Going to Disneyland for Spring Break? Bad idea? Crowds!

[theluckyrabbit]

... So in your opinion assuming you know a lot about DL and hearing my concerns, needs would you recommend we keep our trip as it is and chance the crowds being awful after Labor Day or consider spring break which for us would be the 13-20th. Thank you for your help!!

The tie breaker on your trip dates is SWGE -- does your family want to see it or avoid it like the plague? If you keep your dates, remember that Iger announced June as the opening month. So you would have all summer to be reading all the news, updates, tips, strategies, secrets, etc. here to get all your SWGE skillz ready to go before your trip. It's not like you'd just be dropping in clueless to a jam packed DLR. If you really want to avoid the whole SWGE scenario, then go with Spring Break because DLR will never, ever be that way again after June.
As for your MP question: Yes, you can hold more than one FP at a time (either with free FP or with digital MP), BUT you cannot hold two FPs for the same ride at the same time. You have to ride that ride first, then get another FP for it. Does that make sense? And 90 minutes is the standard MP window for getting another FP. But it can be shorter than that if your return time opens sooner than that. As soon as you scan into the return line, you can book another FP. So if your return window opened 30 minutes later (not 90) and you scanned into the line, you could book another FP then. The app will tell you when you are eligible to book your next FP.

 

[NicholeB630]

I agree about the AP blockout dates affecting crowds more than anything. We've only been twice, but you can tell the difference in crowd level when the AP's get unblocked. We went last year over MLK weekend thru Wed, smooth sailing all weekend and crowds were higher on Tues and Wed when the AP's were unblocked.

Im curious though because looking at the block out calendar some of the AP options only block out the week of Christmas that is it!! And that week I imagine still sees at capacity crowds like DW does. Only like two options of AP really block much out other then the summer.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Ok so only two of the five type of annual passports are blocked out that week we could go for spring break. Only one is blocked out for the week of Labor Day. Do you think there is huge differences in parks when it comes to crowds? Say DL is packed and we want to go to CA do you think that there would be that big of a difference?

As far as rides that don't use Max pass? Are they going to be something we NEED to hit first thing in the morning or we will be waiting a long time to ride later in the day or do those rides typically not get the longer waits?

I'm assuming that the two APs that are blocked for Spring Break are the SC and SCS (the lowest two)? And the one that is blocked for September is SCS (the lowest one)? I'd go with Spring Break. Yes, it can make that big a difference. There are a LOT of local APs at DLR. This is a locals park and we love it dearly. If DL is "packed" (this is relative -- what feels packed to you might not feel that crowded to me), and you hop to DCA for relief -- you can feel the difference because there won't be as many people at DCA (you left many of them behind at DL!), DCA is a newer park with wider walkways and a newer infrastructure -- it absorbs crowds better than DL's 1955 infrastructure, and it just helps knowing that you can hop so easily. DTD is right next door, too -- both parks and DTD all within the same security zone -- so you can shop, eat, go to the parks, etc. without having to go through bag check repeatedly.
For rides not on the FP system (which, actually, is most rides at DLR), 3 day or longer tickets come with one Magic Morning at DL. That is one hour early entry in FL and TL on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday. On site guests have Early Entry or Early Magic Hour at alternating parks every day. That extra hour helps you get a lot done. And RD in general helps you get a lot done. Get as much done as you can in the mornings. (Use Single Rider lines for repeat rides -- this can work well on SM, RSR, and IC.) You ride the non-FP rides while booking MPs for later. (Peter Pan is a toss up -- that line is hardly ever short and it isn't worth the cattle stampede to be first in line -- we like to close the park with it!) The app is really helpful to keep you updated on wait times so that you know which rides are worth waiting for. We rarely wait in a line longer than 20 minutes -- and that's without MP. Staying later in the parks will help with that.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Im curious though because looking at the block out calendar some of the AP options only block out the week of Christmas that is it!! And that week I imagine still sees at capacity crowds like DW does. Only like two options of AP really block much out other then the summer.

Yes, Christmas Week is the busiest week of the year at DLR. We hit capacity closures about 2-3 days on average that week (for short periods, never all day). 80% of guests that week are not APs. So DLR doesn't need passholders to pack the parks! But there certainly are a lot of us out there. The lowest two APs have the most blocks. And this is the first year that DLR has split the blocks -- so over the summer, some passes are good for DCA, but blocked from DL.

