Date Dilemma – Cheer Groups or Higher Crowd Levels?

[marye_nelson]

Hello everyone! This is my first post on the DIS. As a family we’ve had many fun vacations at WDW (with the help of these great boards). We’re super excited to be making our first trip to Southern California in a few weeks, March 18 – 26.

I’d like opinions on which of two options we should choose for our Disneyland days.

The first option is to head straight to Anaheim from LAX on the 18th. Our flight arrives 8:30am. We would check out of the GCH on the 21st. For the three days we’d be there, Touring Plans is showing the crowd calendar as 7, 5, 5 for DL and 10, 8, 4 for DCA. Those numbers don’t seem right seeing as how it’s spring break but I’m trusting TP. However, those are also the same dates as the United Spirit Cheer competition in Anaheim.

Second option is to spend the first couple of days in LA then head to Anaheim the afternoon of the 20th and spend all day the 21st and 22nd in the parks. Crowd calendar is much higher those two days – 10, 9 for DL and 10, 8 for DCA.

Which is the lesser of two evils, the cheer groups or the higher crowd levels? I’m leaning toward the first option because of the lower expected crowd levels and because we’d have three full days at DL. The second option is only two full days because we wouldn’t be able to head to Anaheim until late afternoon on the 20th.

And does anyone think TP's crowd predictions for the first set of dates look right?

 

[SMD]

The So Cal ticket offer and military tickets are blocked out 3/20-4/2. That tells me that Disney is anticipating that it will be much more crowded during the second part of your trip. What are your plans for LA and are any of those days dependent on a date or certain day of the week? I'd also check hotel availability, as you're pretty close and DLR area rooms tend to fill.

 

[5forMickey]

We have been to Disneyland during many different seasons over many years, the busiest being the week between Christmas and New Years. This year, we went in November during the Avengers 1/2 marathon. I don't know if we just had back luck, but of all the different times and crowds we have encountered there is only one that I will not go back during and that would be a marathon weekend. We have gone when the cheer crowds are there and didn't find it that terrible. I would even go again during New Years. I will cancel my trip next time if I find out after scheduling that there is a marathon going on. Just my two cents!

 

[marye_nelson]

SMD - We are locked in for San Diego starting the night of the 23rd so my dates for Anaheim have to fall between 3/18 and 3/23. I checked our hotels for both options outlined above and it looks like there's still availability for either scenario. Right now we're booked at GCH for three nights, starting 3/18, then the Hollywood Roosevelt the nights of 3/21 and 3/22. The plan is to pick up a rental car after our Disney days are done.

5forMickey - Thanks for the great response. I think I'm worrying over nothing but this is a big trip for us and I'm feeling the pressure to make it great. We are celebrating some big occasions & spending what for us is lots of $$.

 

[sherilaine]

Touring Plans is showing the crowd calendar as 7, 5, 5 for DL and 10, 8, 4 for DCA. Those numbers don’t seem right seeing as how it’s spring break but I’m trusting TP.

I think those are low estimates - I also find it very odd that they have DL as less crowded than DCA which seems to contradict anything else I have read lately. Keep in mind that just because the Competition ends on the 20th does not mean everyone packs up and goes home - they may very well then take the time to descend onto DLR as their time will be dedicated to the competition on the previous days.

I'd go early and then if you are tired out from DLR, enjoy some relaxation for the rest of your visit.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

First, everything I have read on these boards suggests that Touring Plans is pretty ineffective for predicting Disneyland crowds, so I probably wouldn't even pay attention to that.

Second, March 19-April 3 are the height of spring break season since they are the weeks surrounding Easter and many school districts will give either or both of those weeks off.

I don't think there is enough difference in your dates and activity level of the resort at that time to worry about. Do whatever works best for your vacation planning as a whole.

 

[lalasmama]

TP doesn't work well at DL. There's a lot of reasons, but it basically boils down to this: if school is out, crowds are bad.

 

[tlovesdis]

It's all prime Spring Break dates so I don't think there will be much difference. It will be busy. Disneyland has been getting busier and busier over the last few years! I was there a few weeks ago, in January, and it was very busy!

 

[smartlabelprint]

Due to the above comments use 3 full days at DLR.

 

[marye_nelson]

Wow, I'm pretty impressed with all these quick responses! Thanks for your replies. I think I'm going to leave well enough alone and stick with my original plan of Disneyland first, then LA and San Diego. And I know - use EMH or rope drop, fastpass and park hop or leave the park for a break when it gets too crowded. Thanks again!

 

[dtnrhi]

Wow, I'm pretty impressed with all these quick responses! Thanks for your replies. I think I'm going to leave well enough alone and stick with my original plan of Disneyland first, then LA and San Diego. And I know - use EMH or rope drop, fastpass and park hop or leave the park for a break when it gets too crowded. Thanks again!

I'd do your original plans just because days at Disneyland can be tiring, and your next destinations will hopefully be a bit more relaxing and allow you to return home not needing a vacation from your vacation, which seems to happen to us after a few days in Anaheim!