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

[NicholeB630]

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.

If we do end up going over Spring Break we would only do three park days and 1 at Universal so Im going to ask for my advice if there is any better week days to go then others .. We will avoid the weekends since we'll be in Cali for 8 nights. Id imagine we'll do the Disney parks somewhere between Monday and Friday. Obviously use the EE and EMH. I am thinking one day at DL then one day at DCA and the last day we'll just mix it up. Of course we got park hoppers so we can change our plans if needed. I am also debating a VIP tour for one day. I am not a huge fan of the idea of being with a stranger all day haha BUT I've heard the tour people are amazing and we can really get a lot done with the VIP tour.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

If we do end up going over Spring Break we would only do three park days and 1 at Universal so Im going to ask for my advice if there is any better week days to go then others .. We will avoid the weekends since we'll be in Cali for 8 nights. Id imagine we'll do the Disney parks somewhere between Monday and Friday. Obviously use the EE and EMH. I am thinking one day at DL then one day at DCA and the last day we'll just mix it up. Of course we got park hoppers so we can change our plans if needed. I am also debating a VIP tour for one day. I am not a huge fan of the idea of being with a stranger all day haha BUT I've heard the tour people are amazing and we can really get a lot done with the VIP tour.

Don't avoid the weekends just because you assume they'll be super crowded. Again, this is DLR, not WDW! Check those AP blockout calendars -- the more APs blocked, the better! (Make this a mantra!) Saturdays can be very good days. Sundays can be good days. As for weekdays, Mondays have become pretty consistently busy days over the past year. The morning hours can be good, then the rest of Monday gets really busy -- look at the link I gave you above regarding this past Monday, 1/28. This past summer, Saturdays were some of the best days in the parks -- so don't automatically discount the weekends. You might be cutting yourself off from some prime park time. And, should you decide that you want more DLR time, you can upgrade your tickets (adding on days up to 5 days -- that's the max for DLR) as long as you do it before the end of your last day in the parks.
What do you want to get done that would require a VIP tour? We have DISers here who are very familiar with the VIP tours, so they can answer from experience.
ETA: Just checked the blockout calendar for your dates -- 4/13 (Sat.), 19 (Fri.), & 20 (Sat.) look like your best dates because the lowest 3 APs are blocked from DL on those dates. See what I mean about how Saturdays can be pretty good days? Deluxe APs are good from 4/14-18 -- you'll notice an upswing in crowds, especially in the later afternoon and evening, but it shouldn't be too terrible since the lowest 2 APs will still be blocked.

 

[NicholeB630]

Don't avoid the weekends just because you assume they'll be super crowded. Again, this is DLR, not WDW! Check those AP blockout calendars -- the more APs blocked, the better! (Make this a mantra!) Saturdays can be very good days. Sundays can be good days. As for weekdays, Mondays have become pretty consistently busy days over the past year. The morning hours can be good, then the rest of Monday gets really busy -- look at the link I gave you above regarding this past Monday, 1/28. This past summer, Saturdays were some of the best days in the parks -- so don't automatically discount the weekends. You might be cutting yourself off from some prime park time. And, should you decide that you want more DLR time, you can upgrade your tickets (adding on days up to 5 days -- that's the max for DLR) as long as you do it before the end of your last day in the parks.
What do you want to get done that would require a VIP tour? We have DISers here who are very familiar with the VIP tours, so they can answer from experience.

Hmmm thats good to know. I just assumed weekends would be busier. Let me look at those block out dates again. I think it was still only for the two types for that entire week. But I'll double check. We would be arriving on April 13th a Saturday and leaving on Easter Sunday the 21st. So We could potentially do that Sunday after we get in? But we also wanna do the MM at DL no the right day correct? Its only certain mornings? Ive had the flu all week so this has given me great time to research haha. Because we are not doing 5-6 park days like we do at DW I think this will help with my husband anxiety with crowds and lines. It won't be overdrive for him all week. We'll have time in-between days to do other Cali things (No clue what) haha.

How is the weather in April? Warm enough to swim at the pools?

