Dapper Day

[Sommermo]

I am currently trying to pick dates for a very quick November 2018 trip. I am bringing my mother-in-law so she can go to Magic Kingdom with my daughter. We are only staying 3 nights with 2 full days in Magic Kingdom. I just realized that the weekend that works best will be the date for Dapper Day. We would be going to Magic Kingdom Friday and Saturday. I am wondering if anyone can help me decide if this is a bad weekend. We would not be dressing up or involving ourselves in any of the special events so I am thinking it might be a bad idea to go then. What do you all think?

 

[mesaboy2]

I think it has no effect on crowds, and very few people there will even notice it. If there are special events for Dapper Day, I don't remember ever hearing about them.

 

[Sommermo]

I think it has no effect on crowds, and very few people there will even notice it. If there are special events for Dapper Day, I don't remember ever hearing about them.

That is exactly what I wanted to hear. Thank you!

 

[DOOM1001]

It's mostly a lot of people dressing up in retro outfits to visit the parks,the most popular day will be at MK with many of them spending a lot of time taking pictures around Main Street.Theres a Spring and a Fall Dapper day,the Spring one happened about 2 months ago or so and it was so hot that I think most people who dressed up that day were gone by 3-4 pm,those outfits and 90+ degrees is a bad combo,for the Fall one in November it should be nicer weather.

 

[CarrieR]

I disagree that no one will notice it. When we did it last April, it was VERY clear that there was "something" going on. I would estimate about 20% of the park's populous were dressed for the occasion. It was noticeable enough that someone on our bus back to the resort that evening chatted us up regarding how we were aware of the event, etc.

But...

The vast, vast majority of those participating are AP holders, locals. If you're familiar with how the locals tour at WDW... they're more likely to wander, to visit with friends, to catch a spin on Haunted Mansion, Pirates or the Peoplemover than to book a FP for 7DMT 60 days out. And they're sure not waiting in that line! In fact, about the only line they'll wait in IS the Peoplemover... (I attached a photo from last year. Yes, that's an extended queue rope.)

Check the event website shortly before you go. That time, there were windows - carousel 12-1, Peoplemover 1:15-1:45, etc - in which the groups "met up." The event has simply grown too large for a true meet up, and it grows every year. The Peoplemover photos are during the designated windows.

The net effect of this is that although you may see higher *crowds* you will probably not see longer *lines.*
It's a fun atmosphere, so I wouldn't let Dapper Day dissuade you.

I hope that helps.

 

[Sommermo]

I disagree that no one will notice it. When we did it last April, it was VERY clear that there was "something" going on. I would estimate about 20% of the park's populous were dressed for the occasion. It was noticeable enough that someone on our bus back to the resort that evening chatted us up regarding how we were aware of the event, etc.

But...

The vast, vast majority of those participating are AP holders, locals. If you're familiar with how the locals tour at WDW... they're more likely to wander, to visit with friends, to catch a spin on Haunted Mansion, Pirates or the Peoplemover than to book a FP for 7DMT 60 days out. And they're sure not waiting in that line! In fact, about the only line they'll wait in IS the Peoplemover... (I attached a photo from last year. Yes, that's an extended queue rope.)

Check the event website shortly before you go. That time, there were windows - carousel 12-1, Peoplemover 1:15-1:45, etc - in which the groups "met up." The event has simply grown too large for a true meet up, and it grows every year. The Peoplemover photos are during the designated windows.

The net effect of this is that although you may see higher *crowds* you will probably not see longer *lines.*
It's a fun atmosphere, so I wouldn't let Dapper Day dissuade you.

I hope that helps.

Thanks! This is very helpful!

 

[mamamelody2]

We will be at MK during Dapper Day this November. I am looking forward to it (although we won't be dapper) as it looks super fun. I watched a theTimTracker vlog on it and it looks great! Lots of fun retro outfits!

 

[toni nicole]

I also agree with the fact that most people participating in Dapper Day are busy waiting in line for specific photos or just around the park taking there own. There is a special lunch special, they all eat in the hub I believe or this is what happened this past spring. Also agree that most of these people will be gone early depending on the fall weather. We dressed up and left after a couple of hours to change and come back in normal clothes(we are not locals), I feel that most locals would just leave. I found it a great time to see everyone dressed up and didn't effect the crowd! You will notice that it is Dapper Day, we found that most guests in the morning were dressed up.

 

[CarrieR]

Sommermo - you're very welcome!

We will be at MK during Dapper Day this November. I am looking forward to it (although we won't be dapper) as it looks super fun. I watched a theTimTracker vlog on it and it looks great! Lots of fun retro outfits!

I'd encourage you to consider participating - even if it's just "Dapper Lite." It was SO much fun in April that we participated again in November - and was super bummed my AP expired the week before this April!

Even if you opt not to, though, it's still so fun to see the families who are decked to the nines!!

 

[totebagg]

We happened to be in HS a couple of years ago when it was Dapper Days and I was not aware what was going on. As others have stated, I didn't feel that there was any affect on the rides although it was a little more crowded with people we had the best time looking at all the costumes. I honestly could have sat and people watched most of the day!

 

[CAS239]

If you weren't online and gathering info, 99% chance you wouldn't notice a difference in crowds or even know about dapper day, gay days, Jersey week, etc.

..When I first heard of Jersey week on here I thought it was something cool where for 1 week a ton of people at Disney wore sports jerseys.

These really don't make a crowd difference and the usual park guests never have any clue

 

[DOOM1001]

..When I first heard of Jersey week on here I thought it was something cool where for 1 week a ton of people at Disney wore sports jerseys.

Somebody needs to form a Facebook group and organize this event right now!!

 

[Sommermo]

Thanks everyone! Very helpful info and I will not be avoiding the park on that day now. Kind of looking forward to it and I'm sure my MIL will enjoy seeing the people dressed up as well!

 

[margot31]

We were in MK during the spring dapper day. It was a bit annoying to me but it wasn't bad at all.... it was cool seeing everyone dressed up.

 

[elphaba91]

We were there for the April one. We did Dapper Day-lite (just wore sundresses). It was a lot of fun seeing everyone in their amazing outfits, including some awesome Disney bounding. It was quite crowded, although as that was our only Saturday at MK I'm not really a good judge of whether it was more crowded than usual! We also didn't enter the park until lunchtime and headed straight for lunch at Crystal Palace so were out of the crowds (and the heat!) for most of the day.