Can someone make me feel better???

[carmel]

Okay, in the big scheme of things, I should be thanking my lucky stars to be able to afford a trip to Disney and also count my blessings if this is the worst thing I ever worry about. But..........

I love Disney. However, I have never been there (WDW or DL) when it wasn't peak season. I'm talking the pinnacle of peak with Easter and spring break. This past Easter at DL, we had to miss Fantasmic, Indy, Splash, pretty much all of PP, Soarin and TOT because we didn't want to spend 2+ hrs in line and/or the FP was already 'sold out'.

Having had this experience, hubby and I have decided to pick the *least* crowded week of the year and go. That means the first week of December. We can't go this year but have already booked a room at the CCI for 12/2-12/9 in 2006. We are EXCITED!!!

I got to reading this board and also the WDW board and people who are just coming back are writing that they are very surprised at how crowded the parks still are. I'm kinda nervous DL will still be very crowded the week we go and I will still only be able to ride 5 rides in a day. I don't mind 20 minute lines but I will be heartbroken if the lines are still 2 hrs long and the FP run out for one ride while I'm holding another.

I'm trying to think positive and believe that it is all due to the 50th celebration. But, some people are saying the word is out for the 1st week in December. Drats!!! I want to keep that a secret until I return.

Thoughts??? What do you guys think? Will the first week in December be noticibly different than Easter? Oh, I hope so!!!

 

[denyd]

You'll be fine and probably have a great time. I was there last Sunday and though we we're only in Disneyland from 6:30 to 8:30 we managed ride Indy, POTC, Jungle Cruise, Buzz & Haunted Mansion (via FP). You're going to be there the perfect time of the year, with Small World & Haunted Mansion both having wonderful overlays and before the Christmas crowds arrive in force. The weather that time of year is normally quite mild, with a minimal chance of rain and temps from the mid 50's to low 70's. The only time of year with smaller crowds is January, but Small World & Haunted Mansion are both closed to remove the overlays.

As for FP's running out, from what I've read FP's don't expire, ie if you have an FP for Indy for 11am, you can use it anytime that day after 11am.

 

[potterphreak]

Also, most unexpectedly large crowds are thought to be due to the 50 th Celebration which might be over by next December-hopefully! LOL

 

[carmel]

'FP running out' meaning the ride was no longer offering them. I got a FP for Indy and couldn't get one to anything else until the ride time came up. By that time, Splash, TOT and Soarin' had all given out the FPs for the day.

To give you an example of the crowd. I waited in line at Indy just to GET the fp for 15 minutes. The return time advance 1hr 10 minutes in that 15 minutes.

At least the weather was fabulous!

 

[disneychrista]

The parks are crowded right now because people were waiting until after Labor Day to go experience the 50th anniversary. By next December the 50th will be over and things should be back to normal.

The one thing I will mention is that the first weekend in December (sat&sun) are usually the candlelight processional and will add the crowds.

 

[iceskatejen]

Make sure to look at the bottom of your FPs--the next FP is available at the beginning of your FP window or two hours later, whichever comes first. Sounds like you might have been able to get another FP much sooner than you thought. Don't forget about the disconnected FP rides--Roger Rabbit and Grizzly River and that the two parks are not connected. I've ridden Space Mountain 5 times on a crowded day and several others besides, just by knowing how to use FP. Here's how that worked--I got there at park opening, went straight to Space, got a FP and then used the stand-by line (which was 5 minutes at the time). Rode the ride. Went to Buzz and rode that twice while waiting for my next Space window to open. Went back to Space, got another FP before using the one I already had. Rode Space again. Went to do some other stuff. Sometime during the window--go back to Space and get another FP, even if I don't ride it then. I have been on twice and have two FPs for it. (no, you don't have to use a FP during the 1-hour window). Somewhere during the day I ride it at least once more, plus get another FP to use later in the evening. so I rode it once from Stand-by, and 4 times with FPs. Plus rode other things, saw shows, etc...

Early December should be fine, esp next year.

 

[azgal81]

I wouldn't be too worried about I think the 50th celebration is making things a little more crowded then usual this year. The first week of December is still going to be less crowded then Easter/Spring break.

The key to riding the big rides is ride them when the park opens. The park is not crowded at all as soon as it opens. Once you ride them get a fast pass to ride them again if you want to. The cast members don't even look at the end time on the pass so you can use it when the fast pass has expired.

 

[sramille]

I've taken a few weekend trips in early December. The crowds did get pretty bad later in the day. IASW would have 1hour+ waits as would Haunted Mansion. Leaving the park after fireworks was crazy, but it was worth it to see the "snow" fly. I'd advise you to get as much as you can done on the weekdays and weekend mornings. DL is so magical that time of year, you'll enjoy it no matter what!

 

[noryglory]

You are going NEXT December and are already worried? Whoa. There'll be a lot of time between now and then. Use the time to get excited, not depressed. You will have a great time no matter what. Research research research, get RideMax if you are nervous ($15 for piece of mind even if you don't use it once you are there), go early, go for enough days (sounds like you are), and you will have a blast! Right, people? Of course!! The hardest thing you have to deal with is the WAIT! (Not lines, until your trip arrives LOL!)

 

[stampinshauna]

It should be much better than Easter. If there are holidays or school breaks, there usually are more crowds. If school is in around the country, it should be less crowded.

Just realize that Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are the least crowded. Also Dec 2006 will be after the 50 year celebration, so maybe there won't be such a problem on weekends because of the fireworks.

 

[lark]

I was there about 3 weeks ago. (Week of September 19.) We basically walked on every ride except Soarin, but they only had one side operating. A couple of the DCA rides that are slow loaders took a while, but, for example, we rode Dumbo about 4 times in a row, never waiting longer than a few minutes. I wouldn't exactly say the parks were empty, but we had zero problem whatsoever, other than the fact that the trade off for short waits is very modest hours.

I don't know about the first week in December, but if you're getting the sense that the parks are packed every day, that most definitely was not my experience.

 

[Judy from Boise]

Off the top of my head I believe that the celebration runs 18 months thru 12/31/06. So officially as i remember it would still be celebration.

 

[Disneycruiser]

at that time of the year you will be fine. enjoy.

 

[50thisyeartoo!]

I have been to Disneyland 8 times this year. It has been mostly crowded on the weekends. Even Fridays aren't too bad. Wednesdays are usually the least crowded that I've noticed. We are going again the end of November...

 

[blackjackdelta]

I heard the 50th ends Sept 2006. Can not find the thread though.

 

[Judy from Boise]

That would be "cleaner", so they could do the holiday stuff as "stand alone" themes.

 

[Dobie]

I must confirm what other posters said about being in line at the gate when the park opens.

This is the single best strategy for walking on rides and getting fastpasses.

Enjoy!!!!