Crowds

[V.I.N.C.E.N.T.]

I am swearing off any trip in September for a while. Hottest month of the year. We went Labor Day week this year, while the crowds were not bad, the heat was a real bummer. Small World and Pirates were long waits due to the air conditioning people were seeking, and Big Thunder/Matterhorn were shut down from time to time due to the heat (expanding tracks, slower cars was the explanation from a few CMs).

 

[SMD]

Of course, crowd levels changed in 2012 and again this year, so by 2017 what is true now may not be the case. Disney has shown that they can shift crowds by changing what they offer and when. There will a new land by 2017 and for all we know new ticket structure and the dates of certain things as they're offered now many change. I'd pick the dates that work best for school and work schedules, and deal with the crowds as they are. So far the only week worth completely avoiding because of crowds is between Christmas and New Years.

 

[Frozen2014]

Fantasmic!

Thanks. We saw this at DW and was great. (We definitely won't be going in 2016)

 

[wildflower329]

We went the last week of August this year (so not the week before labor day, but the week before that). Crowds were actually pretty good (although Friday was definitely much busier than the rest of the days... we were in the parks M-F). Longest lines that we stood in were 20-30 minutes, and we could have timed those better, but the kids wanted to stand in those lines.. DD6 wanted to ride Peter Pan again, in the middle of the day, and Casey Jrs train had a lot of line cutters, which bumped up the wait time significantly). It was HOT though, and we come from Eastern WA, so we are used to the heat. It was much more humid than we are used to, and standing on all the pavement makes it seem even hotter. That said, I thought it was a great time to go as long as you are prepared for the heat.

 

[SoonerLaw]

The new land is almost certainly NOT going to be complete by 2017 (or any time near that). Disney has not announced an opening date. Just look at the timeline that Cars Land, New Fantasyland, and Pandora have taken - LONG, several year projects. The new land is just breaking ground in early 2017. Rumors suggest that the ROA and train closures are expected to be complete in 2017.

Fantasmic! at DL is much different than the DHS version. Several show elements are unique, as well as the overall setting. If you like the DHS version you will probably love the DL version. Although, by 2017 Fantasmic! may see upgrades and we do not know what that will entail.

 

[figment_jii]

The new land is almost certainly NOT going to be complete by 2017 (or any time near that). Disney has not announced an opening date. Just look at the timeline that Cars Land, New Fantasyland, and Pandora have taken - LONG, several year projects. The new land is just breaking ground in early 2017. Rumors suggest that the ROA and train closures are expected to be complete in 2017.

I suppose it depends on what is meant by "breaking ground" for the new land, but the closures of Rivers of America and the Big Thunder Ranch BBQ is related to the Star Wars expansion. So in that way, they are starting to work on things in January of 2016. I also don't think Star Wars Land be done by 2017, but I do think they're starting work next year on some aspects of it.

 

[Canuck16]

We were there from March 21-27 this year during Spring Break and the parks were very busy.

It didn't help that there were a bunch of headliners that were down for refurb like Soarin', Splash and Matterhorn.

We will never go back during Spring Break again but we went this time as it was a big family trip for us.

 

[Frozen2014]

We went the last week of August this year (so not the week before labor day, but the week before that). Crowds were actually pretty good (although Friday was definitely much busier than the rest of the days... we were in the parks M-F). Longest lines that we stood in were 20-30 minutes, and we could have timed those better, but the kids wanted to stand in those lines.. DD6 wanted to ride Peter Pan again, in the middle of the day, and Casey Jrs train had a lot of line cutters, which bumped up the wait time significantly). It was HOT though, and we come from Eastern WA, so we are used to the heat. It was much more humid than we are used to, and standing on all the pavement makes it seem even hotter. That said, I thought it was a great time to go as long as you are prepared for the heat.

20 - 30 minutes for longest line isn't too bad. Then again, if it was hot (and line not inside or shaded), that can be rough.

We were there from March 21-27 this year during Spring Break and the parks were very busy.

It didn't help that there were a bunch of headliners that were down for refurb like Soarin', Splash and Matterhorn.

We will never go back during Spring Break again but we went this time as it was a big family trip for us.

Wonder why they chose to do a refurb on some main rides during busy times. Splash is my DS' favorite.

 

[Canuck16]

20 - 30 minutes for longest line isn't too bad. Then again, if it was hot (and line not inside or shaded), that can be rough.



Wonder why they chose to do a refurb on some main rides during busy times. Splash is my DS' favorite.

They were getting everything ready for the 60th celebrations. We really missed not being able to go on Soarin' and Splash......Matterhorn not so much

 

[pindecisive]

We went this weekend and DL had a major crowd issue. So much so that they opened the secret tunnels to and from Main Street, which I had never seen before. (May be totally common at this point - but I don't remember such an issue from 2007/ 2012.)

