Going July 4th week - bad idea?

[w8ting4pooh]

We are considering going to Disneyland. Really the only time we can go is July 4th week.

Is getting the AAA package w/unlimited Fpass the only way to do this week? For 4 nights, it's going to be $3000! There are six of us.

How much worse will it be if we stay offsite, get there super early and just use FPass the conventional way?

 

[JennHales]

Of corse it's going to be busy but with multiple fast pass how could you go wrong?
Just all depends on the attitudes of the people in your group. Some people I am not going to name any names like my husband would have a fit with the crowds.
Jen

 

[disneychrista]

Even with mulitple FP I would get there early (30 mins before opening) to maximize your visit. My best guess is that crowds will be high but won't get truely PACKED until after dinner time, at least on July 4th.

On days when the park is open from say 8am - after 10pm, we usually get there before opening, take an afternoon break about 2 / 3pm and then go back around dinner time 5/6pm and stay until closing or so. It makes for a long day but you can get so much more done during the first two hour and last two hours then you can during the rest of the day.

 

[MandaMom]

My DH, DD and I were at DLR just this last July. The park was the busiest I have ever seen it. This is from seasoned veteran's who take the trip down from N. California about once a month for the last 3 years or so and prior to that only went to DLR when school was out ie Christmas break, Spring break and in the summer. I will never again go during 4th of July. They were not letting guests in at 5pm. They shut the park down. My sister and her family left the park to take a break and came back and were not allowed back in. This happened to her the weeked of Christmas/New Year as well. My cousin who is a CM says July Fourth is the busiest day of the year even busier then Christmas etc.

If this is the only time you can go just be forewarned, you will be fighting some major crowds. My husband and I felt like cattle being herded the entire weekend and vowed to never do it again. So the prior poster's advice have been very good. It is always good to be up early. This July 4th would have been a complete bust if we did not get up early and do our business before the rest of the world gets up. Most people sleep in or have breakfast before getting into the park and don't get in until around 11am. You can do a lot in that time. We head straight for Fantasyland and Peter Pan's Flight since the line for this ride is outrageous even with lighter attendance.

Of course FastPass is a wonderful invention and you should do your research (ie which fastpass rides are not linked up)
and figure out how to utilize this to your full advantage because you will need it.

Also cool down. DCA has 2 cute water areas. One is for the little kids in A Bug's Land and the other is right in front of It's tough to be a bug. Another good way to cool down is yummy margaritas from the Pacific Wharf area .

Good luck PM me if you need any specific advice.

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

Are you saying the whole week was horribly crowded or just the 4th?

 

[scanmom]

I am not sure where you are from..New England or Nebraska, but you may be in a time zone that is 2-3 hours ahead of California time. This is a definate advantage. We are 2 hours ahead and it was EASY for us to get up very early to get to the parks. A couple of days we were the FIRST ones there. Use the time change to your advantage....do not try to stay up very late....that is VERY hard on you!!!

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

I'm from Massachusetts...the time is 3 hours earlier and

I have thought of that