Before I knew about the Dis...

[Butterfly123]

It's funny, I've been thinking about our summer vacation plans, have already made reservations, and am excited about our trip. I've been reading posts about people planning their summer trips, and have read speculation about how crazy it may be this summer with the 60th anniversary. It was starting to make me a little concerned about whether we were picking the best days to visit.

And then I remembered. Before the DIS, we used to plan our trips when the time suited our schedule. We didn't worry about ride closures, although I would check them before we went on the Disneyland's site. We didn't worry about crowds...just went with what we knew...always start early, take a break, return late afternoon. We went to two 50th celebrations (April and the following April) and didn't worry about crowds and planning, etc. And it was great. Maybe a little crowded, but great. And that was spring break!

Now I love hanging out on the Dis. It gets me excited in a really good way for our vacation. And it's fun to hang out with people who love Disneyland as much as I do. But...I will remind myself not to worry too much when I see people getting anxious about this summers crowds. And if you see me getting worried about our plans, give me a swift kick and remind me...we're going to Disneyland! And it's gonna be great!

So...who else can't wait for this summer???

 

[Kristina4109]

So glad you're so excited for your summer trip!

My parents took me to WDW in spring break in 1976. Then we went off season only to both WDW and DL until 2011, when my daughter entered school. I was freaked out about visiting DL during Spring Break. Well, it was awesome. Sure, it was kind of crowded, but we planned for it, and we had a blast.

We've been doing peak season only at both DL and WDW ever since. Not ideal, sure. But totally doable. Go into it knowing that there will be crowds and have some sort of a plan. And have a fabulous time.

 

[JenKate]

I ADORE Christmas and the hustle and bustle. It's Disney!

Have a fun trip, and I promise to kick you if you get nervous.

 

[mystic_path]

I am so incredibly excited and it makes it even more fun when others are getting excited along with you. I am going at the end of summer in early September next year for Disneyland's 1/2 marathon, and the 60th birthday when the schools go back in hoping to catch some lower crowds during the week after the marathon on the 6th. But you are right as long as you plan and just go with the flow, stick with what you know you will have a great time. Well its Disney you will have a great time regardless.

 

[corinne76]

I totally get it. We went last year in the beginning of June. It was pretty crowded, with some grad nights. I didn't even notice LOL.

Now, after joining this site, I see everyone trying to avoid grad nights and such. I was just so gosh darn excited to be at DL (my first trip there since I was 15, actually my first trip anywhere since I got married and had kids). I was ecstatic! Nothing could have ruined it I think.

Now, we want to go next Oct. Hopefully crowds won't suck too bad, but with the 60th I anticipate heavier than normal beginning of Oct crowds. Reading this site makes me slightly nervous, but never enough to reconsider the trip

 

[Butterfly123]

Corinne, our grad nights were fine, too! Maybe we were there at the same time.

I can honestly say we've never had a bad Disney trip, so bring on the 60th!!!


And if I'm still kickin' at 91, I'll be there for the 100th!!

 

[corinne76]

Corinne, our grad nights were fine, too! Maybe we were there at the same time.

I can honestly say we've never had a bad Disney trip, so bring on the 60th!!!


And if I'm still kickin' at 91, I'll be there for the 100th!!

We left Hawaii late may 31st and spent the first week of June in DL. I did notice more teens running around, but nothing hellish that would make me want to avoid that time again.
DH on the other hand, would like to go in Oct, when our older daughter has a week off. my little one is preschool so I don't have a problem pulling him out of school anytime. however, this trip will likely coincide with gay days. there's always something

eta: The teen antics we did see at DL were MUCH tamer than what we saw at Knotts. We saw kids making out everywhere, running around crazy. we even saw a couple making out in a pretty high family traffic area, and the boy's fingers were...uhm...where they shouldn't have been in a family park. It was just gross.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I totally get it. We went last year in the beginning of June. It was pretty crowded, with some grad nights. I didn't even notice LOL. Now, after joining this site, I see everyone trying to avoid grad nights and such. I was just so gosh darn excited to be at DL (my first trip there since I was 15, actually my first trip anywhere since I got married and had kids). I was ecstatic! Nothing could have ruined it I think. Now, we want to go next Oct. Hopefully crowds won't suck too bad, but with the 60th I anticipate heavier than normal beginning of Oct crowds. Reading this site makes me slightly nervous, but never enough to reconsider the trip

Yeah... October has actually become one of DL busier months because so many schools take a week off at varying times for Fall Break. So I hope you get to enjoy the p

 

[gottalovepluto]

Yeah... October has actually become one of DL busier months because so many schools take a week off at varying times for Fall Break. So I hope you get to enjoy the p

Sorry on my phone and don't know how to edit... Hope you get enjoy the parks one Fall but don't be expecting lower crowds.

