Experiences with crowds in late afternoon/evening

[Nicoleclaw]

I am in the process of planning a trip July 21-23 (Tues-Thurs). I was of course excited to see we can use Magic Morning for one of the days in Disneyland Park. And then I realized it opens at 7. I'd say my family (dh excluded) have no problem getting up. But I really don't know if we will be up and across the street lined up before 7. As my kids are getting older (they will be 8 and 11), they are staying up later much more easily. So here is my question.... Can we forget using the Magic Morning (which we always wanted to do in WDW but we don't stay onsite) if we plan on coming in later and staying to hit those Fantasyland and Tomorrowland rides after 8pm? How much do the crowds die down as the evening goes on vs what the crowds may be like a 7 am? We probably will want to see both the fireworks one night and Fantasmic the other night we are planning on going to Disneyland (and World of Color the night we are at DCA)....any thoughts from those of you who have experience with the crowds? Thanks!!

 

[planningjollyholiday]

I would do early entry. You will get way more done those first couple of hours than you get get done in the evening. Keep in mind that fantasyland will close a bit at night before and during the fireworks. Crowds will not die down until after 10, and even theni anticipate it will still be really busy because of the diamond celebration. The line for peter pan will stay long all night. It would be wise to use your early entry to get a bunch of rides done, and use the evening to watch the shows and enjoy the ambiance.

 

[chickapin parterre]

you are looking at Disneyland thru WDW glasses.

1. Folks live next door to Disneyland, a freeway is blocks away and many large surface streets surround the area. so it is very easy for locals to access the park in the evening, especially a summer evening with the ocean breeze.

2. Disneyland has very limited experiences for children under 5, so fantasyland is crowded all day with the exception of early morning when children under 5 are struggling with early morning visits. So the attractions are not overwhelmed in the morning.

3. Peter Pan is a strange anomaly. Veteran like myself board it first attraction, Traditionalist board it first attraction and folks like your self who have planned board it first attraction. the result is a back-up all day in a very poor chain waiting area. First thing in the morning or never for Neverland.

4. Are you on vacation? Why not leave the park from 2-5 and rest. Come back strong and enjoy the evening choices. Also, weather could be a factor, best to soak in the cool park then struggle with 90+ temps.

5. Early morning puts you at ROA rope drop and creates many opportunities for FP. Can't do that if you are outside the park at opening or even struggling to use MM with the tide of non MM on the plaza.

 

[tarheelalum]

Late afternoon is the most crowded time at DL. That is when all of the local annual pass holders go. Early morning is by far the best time at DL.

 

[Luckymommatoo]

Yep, I'm a local, and we often go Sunday morning from opening til 11 a.m. You can get SO much done those first two or three hours. It will definitely not slow down at 8 p.m. on a summer night. I agree with the poster who says to go back to your hotel 2 - 5 to rest. My kids are exactly the same age, so I do know that's it tough to get them going in the morning, and that they probably won't nap in the afternoon. But it's only one morning -- don't miss it. Have the kids sleep in their clothes, pack granola bars or something they can eat on the go. You won't regret it!

 

[Nicoleclaw]

Thanks so much for the info! This is what I was afraid to hear! lol Atleast I have some backup now when I tell DH we have to be out of the hotel at 6:30 am!

 

[SGDisneyFam]

Thanks so much for the info! This is what I was afraid to hear! lol Atleast I have some backup now when I tell DH we have to be out of the hotel at 6:30 am!

Be AT the bag check by 630 am for a 700 MM.

 

[Nicoleclaw]

Be AT the bag check by 630 am for a 700 MM.

Now you are really pushing it! lol

In all seriousness, I should probably make this another post, but how long does it take to walk from the Tropicana Inn to the bag check? Please tell me not long!

 

[Cal-Pie]

Now you are really pushing it! lol

In all seriousness, I should probably make this another post, but how long does it take to walk from the Tropicana Inn to the bag check? Please tell me not long!

