Disneyland fire trap

[JaneJetson]

yeah Those crowd pics looked exactly like the night we followed the last float down mainstreet...the CMs I saw were mostly on sides the walks...not in the middle of Main Street.

As for Mickey...I bet he knows as much as Walt did..lol

At that time, I don't feel there's a huge need for crowd control as almost all of the crowd is heading slowing towards the exit.

 

[Rainforest_Elf]

I have to agree with the OP it was a complete zoo after the parade was over, I think this had alot to do with California Adventure being closed at 6pm for the Halloween Party! Cast members were doing there best to regulate crowd control by putting ropes up especially in tomorrow land where we got "trapped" we went to exit the store (sorry I forgot the name of it the one with the neon mickey with the spacesuit) and were told we could only go in one direction towards fantasyland and were told we could not make a left and go towards main street (we had fast pass to indiana jones). It really was chaotic and multiple guests were being told they could not go in certain directions, we basically just stayed put by space mountain until the crowds died down... Is it a "fire hazard" possibly? I'm not a fire marshall but I do know as a guest I did feel uncomfortable for my first time ever at a Disney park this past Friday.

Yup, we were there last Friday as well and the OP is not exaggerating and it doesn't mean that Disney is not the place for them, or me... it litterally was the worst crowd I've ever seen and it was handled so poorly. To get out eventually my party and I just linked hands and booked it to the entryway where there was an opening and we could finally just mozy our way out. But from main street down to the castle... good luck walking around. Everything was roped off and there were no clear walkways. If there WAS a fire, we'd have all be screwed.

 

[Gisele]

Those pictures are a scary thing! During my trip last year, during the week of Easter (never again) Disneyland was crowded, more often than not. However, I do not recall it being that bad! My goodness! I am not claustrophobic by nature, however, I do have a tendency toward such for a while now. That crowd, I just do not know, how I would have felt. Looking at those pictures, makes me feel like hyperventilating, seriously! So, I say to myself,see you thought last year was crowded? well it can become even more so from that!

 

[chargergirl]

Wow those crowd pictures were amazing. I have never seen it that crowded and think that those on Main St. during that time would have been very uncomfortable. I agree though, anytime I have been there CMs are very good about directing traffic.

I am out of the stroller phase with my kids now but in no way do I think that DL should ban double strollers. That is ridiculous!!

I wonder why they close DCA earlier than DL. It might lessen the crowds some to keep them both open the same hours. Either way the OP should probably just find somewhere else to go with his family. He is taking the magic out of Disneyland!

 

[toocherie]

I have a picture of the way over the top crowds but my post count will not let me post it . gee I wonder why ?

OUTOFDISNEY4EVER

Because you currently only have one post--I think you have to have a minimum number of 10 posts before you are allowed to post pictures.

 

[bumbershoot]

I wonder why they close DCA earlier than DL. It might lessen the crowds some to keep them both open the same hours. Either way the OP should probably just find somewhere else to go with his family. He is taking the magic out of Disneyland!

I think it was said that this was a night when they had a Halloween party. Since that is at DCA, they have to close DCA early to prepare, and all those people on holiday weekend then go over to DL.


Now, I can agree with the OP that I don't think DCA should close early. But when I say that I mean they should not close early EVER! I love DCA and wish it were open much later than it is.

 

[chargergirl]

I think it was said that this was a night when they had a Halloween party. Since that is at DCA, they have to close DCA early to prepare, and all those people on holiday weekend then go over to DL.


Now, I can agree with the OP that I don't think DCA should close early. But when I say that I mean they should not close early EVER! I love DCA and wish it were open much later than it is.

No matter if there is a party in DCA or not, in general though DCA closes before DL doesn't it?

 

[Gisele]

To the OP, I really am very sorry, for your negative experiences at Disneyland.
Disneyland is only interested in making a visitors experience as nice and as rewarding as possible. And is by no means wanting to have a guest leave with any negatives experiences, only magical ones.
I hope that in due time, and with enough research in your Disney vacation arsenal, you and your family will visit Disneyland again.
Regarding the Blue Bayou, during my last trip as example. I had made a p.s. several days earlier. I wished to be seated at a waterside table, so I made it a point, to arrive at least 40 minutes early,to check in for my p.s. and to request a waterside seat. Within ten minutes, I was seated at a nice water side table. My wait before hand, in the parlor, was most comfortable, and not crowded at all.
My meal was most delish, as it has been always. And I was a most happy camper, with my dining experience. I believe that you will be too, for as long as you check in at least 20 to 40 minutes early, to request a water side table. While you were waiting, you could have requested to see their menu, that way, you could see whether or not their cuisine would be of interest to you.

