Disneyland crowds- Late May

[disneyworld1977]

Thinking of going in late May, right after Memorial Day so we would go maybe like Wed-Fr that week. How are crowds that time? I see some websites show first of week is when it gets heavy.

thanks

 

[SMD]

Crowds are extremely high. It is the last week before summer blockouts start for lower level APs and it will be the start of the 60th anniversary celebration this year.

 

[TheDoleWhipper]

You are going right after the official summer season starts (memorial day weekend), right before the SoCal Select AP blockout goes into effect (first friday in June) and right as the 60th anniversary is starting (mid-may). Luckily, you will miss the memorial day weekend crowds, but it certainly won't be a ghost town. Don't worry, it isn't the height of the summer, and many schools aren't out until June. Plus you will miss the mind-boggling amount of refurbishments plaguing the first few months of the year. So relax, use FPs and sigle rider, get there for rope drop and close down the park, and HAVE FUN!!!!!!

 

[disneyworld1977]

Thanks for the reply. Dole Whipper...you act like you been to DL before but your vacation counter says otherwise...lol

And so someone else said extremely high. Hmm... I see alot of extremely high around June 5th until mid to late August. But I know its not going to be a ghost town between Memorial Day and that first weekend in June, but I have been there before and know how to do FP's etc and work around some things.

Thanks again for the help...

 

[TheDoleWhipper]

Thanks for the reply. Dole Whipper...you act like you been to DL before but your vacation counter says otherwise...lol

And so someone else said extremely high. Hmm... I see alot of extremely high around June 5th until mid to late August. But I know its not going to be a ghost town between Memorial Day and that first weekend in June, but I have been there before and know how to do FP's etc and work around some things.

Thanks again for the help...

I've been researching disneyland like a crazy person since march, lol! Sometimes it actually feels like I've already been there!

I don't think that the crowds will be EXTREMELY high. I mean, sure, a bit higher than last year due to the 60th anniversary, but still very manageable and nothing compared to July. But it might be hard to predict, and it really depends on expectations anyways. I hope you have great trip!

 

[SMD]

I've been researching disneyland like a crazy person since march, lol! Sometimes it actually feels like I've already been there!

I don't think that the crowds will be EXTREMELY high. I mean, sure, a bit higher than last year due to the 60th anniversary, but still very manageable and nothing compared to July. But it might be hard to predict, and it really depends on expectations anyways. I hope you have great trip!

You're wrong. Outside of July 4th and 17th, the week between Memorial Day and the AP blockout will be more crowded starting around 3pm as people go to the parks after work and school. And if Disney runs some kind of promotion like Get Happier Mondays (which started after the blockout last year), that will only increase crowds.

OP, the things you have going for you that week are extended operating hours, most refurbs will end by Memorial Day and the full nighttime entertainment schedule during the week. But also know that this is the week that APs go to the park and get in their "one last ride" on their favorites before 2 months of blockouts. Arrive early, hit POTC and Peter Pan first, use FP for headliners and single rider for Indy and Matterhorn.

 

[malloriewillms]

Grew up at dland and still go many times a year. Last yr spring break was pretty empty according to Cms. We went first week in May and it was packed. May is generally pretty busy but nothing compared to holidays and summer.

 

[TheDoleWhipper]

You're wrong. Outside of July 4th and 17th, the week between Memorial Day and the AP blockout will be more crowded starting around 3pm as people go to the parks after work and school. And if Disney runs some kind of promotion like Get Happier Mondays (which started after the blockout last year), that will only increase crowds.

OP, the things you have going for you that week are extended operating hours, most refurbs will end by Memorial Day and the full nighttime entertainment during the week. But also know that this is the week that APs go to the park and get in their "one last ride" on their favorites before 2 months of blockouts. Arrive early, hit POTC and Peter Pan first, use FP for headliners and single rider for Indy and Matterhorn.

While the AP blockout will for sure have an effect on crowds, it just doesn't compare to the madhouse of christmas break. Even if it's crowded (which it probably will be), it won't be 3-hour-wait, impossible-to-move crowded. And on any day of the year, you can get plenty done within the first few hours the park is open, as long as you plan accordingly. In fact, sometimes it is better to go in high-season, when the hours are long, the entertainment is at it's max, and when there are minimal refurbs, than in low-season. I guess that crowded is really based on perception and expectations, and everyone has different meanings of the word. But my point is, that the last week of may is considered high-season, but when you compare it to the rest of high-season, there are times far more busy.

 

[SMD]

While the AP blockout will for sure have an effect on crowds, it just doesn't compare to the madhouse of christmas break. Even if it's crowded (which it probably will be), it won't be 3-hour-wait, impossible-to-move crowded. And on any day of the year, you can get plenty done within the first few hours the park is open, as long as you plan accordingly. In fact, sometimes it is better to go in high-season, when the hours are long, the entertainment is at it's max, and when there are minimal refurbs, than in low-season. I guess that crowded is really based on perception and expectations, and everyone has different meanings of the word. But my point is, that the last week of may is considered high-season, but when you compare it to the rest of high-season, there are times far more busy.