 

[NicholeB630]

The tie breaker on your trip dates is SWGE -- does your family want to see it or avoid it like the plague? If you keep your dates, remember that Iger announced June as the opening month. So you would have all summer to be reading all the news, updates, tips, strategies, secrets, etc. here to get all your SWGE skillz ready to go before your trip. It's not like you'd just be dropping in clueless to a jam packed DLR. If you really want to avoid the whole SWGE scenario, then go with Spring Break because DLR will never, ever be that way again after June.
As for your MP question: Yes, you can hold more than one FP at a time (either with free FP or with digital MP), BUT you cannot hold two FPs for the same ride at the same time. You have to ride that ride first, then get another FP for it. Does that make sense? And 90 minutes is the standard MP window for getting another FP. But it can be shorter than that if your return time opens sooner than that. As soon as you scan into the return line, you can book another FP. So if your return window opened 30 minutes later (not 90) and you scanned into the line, you could book another FP then. The app will tell you when you are eligible to book your next FP.

I don't think we really care about SWGE and I imagine that area will be especially busy even into Sept more so then the rest of the parks so I think we'd avoid it anyways. But the thought of actually going during a holiday break scares the crap out of me HAHA ... You are right about researching more after it opens because we can indeed see how crowds are but we still won't really know how Labor Day week will be until its here. The max pass def makes me feel better and the early mornings. Every crowd calendar I read says that week of spring break is like a 10 and then some say the week of Labor Day is good to go and others say its not. Why does planning a trip to Disney need to be so hard.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... Every crowd calendar I read says that week of spring break is like a 10 and then some say the week of Labor Day is good to go and others say its not. Why does planning a trip to Disney need to be so hard.

I can make it a little easier -- toss the crowd calendars out the window! They don't really work for DLR; they're made for WDW. Out here we use the AP blockout calendar, the school district calendars, convention calendars, general holiday calendars, and word of mouth (aka the DIS Boards)! For example, this past Monday was a 3 according to a popular crowd calendar. Well, see what happened: Monday 1/28 Was Today A Slow / Light Day?. Ever since DL's 60th anniversary, crowd calendars have been notoriously unreliable out here.

 

[DarthGallifrey]

If you really want to see DLR in it's pre-SWGE state, visit before this June. Bob Iger announced in a recent interview that June will be the opening month at DL. There is a current ticket promotion (a very sweet deal) that is good until mid-May.

Do you remember where this was? I hadn't heard anything other than Summer 2019. Also, with the ticket promotion are the tickets good through only May or is that how long you have to buy them? Im going in September

 

[NicholeB630]

I'm assuming that the two APs that are blocked for Spring Break are the SC and SCS (the lowest two)? And the one that is blocked for September is SCS (the lowest one)? I'd go with Spring Break. Yes, it can make that big a difference. There are a LOT of local APs at DLR. This is a locals park and we love it dearly. If DL is "packed" (this is relative -- what feels packed to you might not feel that crowded to me), and you hop to DCA for relief -- you can feel the difference because there won't be as many people at DCA (you left many of them behind at DL!), DCA is a newer park with wider walkways and a newer infrastructure -- it absorbs crowds better than DL's 1955 infrastructure, and it just helps knowing that you can hop so easily. DTD is right next door, too -- both parks and DTD all within the same security zone -- so you can shop, eat, go to the parks, etc. without having to go through bag check repeatedly.
For rides not on the FP system (which, actually, is most rides at DLR), 3 day or longer tickets come with one Magic Morning at DL. That is one hour early entry in FL and TL on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday. On site guests have Early Entry or Early Magic Hour at alternating parks every day. That extra hour helps you get a lot done. And RD in general helps you get a lot done. Get as much done as you can in the mornings. (Use Single Rider lines for repeat rides -- this can work well on SM, RSR, and IC.) You ride the non-FP rides while booking MPs for later. (Peter Pan is a toss up -- that line is hardly ever short and it isn't worth the cattle stampede to be first in line -- we like to close the park with it!) The app is really helpful to keep you updated on wait times so that you know which rides are worth waiting for. We rarely wait in a line longer than 20 minutes -- and that's without MP. Staying later in the parks will help with that.

I def like the idea of everything being so close and we are staying at the Disneyland hotel right there I love being able to walk to everything. We did purchase the park hopper and three day ticket. So we automatically get the early mornings correct? Some days are earlier then others? Peter Pan def not concerned with if its just like DW which there is always an hour long wait AND its like a 1 minute ride. Could you elaborate on the Magic Morning in DL the Entry to FL and TL??

