Does DL ever have a limit of crowds?

[Disney Fans]

I have been reading alot of threads lately and alot of talk about how crowed it is at DL this year. We have a trip planned for Dec 27- Jan3rd. Does DL have a limit to the amount of people to come into the parks?
I understand that being x-mas and new years time would be crowed but it seems from what I have heard almost too crowed which could make for something really bad that could happen if a crowd became panicked.

 

[disneychrista]

Yes there is a limit but that limit it rumored to be near 80,000 bodies.

You picked what is THE MOST crowded time of the year. And it will be at or near that limit during most of your stay.

Be sure to get their early,take a break mid-day, and then go back and stay late, this is the best way to make the most of the crowds.

 

[denyd]

I agree with disneychrista about your crowd size. Even bad weather isn't likely to keep the crowd below 50K. Your best bets are DL early in the day and then over to DCA for the afternoon & early evening.

 

[stampinshauna]

I've heard that if you stay at one of the 3 Disney owned hotels, you will not be denied entrance.

 

[got2travel]

Disneyland has various methods for controlling entry once capacity is reached, or is almost reached.

I don't remember which order these happen, but the different closures are:

No new tickets sold, but anyone with an existing ticket is allowed to enter the park, regardless of whether they had entered previously that day or not.

No new entries into the park but anyone who had already been in, but left for whatever reason, is allowed back in.

No one at all gets into the park. With this option, it doesn't matter if you are staying at a Disney hotel or not, no one gets in.

The entry rules can change at any time based on park flow. For example if at 2pm you try to get in but can't, you may be able to come back around 4pm and get in.

 

[Disney Fans]

1)So do you think this is a bad time for us to go?
2)Do you think that New Years Eve Day will be too too crowded?
3)We could go also March 11-18 of 2006- Do you think that would be better or do you think since its spring brake for many folks it could be just as bad?

Thanks for your advice

 

[4fosterkids]

It is a wonderful time of year to be at the park, BUT your time frame will most definitely be the most crowded time ever. Everyone that gets AP's for holiday gifts come with in a few days to turn them in. New Years Eve Day, they usually hit max crowds very early in the day and it is rumored every year that the gates close by 2:00 in the afternoon, so be there early and plan on not being able to move around much.
Your March dates may be better, but you miss all the holiday magic!
Its a toss up. Tough decision.

 

[got2travel]

I've been a few times on Jan 1 and although it has been crowded, it did not reach capacity. The cpacity issue comes into play on Dec 31. But it is stil a very nice time because all the holiday decorations will stil be up.

Crowds have not let up much this year at all. But I think you'd be better off waiting until March. You may hit a spring break or two, but many schools don't have a break until Easter.

I guess you'll have to decide which is more important, seeing the parks all done up for the holidays or possibly experiencing less of a crowd.

 

[Disney Fans]

Bumping up to see if Mary Jo can please give me her thoughts about this also?

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I pretty much agree with got2travel. The parks are extremely crowded at that time. If your enjoyment is going to be affected by having to stand in long lines, you might want to reconsider when you go. If you can deal with the crowds, the decorations are really nicely done, and Disneyland Resort is beautiful at that time of year. However, do not expect to go on a lot of attractions, even with Fastpass from Dec 27-31. March is bound to have lighter crowds - but, you may run into rainy weather (you might also get that in December, too). I think last March was very rainy.

December - big crowds - but long hours, and more shows, parades, etc.
March - smaller crowds - but shorter hours, less shows, parades, etc.

My opinion -- Get a multi-day hopper, Pick a couple of days during the week - maybe 27-29 to spend more time in the parks -- use your time to watch shows, enjoy some attractions (pick a few that you want to visit each day), and enjoy the other fun stuff - cookie decorating, Christmas caroling, etc. Go to Knotts Merry Farm on another day, and break up your days at Disneyland by relaxing at the hotel, too. Be sure to go on It's a Small World Holiday & Haunted Mansion in the morning (get fastpasses) because their lines are impossible at night.

After 1st of January go back to Disneyland to enjoy the attractions you missed, and do other fun stuff.

I think that's what I would do with my family.

 

[Eeyorecln]

We're going Dec. 17-23. Does it ever reach capacity where we wouldn't be able to get back in if we left for afternoon naps and came back in the evening?

 

[Disney Fans]

Thanks Mary Jo!
One more question: Is it true that even if we are staying at DLH and have the hopper tickets for the whole time they could tell us that we would not be allowed into the park due to crowds?
Thanks again

 

[disneychrista]

Yes it does get crowded enough to where if you leave you may not be allowed back in until crowds subside.

My understanding is Disney Resort guests are the last to be "shut out" but if the crowd is at the capacity set by the fire marshall no one is getting back in until the numbers lower.

The one day that I would NOT leave the park for any reason would be NYE. Crowds tend to increase through out the day and do not lower until after Midnight.