Dapper Day report

[WonkaKid]

I arrived at the park gates dressed for the day. I was disappointed to see only a small number of like-minded guests similarly dressed. In fact, a few times throughout the day CMs said to me “I didn’t even know that today was Dapper Day.” That must have been true of the guests as well. In short, I only saw about a fifth as many dressed as I expected/hoped to see. At least that’s how the day began. Around 11:00, the proportion began to edge closer to my expectations. Combined with the heat — upper 80s - it made for a bit of a difficult day. But overall, of course, it was a good time (there are few days at DL that aren’t).

@Dudekiwi and his charming wife met me at the rope moments after the park opened. I suggested that they stick close with me and as result we were able to ride PP together… as the first riders, no less. There was an old guy who tried to run past us and ignored CMs calls for him to walk. But I’m a fast walker and still beat him.

I think the heat was a challenge in general because I saw two small groups of people being escorted out of the park throughout the day. And in the early afternoon I saw some guest alteration outside of Plaza Inn. I didn’t see the entire exchange but as I walked by, a woman threw a cup of water on a couple. I have no idea what happened but that struck me as an infantile way to handle the situation and only escalated it. Generally, I strive for deescalation when possible. No need to get in a fight when words and tact will solve far more. But some people...

I did OK at Buzz. A few times my score didn’t come through and another I exceeded 2,096,000 by about 15,000 points and my score reset. Wasn’t a great day for the ride. On my last game of the day I got around 1.9M but earlier all I could manage was 1.6.

The crowd at the rope drop was heavy and it seemed to remain so throughout the day.

Someone posted a few days ago that DL is no longer dispensing ice water. That wasn’t my experience. Stacks of cups were still outside at Rancho del Zocalo (the restaurant wasn’t open yet so I wasn’t able to determine if ice was an option). But a woman ahead of me at the faucet told me that another place gave her ice. Also, I was able to help myself to ice water at Pizza Planet.

Thats about all that I have to report. Next weekend is expected to be cooler and my mood will hopefully be better. I think I’ve felt frustrated with the reservation system and how I don’t see nearly as many people I know as I used to. It feels like that golden time has gone away never to return. Maybe it will but I have a sense of loss. It’s easy to feel that way these days.

I’ve got maps for anyone who would like a set. Simply message me with your address.

Some pics. Not as many this week, folks. Sorry.

 

[gelatoni fan]

Is Mickey on the carriage part of a bigger cavalcade or just him? I assume that's not in the entertainment schedule?

 

[Pluto468]

Thanks for the pictures! I love the Mickey carriage and the Christmas snacks look great. I'm surprised more people weren't dressed up. I've always wanted to go to Dapper Days. Hopefully over time the parks will feel more like they used to.

 

[starlite_]

As someone who had never gone on Dapper Day and accidentally went yesterday I really enjoyed seeing everyone's outfits! I did see more ppl dressed up on the left side of the park. It was a nice surprise, made me wanna dress up haha

 

[Dudekiwi]

We enjoyed meeting you Rob. Thank you for allowing us to join in on the first PP boat of the day. My wife says you are a fast walker. She says we are only 2 visits into our Dream Keys and we are already like regulars with meeting you and Frank.

 

[WonkaKid]

We enjoyed meeting you Rob. Thank you for allowing us to join in on the first PP boat of the day.

Thanks. Likewise! Hope you both continue to enjoy the park!

 

[Dug720]

I arrived at the park gates dressed for the day. I was disappointed to see only a small number of like-minded guests similarly dressed. In fact, a few times throughout the day CMs said to me “I didn’t even know that today was Dapper Day.” That must have been true of the guests as well. In short, I only saw about a fifth as many dressed as I expected/hoped to see.

Honestly unless things like this are WIDELY publicized AND certain dress is required with that being stated when you buy your ticket and make your park reservation, there is no reason to suspect that everyone will be dressed up. Most people go to theme parks in comfy clothes - and to I'd venture to say for the majority or people, dressing up is NOT comfortable.

 

[WonkaKid]

Honestly unless things like this are WIDELY publicized AND certain dress is required with that being stated when you buy your ticket and make your park reservation, there is no reason to suspect that everyone will be dressed up.