I just had someone tell me that the VIP tours are great and you wouldn't need the MP for that day and they get you on the rides. Not the front of the line for them but to where you're not waiting as long as well as reserved seating or shows etc. Would you say its not worth it?

 

[NicholeB630]

Don't avoid the weekends just because you assume they'll be super crowded. Again, this is DLR, not WDW! Check those AP blockout calendars -- the more APs blocked, the better! (Make this a mantra!) Saturdays can be very good days. Sundays can be good days. As for weekdays, Mondays have become pretty consistently busy days over the past year. The morning hours can be good, then the rest of Monday gets really busy -- look at the link I gave you above regarding this past Monday, 1/28. This past summer, Saturdays were some of the best days in the parks -- so don't automatically discount the weekends. You might be cutting yourself off from some prime park time. And, should you decide that you want more DLR time, you can upgrade your tickets (adding on days up to 5 days -- that's the max for DLR) as long as you do it before the end of your last day in the parks.
What do you want to get done that would require a VIP tour? We have DISers here who are very familiar with the VIP tours, so they can answer from experience.
ETA: Just checked the blockout calendar for your dates -- 4/13 (Sat.), 19 (Fri.), & 20 (Sat.) look like your best dates because the lowest 3 APs are blocked from DL on those dates. See what I mean about how Saturdays can be pretty good days? Deluxe APs are good from 4/14-18 -- you'll notice an upswing in crowds, especially in the later afternoon and evening, but it shouldn't be too terrible since the lowest 2 APs will still be blocked.

Ok just checked ... That entire week SC Annual is blocked out and SC Select is blocked out. Then Deluxe is blocked out just the Friday and Saturday we are there the 19th and 20th. All other passes are open.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Hmmm thats good to know. I just assumed weekends would be busier. Let me look at those block out dates again. I think it was still only for the two types for that entire week. But I'll double check. We would be arriving on April 13th a Saturday and leaving on Easter Sunday the 21st. So We could potentially do that Sunday after we get in? But we also wanna do the MM at DL no the right day correct? Its only certain mornings? Ive had the flu all week so this has given me great time to research haha. Because we are not doing 5-6 park days like we do at DW I think this will help with my husband anxiety with crowds and lines. It won't be overdrive for him all week. We'll have time in-between days to do other Cali things (No clue what) haha.

How is the weather in April? Warm enough to swim at the pools?

I just had someone tell me that the VIP tours are great and you wouldn't need the MP for that day and they get you on the rides. Not the front of the line for them but to where you're not waiting as long as well as reserved seating or shows etc. Would you say its not worth it?

From my post above:
Just checked the blockout calendar for your dates -- 4/13 (Sat.), 19 (Fri.), & 20 (Sat.) look like your best DL dates because the lowest 3 APs are blocked from DL on those dates. See what I mean about how Saturdays can be pretty good days? Deluxe APs are good from 4/14-18 -- you'll notice an upswing in crowds, especially in the later afternoon and evening, but it shouldn't be too terrible since the lowest 2 APs will still be blocked.

MM at DL are only on days with a T: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays. So you're correct that Sundays aren't MM. Sundays are early entry at DCA.

April should be fine for swimming.

One reason we recommend multi-day tickets (up to 5 days) is so that you don't have to do commando days in the parks. You could do the mornings when the parks aren't crowded and you have early entry, then go out for lunch and shopping, hit the beach, go to a movie, etc. Keep booking MP! Come back to the parks in the evenings for shows, fireworks, more rides, dinner, etc. This way you don't get overwhelmed or overtired. And your husband won't have to get burned out.

For what you're describing, it sounds like you could do what you want with MP and good planning. Dining packages can get you very good viewing and/or seating for shows. If you want to spend the money on a VIP tour, go ahead. It can be really fun. But it shouldn't be necessary to do what you want if you'll have multi-day tickets, on site early entry perks, and a good park plan.