 

[jory29]

To further explain the photos of the crowds, it was taken just after the Mon. Sept. 22nd, 2008 parade ended, (perhaps 5 minutes after) so I guess one would expect to see crowds, but on a Monday night like that? We have been to DL in Nov., April, and Jan., before, but never in Sept. and we were surprised to see such crowds, especially on the weekends.

The crowds were not really moving then, (looking at the photos, you can see the people are pretty much at a standstill; there were slight shuffling steps being made, so eventually it all worked out I guess.) My daughter and I, being only 2 of us, could at least maneuver by weaving through the people, single file, with our hands linked tightly together. I kept looking back to make sure I had not lost my 6 year old! I think a good plan of strategy for more than 2 people, in case of such heavy crowds, would be to split up with the intent to meet up at a meeting place.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

No matter if there is a party in DCA or not, in general though DCA closes before DL doesn't it?

Yep, it does. Usually 2 hours or more before DL closes.

 

[bumbershoot]

No matter if there is a party in DCA or not, in general though DCA closes before DL doesn't it?

Oh yes, which I think is a travesty of good fun and should be stopped. But from what I read elsewhere, this was an extra early closure.

 

[Capt.Bane]

That friday DCA closed early due to the Trick or Treat Party.

 

[JaneJetson]

For the first time in my life in the park, I could feel fear and panic welling up like a huge wave in my throat as we tried to get through the parade crowd the evening of Mon., Sept. 22nd. My dd and I were hanging onto each other's hands tightly as we weaved in and out of the crowds.

I took photos to show my DH, who was over at the Indiana Jones ride at the time.

I understand crowds can happen... I take the bad with all of the good, I guess, because that won't stop me from going again.

But wow, look at all the people there!

In my experiences...more often than not, main street looks like that after fireworks.

 

[amyamya]

At that time, I don't feel there's a huge need for crowd control as almost all of the crowd is heading slowing towards the exit.

What about all the people coming IN to the park after DCA closed?

 

[JaneJetson]

What about all the people coming IN to the park after DCA closed?

On most days, DCA closes at least a couple hours before the fireworks so that typically isn't an issue. When the fireworks end....the majority of the people are heading for the exit.

 

[disney-inspired]

I agree that Main St. is HORRIBLE after the fireworks or parade. So that's why we either leave before it ends, shop a bit, or just sit and wait for it to calm down.

OP, I'm sorry you didn't have a magical trip but I agree with all the other posters who have suggested that you needed to do a bit more research before your trip.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Main Street on a busy night usually looks just like that after fireworks. We duck into a shop for 15 minutes, let the crowds disperse and then wander to wherever is next.

I think this is a great place to address the ever re-occurring New Year's Eve question, however. That picture is what Main Street looks like for HOURS on NYE - plus more. Imagine hanging out in that crowd for hours, not just for a brief time after the fireworks end. As I've said before - never again.

As for the OP, sorry you found the crowds panicking. It does get bad after fireworks because:
1. most everyone is going to the same place
2. those going elsewhere are going in the EXACT opposite direction
3. people do not listen to CMs who are routing them the long way (although there is a reason for it: crowd control)

You mentioned that you left through a Cast Members only door. I am not going to comment on whether you should or should not have as I was not there, but I would like to offer this thought: Having no idea where that exit takes you, you could be creating a great issue as you may have placed yourself back stage where you do not know where anything it, where paths lead, or how to get out of the park. Also, there are not the same safety aids for you there (such as CMs directing traffic) to help you and your family.
Just a thought, not judging your choices since I was not there.

- Dreams

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

I agree that Main St. is HORRIBLE after the fireworks or parade. So that's why we either leave before it ends, shop a bit, or just sit and wait for it to calm down.

We usually just hang out on a bench and people watch until the crowds leave.

 

[toocherie]

We usually just hang out on a bench and people watch until the crowds leave.

that's what we do too!

and FYI to PP, I've never experienced it, but have heard that when Main St. gets too jammed after a parade or fireworks--there are CM only doors that Disneyland purposely opens to get people out more quickly--so the person may have been doing it as a result of Disneyland's instructions.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

that's what we do too!

and FYI to PP, I've never experienced it, but have heard that when Main St. gets too jammed after a parade or fireworks--there are CM only doors that Disneyland purposely opens to get people out more quickly--so the person may have been doing it as a result of Disneyland's instructions.

I've seen this done last year. I don't remember what month it was. But they were directing people through backstage on the Plaza Inn side of Main Street. It was right after they cancelled the fireworks and there was a huge mob of people trying to leave.

I wanted to get in that mob just to be able to go backstage and see what was back there. Probably nothing interesting if those hallways are just to direct people.