Dapper Day has been an annual event for years and in the past I’ve seen a lot more people dressed for it. That’s why I was disappointed with last Sunday’s turnout - because I’ve seen it so much higher in years past. This is a an unofficial event that’s done simply for fun and, consequently, Disney isn’t going to require guests to dress for it. Indeed, I don’t recall a single Disney park event at which certain dress was required. Moreover, I didn’t expect everyone to be dressed up - that would be silly. I simply thought I’d see dressed guests be at around the same level as I’ve seen in the past - that is, about five times as much as what I saw on Sunday, as I wrote in my post.

Most people go to theme parks in comfy clothes - and to I'd venture to say for the majority or people, dressing up is NOT comfortable.

I understand that. But some people do enjoy it once or twice a year, as past Dapper Days have shown. That’s why it continues as an annual event.

 

[gelatoni fan]

Honestly unless things like this are WIDELY publicized AND certain dress is required with that being stated when you buy your ticket and make your park reservation, there is no reason to suspect that everyone will be dressed up. Most people go to theme parks in comfy clothes - and to I'd venture to say for the majority or people, dressing up is NOT comfortable.

Dapper Day is just a community event and not anything official. The people who would bother are those who are deeply invested in those various communities and not normal guests. It'd be a smaller group than the people who know you can dress up for Halloween. Whether most people go to theme parks in comfy clothes is a matter of culture. Japanese people are far more likely to dress up to visit theme parks and you'll see girls in skirts with no leggings when it's snowing at Tokyo Disneyland.

Given the reservation limits on Magic Keys, I suspect that most of the people who might even want to participate in Dapper Day are blocked out from the park. If I were to pick the days to use my limited reservations in November, I would have picked Disney+ Day and Mickey's birthday because these two actually have unique experiences provided by Disney that aren't available any other day.

 

[mel2014]

We were there this weekend for our first Dapper Day (daughter has been looking forward to it for two years through all of the prior cancellations) and we were also surprised at the low percentage of guests that were participating as compared to pictures we've seen from prior years. It seems like it was primarily Dapper Day diehards that were participating (so many of the outfits were amazing) and fewer casual participants (like us -- we came, we dressed nicely, but weren't all out vintage or Disneybounding). I'm guessing, as others noted above, that the reservation system had an impact for both day visitors and Magic Key holders and that visitors that were there for the xmas festivities may have crowded out would-be Dapper Day participants. But it was still a great time and we're looking forward to coming back for Spring Dapper Day, which will hopefully be closer to normal. I did notice more older people (60/70/80s) participating than I was expecting and they had some lovely outfits.

 

[Pluto468]

Dapper Day has been an annual event for years and in the past I’ve seen a lot more people dressed for it. That’s why I was disappointed with last Sunday’s turnout - because I’ve seen it so much higher in years past. This is a an unofficial event that’s done simply for fun and, consequently, Disney isn’t going to require guests to dress for it. Indeed, I don’t recall a single Disney park event at which certain dress was required. Moreover, I didn’t expect everyone to be dressed up - that would be silly. I simply thought I’d see dressed guests be at around the same level as I’ve seen in the past - that is, about five times as much as what I saw on Sunday, as I wrote in my post.


I understand that. But some people do enjoy it once or twice a year, as past Dapper Days have shown. That’s why it continues as an annual event.

I had my dapper day outfit all ready for last year but since I missed it I'll be wearing it when we go in January

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

All the Dapper folks were at the Disneyland Hotel! Obviously, since this is where the Expo is held, but they were hanging out at Trader Sam's and on property at the DLH, at the GCH and also in DTD. I was staying at the DLH, from Saturday morning through Sunday evening, and saw loads and loads of Dapper folks, it was so fun. The Hearthstone Lounge inside the GCH was nearly 100% Dapper participants at lunchtime on Saturday. It was also so hot, I think people were hunkering down in air conditioned spots and just relaxing rather than going on a lot of rides.

 

[Calidisneyfam]

We will be there this weekend, and I'll look for you at the gate before rope drop!

Can you confirm what time they open the gates, and after you scan your ticket, are you free to go? Or do they hold everyone at the hub until 8:00? Thanks!

 

[Dudekiwi]

We will be there this weekend, and I'll look for you at the gate before rope drop!

Can you confirm what time they open the gates, and after you scan your ticket, are you free to go? Or do they hold everyone at the hub until 8:00? Thanks!

They let you go through security, at least on the Harbor side at 7:15. The gates open at 7:30 and the rope drops are at 8am.