Disneyland/CA Adventure - going during Grad Nite days

[ruckusg]

I'm not sure if I'm making an unnecessary thread, so forgive me if I'm cluttering the board. I am planning on going to Disneyland/CA Adventure on May 31st (a Thursday) and I notice that the hours for DL and CAA listed for the month of May show that for that date, the hours for DL will probably be 9AM-10PM and 10AM-8PM. I've never gone to Disneyland during the months of April-June so I had no clue they would close the park early for grad nite students and what not. Pretty bummed, but whatever. =) I have a few questions for anybody who has gone during these months before and may have run into some of the issues I am wondering about.

1) I show that there is only one World of Color showing at 8:45PM. For one thing, it's weird to me the show is after the park is supposed to close. I figure they'll let people with FastPass stick around but they'll empty the park otherwise. With only one showing, what are the chances of actually getting to see this show? I imagine the lines for when CAA opens will be packed just to rush to get a pass. Should I line up immediately at 10AM? Earlier? Is there even a slight possibility they may add shows into the night like they sometimes do?

2) It shows that there will most likely be no fireworks, Fantasmic, and Aladdin shows on my day. Total bummer! Does anyone know why there is no fireworks show? Is it just for the graduates? Like if I stuck around the Downtown Disney area, is there a chance I would be able to see it? I know on regular days, you can see the fireworks from some spots there. Love the fireworks show so I'm bummed it's not listed on the schedule. Even though the park is closing at 10PM.

3) Just a shot in the dark, but do they completely clear the park at 10PM? Like I am young looking and could pass for a high schooler. Any chance I could stick around? =)

Any help would be appreciated. Excited to be going, but kinda bummed about these issues.

 

[coaches24]

The hours for that day won't be out till late next week so no way of knowing for sure what shows will be playing or what the hours will be. I have read that Memorial day is the start of the summer season for DL but don't know if that means the hours will be longer or not.

As for the grad night this year is a new format and we don't really know what to expect crowd wise (except that there is sure to be an excess of HS seniors throughout the day). But the parks don't close early this year. The grad party is shorter and they aren't selling as many tickets to each event so there are more grad nights this year.

We will be there that day as well (our last day in the parks) and I don't think the grad night will be that bad of a thing.

And I am hoping for more shows and hours on that day though I'm not counting on it.

 

[HydroGuy]

1) I show that there is only one World of Color showing at 8:45PM. For one thing, it's weird to me the show is after the park is supposed to close. I figure they'll let people with FastPass stick around but they'll empty the park otherwise. With only one showing, what are the chances of actually getting to see this show? I imagine the lines for when CAA opens will be packed just to rush to get a pass. Should I line up immediately at 10AM? Earlier? Is there even a slight possibility they may add shows into the night like they sometimes do?

It would be worth your time to read the WOC thread:

"World of Color Superthread" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=37986447

2) It shows that there will most likely be no fireworks, Fantasmic, and Aladdin shows on my day. Total bummer! Does anyone know why there is no fireworks show? Is it just for the graduates? Like if I stuck around the Downtown Disney area, is there a chance I would be able to see it? I know on regular days, you can see the fireworks from some spots there. Love the fireworks show so I'm bummed it's not listed on the schedule. Even though the park is closing at 10PM.

Typical for that time of year which is still off-season. See

"Historical DLR Park Hours, Entertainment and Refurbs" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2291124

3) Just a shot in the dark, but do they completely clear the park at 10PM? Like I am young looking and could pass for a high schooler. Any chance I could stick around? =)

This year is a new format for grad nights so I am not sure how long regular guests can hang around after the park hours end. They will have some way to enforce it such as a wrist band for grads.

 

[skiingfast]

1) I show that there is only one World of Color showing at 8:45PM. For one thing, it's weird to me the show is after the park is supposed to close. I figure they'll let people with FastPass stick around but they'll empty the park otherwise. With only one showing, what are the chances of actually getting to see this show? I imagine the lines for when CAA opens will be packed just to rush to get a pass. Should I line up immediately at 10AM? Earlier? Is there even a slight possibility they may add shows into the night like they sometimes do?

2) It shows that there will most likely be no fireworks, Fantasmic, and Aladdin shows on my day. Total bummer! Does anyone know why there is no fireworks show? Is it just for the graduates? Like if I stuck around the Downtown Disney area, is there a chance I would be able to see it? I know on regular days, you can see the fireworks from some spots there. Love the fireworks show so I'm bummed it's not listed on the schedule. Even though the park is closing at 10PM.

3) Just a shot in the dark, but do they completely clear the park at 10PM? Like I am young looking and could pass for a high schooler. Any chance I could stick around? =)

As mentioned we really have to wait and see what the hours are going to be. The summer season may start on Memorial Day weekend again and hours may expand with it and entertainment fill in.

1. The DL hours are likely correct. The DCA may very well be longer.

2. Like I wrote above wait and see. The Grads do not get fireworks anymore this year they get there own showing of Fantasmic.

3. From the hours in the first part of the month on grad nights it appears the there will be a soft as normal close when DL closes at 10pm. Meaning Main Street Stays open for and hour. On the Friday party nights it has been showing a 11pm close, which probably means a hard close when everything closes sharply at 11 and people are ushered out.

 

[ruckusg]

Thanks for your help, guys! I wasn't aware that this year was some new protocol concerning grad nites. And that the hours listed are for off-season times. Didn't even register in my head, although I see in April, the park opens until midnight most days so when I saw that May had dates where the park closed at 10PM, or even 9PM, I assumed it was because of grad nite. I'm hoping you guys are right and that Memorial Day marks the beginning of the summer season! I guess I'll have to wait until next Thursday when the 31st is listed officially. I'm not excited about the prospect of there being HSers running around the park all day though. Thanks again for all the info!

 

[coaches24]

Thanks for your help, guys! I wasn't aware that this year was some new protocol concerning grad nites. And that the hours listed are for off-season times. Didn't even register in my head, although I see in April, the park opens until midnight most days so when I saw that May had dates where the park closed at 10PM, or even 9PM, I assumed it was because of grad nite. I'm hoping you guys are right and that Memorial Day marks the beginning of the summer season! I guess I'll have to wait until next Thursday when the 31st is listed officially. I'm not excited about the prospect of there being HSers running around the park all day though. Thanks again for all the info!

yea the April hours are because of spring break.

 

[runrussellrun]

I don't think it's the best time since the parks close a little early for grad students!

 

[runrussellrun]

I don't think it's the best time since the parks close a little early for grad students!

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks for your help, guys! I wasn't aware that this year was some new protocol concerning grad nites. And that the hours listed are for off-season times. Didn't even register in my head, although I see in April, the park opens until midnight most days so when I saw that May had dates where the park closed at 10PM, or even 9PM, I assumed it was because of grad nite. I'm hoping you guys are right and that Memorial Day marks the beginning of the summer season! I guess I'll have to wait until next Thursday when the 31st is listed officially. I'm not excited about the prospect of there being HSers running around the park all day though. Thanks again for all the info!

Typically summer hours start mid-June or second week of June. This link discusses the history:

"Choosing When To Visit DLR: Summary of High and Low Season and When Each Happens" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=36509602

 

[coaches24]

I don't think it's the best time since the parks close a little early for grad students!

Not this year they don't. That was in the past. They have changed that this year.

 

[ruckusg]

Just noticed the Tuesday of Memorial week is normal Disneyland hours, from 8AM to 12AM for Disneyland and 10AM-10PM for CA Adventure! Maybe they are extending their summer hours earlier this year! Here's hoping!