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

[twodogs]

No matter which dates you choose, to me, the most critical things that YOU can control about the trip are going to every MM and EMH that you have (especially the 7AM openings, these are magical because many people just CANNOT get their **** together and get to the parks that early) and researching the heck out of MP. There are crowds all the time, and they are not predictable and consistent, as you can see by the responses to this thread. We have gone all different times of year to DLR and WDW, and it is just not easy to predict. Too many variables.

If you go early every day and you know how to maximize MP (there are many threads, including one I wrote when MP first came out that details every FP we got for several days and how it worked in real time), you can have a great trip no matter what “everyone else is doing”. Oh and MOBILE ORDER!!! Have a great trip!!!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

...(there are many threads, including one I wrote when MP first came out that details every FP we got for several days and how it worked in real time)...

@twodogs, can you link that thread here? I think the OP might learn a lot about MP-in-action by reading that!

 

[twodogs]

And if you can afford a VIP guide (“plaid”) for the day, DO IT! It can take so much pressure off the other days because you hit all the rides and shows that you really want on that day. We have done it several times at WDW, and it is is great. We don’t do it every trip due to cost. We haven’t done it at DLR because between the MM/EMH staying onsite and really maximizing MP, I don’t feel like I need a plaid at DLR now (though we almost got one our first trip because crowds were crazy and there was no MP yet and there were many refurbs going on). We are considering an October trip this year, and we will probably get a plaid for one day due to SWGE craziness.

 

[twodogs]

Don’t know how to do a fancy link but here it is!
https://www.disboards.com/threads/w...20-17-9-23-17-a-lot-and-some-mp-tips.3637270/

 

[NicholeB630]

No matter which dates you choose, to me, the most critical things that YOU can control about the trip are going to every MM and EMH that you have (especially the 7AM openings, these are magical because many people just CANNOT get their **** together and get to the parks that early) and researching the heck out of MP. There are crowds all the time, and they are not predictable and consistent, as you can see by the responses to this thread. We have gone all different times of year to DLR and WDW, and it is just not easy to predict. Too many variables.

If you go early every day and you know how to maximize MP (there are many threads, including one I wrote when MP first came out that details every FP we got for several days and how it worked in real time), you can have a great trip no matter what “everyone else is doing”. Oh and MOBILE ORDER!!! Have a great trip!!!

Thank you so much. Ill def read that link below about MP I def want to know what to do when I get there and not be confused!! We are def early risers and when we visited CA years ago we were up everyday at 4am LOL Damn 3 hour time change. But it will benefit us for sure at the parks.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Don’t know how to do a fancy link but here it is!
https://www.disboards.com/threads/w...20-17-9-23-17-a-lot-and-some-mp-tips.3637270/

Thank you for posting this!
To the OP: be encouraged by this thread -- Halloween Time is a crowded time in the parks. MHP makes for crowded evenings at DCA because non-party goers get kicked out of DL and have to go to DCA. With great MP skills and an organized plan, twodogs was able to get an average of 15 FPs per day using MP (and that doesn't count non-FP rides) -- that is WAY more than you thought you might be able to do during a crowded time in the parks.

 

[NicholeB630]

Thank you for posting this!
To the OP: be encouraged by this thread -- Halloween Time is a crowded time in the parks. MHP makes for crowded evenings at DCA because non-party goers get kicked out of DL and have to go to DCA. With great MP skills and an organized plan, twodogs was able to get an average of 15 FPs per day using MP (and that doesn't count non-FP rides) -- that is WAY more than you thought you might be able to do during a crowded time in the parks.

That is crazy how many they got!! It makes me nervous trying to figure it out at the park and not doing it right or not having good service but Ill do as much research as possible. Does the app alert you when you're able to make a new one or is it best to just set an alarm on your phone 90 after every MP you book? Or once we scan into a ride we can make another correct?!

 

[Skyegirl1999]

That is crazy how many they got!! It makes me nervous trying to figure it out at the park and not doing it right or not having good service but Ill do as much research as possible. Does the app alert you when you're able to make a new one or is it best to just set an alarm on your phone 90 after every MP you book? Or once we scan into a ride we can make another correct?!

This may help: https://www.disboards.com/threads/m...view-and-some-strategy.3726246/#post-60074882

Note that PP was there before Maxpass became as popular as it is now, so availability does run out sooner (it’s been creeping forward since I started tracking return times). It’s still a great system; just beware that PP’s experience would be... optimistic for a crowded day in 2019.

 

[V.I.N.CENT.]