Sorry, but until you've stood in the park with a line from POTC that extends back to French Market and cant't break through because the HM line is starting to pass the fountain, you have no idea what you're talking about. The week before the AP blockouts start, it's not uncommon to see a POTC line extend across the distance of Cafe Orleans with a wrap around. When you're waiting over and hour for Peter Pan, the lines for Snow White and Pinocchio can exit their buildings and become indistinguishable from each other. Yes they move quickly, but that walkway is less about 6 feet wide at most, so yes, it is wall to wall people. People need accurate expectations for what navigating the parks will be like. People say that APs tour differently, which mostly we do. But not the week before a long blockout. Every year people come back and report the massive amount of people and long lines building that week until they drop off the day after the block.

 

[TheDoleWhipper]

Sorry, but until you've stood in the park with a line from POTC that extends back to French Market and cant't break through because the HM line is starting to pass the fountain, you have no idea what you're talking about. The week before the AP blockouts start, it's not uncommon to see a POTC line extend across the distance of Cafe Orleans with a wrap around. When you're waiting over and hour for Peter Pan, the lines for Snow White and Pinocchio can exit their buildings and become indistinguishable from each other. Yes they move quickly, but that walkway is less about 6 feet wide at most, so yes, it is wall to wall people. People need accurate expectations for what navigating the parks will be like. People say that APs tour differently, which mostly we do. But not the week before a long blockout. Every year people come back and report the massive amount of people and long lines building that week until they drop off the day after the block.

It seems like we have very different opinions on how crowded the parks will be that week, lol!

 

[poohboysmom]

This may help with the crowds: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3364064

 

[theworldneedscolor]

What about crowds mid-May? Like the 11th and the 12th? I'm sure they won't be super low, but I assume they'll be lighter than the end of the month?

 

[SMD]

What about crowds mid-May? Like the 11th and the 12th? I'm sure they won't be super low, but I assume they'll be lighter than the end of the month?

The Tinkerbell half marathon is moving to Mother's Day weekend. It was already a popular weekend, especially for APs later in the afternoon. Marathon crowds tend to stick around for a day or 2 after the Sunday race, but this is the first year they're doing this race on a non-3 day weekend. I think Monday and Tuesday will probably be slightly more crowded that those days were last year, with a steep drop off in crowds starting Tuesday afternoon when the Thursday and Friday arrivals use up their 5th day on their hopper and head home. BUT, with so much unknown about the 60th, there is a risk that there will be some sort of event that week. It's unlikely, since there should still be some refurbs, but for the 50th Disney did a big kickoff event on May 5th and it was pretty crowded for about 3 days following that, so you can never say for sure.

 

[theworldneedscolor]

The Tinkerbell half marathon is moving to Mother's Day weekend. It was already a popular weekend, especially for APs later in the afternoon. Marathon crowds tend to stick around for a day or 2 after the Sunday race, but this is the first year they're doing this race on a non-3 day weekend. I think Monday and Tuesday will probably be slightly more crowded that those days were last year, with a steep drop off in crowds starting Tuesday afternoon when the Thursday and Friday arrivals use up their 5th day on their hopper and head home. BUT, with so much unknown about the 60th, there is a risk that there will be some sort of event that week. It's unlikely, since there should still be some refurbs, but for the 50th Disney did a big kickoff event on May 5th and it was pretty crowded for about 3 days following that, so you can never say for sure.

Oh dear, that is not what I wanted to hear. I had no idea that the race was moving to that weekend. We are only going to be there two days, and that's Monday and Tuesday. Like I said before, I knew it wouldn't be empty, but I was hoping the crowds would be in between light and moderate. It's my dad's first trip in about fifteen years, and it will probably be his last. Now I'm feeling a bit discouraged

 

[krispin41]

It seems like we have very different opinions on how crowded the parks will be that week, lol!

And I am going to side with SMD on this one...as (s)he has actual experience in the park. Reading about it/researching it is one thing, but you have yet to experience it in real life.

We have no idea what the impact of the 60th Anniversary is going to entail, not to mention the possibility of the Park being open 24-hours as a kick-off to summer like it was last year.

 

[AZMermaid]

I went this exact time frame (we drove on Memorial day, parks Tues-Fri) 4 years ago. Now, there was no 60th anniversary gearing up, but the crowds were not awful. It was busy, but not awful. FP were readily available and there was no crossing of the POTC line into HM. IIRC, the lines for these were in the 20 min timeframe for most of the time. If you use good line strategies (rope drop and FP), it will be a very enjoyable trip, in my experience. We like to travel at this time because I am a teacher and we are out of school the Fri)

 

[AngiTN]

You're wrong. Outside of July 4th and 17th, the week between Memorial Day and the AP blockout will be more crowded starting around 3pm as people go to the parks after work and school. And if Disney runs some kind of promotion like Get Happier Mondays (which started after the blockout last year), that will only increase crowds.

OP, the things you have going for you that week are extended operating hours, most refurbs will end by Memorial Day and the full nighttime entertainment schedule during the week. But also know that this is the week that APs go to the park and get in their "one last ride" on their favorites before 2 months of blockouts. Arrive early, hit POTC and Peter Pan first, use FP for headliners and single rider for Indy and Matterhorn.

