For all the people who are 'freaking out' about the Carsland/DCA crowds...stop it!

[snowy76]

Hey everyone... I needed to come back to this thread to chime in about our trip from the 5th-9th. We just got home this evening. WOW what incredible crowds... In a good way!!

Longest waits we're CL of course, and at DL, the Merida M&G... That was a half hour for us last Thursday. We saw 75 minutes for Matterhorn later in the day.

But even CL was manageable! It was about an hour for Luigi on Friday morning... the RSR standby line was close to 3 hrs but we got FP at park opening for 1:05 pm and were on within 15 minutes. Everything else was a dream! I'm a WDW gal through and through, but BVS was amazing. I could've spent all day hanging out there. Sunday we walked onto Splash and everything else. The supposed 45 minutes for Rapunzel were really 20... Nemo subs were less than a half hour. It was our first trip and I have a feeling this trip spoiled me

 

[KaChow]

These updates are great, makes me even more excited for our trip!

 

[jonahsmommy]

Thanks so much everyone for sharing their information, we will be there from the 14th-18th, can't wait!!!!!

 

[Amy5869]

this is GREAT news! Last July the line for Star Tours at Disneyland was INSANE compared to WDW a month earlier when we practically walked right on. The crowds were there but it was managable. I admit even I had concerns about going this summer but I'm excited to hear it feels like it's not so crowded. We'll be there from the 21st-29th. I've never spent more than 4 days max here at DLR so It will be nice to truly not be rushed. I'll certainly post our experience as well but hope it's nice, and uneventful!

 

[gypsymama]

Okay so we are going later on this weekend we are getting a 3 day Hopper pass and we want to do Carsland in the morning? What time does the EMH start?

 

[HydroGuy]

Okay so we are going later on this weekend we are getting a 3 day Hopper pass and we want to do Carsland in the morning? What time does the EMH start?

You can get this off the Disney website. 7AM is every day this summer.

 

[left210]

What will it be like in October weather wise and line wise?

 

[idkmybffminnie]

What will it be like in October weather wise and line wise?

october is still warm but not hot. it's actually just perfect for me. lines are not bad at all.

 

[HydroGuy]

What will it be like in October weather wise and line wise?

Who knows what weather will be like but averages are helpful guides:

"Detailed Weather Data for DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158

Crowds depend on the day as there are holidays and special events in October.

 

[SomeDude78]

Yeah, it looks like a number of factors has happened. One, that it might have been over-estimated as you say! Two, that the hysteria over it has just kept people away as we seen on these boards of people litterally delaying vacations or was trying to see the resort before CL opening and three, which I been saying as I said in this post, that DCA has created a better balance and distributed the crowds better with a big new land, BVS and CCT keeping people around the entrance and all the entertainment the place has all day.

Of course, there is also the FOURTH option and maybe one that hasnt been talked about yet here although I thought about mentioning it and maybe something Disney might be fearing and that is the increased price hikes! I mean that could also be a big factor as well. Maybe a lot less people did renew their Aps or bother to get one with the 30% increase across the board. Maybe there are a few less day trippers with the added cost of 1 day tickets and park hoppers. I doubt the tourist crowd was affected much. Most of the time if you are already spending thousands to come for a week and staying at the resort hotels, whats another $100 at that point if the multi day tics has increased a bit. But maybe some of the locals have been scared off by the huge increases and we are seeing the effects of it.

IF thats the case, then Disney may be in trouble! BIG trouble because if their attendance levels are really about the same last few summers with all the huge additions this year because the prices have scared people away, imagine next summer or even the rest of the year!

Again though, we dont have a clue thats the case and all said and done DCA at least has been busier than its ever been, even though it doesnt FEEL that busy! I couldnt believe I read there was 55,000 people in that park on the second Sunday of opening...which I was there and it didnt remotely feel that bad!

But yes, it seems to be a lot of factors at play here and I can't figure out if this is a great thing for Disney or a bad thing...but I know its a great thing for us lol!

I think the FOURTH possibility is an interesting one (never really thought of it myself) and could be a great thing for both Disney and its guests. From a pure monetary perspective, Disney isn't going to maximize profit by raising attendance as high as possible -- maximizing profit of course is going to come by finding that optimal balance between # of attendees and the amount of profit reaped from each attendee. If your theory is right, then Disney may have gotten closer to this balance by raising prices ... while simultaneously improving the quality of its offering for those willing to pay the price of admission.

Just think ... it may be that with a slight increase in prices, Disney will be able to create more profit for itself plus shorter waits and a more enjoyable experience for guests. That would be awesome if it lasts indefinitely I've always maintained the the increase in AP prices are minimal for hardcore Disney fanatics and it would be a HUGE bonus in my book if your theory is spot on. Hope you didn't get my hopes up for nothing now

 

[Ride Junkie]

FWIW, I have only four days in the parks the week of July 22 but folks like fctiger have been a lot more days than my upcoming four days and his days have been spread out over several weeks. So please pay attention to him and others around here as they have a lot of valuable things to say. I myself will be leaning on his posts.

I will of course post my thoughts but please don't think I will have DCA figured out. I will only be able to give a snapshot of my week's experience.

Will do. You're going a little closer to the time we're going, so it will be interesting to see if things change regarding the crowds in the next few weeks. Gathering all the strategies we can!