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Do you remember where this was? I hadn't heard anything other than Summer 2019. Also, with the ticket promotion are the tickets good through only May or is that how long you have to buy them? Im going in September

There was a thread on this forum with the link to the Iger article (Bob Iger Mentions the Official Disneyland Star Wars Opening Date). Many bets around here are on June 21st for the public opening because of the AP blockout calendar. But there may be media and AP preview events before that date. The promo tickets are good through sometime in May (https://disneyland.disney.go.com/of...l-ticket-offer/?CMP=ILC-DPFY19Q1wo1115180028A). I doubt there will be promos for September because of Halloween Time.

 

[DarthGallifrey]

Oh wow thank you so much. I don't know how I missed that haha. I was always thinking June opening with a preview for press in May.

I knew promos for Sept was a long-shot lol

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I def like the idea of everything being so close and we are staying at the Disneyland hotel right there I love being able to walk to everything. We did purchase the park hopper and three day ticket. So we automatically get the early mornings correct? Some days are earlier then others? Peter Pan def not concerned with if its just like DW which there is always an hour long wait AND its like a 1 minute ride. Could you elaborate on the Magic Morning in DL the Entry to FL and TL??

Being on site will be a big help with the EE/EMH every day. Especially at DCA -- that early hour can help you get soooo much done in that park! You won't need your MM that comes with your ticket because you'll get your EMH as an on site guest. In DL, only FL and TL are open early. The rest of the park opens at regular park open (and some parts, like TT, open a bit later). The earlier the EE/EMH/MM, the better because fewer people want to get up that early -- so take advantage of the time difference in your favor! Most rides in FL don't have FP, so the early hour is a great way to do those rides. As for PP, at DL, this ride is special. It is one of the few rides that was there on opening day in 1955. It doesn't have the interactive queue like WDW, but it does have a very charming interior. One of the best dark rides ever -- and that's from Tony Baxter (and he should know!). So it's worth watching the app for any time the line is shorter than 40 minutes -- if you see 30 minutes or less, grab a snack and get in line! And if you are in line even 5 minutes before park closing, you'll be allowed to finish your ride... and exit to a closed park! Main Street will stay open an hour later for shopping. Go to Market House (aka Starbucks) to grab a drink and enjoy the lights on Main Street and the animated windows at the Emporium before exiting.

 

[MikeRx]

We are actually planning a commando SWGE trip over Labor Day weekend. We go at this time every year and 2018 was far more crowded than 2017. We speculate it was due to the end of Pixar-fest, but who knows. We are fully prepared that 2019 will be crazy-go-nuts. Our focus will be on SWGE, utilizing MM/EMH, Maxpass and seeing what we can see. We were lucky enough to get a DVC studio for the weekend and have Signature (non-blocked) APs.

Wife and I are off to the DVC event tomorrow night and back again in mid-February for our son's 11th birthday!

Mike

 

[NicholeB630]

Being on site will be a big help with the EE/EMH every day. Especially at DCA -- that early hour can help you get soooo much done in that park! You won't need your MM that comes with your ticket because you'll get your EMH as an on site guest. In DL, only FL and TL are open early. The rest of the park opens at regular park open (and some parts, like TT, open a bit later). The earlier the EE/EMH/MM, the better because fewer people want to get up that early -- so take advantage of the time difference in your favor! Most rides in FL don't have FP, so the early hour is a great way to do those rides. As for PP, at DL, this ride is special. It is one of the few rides that was there on opening day in 1955. It doesn't have the interactive queue like WDW, but it does have a very charming interior. One of the best dark rides ever -- and that's from Tony Baxter (and he should know!). So it's worth watching the app for any time the line is shorter than 40 minutes -- if you see 30 minutes or less, grab a snack and get in line! And if you are in line even 5 minutes before park closing, you'll be allowed to finish your ride... and exit to a closed park! Main Street will stay open an hour later for shopping. Go to Market House (aka Starbucks) to grab a drink and enjoy the lights on Main Street and the animated windows at the Emporium before exiting.

Thank you so much for all this info a few more questions though Im sorry .. What is MM? EMH is Extra Morning hours correct? What is EE and MM and the difference between the three? I am just used to DW and their EMH for resort guests and thats usually only an extra either before open or after close. Which we always use. Thats interesting about PP. Do you know if its the same exact ride as DW? We will def need advice as to what rides to hit up first. My kids will both finally be able to ride everything as my son is finally 48" whoop!!!!

