Disneyland at Capacity Tonight!

[cats mom]

Oh my goodness! We were going to arrive at Disneyland tomorrow (Sunday) at 5. I hope we will allowed to enter. I guess I will wait to hear what the crowds are like today.............. We will be staying at Paradise Pier so does anyone know if we will be given priority entry?

Of course my standard rule of thumb when discussing anything DLR related applies here... information is always subject to change.

But in my experience there are different stages of closed. I think it goes something like this:

1. They stop selling tickets, so no new admissions. Resort guests and anyone with a valid multi day ticket, AP, etc. can still get in.

2. They only allow those with a handstamp to re-enter. Guests who have been in the parks that day are allowed readmission, but no one else. (I'm not sure if they make an exception for resort guests here or not, they might... hopefully someone else can answer definitively.)

3. The gates are closed to any admission, period.

Honestly, I've been in the parks when it's so crowded that the gates have closed and personally I'd resort to plan B rather than trying to get in. It can be ugly!

Most main walkways are one way only (ie: you can't always get where you want to go anyway, unless you're willing to be re-routed a very long way around) and you are herded like cattle. Last time we were there on a capacity night it took us 45 minutes to get from the Tiki Room to an exit. Not fun in my book.

All that said, personally I doubt if it will be at capacity Sunday night. I'd definitely expect crowds, but hopefully it will be manageable.
Good Luck!

 

[pigletforever]

sounds like i had better come up with a plan B for Friday Night.

 

[tink929]

I'm wondering if Canadian Thanksgiving is contributing to the crowd levels too. Crazy - last year we were in the parks the first full week of October and it wasn't too busy at all. Of course, we left on Thursday

 

[Spacepest]

Yes, we were there! You should have seen the line-ups for the bathrooms! But we managed to get Fablous seats for the parade with only a half hour wait. And fab seats for fantastic sitting on the ground right by reserved seating!

Oh my!

I will tolerate many things...except for lines for the bathrooms. (Medical reasons-I have to go to the restroom alot, or risk kidney infection. Waiting in long lines for a toilet is extremely physically painful for me, and I always feel very, very bad and embarrassed if I have to jump ahead of strangers in line. I'd rather just not deal with this issue by going on a slower day).

Looks like I'm going to completely avoiding Disneyland next weekend, and visit the parks on the weekdays. Wish me luck!

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I've been there when it was that crazy busy and it's not as fun as when it's less busy. (and that's putting it nicely ) I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

I was there tonight. They sent us backstage behind the west side of Main St after Fantasmic and during the fireworks to get out (do they do this often? I'd never heard of it). It was a madhouse, but still fun.

I've had to do the backstage reroute thing. I don't think they do it that often, only when it's really bad.
ETA: I just re-read your post. I've been rerouted that way and there was no fireworks, parade or F! going on (it was already done) but the park was so busy that they opened up the backstage area to help relieve congestion.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Honestly, I've been in the parks when it's so crowded that the gates have closed and personally I'd resort to plan B rather than trying to get in. It can be ugly!

Most main walkways are one way only (ie: you can't always get where you want to go anyway, unless you're willing to be re-routed a very long way around) and you are herded like cattle. Last time we were there on a capacity night it took us 45 minutes to get from the Tiki Room to an exit. Not fun in my book.

All that said, personally I doubt if it will be at capacity Sunday night. I'd definitely expect crowds, but hopefully it will be manageable.
Good Luck!

I agree with you. I hate when they reroute everyone like cattle. It's so frustrating when you have to go all the way around the park to get to somewhere that should normally take you 5-10min tops to get to.
It's not fun when it's that busy, it's oppressive, and a lot of people get really grouchy.

 

[mybestieismickey]

Oi. I knew it would be busy when we go in two weeks, but I was hoping it wouldn't be this bad. Too bad our dates aren't flexible.

Guess I'll have to work this into our plan. And really come up with a priority list.

 

[ilovedisneyparks]

Totatally insane!!! For Disneyland to be full at capicaty 2nd Friday in October??? I have never heard of it being filled up like that before!!! I went on Halloween in 1993 & it was no where near like that! Cause they didn't have MNSSHP then. I went in January 2008 on a Wednesday & it was so nice there were no waits. But on Thursday the lines started getting longer. So I guess the key is to go in January on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday even though there are no fireworks on those days but the trade off is you get the park all to yourself!

 

[Grim_Grinning_Girl]

I'm still at the resort, currently in the hotel room taking a break from the crowds. Fortunately we shelled out for the reserved fantasmic seating so we are at least guaranteed a spot, but both Friday and today Saturday have been nuts! Friday was absolutely terrible, extremely crowded, night time was a nightmare. However the castle area for the fireworks was not bad, we showed up to the area at about 8pm and we were able to find an awesome near the front center section.

 

[ilovedisneyparks]

^I see your from the SF Bay Area too! What part? I live in the Burlingame area!