BTW, I can totally relate to your struggle Currently planning our first WDW trip. Flip-flopped over several plans. Started with second week of December, switched to first week. Then switched to week before Thanksgiving, currently settled on Veterans Day week. This stuff can really drive you mad, but is a good distraction during the work day

 

[NicholeB630]

BTW, I can totally relate to your struggle Currently planning our first WDW trip. Flip-flopped over several plans. Started with second week of December, switched to first week. Then switched to week before Thanksgiving, currently settled on Veterans Day week. This stuff can really drive you mad, but is a good distraction during the work day

We went one year the second week of December and it was great. Other than it was freezing. Meaning hats, gloves and scarves for parade at night. And we live in VA so we deal with cold. Its currently 6 degrees here lol. Planning is so stressful. But its a good distraction.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

This may help: https://www.disboards.com/threads/m...view-and-some-strategy.3726246/#post-60074882

Note that PP was there before Maxpass became as popular as it is now, so availability does run out sooner (it’s been creeping forward since I started tracking return times). It’s still a great system; just beware that PP’s experience would be... optimistic for a crowded day in 2019.

Agree that as MP gets more and more popular, that FPs aren't as "bountiful" as they were in the beginning. But, the OP was last in DL during a crazy crowded time (right after New Year's) years ago and did 4 rides max all day. So I think we can almost guarantee that, even with Spring Break crowds, with good MP planning, her total rides per day should total quite a bit more than 4!

 

[NicholeB630]

Agree that as MP gets more and more popular, that FPs aren't as "bountiful" as they were in the beginning. But, the OP was last in DL during a crazy crowded time (right after New Year's) years ago and did 4 rides max all day. So I think we can almost guarantee that, even with Spring Break crowds, with good MP planning, her total rides per day should total quite a bit more than 4!

OK so I checked the March times. Everyday one of the parks open at 7am!!! Is this not normal? Is it something special for food and wine? I was thinking only park did that and you could only get in early one day at 7am. I did notice too that Thursdays have Magic morning at 7am But then it list under EMH at 7am too the same park. Why do they list both. Im not really sure I understand the point in the MM and being able to use it once during a 3 day trip if the EMH are 7am anyways?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

OK so I checked the March times. Everyday one of the parks open at 7am!!! Is this not normal? Is it something special for food and wine? I was thinking only park did that and you could only get in early one day at 7am. I did notice too that Thursdays have Magic morning at 7am But then it list under EMH at 7am too the same park. Why do they list both. Im not really sure I understand the point in the MM and being able to use it once during a 3 day trip if the EMH are 7am anyways?

7 am is probably because of peak Spring Break -- remember the two weeks before and two weeks after Easter, especially the week before and week after? Food & Wine here is nothing like Epcot's -- it's just way more relaxed here! Don't stress about it -- just enjoy it when you get here.
MM is only for those guests with multi-day tickets (3 days or more), which were purchased in advance and not at the ticket booths -- these guests are not staying on site. EE/EMH is a perk for all on site guests, no matter how many days they have on their tickets. If you stay on site for one day or for 20 days, you still have EE/EMH! MM and EE/EMH are both listed because DL has guests who are on site and guests who are not on site but have multi day tickets that came with one MM -- both kinds of guests are using that early hour entry privilege (Tue.,Thu.,Sat.). Does this make sense? And only DL (not DCA) has MM and EE/EMH together. DCA has no MM, only EE/EMH. Technically, this is only a matter of terminology. MM/EE/EMH all mean one hour early entry for certain guests, not all guests. So on any given day, some guests will have a one hour head start on other guests. And since you'll be staying on site, you'll be in the "head start" group!

 

[NicholeB630]

7 am is probably because of peak Spring Break -- remember the two weeks before and two weeks after Easter, especially the week before and week after? Food & Wine here is nothing like Epcot's -- it's just way more relaxed here! Don't stress about it -- just enjoy it when you get here.
MM is only for those guests with multi-day tickets (3 days or more), which were purchased in advance and not at the ticket booths -- these guests are not staying on site. EE/EMH is a perk for all on site guests, no matter how many days they have on their tickets. If you stay on site for one day or for 20 days, you still have EE/EMH! MM and EE/EMH are both listed because DL has guests who are on site and guests who are not on site but have multi day tickets that came with one MM -- both kinds of guests are using that early hour entry privilege (Tue.,Thu.,Sat.). Does this make sense? And only DL (not DCA) has MM and EE/EMH together. DCA has no MM, only EE/EMH. Technically, this is only a matter of terminology. MM/EE/EMH all mean one hour early entry for certain guests, not all guests. So on any given day, some guests will have a one hour head start on other guests. And since you'll be staying on site, you'll be in the "head start" group!

Ok that makes sense then. So most likely it will be 7am everyday when Im there? There week before Easter? If thats the case it kinda scares me because Id assume the early mornings are bc of crowds but at the same time I know everyone will not be up and ready at 7am. We will be good to go. We'll space our days apart so we aren't back to back up every morning at 6am!! Now if for some reason those 7am's go away the week were there and there is only the 7am for DL then thats the one morning we def want to do that correct?! I think Im understanding more haha. Whew so confusing.

