Diamond Celebration: 24 Hour Event @ Disneyland Resort May 22-23!

[cindernat]

Lol. Exactly. I say, why stop there? Equal time man for adults too. Bring a larger stroller type buggy fit for an adult. And take turns with another adult in your party pushing you about, as needed or wanted. For the right price, you may hire me as your personal assistant/pusher of buggy.

- haha! Thanks! If only!

 

[Liberator]

argh...too bad, arriving May 23, so missing the 24h day

 

[IMACM]

Can someone explain to me how admission works??????

 

[DLmama]

We arrive on the 22nd and I'm totally excited and a bit nervous about the crowds. We booked this trip as a surprise for DS's 7th birthday before they announced it was going to be the kickoff for the 60th. Now this! It's getting really, really hard to keep this a secret!

 

[figment_jii]

Can someone explain to me how admission works??????

Check out comment #24 on the Parks Blog Entry...basically, the operating day starts at 6:00 am on Friday and ends at 6:00 am on Saturday, so it's considered "one day" from a ticketing point of view. So if your AP is good on Friday, May 22, you're good to go for the entire 24-hour period regardless of when you enter for the first time. Likewise, if you're using regular park tickets, you only need to have one-day on your ticket for the entire 24-hour period!

 

[starshine514]

So, figment_jii, I was reading your trip report and was wondering, the parks didn't have capacity issues last year? It sounded like you park hopped all day/night without any issues.

 

[IMACM]

Check out comment #24 on the Parks Blog Entry...basically, the operating day starts at 6:00 am on Friday and ends at 6:00 am on Saturday, so it's considered "one day" from a ticketing point of view. So if your AP is good on Friday, May 22, you're good to go for the entire 24-hour period regardless of when you enter for the first time. Likewise, if you're using regular park tickets, you only need to have one-day on your ticket for the entire 24-hour period!

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[figment_jii]

I have to admit I was pretty surprised by the crowds during last year's 24-hour day. I had expected the parks to reach capacity (at least the first level) at some point during the day because reports from the previous years indicated that happened, but the parks didn't reach capacity last year. In fact, after dealing with longish lines to get into the park at opening, there weren't really long lines at the entrance at all during the rest of the day. We managed to hop back and forth pretty easily without having long waits or any concerns about capacity crowds.

Now, with the debut of the 60th anniversary shows on May 22nd this year, I think it might be different. I don't necessarily think that the crowds will reach capacity during the morning or mid-day, but it wouldn't surprise me if it happens somewhere after 5:00 pm and before the shows start. I'm guessing it's more likely to happen at DL (than DCA). I doubt it would last all evening and/or night, but it seems like a real possibility for the few hours leading up to the debut of the shows.

 

[starshine514]

I would really like to see the new fireworks/parade, especially because the 22nd is the last day of our trip (and my mom will be with us - she loves the fireworks). Any ideas on how early we need to be (1) in Disneyland and (2) staking out our spots (not the best spots in the world, we like to be in town square for fireworks and viewing a parade is going to be new for us) for the evening entertainment? My mom (wheelchair), the baby (stroller) and I can stake out our places while the others run around (or nap on a bench, you know, whatever).

 

[figment_jii]

Town Square is the far end of Main Street, by the Train Station. Now, no one really knows what the new fireworks show will look like, so it's hard to say where the prime spots will be. For the old shows, Town Square was not one of the "prime" viewing spots because you're further way from the castle and the buildings on Main Street are likely to obscure some of the view. On a normal busy day, I usually aim to get to Main Street (I watch from somewhere between the Candy Palace and the Partners Statue) about 45 to 60 minutes in advance. With the new show, I think it's going to have to be much earlier than that, but it will depend on the parade schedule. Overall, until we know when the parade will be presented, it'll be hard to say when you have to get to Main Street to view the fireworks. Overall, I'd probably plan to be there between 90 and 120 minutes in advance for Town Square and Main Street (not the Hub), but note that it will be crowded if the parade is presented before fireworks.

 

[starshine514]

Our preference for town square is because of the wheelchair. We can be behind the flagpole and my mom has a chance of seeing the castle projections because there aren't people standing directly in front of her, like there would be on main street or the hub. Luckily for us, town square in general is not considered a prime spot. It wouldn't be our first choice either, if it weren't for the wheelchair.

 

[Chiomaca]

I have to admit I was pretty surprised by the crowds during last year's 24-hour day. I had expected the parks to reach capacity (at least the first level) at some point during the day because reports from the previous years indicated that happened, but the parks didn't reach capacity last year. In fact, after dealing with longish lines to get into the park at opening, there weren't really long lines at the entrance at all during the rest of the day. We managed to hop back and forth pretty easily without having long waits or any concerns about capacity crowds.

Now, with the debut of the 60th anniversary shows on May 22nd this year, I think it might be different. I don't necessarily think that the crowds will reach capacity during the morning or mid-day, but it wouldn't surprise me if it happens somewhere after 5:00 pm and before the shows start. I'm guessing it's more likely to happen at DL (than DCA). I doubt it would last all evening and/or night, but it seems like a real possibility for the few hours leading up to the debut of the shows.

This may have just changed my thinking...that and the Airbnb rooms I've found online. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

 

[AmericanItGirl]

I also went last year, and the lines to get into the parks only really seemed long first thing in the morning and mid-afternoon. The only line that was absolutely hands-down crazy (as in the longest line I have ever encountered at a Disney park) was the line for drinks at the Mad T Party, but my guess is that most of the people on DISboards won't be too concerned about that line. The crowds and the lines were otherwise no different than any other relatively busy day at the park. I don't know how the 60th anniversary kick-off (with new shows and a new night parade) will change things, though. Hopefully, they'll have additional late night showings, like they have in the past, in order to ease the congestion.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I want to go, but I don't know if I'm crazy enough. I definitely wouldn't be able to bring my children since they're just too young. So, is it worth it?

 

[sheetz]

I only remember the first 24 hr event on Leap Day 2012 reaching capacity, and that was partially due to DCA being closed. Were there closures the last 2 years as well?

 

[figment_jii]

I don't think there were any capacity closures in 2014. I didn't have any problems park hopping throughout the day and I don't recall seeing anything about any closures. In truth, I highly doubt it happened because the parks really never felt much busier than a typical weekend day in summer (so busy, but not unmanageable).

 

[pudinhd]

Happy Sunday! I have done some research on the 2014 24-hour event to get more information on what to expect for 2015. Unfortunately, I haven't really seen much about entertainment or characters. Was everything printed on the information sheets? Or were there a lot of activities announced through social media as the event went on? Thanks in advance!!

 

[figment_jii]

There were some things announced via Social Media, but a lot of things (like character meet and greets) were handled like a normal day. They weren't announced and it was a matter of just running across a character as you roamed the parks.

 

[knitster]

So, was anyone there for the last event? It looks like we are going to be (made the hotel reservations long ago). How crazy can we expect it to be? That will be our last day there, and we have a tiny tot. I just need to be prepared!

I'd like to see the new evening parade and fireworks. Do you think it will be at capacity?

We're in the same boat. It will be our last full day there and I've got a 4 year old (and a 9 and 13 year old). My 9 and 13 year old are hell bent on staying for the full 24 hours, as am I, so my husband and 4 year old will probably end up back at the hotel at some point.

 

[justgot2havefun]

My 9 and 13 year old are hell bent on staying for the full 24 hours, as am I, so my husband and 4 year old will probably end up back at the hotel at some point.

I would like to as well, but my DW, DS and DD aren't as into it. I am kind of bummed because I'd like to stay, but I am sure we will all still have a great time.