Cali Adventure was a breath of fresh air this trip. Much of pin trading is gone from DL, very few CMs take part (though they still sell at quite a few locations) and without magical morning DL would have been mostly a wash Saturday since is was so crowded so early. DCA beyond after the Hallo party was really enjoyable.

I would have much preferred to pay an extra hundred a day and cut max capacity in half. Honestly I would pay three times that to be able to enjoy the rides I wanted - and be able to rent a conveyance to take me to and from certain areas of the park.

I also noticed that strollers have completely taken over many areas of the park, adding to the space issues. Spots that were quiet lookouts in 2012 are now stroller parking. Strollers would be pushed out into the middle of a walkway and left, people would use them to clear paths - I found it disturbing how many were the size of four thinner people back to back and side to side.

This was a trip that had its great moments, but the crowding was definitely something that would keep us from coming back at this time of year.

 

[Frozen2014]

have completely taken over many areas of the park, adding to the space issues. Spots that were quiet lookouts in 2012 are now stroller parking. Strollers would be pushed out into the middle

Wonder why it was so busy? It's October...not like it's prime time as in the dates I was asking?

Stroller are inevitable as it is Disney, but I hate when people can be so inconsiderate.

 

[pindecisive]

It was Gay Days, but still...it was unbelieveable, I've never seen it so bad so early in the day. Every restaurant we tried the whole weekend was fully booked or had wait times of 45min+ for a simple buffet. Just to get a Starbucks was a half hour at DCA.

My usual times are Jan/June but while I love Disney - I'll probably put off our next trip for a couple years. Dropping so much money to wait in line 15-45 min for everything (except bathrooms) I honestly could not knowingly do it again. I had a great time because I tend to throw money and sugar at the problem, but thank heavens it rained Sunday. It was the first time since Friday morning we didn't feel like sardines.

 

[Frozen2014]

It was Gay Days, but still...it was unbelieveable, I've never seen it so bad so early in the day. Every restaurant we tried the whole weekend was fully booked or had wait times of 45min+ for a simple buffet. Just to get a Starbucks was a half hour at DCA.

My usual times are Jan/June but while I love Disney - I'll probably put off our next trip for a couple years. Dropping so much money to wait in line 15-45 min for everything (except bathrooms) I honestly could not knowingly do it again. I had a great time because I tend to throw money and sugar at the problem, but thank heavens it rained Sunday. It was the first time since Friday morning we didn't feel like sardines.

Ah ok...but still, sounds awfully crowded for early October. Perhaps too in general free dining brings in more people filing up the restaurants (or do they not have free dining in Disneyland?)?

Yeah...when Disney is super expensive, you want to be able to maximize your active time on the rides rather than spending the bulk of time standing in lines. When we came for our first time last October, we thought it would be our last time....not because we thought we wouldn't enjoy, but it was so $$$ . But we loved it so much, that we'd come again to Disney...and promised our kids. So we just have to figure out the best time without taking our kids out of school (a couple days may be ok but not a week) and if the world or the land.

 

[figment_jii]

Ah ok...but still, sounds awfully crowded for early October. Perhaps too in general free dining brings in more people filing up the restaurants (or do they not have free dining in Disneyland?)?

DLR does not offer free dining (they don't have a dining plan like WDW either).

October is not really a quiet time in the parks anymore. HalloweenTime is very popular and has been increasing attendance in the parks throughout the month. The weekends are especially busy with Gay Days, CHOC Walk/Columbus Day weekend, UEA, etc. The weekdays might still be okay, but the weekends are going to be busy.

 

[pindecisive]

Ah ok...but still, sounds awfully crowded for early October.

After having gone through it I believe it was a mix of 60th celebration, Halloween time (Haunted Mansion holiday decor) and Mickey's Hallo Party with a nice dose of the largest Gay Days it seems they've had (at least 3+ riverboats). Much of it was not fun, though we did get some ride pixie dust in DCA that helped quite a bit!

For us, it's not really a matter of price (we actually spent less than I had budgeted for). Had we not bought a package I would have tried to move over to the Grand - just because, once seeing it - there was no question it was worth every penny. To me at least.

If Disneyland could guarantee me a scheduled ride list with 10-15 min waits, provided better transportation to and from each land (removing a bit of the need for strollers and some scooters), included Airport pickup in the hotel cost, and I scheduled and reserved and lined out every day just so I could get the experience I want - I'd spend money on that. I'd spend big money on that. But I'm not sure how feasible that is for DL or for me personally. It takes absolutely all the spontaneity out of a vacation.

Our favorite part of the weekend was the Mad Hatter Tea Party (rave) which we stumbled upon at DCA on its quieter night. It wasn't well advertised but it was possibly the best part of the weekend next to a few of the rides. We would travel for that and stay at the Grand/ do a DCA day - it was that good. I just wish someone had told us about it!