Crowd Navigation

[zenjenn]

I am originally a Southern California native and Disney aficionado. As such, my cardinal rule has been NEVER to visit Disneyland during the summer, EVER, due to some horrible crowd experiences when I was a kid.

And now I'm going to break it that rule. :/

I've lived away from SoCal for nearly 10 years now, and will be back there visiting family with my teenage daughter. She has fond memories of our annual pass visits when she was a little girl and wants to go. Thus, the rule must be broken - this is not an opportunity that will soon come again. Plus, 60th anniversary!

But I have literally never stepped foot in Disneyland during a peak time in about 25 years. I've done several Disney World trips and with the help of Internet Hivemind, had smooth sailing in the Florida parks, even during peak times. Hoping for some similar help here.

Current plan is to get a 2 day ticket, non park-hopper, using the days a about a week apart (to minimize taking more than 1 day away from visits to any one set of relatives.)

Day 1 is June 28, Day 2 is July 6.

I was going to pick California Adventure for June 28, because it's a NON Magic Hour day, which using Disney World logic I am wise to avoid as a non-resort guest. Same with Disneyland and July 6. However I can tell by the extended hours on July 4 week that Disney is expecting increased crowds that week, and I am wondering if I'd be wiser to switch that in spite of the "avoid Magic Hour" rule. Hmm.

Also, I am going for the haul to take advantage of early morning and late night lulls. We have no car, (dropped off/picked up by relatives) and have no resort, so I am looking for any suggestion for DD or elsewhere in walking distance to spend a few 'recharge' hours during the peak of the day. (Someplace inside, air-conditioned, and relatively quiet and free from crowds.) Any suggestions?

 

[daneenm]

I follow that 'rule' for WDW too, but we do not for DL. In our experience, you get in the most popular rides at DL by going during EMH. Since the parks are right across from each other, we always get hoppers so we can move back and forth throughout the day as we see fit.

As for a mid day break, have you tried the lobby of the Grand Californian? Lovely, cool and often nice piano music being played. Also the restaurants at DD are a good choice. We particularly like Catal and Ralph Brennan's.

 

[SMD]

Honestly, EE at DCA is available to such a small group that within an hour of park opening any effects has dissipated. That's basically true of DL too when it's crowded. FP distribution doesn't start until the park opens anyway. With only FL and TL open during MM, you can easily grab an FP and find plenty or rides with no residual line. I think you'd be fine either way.

 

[zenjenn]

Yeah but since we won't be staying in a Disney hotel, we don't have access to the magic morning hours. The logic being to avoid the park with a bunch of resort guests that have been in it for an hour and go to the other one.

GC hotel lobby is a great suggestion!

 

[zenjenn]

Cross posted with you SWD.. do you think the fact that the parks have an extra hour on the schedule for the July 4th week represents a huge increase in crowds? And if so am I better off going to DL on the "less crowded week"? Back when I lived in SoCal, California Adventure always had substantially fewer crowds than DL, but that was before Carsland and all.

 

[larie21]

Take advantage of fastpasses! That helped us on some very crowded days. Also, at DCA we liked to take a break in the Animation building's main room. It was air conditioned & they play animated movie clips continuously.

 

[zenjenn]

Oh for sure on the FastPasses! I'm a little spoiled now because I've become accustomed to WDW online FP reservation but if I understand correctly at DLR parks I have to go to the kiosks "old style". Do the cast members enforce the return window strictly like they do now at WDW? In the past if you ended up late (but NOT early) they'd still honor your FastPass. They won't at WDW anymore.

 

[larie21]

Oh for sure on the FastPasses! I'm a little spoiled now because I've become accustomed to WDW online FP reservation but if I understand correctly at DLR parks I have to go to the kiosks "old style". Do the cast members enforce the return window strictly like they do now at WDW? In the past if you ended up late (but NOT early) they'd still honor your FastPass. They won't at WDW anymore.

Yes, paper fastpasses were a pro & con. So nice not to have to prebook them & you are not limited on how many you get. But, you do have to go to each ride kiosk to get the FPs. The FP return windows are strictly enforced.

 

[SMD]

They are very strict on FP return windows. Do not even count on a 5 min grace period. I would say if you're a little late, still try, but don't be surprised when the answer is no.

I explained above why EE has less impact than you think it does, but if you still want to avoid it, then avoid it.

 

[MissErikaRae]

EMH don't effect the parks as much as WDW. Also just know you are going to be going during a peak time so breathe and be patient. Fast passes have a hard time frame and printed on the bottom of your fastness is the time you an get another. You can't just get a bunch of fast passes at the same time. First thing in the morning is to grab a fastpass for your can't miss attraction. You also can't be late for using your fastpass.

As far as places to recharge- Animation Academy is great in DCA. The lobby of the GCH is also a great place to rest in the AC. Disneyland has fewer places that are inside and AC, Star Wars launch bay would be a decent place.

 

[Geemo]

Your mid-day break on DCA day could be a FP for the new Frozen program in the Hyperion Theater.
I haven't been since the program began so I don't really know how the FP's for this work.


Geemo

 

[larie21]

Your mid-day break on DCA day could be a FP for the new Frozen program in the Hyperion Theater.
I haven't been since the program began so I don't really know how the FP's for this work.


Geemo

That is a great way to take a break too! Fantastic show!