 

[NicholeB630]

From my post above:
Just checked the blockout calendar for your dates -- 4/13 (Sat.), 19 (Fri.), & 20 (Sat.) look like your best DL dates because the lowest 3 APs are blocked from DL on those dates. See what I mean about how Saturdays can be pretty good days? Deluxe APs are good from 4/14-18 -- you'll notice an upswing in crowds, especially in the later afternoon and evening, but it shouldn't be too terrible since the lowest 2 APs will still be blocked.

MM at DL are only on days with a T: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays. So you're correct that Sundays aren't MM. Sundays are early entry at DCA.

April should be fine for swimming.

One reason we recommend multi-day tickets (up to 5 days) is so that you don't have to do commando days in the parks. You could do the mornings when the parks aren't crowded and you have early entry, then go out for lunch and shopping, hit the beach, go to a movie, etc. Keep booking MP! Come back to the parks in the evenings for shows, fireworks, more rides, dinner, etc. This way you don't get overwhelmed or overtired. And your husband won't have to get burned out.

For what you're describing, it sounds like you could do what you want with MP and good planning. If you want to spend the money on a VIP tour, go ahead. It can be really fun. But it shouldn't be necessary to do what you want if you'll have multi-day tickets, on site early entry perks, and a good park plan.

Ok that makes sense. I don't think we'll be able to do the DL MM on Saturday .. Id hate to wait and do it the last day ya know. Like you said if we wanted to add on days well then it would be too late. Would it be wise though to do DCA on Sunday after we arrive the 14th? I know it will only blocked out for the basic two pass holders but like you said thats the early morning day. Then maybe we do DL on Tuesday with the MM. Then Friday the 19th be our last park day and just go with the flow and back and forth. But Im def open to the evening going to the other park or doing whatever we feel on the other two days. The idea of Max pass really excites me and makes it seem like its easier to get. Now my question how available are all these rides? Im gonna guess some go pretty quickly?

Whats the chance we'd get into DCA and incredicoaster has no times? Or say all there is left is 6pm we should grab it right? Obviously Im new to this .. I know with DW FP you must be on the internet right at 60 days in advance 6am and be quick because all could be gone as soon as you type in your date!!!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Regarding shows:
For your dates, it is possible that not all shows at DLR will be running. In DL, Fantasmic! will be running. Do a dining package for reserved viewing for this show. F! at DL is almost unanimously considered to be the better show (DL's F! = better show, WDW's F! = better seating). A F! dining package will get you the best view with the least wait. You can find information and menus on the DLR website.
In DCA, WOC (a fabulous show!) may be running. It is undergoing a prolonged refurb with no official return date. If it comes back by your trip dates, definitely book the WOC Dessert Party for the best view with an actual chair and the least wait. Totally worth the splurge.
Fireworks at DL are a totally different animal than at MK. DL has strict regulations from the city and the fire marshall regarding the fireworks, so the pyrotechnics often can get cancelled for safety reasons. Thus, the new show, Mickey's Mix Magic, has projections on weeknights and projections with fireworks on weekends (Fri., Sat., Sun.). By Spring Break, there may be fireworks every night -- we don't know yet since the show is so new. The show can be viewed on Main Street, at the castle, by the Rivers of America (from the F! viewing area), and from It's a Small World. The view is a little different from each area. There are no dining packages for fireworks at DL.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Ok that makes sense. I don't think we'll be able to do the DL MM on Saturday .. Id hate to wait and do it the last day ya know. Like you said if we wanted to add on days well then it would be too late. Would it be wise though to do DCA on Sunday after we arrive the 14th? I know it will only blocked out for the basic two pass holders but like you said thats the early morning day. Then maybe we do DL on Tuesday with the MM. Then Friday the 19th be our last park day and just go with the flow and back and forth. But Im def open to the evening going to the other park or doing whatever we feel on the other two days. The idea of Max pass really excites me and makes it seem like its easier to get. Now my question how available are all these rides? Im gonna guess some go pretty quickly?

Whats the chance we'd get into DCA and incredicoaster has no times? Or say all there is left is 6pm we should grab it right? Obviously Im new to this .. I know with DW FP you must be on the internet right at 60 days in advance 6am and be quick because all could be gone as soon as you type in your date!!!