I did read a article about the MM and EMH at Disneyland it wasn't very positive. Saying that because its early an extra hour for only certain people all those said people go because they think it will be less crowded and bc DL everything isn't open that it seems even more crowded right during that first hour and lines are super long right away? What are your thoughts on that? I mean as a DW vet Ive always found to get the most done those first two hours in the morning when using EMH which for DW is everyone thats staying at resorts which obviously is a lot because theres SO many resorts.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... I did read a article about the MM and EMH at Disneyland it wasn't very positive...

Where did you read that article? MM at DL can be very negative for those who don't know how to use it to their advantage -- waste it on the wrong ride or show up late or have totally unrealistic expectations and, ta da!, that's your MM down the drain! Here is a recent thread with a good example of how to waste your MM and how other posters make great use of theirs: Don’t Do This at Rope Drop - Peter Pan

 

[NicholeB630]

Where did you read that article? MM at DL can be very negative for those who don't know how to use it to their advantage -- waste it on the wrong ride or show up late or have totally unrealistic expectations and, ta da!, that's your MM down the drain! Here is a recent thread with a good example of how to waste your MM and how other posters make great use of theirs: Don’t Do This at Rope Drop - Peter Pan

This is what I think I read ,,,,https://www.tripsavvy.com/disneyland-magic-morning-1477847

 

[theluckyrabbit]

This is what I think I read ,,,,https://www.tripsavvy.com/disneyland-magic-morning-1477847

Well, before even reading the article, I question how authoritative the author can be if the lead photo for a DLR article is of Cinderella's Castle! And right away the author refers to MM inaccurately: "Magic Morning early entry gets you inside one park early each day..." No it doesn't -- MM only gets you into DL on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday (Christmas Week exceptions possible). MM never gets you into DCA. No wonder you're confused. Make your trip planning easier still and stop using these not-so-savvy resources -- if you want real DLR info, come to people who actually visit and know DLR! Don't rely on people who know WDW, visit DLR once, and claim to be experts on both. Not helpful.

ETA: That author recommends using the monorail for your MM! No one here recommends that because the monorail usually isn't open then. So there's your wasted MM as you twiddle your thumbs all by yourself at the locked monorail gate, while the other MM guests do rides in FL and TL without you! She also suggests Nemo for your MM -- that ride isn't always open first thing during MM (so that's another waste of precious time), and it's a SLOW loader, and a long ride. Total time suck for a MM and NOT recommended here. I wonder if that author even experienced ANY of her great advice -- it seems dubious. But no wonder she thinks MM isn't "positive" -- following her own advice, MM would be a total fail.

 

[NicholeB630]

Well, before even reading the article, I question how authoritative the author can be if the lead photo for a DLR article is of Cinderella's Castle! And right away the author refers to MM inaccurately: "Magic Morning early entry gets you inside one park early each day..." No it doesn't -- MM only gets you into DL on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday (Christmas Week exceptions possible). MM never gets you into DCA. No wonder you're confused. Make your trip planning easier still and stop using these not-so-savvy resources -- if you want real DLR info, come to people who actually visit and know DLR! Don't rely on people who know WDW, visit DLR once, and claim to be experts on both. Not helpful.

Ha thank you!!! Ok no more googling!!!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Ha thank you!!! Ok no more googling!!!

Just come here -- feel free to ask any and all questions. We promise to do our best to answer with the most updated info we have. (And we have DISers who visit DLR weekly -- so that's pretty updated info!) At least that way your trip planning info will be fairly consistent and a lot easier to organize! And... who knows? You might make some DIS friends whom you'll meet in the parks on your trip!

 

[twodogs]

This may help: https://www.disboards.com/threads/m...view-and-some-strategy.3726246/#post-60074882

Note that PP was there before Maxpass became as popular as it is now, so availability does run out sooner (it’s been creeping forward since I started tracking return times). It’s still a great system; just beware that PP’s experience would be... optimistic for a crowded day in 2019.

I agree, that was when MP first started and it was more plentiful and they lasted longer. However, we have been back a few times since then, and not at slow times (we got there January 2 this year!) and we have done really well. It is rare to even have downtime between FPs if you use it right. I feel I can actually do better than I did back then because I "refresh" more to see canceled FPs. Back then, if it showed "out for the day" or a really late return time, I was more willing to accept that. Now, I just keep refreshing for a few minutes to try to get something sooner or pick up a canceled FP for a ride that is "out for the day" on the paper machines. I didn't keep a minute by minute account on our trip last month of the FPs, but we had plenty and it was CROWDED! MP can make so much difference, even now with more people using it (and maybe with the recent price increase, those numbers will go back down a little).

Lastly, on early entry, DCA early entry is, to me, a much better option than DL early entry. That is because DCA is only for onsite guests, where DL is for onsite guests and anyone with at least a 3 day ticket. Also, all of DCA is open for early entry, whereas only FL and TL are open in DL.