 

[corinne76]

Yeah... October has actually become one of DL busier months because so many schools take a week off at varying times for Fall Break. So I hope you get to enjoy the p

I had heard that too. But I think more schools have break later than we do Hawaii starts school first of august, so fall break is normally the first full week of October.
I'm hoping other schools, especially those that start later in the year, have fall break a little later

 

[lovebug33]

I decide on when to go according to random things. This year, it is our daughter's first birthday, so we will go in June. Whether that means grad nights or huge crowds or whatever. I go and have the best time I can and don't worry about it!

 

[julesann]

It's funny, I've been thinking about our summer vacation plans, have already made reservations, and am excited about our trip. I've been reading posts about people planning their summer trips, and have read speculation about how crazy it may be this summer with the 60th anniversary. It was starting to make me a little concerned about whether we were picking the best days to visit.

And then I remembered. Before the DIS, we used to plan our trips when the time suited our schedule. We didn't worry about ride closures, although I would check them before we went on the Disneyland's site. We didn't worry about crowds...just went with what we knew...always start early, take a break, return late afternoon. We went to two 50th celebrations (April and the following April) and didn't worry about crowds and planning, etc. And it was great. Maybe a little crowded, but great. And that was spring break!

Now I love hanging out on the Dis. It gets me excited in a really good way for our vacation. And it's fun to hang out with people who love Disneyland as much as I do. But...I will remind myself not to worry too much when I see people getting anxious about this summers crowds. And if you see me getting worried about our plans, give me a swift kick and remind me...we're going to Disneyland! And it's gonna be great!

So...who else can't wait for this summer???

Thanks for this--it is a great reminder! I too love hanging out on Disboards AND I have noticed that I have been worried about the crowds for my trip coming up in two weeks (plus I worried about them for September DD). And, I know I always have a great time and it is usually pretty crowded. I am going to give myself a swift kick and focus on the fact that I am going to be in Disneyland with my whole dear family in two weeks!

 

[Butterfly123]

Thanks for this--it is a great reminder! I too love hanging out on Disboards AND I have noticed that I have been worried about the crowds for my trip coming up in two weeks (plus I worried about them for September DD). And, I know I always have a great time and it is usually pretty crowded. I am going to give myself a swift kick and focus on the fact that I am going to be in Disneyland with my whole dear family in two weeks!

I love it...have an amazing trip!

 

[mystic_path]

Ive been to Disneyland many times late May or the first week of June. We avoid grad nights by doing a day excursion elsewhere but the crowds have been kinda busy but tolerable other days. Most schools are still in during that time so its not peak summer busy. Id go again during that time of year.

 

[TheDoleWhipper]

I think that the success of Disney trips is based purely on expectations. For example, say two families go to Disneyland during Christmas and New Years week. One family knows that it is the absolute busiest time of the year, and thus, they do not expect to get much done. They expect 3 hour waits for everything, so they have made it their primary goal just to enjoy Disney at Christmas. The other family, unfortunately, is not prepared. They know it will be crowded, but how much? Surely they will be able to enter the parks 2 hours after opening, ride everything in one single day, and not spend much money? Which family do you think would have more fun. Answer...The first one. You can have fun at disney anytime of the year, regardless of crowds, weather, grad nites, refurbs....... You just try and purposely lower your expectations and your trip will most definitely turn out better than you thought.

 

[corinne76]

I think that the success of Disney trips is based purely on expectations. For example, say two families go to Disneyland during Christmas and New Years week. One family knows that it is the absolute busiest time of the year, and thus, they do not expect to get much done. They expect 3 hour waits for everything, so they have made it their primary goal just to enjoy Disney at Christmas. The other family, unfortunately, is not prepared. They know it will be crowded, but how much? Surely they will be able to enter the parks 2 hours after opening, ride everything in one single day, and not spend much money? Which family do you think would have more fun. Answer...The first one. You can have fun at disney anytime of the year, regardless of crowds, weather, grad nites, refurbs....... You just try and purposely lower your expectations and your trip will most definitely turn out better than you thought.

I agree with this. We went in June last year, a pretty busy time. I went knowing we'd have to wait in some lines. I mean, it's Disney! It's crowded. DH...not sure of his expectations...but he wasn't thrilled about the crowds. He didn't complain, but I know it bothered him a little and he didn't really like waiting in lines. Me, I didn't give a hoot. I was like, "I'm at Disneyland baby!!!"