It depends on how long you have to wait for the light at the crosswalk, but not more than 5-7 minutes from Tropicana

 

[girlegirl7101]

We just got back from 3 and half days at disneyland, you must get there at rope drop!!!! We have season passes so we didnt have a mm, but omg if we did we would use it. Today was our last day and we walked into disneyland at about 730. It was mm today so they had ropes up for the rest of us. At first we were going to go to jungle cruise cause It was on our todo list then realized the amount of people waiting to go that way was growing alot and I realized alot of the people who used the mm where now waiting to go to adventureland as well. So we turned around and waiting for the rope drop toward fantasyland. Peter pan was a 20 min wait so we passed on it and went to dumbo first, which was a walk on! Then did circus train, Pinocchio, snow white, wild toad(all zero line!!!!) Then we went on storybook (5min wait) and tea cups no wait, all of this by 9am. At this point we walked to Toontown and walked in as they opened it. We saw Pluto and then went on Roger Rabbit(walk on!) We then headed towards mickeys house stopped for some pictures along the way also saw goofy with one family in line but my daughter didn't want to meet him so we went on to mickeys. So funny the sign said 30minutes and we almost passed on it. We then walked right up and realized there was zero wait. He meets right at his door in the morning I guess. We all proceeded to ride go coaster and some went on it twice. This was all don't by 930! This morning was by far the best day we have had this trip. My kids don't do lines very well so we do fastpasses, rope drops or go to things on odd times. Iam telling you do not miss rope drop. Even if every day you have to leave from 2-5 for a nap it's way way worth it.

 

[DahliaRW]

Also keep in mind that Fantasyland closes for the fireworks every night. So that would cut down on nighttime rides (it does reopen after, however). But it is MUCH less crowded in the mornings, in general. You can get all of FL done in that magic hour if you get on PP first thing and nothing is closed. And if tomorrowland is more of your thing, you can walk on space several times in that first hour as well! Or Star Tours!

 

[chickapin parterre]

We just got back from 3 and half days at disneyland, you must get there at rope drop!!!! We have season passes so we didnt have a mm, but omg if we did we would use it. Today was our last day and we walked into disneyland at about 730. It was mm today so they had ropes up for the rest of us. At first we were going to go to jungle cruise cause It was on our todo list then realized the amount of people waiting to go that way was growing alot and I realized alot of the people who used the mm where now waiting to go to adventureland as well. So we turned around and waiting for the rope drop toward fantasyland. Peter pan was a 20 min wait so we passed on it and went to dumbo first, which was a walk on! Then did circus train, Pinocchio, snow white, wild toad(all zero line!!!!) Then we went on storybook (5min wait) and tea cups no wait, all of this by 9am. At this point we walked to Toontown and walked in as they opened it. We saw Pluto and then went on Roger Rabbit(walk on!) We then headed towards mickeys house stopped for some pictures along the way also saw goofy with one family in line but my daughter didn't want to meet him so we went on to mickeys. So funny the sign said 30minutes and we almost passed on it. We then walked right up and realized there was zero wait. He meets right at his door in the morning I guess. We all proceeded to ride go coaster and some went on it twice. This was all don't by 930! This morning was by far the best day we have had this trip. My kids don't do lines very well so we do fastpasses, rope drops or go to things on odd times. Iam telling you do not miss rope drop. Even if every day you have to leave from 2-5 for a nap it's way way worth it.

Thank you for posting this information. I had always wondered what happened when MM ended and after I left the previous hour open areas. Your experience is solid because of the influx leaving the area into ROA and creating a vacuum in Fantaslyland. My only additional remark, is that if you have your heart set on ROA area, don't be discouraged by folks lining up at the entrances. There are many attractions in that area to swallow visitors and I have always found the area, regardless of day of the week, to be empty for a couple of hours in the morning at opening.

 

[Angrose]

My only additional remark, is that if you have your heart set on ROA area, don't be discouraged by folks lining up at the entrances. There are many attractions in that area to swallow visitors and I have always found the area, regardless of day of the week, to be empty for a couple of hours in the morning at opening.

I completely agree with this! I have even arrived an hour after park opening on a Saturday, a magic morning even, and that area was still mostly empty until 11ish.

The only problem with rope drop is that it's really hard to do after those late nights staying for fireworks and fantasmic!, even with mid afternoon breaks. My DS is almost 7 and there is no way I could get him to take a nap during our break time. We would go back to the room for some quiet time, but by our last day, we ended up sleeping in and arrived to the park about an hour after opening. We were wiped out by then (day 4) so only did a few favorites and saw some shows.

I'm sure you will figure out what works best for your family!