DCA during MHP?

[DLRfan31]

Did DCA get crazy crowded last night after the non Halloween partygoers had to leave DL?

We'll be in the parks next in ten days (YEAHHH!!!!) and will not be going to an of the parties but will spend that time across the esplanade. I'm thinking it might be best to get over there an hour or so before having to leave DL.

How'd DCA look last night?

 

[DLR29]

I went on the last Friday of October last year and once DL closed at 7, EVERYBODY went over to DCA. It was one of the most crowded times I've ever seen at DCA. The Bug's Land rides had 30+ min waits, major attractions had 60-90 min waits. Not sure if this is every Friday or just towards the end of the month.

 

[disneychrista]

I know we will be heading over to DCA when DL closes for the Monday 10/29 Party.

 

[DLRfan31]

If its too bad maybe we'll just go for a drive to the beach.

 

[Mary09]

We might be looking for non-Disney things to do Fri., Oct. 12th, too, if DCA is a mob scene.

 

[I❤MICKEY]

As we were leaving DCA and going to DL for the party there was a sea of people coming into DCA. The lines at the gate were huge.

But... During the day DCA was soooo quiet. Most rides were walk on including bug's land, TOT, Junkyard Jamboree. I recommend spending party days at DCA based on our experience. Then leaving when the party starts.

 

[jsebsirois]

As we were leaving DCA and going to DL for the party there was a sea of people coming into DCA. The lines at the gate were huge.

But... During the day DCA was soooo quiet. Most rides were walk on including bug's land, TOT, Junkyard Jamboree. I recommend spending party days at DCA based on our experience. Then leaving when the party starts.

Great strategy. This is what I was planning to do!

 

[DLRfan31]

Was anyone actually IN DCA Friday night?

 

[Gina]

About how far before the party time does DCA start filling up? We get into DLR next Friday (a party night) and by the time we drive down from the airport and get checked in and all, it'll be at least 1-2pm by the time we hit a park. Just trying to decide where to go first.

Thanks!

 

[Kathymford]

I was there on Friday night. The line to get in was long, and just overall the park was full. My BF and I commented that it felt like DCA grand opening. TOT had a 70 min wait at about 845 pm. We ended up leaving.

 

[jsebsirois]

Sounds like it should be a perfect timing to take some time at Downtown Disney instead of waiting for hours in lines!

 

[DLRfan31]

Sounds like it should be a perfect timing to take some time at Downtown Disney instead of waiting for hours in lines!

...or get inside DCA early enough before it gets really crowded and just wander around, find a good spot to people watch awhile.

 

[I❤MICKEY]

About how far before the party time does DCA start filling up? We get into DLR next Friday (a party night) and by the time we drive down from the airport and get checked in and all, it'll be at least 1-2pm by the time we hit a park. Just trying to decide where to go first.

Thanks!

We stayed in DCA until about 6:30. Crowds were light all day. Our last ride was TSMM W/ 20 minute wait. As we were walking out it was getting full fast.

 

[Mary09]

I take it the party fireworks can't be easily viewed from DCA or the esplanade or Harbor?

 

[Gina]

We stayed in DCA until about 6:30. Crowds were light all day. Our last ride was TSMM W/ 20 minute wait. As we were walking out it was getting full fast.

Thanks! That gives me a great idea of how to plan out that first day/night!

 

[disneychrista]

I take it the party fireworks can't be easily viewed from DCA or the esplanade or Harbor?

Not very well. A lot of the fireworks are "low level" fireworks that can only be viewed INSIDE the park. Plus of course all the effects, including zero flying, can only be seen inside the park.

 

[AZ Navy Wife]

My husband and I were there in DCA Friday night. It was insane. From kids rides having wait times to 45 minutes and the bigger rides close to two hours, it was madness. Food lines were the worst I've ever seen in that park. We finally left around 9:30, and there were long lines of people still trying to get into the park. I hope it clears out for you when you are there.......good luck!

 

[DLRfan31]

My husband and I were there in DCA Friday night. It was insane. From kids rides having wait times to 45 minutes and the bigger rides close to two hours, it was madness. Food lines were the worst I've ever seen in that park. We finally left around 9:30, and there were long lines of people still trying to get into the park. I hope it clears out for you when you are there.......good luck!

Thanks! We will be in the area for a couple weeks so if we encounter such craziness we will leave and do something else. We might take advantage of the two for one Medieval Times coupon, for example.

 

[stll3]

Our last night in the parks two years ago was a Friday night with a MHP that night. We didn't have party tickets, so we headed to CA around 5:30 I think. DL started getting extremely crowded after 4pm and made it difficult to get out as masses were coming in, then we got into CA and there were huge crowds! Soarin' had a 120 minute wait I think. It was kind of a bummer and ended our trip on a low note. I think we even waited 30+ minutes to get a hot dog!

Now we're headed there again, this Sunday, and again (poor planning) our last night, Tuesday Oct 9, is a MHP again! I'm really not happy about this, only good thing is I know what expect this time. I'm thinking we're going to just spend the whole last day in CA this time, or at the very least make our way over before noon. I am toying with the idea of springing the extra $$ and attending the party. Although seeing how busy it was a couple years ago, I'm not sure if the party is worth the money, because it looked extremely crowded when we left DL.

What would you do for you're last night? I know alot of people suggest doing something else, non-disney. But this is only a 3 day trip, so we are only planning on doing disney. Would you spend the $ for MHP tickets? Or brave the CA crowds and see WOC?

 

[DLRfan31]

We will head over to DCA early around 1 p.m. probably and ride whatever has the shorter lines, if anything. If rides are backing up early, we'll just wander around and soak in the atmosphere. If that gets too crazy we will leave and take a drive. There are other things to see and do in the area so we will take advantage of that. www.anaheimoc.org has many good suggestions.