One easy way to get an idea of how MP works is to download the free DLR app now. It just had an update, so make sure to get the latest version. (We don't have MDE here -- so get comfortable using the DLR app!) You can see FP availability and return times throughout the day for all the rides on the FP system. Also wait times for all rides. Keep an eye on the rides you like. Get a general feel for when the FPs are running out. Read through the MP thread that I gave you and ask all your MP questions there. The OP on that thread is a MP master!
Would it be possible for you to upgrade to 5 day tickets? Even if all you do is use the non-crowded hours in each park (all day on some days, just the morning on the other days), those extra days could really help you get a lot done without a lot of stress. And it would cost WAY less than a VIP tour!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... Whats the chance we'd get into DCA and incredicoaster has no times? Or say all there is left is 6pm we should grab it right? Obviously Im new to this .. I know with DW FP you must be on the internet right at 60 days in advance 6am and be quick because all could be gone as soon as you type in your date!!!

The DLR app is going to be your best friend! You'll know what FPs are available by looking at the app before you get into either park. And because you'll have early entry into either park each day as an on site guest, you can just go through a turnstile to activate your tickets (everyone in your group has to do this), then exit if you don't want to stay in the parks right then -- once your tickets are activated that day, you can start booking MP for the day. So you could book FPs for the IC later in the day (wait until the return times are good for you, then book those FPs!), and enter DCA and go straight to IC to ride. MP is nothing like FP+ -- you can't book 60 days ahead, no one can book 60 days ahead -- so all the rides are open to everyone at the start of each day. All you have to do is activate your ticket at the gate, then book your first FP. The playing field is level for everyone. Just keep checking the app for return times and availability. And -- one of the best perks of MP -- you can pick up cancelled FPs from other guests. So, for example, if all the FPs for IC are gone for the day, but you check the app to see what FPs are available -- and some FPs for IC show up because a family threw them back in the pool -- grab them! Now you have IC FPs!

 

[NicholeB630]

One easy way to get an idea of how MP works is to download the free DLR app now. It just had an update, so make sure to get the latest version. (We don't have MDE here -- so get comfortable using the DLR app!) You can see FP availability and return times throughout the day for all the rides on the FP system. Also wait times for all rides. Keep an eye on the rides you like. Get a general feel for when the FPs are running out. Read through the MP thread that I gave you and ask all your MP questions there. The OP on that thread is a MP master!
Would it be possible for you to upgrade to 5 day tickets? Even if all you do is use the non-crowded hours in each park (all day on some days, just the morning on the other days), those extra days could really help you get a lot done without a lot of stress. And it would cost WAY less than a VIP tour!

Am I actually able to see the FP availability now? When I click it on the app its asking to get started? Im assuming its going to make me purchase it to see it? I will get actual park tickets mailed to me correct and then I scan them into the app? Its so weird not having magic bands HAHA.

 

[NicholeB630]

The DLR app is going to be your best friend! You'll know what FPs are available by looking at the app before you get into either park. And because you'll have early entry into either park each day as an on site guest, you can just go through a turnstile to activate your tickets (everyone in your group has to do this), then exit if you don't want to stay in the parks right then -- once your tickets are activated that day, you can start booking MP for the day. So you could book FPs for the IC later in the day (wait until the return times are good for you, then book those FPs!), and enter DCA and go straight to IC to ride. MP is nothing like FP+ -- you can't book 60 days ahead, no one can book 60 days ahead -- so all the rides are open to everyone at the start of each day. All you have to do is activate your ticket at the gate, then book your first FP. The playing field is level for everyone. Just keep checking the app for return times and availability. And -- one of the best perks of MP -- you can pick up cancelled FPs from other guests. So, for example, if all the FPs for IC are gone for the day, but you check the app to see what FPs are available -- and some FPs for IC show up because a family threw them back in the pool -- grab them! Now you have IC FPs!