 

[NicholeB630]

Being on site will be a big help with the EE/EMH every day. Especially at DCA -- that early hour can help you get soooo much done in that park! You won't need your MM that comes with your ticket because you'll get your EMH as an on site guest. In DL, only FL and TL are open early. The rest of the park opens at regular park open (and some parts, like TT, open a bit later). The earlier the EE/EMH/MM, the better because fewer people want to get up that early -- so take advantage of the time difference in your favor! Most rides in FL don't have FP, so the early hour is a great way to do those rides. As for PP, at DL, this ride is special. It is one of the few rides that was there on opening day in 1955. It doesn't have the interactive queue like WDW, but it does have a very charming interior. One of the best dark rides ever -- and that's from Tony Baxter (and he should know!). So it's worth watching the app for any time the line is shorter than 40 minutes -- if you see 30 minutes or less, grab a snack and get in line! And if you are in line even 5 minutes before park closing, you'll be allowed to finish your ride... and exit to a closed park! Main Street will stay open an hour later for shopping. Go to Market House (aka Starbucks) to grab a drink and enjoy the lights on Main Street and the animated windows at the Emporium before exiting.

Also Im wondering with Star Wars coming so close to spring break meaning April and then it opening in June do you think its at all possible that the parks would see maybe a slight decrease in crowds over spring break people possibly people would wait till summer to go with SWGE opens? I'd think a Star Wars fan would want to wait and visit once it opens as opposed to going In April when maybe in previous years thats when they traveled?

 

[MrsD.Duck]

Thank you so much for all this info a few more questions though Im sorry .. What is MM? EMH is Extra Morning hours correct? What is EE and MM and the difference between the three? I am just used to DW and their EMH for resort guests and thats usually only an extra either before open or after close. Which we always use. Thats interesting about PP. Do you know if its the same exact ride as DW? We will def need advice as to what rides to hit up first. My kids will both finally be able to ride everything as my son is finally 48" whoop!!!!

MM is magic morning and it come with any ticket that is three days or longer that is purchased before you get to the park, not at the ticket booth MM is only good for Disneyland and not California Adventure. EMH is for guest at the disney hotels, and is good at California Aventure on select days and at Disneyland on select days, MM and EMH are the same thing in regards to disneyland.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Also Im wondering with Star Wars coming so close to spring break meaning April and then it opening in June do you think its at all possible that the parks would see maybe a slight decrease in crowds over spring break people possibly people would wait till summer to go with SWGE opens? I'd think a Star Wars fan would want to wait and visit once it opens as opposed to going In April when maybe in previous years thats when they traveled?

I wouldn't expect any significant change in the crowd levels. We've had numerous posts here from people planning trips for Spring Break specifically to avoid SWGE and all the chaos. Either crowds will surge with people avoiding SWGE or they will surge with people wanting SWGE -- DLR has no problem pulling in crowds! Just do your research, make your plans (Plan A and a back up plan), then get ready to let go and let the magic happen!
See this thread: How to prepare for first Disneyland trip?.

 

[Whistlebee]

You are getting very good advice here! Ignore all the crowd calendars for DL. The advice here regarding school breaks/AP blockout calendars and special events is the combination you want to pay attention to. I really like your idea of going during your spring break. Easter is very late this year and that will work in your favor. Will there be crowds? Yes, but they will be much smaller than post-Star Wars IMHO. I’ve been on Easter Day and the days following when Easter was late in April and the crowds were busy but very manageable. You can learn the tips and tricks here to have a great trip (rope drop, Maxpass, etc).

 

[theluckyrabbit]

You'll be there for Spring Dapper Day at the DLH! (http://dapperday.com) Super fun event, some crowds -- but VERY good looking ones! After your first weekend, the DD crowds will leave. Dancing at the Royal Swing Ball in DL on your first night will be a fun sight!

ETA: Here is some background and information to help with the PP to do/not do question (i.e. if you do PP, how to do it/not to do it): Don’t Do This at Rope Drop - Peter Pan.

 

[NicholeB630]

MM is magic morning and it come with any ticket that is three days or longer that is purchased before you get to the park, not at the ticket booth MM is only good for Disneyland and not California Adventure. EMH is for guest at the disney hotels, and is good at California Aventure on select days and at Disneyland on select days, MM and EMH are the same thing in regards to disneyland.

OK awesome! So any day we can use the EMH that is available and the day that its 7am at DL we'll def want to do that Thanks for the advice!! I do think that will make a huge difference!!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

OK awesome! So any day we can use the EMH that is available and the day that its 7am at DL we'll def want to do that Thanks for the advice!! I do think that will make a huge difference!!

It will make a big difference, so take advantage of it! MM/EMH at DL are Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays (= days with a T). EE at DCA are all the other days -- Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays. For on site guests, this perk is available to you at one park or the other every day.