Avoiding AP crowds

[mrs_z]

We need to narrow down our days. We have the last week in Feb and want to pick three days. I'm thinking Feb 23-24-25 (Wed-Fri) to avoid crowds. But are we asking for trouble with AP crowds mid week or do the AP crowds appear more on weekends? Maybe we should go earlier or later.

 

[skiingfast]

If you go midweek you beat most of the crowds. Most DLR visitiors are locals. Every week of the year there is a trend where park attendance goes up on Friday evening and down Sunday night.

The one disadvantage you may face is reduced hours or entertainment. Except for the holiday weekend before your visit you are going during and whole month of offseason.

 

[mrs_z]

If you go midweek you beat most of the crowds. Most DLR visitiors are locals. Every week of the year there is a trend where park attendance goes up on Friday evening and down Sunday night.

The one disadvantage you may face is reduced hours or entertainment. Except for the holiday weekend before your visit you are going during and whole month of offseason.

We knew about the reduced hours and lack of entertainment - but-if we do the Friday, would we still be able to see the parade? That would be kind of a finale for the whole visit. I think the lack of crowds is a bigger plus for my family since we are not used to crowds and my kids want to go on rides multiple times -- the rides will be the biggest thing for the kids, not the shows.

Is there a place to find out definitely what the park hours will be on certain days?

 

[calicat]

February 21 is President's day and alot of the schools in Sacramento have that whole week off. They call it "Winter break". I am not sure if other cities/schools have that week off as well but if they do it might make the 23-25 more crowded than usual during the week.

 

[skiingfast]

Parades are almost daily with just a few exclusions. The night shows are not. BTW it will be a new parade in DL, which should be pretty exciting. It's called Soundsational and isn't on the calendar though Disney said it would commence in January.

You won't know everything until the DLR calendars update. It goes about two months out so you have some time to wait. When you get closer click on the individual days you are there. At the bottom of the days it will list rehabs. Something you may want the kids to know ahead of time so they aren't upset when they get there.

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/calendar/#/default/2011/02

 

[Raindown]

I think your already doing the right thing by going during a slower time of the year. Many times people go when everyone else wants to go, like spring break and the holidays, and are surprised with attendance numbers. During those times, it doesn't matter that all APs are blocked. It is still very busy. I'd throw a Friday or weekend day in there as to catch some of the shows that might only play on weekends.

The only thing you might have to watch out for is a holiday weekend like a PP mentioned or the opening of the new parade.

 

[HydroGuy]

We need to narrow down our days. We have the last week in Feb and want to pick three days. I'm thinking Feb 23-24-25 (Wed-Fri) to avoid crowds. But are we asking for trouble with AP crowds mid week or do the AP crowds appear more on weekends? Maybe we should go earlier or later.

If truly all you care about on entertainment is the parade - usually daily - then Tuesday-Thursday may be better. If you care about some of the other entertainment then IMO Thursday-Saturday is better.

Which Days Should You Visit DLR In Off-Season?

My personal opinion is...


1. Three Day Trip and you do not care about entertainment offerings

Go Tuesday-Thursday. At this time Aladdin shows at DCA on Thursday-Sunday so you will need to see it on Thursday if interested.


2. Three Day Trip and you do care about entertainment offerings

Go Thursday-Saturday. On Thursday all day and Friday morning focus on rides. You will have Friday and Saturday night (usually) for full entertainment. If you want to see fireworks do that Friday night - HydroGuy's Fireworks Rule.


3. Four Day Trip and you do not care about entertainment offerings

Go Monday-Thursday. At this time Aladdin shows at DCA on Thursday-Sunday so you will need to see it on Thursday if interested.


4. Four Day Trip and you do care about entertainment offerings

Go Wednesday-Saturday. On Wednesday and Thursday all day and Friday morning focus on rides. You will have Friday and Saturday night (usually) for full entertainment. If you want to see fireworks do that Friday night - HydroGuy's Fireworks Rule.

