Crowds Next Week

[cutedisneygirly]

My mom and I are doing a impromptu girls trip next week. We are debating if we should do Wednesday - Saturday (we would have Wednesday evening and Saturday morning in the park) or Thursday-Sunday (Thursday evening and Sunday morning in the park). With both options we would have all day Friday in the park. Which choice would be better crowd-wise?
We normally go in the off season and we know this will be much more crowded than what we usually deal with, but we are trying to figure out the best option. I have a DAP, so no MM for me since we are staying offsite.

Thanks for the help!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I don't have firsthand experience of the post-blockout period August days in DL, but we were there in June just before the SoCal passholders were blocked out, and the parks were very, very busy. Next week is the first time the SoCal passholders aren't blocked out since June, so I would expect a major surge in crowds as the SoCal passholders return to the parks for some summer fun before all the schools are in session. I'm not trying to scare you off going; we did fine in June. You just need to go in with the mentality of it being a peak time, and then if it turns out less crowded than expected, you'll be pleasantly surprised. Based on the blockout calendar, I would choose Thursday-Sunday since all SoCal passholders will still be blocked out on Saturday and the holders of the least expensive passes will be blocked out on the Friday and Sunday also. Good luck.

 

[tholczer]

Generally, passholder blockout days are busier - weekends, holidays, etc. Disney blocks us because they expect the parks to be crowded. But those weeks leading up to and after the summer blockouts are the exception to this rule. Again, generally and subjectively. The previous poster said the crowds were terrible right before the passholders were blocked in June, but I was there the very last week before they blocked and didn't think the crowds were horrible at all. Just normal busy summer crowds.

You might be better off with the Thurs-Sun option. Only because I think the weekdays will be packed and the weekend less so because school starts down here for so many on Aug. 31. Plus Saturday is blocked.

Have fun!

Tracy

 

[Susie*Q]

I'm headed to Disneyland today 8/23/10. I'll let you know how it is.

Today is the first day I'm allowed back as a So. Cal Select pass holder. The last Monday in June before summer blackout was very crowded , compared to the earlier months of the year. Summer was starting and schools were out. Now some kids have gone back to school so there may be fewer visitors.

 

[Porturican]

Do you mean this week or next week during Labor day? That will make a difference also because during labor day weekend annual passes are blocked except the Premium pass.

If you mean this weekend then I am curious also as I will be there this Friday and Saturday and expect Friday evening to be crowded.

 

[nsiordia]

It was pretty dead yesterday and it was the first day us SoCal AP holders could come. So I don't think it would be very busy. It was very hot though.

 

[cutedisneygirly]

We will be going this week. Still debating if we should drive all the way Wednesday and arrive that evening or arrive Thursday morning and leave Saturday or Sunday afternoon. I know it is supposed to cool down later in the week.

 

[cutedisneygirly]

So we decided to do Wednesday-Saturday only because it works better with our schedules. As long as we don't have our guys with us, we can handle the crowds. The guys are the ones who get fussy when it gets crowded!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Have a fun trip!

 

[Lights_Out]

I'm headed to Disneyland today 8/23/10. I'll let you know how it is.

Today is the first day I'm allowed back as a So. Cal Select pass holder. The last Monday in June before summer blackout was very crowded , compared to the earlier months of the year. Summer was starting and schools were out. Now some kids have gone back to school so there may be fewer visitors.

So how was it?

 

[Susie*Q]

The crowds wern't bad... busy, but nothing like June. The wait for rides wasn't overly long 5 minutes for Haunted Mansion. 10 min. for POTC. Peter Pan was 25. 40 for Sapace Mountain. food lines were 5 -7 deep at most at busy times. Some you could walk right up to the counter. It was hot and wear sun block...I'm a bit red today.

Have fun on your trip!

 

[cutedisneygirly]

Thanks. It is 105 in Northern Cali today, so we are prepared for it to be hot tomorrow and Thursday, Luckily a lot of tomorrow will be spent in the car with the AC. By the time we get there tomorrow it will have cooled down! We will probably be doing a lot of the indoor stuff Thursday though. Tiki Room and Dole Whip, here we come!!!