Disneyland crowds- Late May

[TheChapman6]

I went in May of 2013 but at the beginning we did wed, thurs, fri there were no lines hardly at all. We were able to walk on most rides and only waited 10ish minutes for peterpan. The longest line we waited in was 15 minutes for Soarin' over California. We stayed at the Disneyland hotel and the pools were not busy either. The weather was nice but it did sprinkle each day and then the sun came back. You can't always predict the weather when I was there in Sept for dapper days this year it was HOT in the 90's everyday!

 

[SMD]

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

I would still do the May date. The final deciding factor for me is weather and cost. Of course, you can't predict So Cal weather in May vs. June, but I'd be more inclined to go sooner than later if that's when it works out best. I'm a fan of managing your expectations for crowds, not playing a guessing game for when other people will also want to do the same things I want to do.

Another thing to watch for. The last few years there has been a So Cal ticket deal starting in January or February. Instead of 14 days, the tickets are good for the whole promotion. In 2014 the last day was June 6th, in 2012 you had to purchase by June 1st and use the final day by June 8th. If they offer it again this year, expect the announcement in the next week.

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!
.

The So Cal Select AP block out has a significant effect on attendance. I didn't say it would be wall to wall people all day. But in the afternoon there is a large influx of APs who are trying to go on rides, as opposed to the normal afternoon increase in crowds where APs are going to see a show, have dinner, or just hang out. Disneyland has narrow walkways and there will be areas that will be hard to pass. Some people throw their hands up at any crowds and complain. I've always said go anyway, just know what you're getting into and manage your expectations. Another thing this year, which is hard to gauge is that LAUSD, the largest surrounding school district will be getting out on June 4th. Usually you see a lot of parents bringing kids to the park in the afternoon during the last week and a half of school or so because everything is winding down. Will this have an increase, or will they just wait because they're getting out a full 2 weeks earlier? Hard to say until it happens.

 

[TheDoleWhipper]

The So Cal Select AP block out has a significant effect on attendance. I didn't say it would be wall to wall people all day. But in the afternoon there is a large influx of APs who are trying to go on rides, as opposed to the normal afternoon increase in crowds where APs are going to see a show, have dinner, or just hang out. Disneyland has narrow walkways and there will be areas that will be hard to pass. Some people throw their hands up at any crowds and complain. I've always said go anyway, just know what you're getting into and manage your expectations. Another thing this year, which is hard to gauge is that LAUSD, the largest surrounding school district will be getting out on June 4th. Usually you see a lot of parents bringing kids to the park in the afternoon during the last week and a half of school or so because everything is winding down. Will this have an increase, or will they just wait because they're getting out a full 2 weeks earlier? Hard to say until it happens.

I agree. The AP blockouts certainly do have an effect on crowds. I think that the best thing to do, for anytime of the year, is to expect super high crowds, so when you get there, you will be prepared and you won't be disappointed.