 

[mrs_z]

Thanks everyone - I need to run some of these options by my family and see what is most important to them. I suspect they want to have more time on rides rather than the entertainment because I've got a pretty active bunch that likes to keep moving. We've seen Alladin and Fantasmic so maybe doing the World of Color would be fun on Friday night. I wish we could go the week prior but that's probably not possible due to my husband's work schedule.

I appreciate this information so much! I have another question on hotels that I'll post separately.

 

[skiingfast]

Thanks everyone - I need to run some of these options by my family and see what is most important to them. I suspect they want to have more time on rides rather than the entertainment because I've got a pretty active bunch that likes to keep moving. We've seen Alladin and Fantasmic so maybe doing the World of Color would be fun on Friday night. I wish we could go the week prior but that's probably not possible due to my husband's work schedule.

I appreciate this information so much! I have another question on hotels that I'll post separately.

If you think you'll want WoC because it's new keep in mind it has played everynight of the week so far. So no matter when you go you are likely to be able to see WoC.

 

[Funball]

We need to narrow down our days. We have the last week in Feb and want to pick three days. I'm thinking Feb 23-24-25 (Wed-Fri) to avoid crowds. But are we asking for trouble with AP crowds mid week or do the AP crowds appear more on weekends? Maybe we should go earlier or later.

AP crowds are at DLR all the time. Mostly Sundays, because depending on the month anything pass below Premium is blocked for Saturday. I guess going during the week is ok...but remember it's disneyland there is bound to have a crowd or be somewhat crowded!

 

[MAH4546]

..but remember it's disneyland there is bound to have a crowd or be somewhat crowded![/SIZE]

Mondays through Thursdays are empty in January, most of February, late April through early May, September, early November and early December. As in, "Space Mountain will rarely get above 25 minutes empty."

While it has been increasingly hard to find an empty Sunday, light crowded weekdays are still common.

 

[Funball]

hydroguy has a whole thread on tips i would also read those!

 

[Raindown]

Mondays through Thursdays are empty in January, most of February, late April through early May, September, early November and early December. As in, "Space Mountain will rarely get above 25 minutes empty."

While it has been increasingly hard to find an empty Sunday, light crowded weekdays are still common.

This. There are many times where it's pretty empty.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Are you trying to avoid APs or locals?

 

[BELLEDOZER]

Maybe both???

 

[mrs_z]

Are you trying to avoid APs or locals?

Is there a difference? LOL. I'm just trying to avoid crowds -- I don't have anything against a particular group!

 

[tholczer]

Depends on what you mean by local. Local as in Anaheim or local as in California? The only time you have to worry about AP holders really affecting crowd levels is just before they are blocked out for a period of time or just after the blockouts lift. It's pretty simple. Friday nights and Sundays can be busy, but not too bad in the off season. If you avoid holidays and Saturdays in the off season, you'll be fine there too.

President's Day weekend is VERY crowded. If you could go the week before or the week after, you're better off. It's a good idea to stay away when California schools are off for the week.

Of course, you can do your best to plan and still be surprised by crowds (or surprised by the lack of them when you were expecting them). Just plan your trip and go. It will be fun no matter what.

Tracy

 

[Funball]

Depends on what you mean by local. Local as in Anaheim or local as in California? The only time you have to worry about AP holders really affecting crowd levels is just before they are blocked out for a period of time or just after the blockouts lift. It's pretty simple. Friday nights and Sundays can be busy, but not too bad in the off season. If you avoid holidays and Saturdays in the off season, you'll be fine there too.

President's Day weekend is VERY crowded. If you could go the week before or the week after, you're better off. It's a good idea to stay away when California schools are off for the week.

Of course, you can do your best to plan and still be surprised by crowds (or surprised by the lack of them when you were expecting them). Just plan your trip and go. It will be fun no matter what.

Tracy

My thoughts exactly! but then again you have to avoid us PAP park guests!