 

[DLR29]

Totatally insane!!! For Disneyland to be full at capicaty 2nd Friday in October??? I have never heard of it being filled up like that before!!! I went on Halloween in 1993 & it was no where near like that! Cause they didn't have MNSSHP then. I went in January 2008 on a Wednesday & it was so nice there were no waits. But on Thursday the lines started getting longer. So I guess the key is to go in January on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday even though there are no fireworks on those days but the trade off is you get the park all to yourself!

It was not even like this 3 years ago. It has a little to do with Mickey's Trick or Treat Party (not MNSSHP, that's at WDW), but it has a lot to do with DLR playing up the whole "Halloween" thing. Now there are tons of decorations all around the resort, Haunted Mansion gets dressed up, Big Thunder Ranch is transformed, and this year they are really advertising the new Halloween fireworks and Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy.

October is slowly creeping up to be one of the most busy months of the year, especially on weekends.

 

[Leshaface]

let us know how bad it is for F!

We'll be there in two weeks and was hoping to see F! on sat..

 

[ilovedisneyparks]

On a Saturday especially since you know it will be packed no matter what weekend you go in October you should stake out your spot as early as possible for the fireworks so you get a good spot. Before you do I would get some treats to munch on to make the time go by while waiting for the fireworks to start.

 

[californiamomof4grls]

Wow guys this is crazy! I wouldn't be able to take it! We went for the first time on Friday and Saturday last spring and the crowds were unbarable for me. (but I have a VERY low tolerence for crowds) We were herded around during the parade and fireworks and I have a double jogger and two more hanging on to the sides. So we were very wide it was one way and we BARELy fit and people were smaking into my kids. I cried by the end we were misrable! That was Friday I just kept saying this is DL were suppose to be happy.
So Saturday we went to DCA got to the Parade route very early and got fabulos seating. We stayed there the whole time then went to the hotel from there. While were we leaving we could see the fireworks! That was much better for us. My point is I would NOT make it in crowds like that!! I will say a prayer for anyone going the next couple of Fridays! May God or Mickey be with ya cause I wont!!! LOL!! : )

 

[disney_love<3]

DBF and I were planning on going out there tomorrow but we may not now seeing as how crazy its been.

 

[ilovedisneyparks]

Please people go in January you will have a great time w/no one there especially if you go on a Mon,Tues,Wed! I will never go when it is packed. I sure don't have any fun at all walking shoulder to shoulder in walls & walls of people! & The lines strech on forever making the waits rediciulously long!

 

[turtle51]

Being an annual passholder for over 6 years now I agree that January is a far less busy month. that has to do with no fireworks, no holiday decorations or themed rides, rain and vacation season being over with. Now I went to disneyland last weekend and it was crowded but if you use a fastpass and plan out what rides are a priority you can totally do it and the fireworks. I have to say that Disneylands Halloween is a cant miss. I am trying to go back at least 2 more times by the end of October. I hate crowds but this is too awesome to miss.

Just my opinion.

 

[lulubelle]

I guess we should not be surprised by the ginormous October weekend crowds. They have added more and more special things to the whole Halloween theme. And I wanted to add that I live local (about 80 minutes away) and there is a commercial for DL Halloween time on TV about twice an hour. It is a really well done commercial and really makes you want to go. A lot of people at work are going this month that normally only go in other seasons (spring break or Christmas). Their advertising methods are highly effective. And you can add me to the list of crazies going for the weekend on Oct 23-25.

 

[MomofM&M]

We were at DL and CA yesterday and boy was it packed with people. We went for early hours Friday am and left to go to breakfast at PPH at 9:30 and they told us to get our hand stamped even if we had an AP. By the evening in DL, there were lines everywhere. The line for the corndog car wrapped past the entrance to Plaza Inn. My hubby took the 4 yo who refused to go potty at the hotel urgently to the bathroom and he said that was the first time he had to wait in line at a bathroom. There were crowds all week. I think in part from all of the locals on fall break. I know all of Chula Vista has the same school schedule so families can actually take vacation together. 3 of my daughter's classmates spent the week there. Who knows how many were there from our school district? I know this is blasphemy but I think I'm Disneyed out for a while. I was actually disappointed by the crowds. I was hoping to go in October, "low season" and avoid the crowds. Instead, I got reduced hours and show schedules and crowds. The highlight was ToT Party where the lines were short and I was not overwhelmed by the sea of humanity. I think I am going to wait a few years on getting another AP and just doing the ToT party until all the new attractions open. There is plenty for my family to do in SD and it will be easier on my budget. When we lived in the midwest we used to go yearly to WDW. I think I'm just going to have to save up for a trip there. Perhaps my attitude will change in a few months but the crowds just keep getting bigger and bigger when we go.

 

[MegRN]

Here is my plan for Friday the 23rd: Go to DL at rope drop then maybe go over to DCA mid morning. Head back to GCH to swim or hang out. Go back to DL around 5pm. PS at Cafe Orleans for 6pm (definately will check in early). I bought Fantasmic seating so I will go wait in line after dinner while hubby does POTC with the kids. Then the first show of Fantasmic and watch fireworks from there. Then back to GCH for a good nights sleep because we will be going home the next morning. I wonder what would happen if you had tickets to Fantasmic but the park was at capacity and you could not get in to the park?