.

There were huge crowds last summer (on non-blocked out days) because the Summer Nightastic included a new dragon in Fantasmic (temperamental, but new), and a new fireworks show (Magical) with a flying Dumbo.

This year's Summer Nightastic will likely include the brand new World of Color show in DCA. I would be very surprised if the new WoC doesn't bring in larger crowds than last year's Summer Nightastic.

I agree with the previous posters, and I would visit DLR in early-August, when the SoCal "Select" APs and SoCal APs are blocked out.

We don't know how large the crowds will be this summer on non-blocked out days, but like the movie "The Bridge on the River Kwai," I think the crowds will be... "Madness."

 

[kamgen]

Thanks for the advise. Still debating, but leaning towards early August!