Ok then, when to go? We can't go till school lets out, which is May 20th, baring no snow. I can't predict if we'll get snow this year so I can't dare plan flights, etc till at least the Tuesday following Memorial Day. We'd rather go sooner in our summer break, than later.

So, with that in mind, when would YOU go? Arrive 5/26-ish or June 2nd-ish? Something else?

 

[SMD]

Oh dear, that is not what I wanted to hear. I had no idea that the race was moving to that weekend. We are only going to be there two days, and that's Monday and Tuesday. Like I said before, I knew it wouldn't be empty, but I was hoping the crowds would be in between light and moderate. It's my dad's first trip in about fifteen years, and it will probably be his last. Now I'm feeling a bit discouraged

I think it will be ok. First, the other marathon weekends have a holiday on the Monday. Many people may just go home Sunday night or Monday. The unknown factor, is will Tink stay popular, or will people decide to do the one or both of the inaugural races instead. I have no special insight as to whether or not people will replace Tink with one of the new races, or if they will add a new race and still run Tink in May.

I went this exact time frame (we drove on Memorial day, parks Tues-Fri) 4 years ago. Now, there was no 60th anniversary gearing up, but the crowds were not awful. It was busy, but not awful. FP were readily available and there was no crossing of the POTC line into HM. IIRC, the lines for these were in the 20 min timeframe for most of the time. If you use good line strategies (rope drop and FP), it will be a very enjoyable trip, in my experience. We like to travel at this time because I am a teacher and we are out of school the Fri)

I should probably mention that even when the line goes down to the far end of Cafe Orleans and wraps around it still rarely exceeds a 45 minute wait. That ride can move people through the boarding area and hold them on the ride for a long time. Most people complain about navigating the area, not the wait times for those rides.

Ok then, when to go? We can't go till school lets out, which is May 20th, baring no snow. I can't predict if we'll get snow this year so I can't dare plan flights, etc till at least the Tuesday following Memorial Day. We'd rather go sooner in our summer break, than later.

So, with that in mind, when would YOU go? Arrive 5/26-ish or June 2nd-ish? Something else?

I would probably do the Memorial Day week, personally. But crowds don't really bother me. Look at the AP blockout dates. I think the 5th is the last day this year. If you're thinking of doing the 2nd-6th and crowds are a deciding factor, don't pick those dates. If you're going to do the 4th-8th, that's only 2 really, really busy days, so a better choice. The general rule of thumb with DLR is that if it works well with your schedule, it works well with a lot of other people's schedule too.

 

[AngiTN]

I would probably do the Memorial Day week, personally. But crowds don't really bother me. Look at the AP blockout dates. I think the 5th is the last day this year. If you're thinking of doing the 2nd-6th and crowds are a deciding factor, don't pick those dates. If you're going to do the 4th-8th, that's only 2 really, really busy days, so a better choice. The general rule of thumb with DLR is that if it works well with your schedule, it works well with a lot of other people's schedule too.

This is a one time trip for us due to the higher costs to head to CA over FL. We would like to avoid the heaviest of crowds, to the extent it's possible to. Other than having to wait till school is out we are pretty flexible in our dates. We get out rather early so I was hoping that by going earlier in the summer it would be better than later, when more schools are out.

Dealing with AP holders does make it different and harder to figure out crowds. I understand week days are better for DL so we are looking at those to start with. If we are better waiting to fly in we could do that.

Theses are the dates I could consider for June, keeping with the thinking of starting early in the week.
5/26 (technically could fly on 5/25 but fare jump for the Holiday)
6/2
6/8
6/16

 

[TheDoleWhipper]

I would probably do the Memorial Day week, personally. But crowds don't really bother me. Look at the AP blockout dates. I think the 5th is the last day this year. If you're thinking of doing the 2nd-6th and crowds are a deciding factor, don't pick those dates. If you're going to do the 4th-8th, that's only 2 really, really busy days, so a better choice. The general rule of thumb with DLR is that if it works well with your schedule, it works well with a lot of other people's schedule too.

So the last week of may ISN'T the week before the AP blockout. It's in fact the first week of June, as you mentioned. So if I am correct, the AP blockout will affect the first week of June more than the last week of may, which is when the OP is planning on going. Sure, it will still be crowded due to the 60th anniversary, but not the wall-to-wall crowded as you had described, since you still have another week until the blockout. I'm sorry if you think that what I am saying is incorrect, I'm just stating that the last week of may isn't the week before the blockout. You are right, no matter how much research I have done, it doesn't change the fact that I am still a first-timer, but I do enjoy posting to help others, and anyone can look at the blockout calendar!

I want to state that the blockout in the first week of June is only for the Socal select AP, and the SoCal AP is still valid until the end of June (excluding weekends and some weekdays). So not all the APs are being blocked at once, and I imagine that the same crowding effects will happen on the last week of June for the socal APs.

Anyway, I hope I helped clarify some things. Sorry if I am being too confusing, lol.

OP, you will have a great trip no matter when you go! I hope you have lots of fun!
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