 

[fctiger]

Hello again everyone,

Well was back yesterday on Saturday (7/14) for the evening to see friends who was visiting from up north. I only stayed at DL this time from basically 8 p.m. to 12 a.m., 4 hours! In that time, this is what we did:

-DLRR

-JC

-BTM

-POTC

-HM

-Casey Jr

-IASW

-Indiana Jones

-Star Tours

-Monorail

That's right we did 10 attractions in 4 hours on a Saturday night! We only had FP for Indy and did stand by for everything else. Everything we did was 5-15 min waits! I think the only thing that was over 40 mins after 9 p.m. was SM and Matterhorn. We only did Casey Jr because it was a COMPLETE walk on! Thats right, there were 10-15 people a head of us when we got on. Of course rides like POTC, HM and IASW is never huge waits, but 5 mins all evening is just bliss. Cant tell you anything about DCA last night. First time I didnt go there at all this summer. I imagine it was busier of course but cant imagine it was all that bad considering how nice DL was!

And I was with a CM who works at a Disney store and she confirmed they lifted the block out for all CM because the parks are NOT busy as they thought it would be. So its not just DCA balancing things out or CL taking most people (although I'm sure major factors), but simply that the attendance levels are not as crazy as predicted.

 

[krispin41]

Last night 7/14, my DH and I walked onto a lot if rides as well. We asked the CM at POTC, if we could sit in the front of the boat, and they let us have our own boat.

 

[woody73]

Last night 7/14, my DH and I walked onto a lot if rides as well. We asked the CM at POTC, if we could sit in the front of the boat, and they let us have our own boat.

How cool is that!?!

Woody

 

[DisneytheKid]

Awesome! Here's to hoping that that continues

Hello again everyone,

Well was back yesterday on Saturday (7/14) for the evening to see friends who was visiting from up north. I only stayed at DL this time from basically 8 p.m. to 12 a.m., 4 hours! In that time, this is what we did:

-DLRR

-JC

-BTM

-POTC

-HM

-Casey Jr

-IASW

-Indiana Jones

-Star Tours

-Monorail

That's right we did 10 attractions in 4 hours on a Saturday night! We only had FP for Indy and did stand by for everything else. Everything we did was 5-15 min waits! I think the only thing that was over 40 mins after 9 p.m. was SM and Matterhorn. We only did Casey Jr because it was a COMPLETE walk on! Thats right, there were 10-15 people a head of us when we got on. Of course rides like POTC, HM and IASW is never huge waits, but 5 mins all evening is just bliss. Cant tell you anything about DCA last night. First time I didnt go there at all this summer. I imagine it was busier of course but cant imagine it was all that bad considering how nice DL was!

And I was with a CM who works at a Disney store and she confirmed they lifted the block out for all CM because the parks are NOT busy as they thought it would be. So its not just DCA balancing things out or CL taking most people (although I'm sure major factors), but simply that the attendance levels are not as crazy as predicted.

 

[narsel]

So I have been lurking on the boards as well as checking mousewait daily trying to decide when to go. Originally was going to wait until Sept. - take the kids out of school to avoid crowds, but am now leaning heavily towards our usual Aug, before school starts and before annual pass blockout is lifted. So is the crowd index on mouse wait pretty accurate? Yesterday it was 83/100, last year around the time we went it was 94/100, could that be right??? Anyone able to venture an educated guess as to crowds the week of Aug 13th? Also could not find 3 day park hopper at Ralphs/Vons this year. Anyone know of a better price than AAA, $208.25????

Thanx!

 

[Ride Junkie]

Following the advice of others here, we did this yesterday: got fast passes for RSR (approx. 35 min. wait), rode Luigi's (25 min. wait), then Mater (20 min. wait). Crowds not too bad if you start early. The longest lines at each park were Splash & GRR since it's so hot here. Cars Land is just breathtaking!

 

[Tiradan]

Anyone know of a better price than AAA, $208.25????

If you can bring a member of the military with you, then 3-day park hoppers are $99.

 

[fctiger]

Following the advice of others here, we did this yesterday: got fast passes for RSR (approx. 35 min. wait), rode Luigi's (25 min. wait), then Mater (20 min. wait). Crowds not too bad if you start early. The longest lines at each park were Splash & GRR since it's so hot here. Cars Land is just breathtaking!

Cool! I have not been back to the park since 7/17, the anniversary so not kept up too much with park news lately (work and the 'real world' has kept me away). But yeah I know its a bit busier than it was 6 weeks ago, but it still sounds like its very managable! RSR is still packing them in lol, but its good to know the resort is still pretty easy. I read Al Lutz last blog and it does sound like attendance has been pretty flat since last summer as I and others suspected. I think letting in the CM has made a slight difference, but according to Al, still not a huge difference.

I plan to go back to the park in a few weeks for 2-3 days when they allow the lower Aps back in, so curious to see what it will be like! But yes, easily the best summer for me!

 

[tmfranlk]

Following the advice of others here, we did this yesterday: got fast passes for RSR (approx. 35 min. wait), rode Luigi's (25 min. wait), then Mater (20 min. wait). Crowds not too bad if you start early. The longest lines at each park were Splash & GRR since it's so hot here. Cars Land is just breathtaking!

Did you happen to notice the timing on single rider? If DD9 were to go single rider on RSR could she do it in about the same time as waiting for a FP or should we get a FP and then do Luigi's? DD1 is too little so I'll be waiting with her though RSR.

Thanks!