Getting a little freaked out by crowd reports

[quest4dl]

Our trip is planned for Sat-Tues at the parks in early June. I've been to WDW but knowing that DL is much more compact and attracts large crowds on the weekends - just how much more crowded does it feel? I've visited WDW during peak season (spring break twice) so I'm used to crowds but the grounds are so huge, there are only some areas that feel really crowded. I've read all the tips about the best way to navigate the crowds but due to time zone differences we probably won't be able to manage visiting the parks much later than 10 (though getting up in morning should be easier). The pictures of the crowds during spring break at DL also look quite scary. Anyone care to relieve my fears?

 

[lugnut33]

I was out there one time during spring break and the crowds were huge. It did take away from my enjoyment of the parks because the year before we missed the spring break crowds.

You just need to use the tips you already know, like getting there early, leaving, and coming back late. Use fast pass as much as possible. Don't worry about riding the "big" rides, there's plenty of other stuff to see. Enjoy DCA!!

 

[kiwitravel]

My piece of advice is to go early.... Be at the gate no later than park opening time and go hard for a couple of hours. Better to go have a rest for a couple of hours at lunch time than be a couple of hours late to start.

 

[DLR29]

Spring Break is more crowded than summer in general I think. Early summer is less crowded than late June-mid August too. So you probably won't see Spring Break crowds or even very heavy crowds. Might not be empty, but it won't be jam packed either.

It is better to arrive early and leave early than arrive late and stay late if you want to beat the crowds.

 

[mystic_path]

Piece of cake! I love going in early June, its my fav time of year to go. Weekends are busy but ive seen much much much much worse. Make use of those lovely little fast passes and you will have such a great time. Its not peak season so although the surrounding areas will be out for the weekend, most travellers wait for their kids to be out of school mid to late June before heading to Disneyland.

 

[quest4dl]

That sounds promising so far. Can anyone compare how crowded DL feels to WDW's MK?

 

[disney-inspired]

That sounds promising so far. Can anyone compare how crowded DL feels to WDW's MK?

Well MK is bigger in SQ footage but less rides. DL is smaller with more rides. So it might feel a bit crowded since attractions are closer together.

 

[DangerMouse]

I've never been to the MK, but from all things I have read, the major difference is the walkways at DL are so much narrower and things are more compact. Even if the park is experiencing a light day, it can feel crowded in the lands but que waits can still be quite short. We experienced that on our last several trips. It felt crowded walking about, but we never waited more than 30 min for a ride.

 

[Hound 109]

I've never been to the MK, but from all things I have read, the major difference is the walkways at DL are so much narrower and things are more compact. Even if the park is experiencing a light day, it can feel crowded in the lands but que waits can still be quite short. We experienced that on our last several trips. It felt crowded walking about, but we never waited more than 30 min for a ride.

Ahh my little DangerMouse.....you've never encountered the wonderfully designed walkways of AK....with bridges that scrunch everyone together (along with triple strollers & wild eyed ECV scooter drivers) all in loverly 90 degree heat & 90 degree humidity.......in EARLY MAY!!!

There are a couple of areas in DL that have that AK claustrophobic (sp?) feeling. (Where the idiots decided to locate AstroOrbiter for example...& in FL & Jungleland in the afternoon & evening.) but just try to avoid them by employing strategies often mentioned here.

As posters mentioned above, the key is getting to DL early, touring for 3-5 hours, collecting 3-5 FPs for later & returning to DL (with FPs in pocket) in the evening. Use DCA as your escape park if DL gets crowded.

My days at Spring Break last year & in June of last year consist of:

- DL at ropedrop. (picking up 4-5 FPs each morning)
- Hop to DCA for 2-3 hours.
- To motel/hotel for 2-3 hours.
- Back to DL at night (with FPs in pocket).

Variations might be hopping to hotel at noon & then to DCA from 3-7pm....or a slight mealtime variation.

BUT, for us....DL at ropedrop (or MM ropedrop) each day........period.

 

[quest4dl]

How early should we line-up to enter the park? I'm really not up for being there an hour before gates open (2 kids to drag out of bed). If we can't get there early should be arrive shortly after opening - or does the line just keep building so get there as soon as we can?

 

[DoomBugger]

Just get there as early as you can without driving yourself ragged and enjoy the day. Grab as many FP through the day and don't overanalyze it!

 

[tortugaverde]

We were there during spring break. It was crowded. Even at the gates on the day we managed to wake up early for our MM (we had 2, only made 1) it was crowded... we were there at 6:30 and the lines were already LONG just to enter the park! Despite the crowds, we had a great time. However, we have little ones... so we did not ride a lot of the "big" rides. We just did things that were less crowded. We only had 3 big waits... Nemo (45 min), Peter Pan (30) and PFF (40 min or so). Everything else was less than a 10 min wait.

I have been to DW in the summer... and I do not remember it feeling as crowded as it did last week in DL.

My suggestions...
Get there early... lines were already getting long by 9:00.

Leave by 11... swim, eat and take a late nap, return around 5

Unless you are going to see Fantasmic or the Fireworks... avoid those areas directly after the fireworks/Fantasmic. Do NOT try and navigate mainstreet/castle /New Orleans Square directly after these shows... it is insanity .

If you want to enjoy the rides in the above mentioned areas during the fireworks/fantasmic... that works great. They are virtually empty during this time. However, do the rides... and get the heck out of there before the shows are over. If you do get stuck down by SM and the HM... hang out and grab a snack until things clear up. The jungle cruise is also deserted during this time.

If you have a MM and want to ride Nemo... get there early and run to the subs via Fantasy land.

If you want a day to sleep in... go to DCA at opening (10:00). The crowds are minimal and did not get large until early afternoon.

It you go with a good attitude... You will be just fine

 

[quest4dl]

and don't overanalyze it!

Too late - I just ordered Ridemax!