First and likely only trip 4/14-18...help me on crowds?

[Fall1]

I know Dapper Day is 4/14, that's our arrival day and we likely won't do parks that day. I think we'll do a 3 day hopper 4/15-17. I don't know if we'll be back and this will be our first trip. Any experts want to help with a plan and share their crowd thoughts? Thanks!!

 

[smartlabelprint]

I would join the dapperday website and try to get an onsite hotel at their lower rates!

 

[figment_jii]

The SoCal and SoCal Select AP blockout starts that weekend, which can be both a good and bad thing. It means two of the AP levels won't be able to enter the park (reducing crowds), but DLR blocks APs when they think that non-AP crowds will be high enough to keep the parks busy. That is the week when many school districts, include LAUSD, is out for Spring Break. So, I would go with the expectation that there will be pretty decent sized crowds in the parks. It is probably going to be during "peak" Spring Break season, which should mean long hours and full entertainment (although at this point, we do not know when WoC or F! will return from repair/refurbishment).

I would strongly consider looking into MaxPass. While I'm not sure how many more rides you'd be able to do, it does save time and means less walking.

If you're only there for 3-days, I would consider looking into some of the dining and/or dessert packages for the various shows. When WoC and F! return, there will likely be some kind of package. I would not do a parade dining package for Soundsational (assuming it's still being presented during Spring Break) because that parade isn't "new" and viewing spots tend to be available without a lot of wait (unless you want curbside).

 

[theluckyrabbit]

With a 3 day ticket, you should receive a Magic Morning (one hour early entry to DL -- FL and TL only). MM comes with 3 day or longer tickets purchased in advance, not at the ticket booths. MM is on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays. Use your MM on the earliest day you can when you will be freshest and least tired. There are threads here on how to organize and most efficiently plan to get the most out of your MM. Some people schedule a character breakfast (e.g. Minnie & Friends at the Plaza Inn in DL) for later in the morning after their MM so that they can get lots of character interaction and photos out of the way on the same day. Ask about this if it is something that interests you.
This thread will have lots of good information for you: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets.

ETA: If you won't go into the parks on your first day, make a reservation for one of the restaurants in DTD. Ask for a table with a good people watching view -- Jazz Kitchen is great for this -- so that you can enjoy all the Dapper Day finery going by. The Dapper Day Expo will be going on in the DLH -- entry is $10 for both days -- very fun to people watch, shop, and dance to the bands! If Dapper Day isn't your thing, maybe make a reservation for a character dinner to kick off your visit. Goofy's Kitchen in the DLH is the only option for this. For some guests, this is a tradition to start every trip.