So once I get my actual tickets in the mail before we go I can then link them correct? And it will show that I have purchased Max Pass? Thats great you can see whats available prior. Like I said were early risers so Im assuming the earlier we get to gate check the better as once we scan were good! Do you get scanned prior to rope drop and then them hold you before it opens?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Am I actually able to see the FP availability now? When I click it on the app its asking to get started? Im assuming its going to make me purchase it to see it? I will get actual park tickets mailed to me correct and then I scan them into the app? Its so weird not having magic bands HAHA.

You don't need to purchase anything to start using the app. Just get started. You can use the same user name and password that you have for MDE. And have a credit card on file so that you can use Mobile Ordering. Once you receive your tickets, you'll be able to scan them into the app, if they're not already in there. Tickets purchased from Disney sometimes are already in the app. Make sure to take a photo of each ticket with a clear image of the bar code -- this is a safety back up in case the tickets get lost, stolen, or your phone/the app goes haywire. It is easy to get tickets replaced at Guest Services if you can show them the photos.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

May I change the title of your thread to specify that you'll be coming during Spring Break? I think that will help others who'll be visiting during that time, too.

 

[Whistlebee]

I think the week of April 13th will be one of the better weeks crowd-wise this Spring. The Promo tickets are also blocked that week so you’ll want to use the Dapper Day discount for your tickets that week.
Once you book your room (through the Dapper Day website, I’m assuming you’ll participate), you can call the hotel and have the Dapper Day convention rate tickets added to your room. Dapper day is a lot of fun. We usually buy tickets to the expo too so we can further support the event. I think you’re planning a great trip!

 

[NicholeB630]

You don't need to purchase anything to start using the app. Just get started. You can use the same user name and password that you have for MDE. And have a credit card on file so that you can use Mobile Ordering. Once you receive your tickets, you'll be able to scan them into the app, if they're not already in there. Tickets purchased from Disney sometimes are already in the app. Make sure to take a photo of each ticket with a clear image of the bar code -- this is a safety back up in case the tickets get lost, stolen, or your phone/the app goes haywire. It is easy to get tickets replaced at Guest Services if you can show them the photos.

Ok Im logged in. But its not showing wait times or anything else really. I booked through a Disney Travel agent just because I didn't know anything about DL so my tickets aren't on there I think she had told me I couldn't link them yet until I received them. Obviously now some changing has to happen with the tickets since Im changing dates.

Yes feel free to change the name of this thread

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Ok Im logged in. But its not showing wait times or anything else really...

It's just past 7 am PST here, so the parks aren't open yet! Give it a few more hours before things start showing up on the app. By early evening your time, you'll see lots more stuff on there!

 

[V.I.N.CENT.]

I would pick Spring Break over September any day of the week. We visited in September a couple times, in 2015 temps hit 108 one day. It was horrible. Last year we went on Easter week over Spring Break. Yes it was crowded for a few days, but manageable. Maxpass is your best friend! As soon as your tickets are scanned, start pulling your first pass on your way to your first ride of the day. Keep pulling all day long, totally different than Fastpass+.

September is one of the hottest months on average in California.

 

[NicholeB630]

It's just past 7 am PST here, so the parks aren't open yet! Give it a few more hours before things start showing up on the app. By early evening your time, you'll see lots more stuff on there!

Oh duh!! LOl I totally knew this.

 

[NicholeB630]

I would pick Spring Break over September any day of the week. We visited in September a couple times, in 2015 temps hit 108 one day. It was horrible. Last year we went on Easter week over Spring Break. Yes it was crowded for a few days, but manageable. Maxpass is your best friend! As soon as your tickets are scanned, start pulling your first pass on your way to your first ride of the day. Keep pulling all day long, totally different than Fastpass+.

September is one of the hottest months on average in California.

Well this is good to know. Id rather avoid the heat. If I want 108 I'll go to DW again in Sept HAHA. I hope its swim weather in April

 

[DLgal]

Go in September. The week after labor day is always dead. Even with Star Wars, by that point, so many people are tied up with school that it won't be a "madhouse."

I don't think the SW hype will extend as long as people think it will. What will actually happen by September is that SW LAND will be crowded daily, but the rest of the park and DCA should be pretty easily manageable.