Going to DL today, and dreading it.

[Iggipolka]

Can't believe I'm posting this, but my family is flying to DL today, Dec 28 and staying until Jan 2 and I'm dreading it.
We're only going b/c my neiece's high school band is marching on the 31st, otherwise, I'd never go at such a crowded time.

I'm trying to prepare myself and my 3&6 yr old girls for the crowds. My wife is a disabled vet with PTSD that gets triggered by crowds & noise. This just sounds like a total set up for her.

We are staying at GCH, so we can always head back there to escape, but I don't want to spend a DL trip holed up in a hotel (even a very nice one) with two young kids.

So hoping it will be better than I fear and we'll have some good times mixed in with the stress.

Packing my patience for sure!

Any other tips for managing the crowds?

 

[Indiana Scott]

I'm with you concerning the crowds but hey, at least your at DL!
Hope you have a good time.

 

[mom2rtk]

Honestly, if someone in my family had PTSD triggered by crowds and noise, I would never expect them to visit DL on New Year's Eve.

I hope you can make the most of it.

 

[NiceOneSimba]

Take advantage of the mornings, when it's less likely to be as crowded. DCA is usually less crowded than DL. Take advantage of things like The animation building in DCA, and the shows (Aladdin especially, since it's closing soon).

But, yeah, it's going to be super crowded.

There's always a movie in Downtown Disney, too

 

[FreshBakedDisney]

Crowds will be there. For sure. Set the expectation and understanding early that you will have trouble at some point so that when the time comes, you can be patient. Don't get angry or frustrated with the crowds. Most everyone is doing the best they can. Patience is THE most important thing. If someone cuts you off, let them. If someone stops in front of you. Wait for them to go again, or smoothly pass by without complaint. The less angry you get at the crowds, the more mellow and fun your experience will be.

 

[Bud Ice]

Have fun tho. I'd fastpass rides first. To avoid crowds, the Disney fireworks and parades can always be seen from Distance. At the entrance to Disneyland or from DTD. DCA is less crowded than Disneyland proper from what I've seen during the Christmas days. Disneyland is always most stuffy and crowded during parade times and the fireworks.

If you need a place to regroup, the Picnic area is normally quiet. It has lockers (most don't know about).

For evening, the GCH hosts singers during the evening hours. Also serves holiday drinks in the main hall. Quiet place is the big fireplace there or Hearthstone Lounge. For snacks, Whitewater Snacks are in a quiet nook of the hotel. Has seating area and good WiFi

 

[lvdis]

If you need a place to regroup, the Picnic area is normally quiet. It has lockers (most don't know about).

Where is the Picnic area located?

 

[Bud Ice]

Right as you get off the Mickey & Friends Shuttle. Theres a hedge to the left which has a sign that says Picnic Area. Very secluded and has tables, lockers, etc.

 

[lvdis]

Right as you get off the Mickey & Friends Shuttle. Theres a hedge to the left which has a sign that says Picnic Area. Very secluded and has tables, lockers, etc.

OK, so it's outside the parks. Is that on the side closest to the Harbor entrance or DTD? Thanks!

 

[RemainSeatedPlease]

When I am looking for a place to have a moment of peace with less crowds, I go to Tom Sawyer's Island. There will be people there as well of course, but it's not a sea of people like the rest of the parks can be, and there are often more quiet and secluded benches to have a seat and enjoy some natural beauty. It also has the benefit of being a fun place the kids can play around. If I were in your situation I think I would make the most of the mornings when it is least crowded, then spend an hour or two on Tom Sawyer's Island while eating lunch (I usually pack sandwiches made in the hotel room for this purpose, though I know some prefer eating in the parks), then go back to the hotel room for a rest. In the evenings I would have a table service dinner or specific show planned, so that you aren't wandering aimlessly through the heaviest crowds. If you want to ride rides in the evening, I would suggest going over to DCA for less crowds.

 

[Chris9ty]

I was reading the guest services guide before our trip- it lists rides with loud noises and suggests the First Aid stations if you need a break or to ask CM for suggestions on where to go. Watch videos of the rides to know what to expect.
We spent a lot of time in DCA- DL was packed in Oct- there were times the crowds in the walkway came to a standstill- every time we were by the rivers to the HM and in Tomorrowland.
Are fireworks/gunshot noises an issue? There are some on Pirates, Jungle Cruise, ToonTown Fireworks building, and probably a few others I can't recall. Make sure the kids know your phone number and know what to do if they get lost in the crowd.
Relax and enjoy the trip.

 

[goooof1]

Agree with getting there early and taking advantage of EMH.....way less crowded and you will be able to do lots before the crowds form. Go to Tom Sawyer's Island when it is busy.....generally not crowded and there are some nice peaceful areas and areas where the kids can have lots of fun. Ride the train and hang out downstairs at the Hungry Bear Restaurant overlooking ROA. In DL there are a few spots with "breathing room" that don't always jam-up. And, DCA will be less crowded or at least seem to be less crowded. Kids love the Redwood Creek Challenge area.....not crowded either. It will be crowded and if everyone is prepared, you can have a good time.....GCH is great and so close that it will not be a hassle going back periodically for a break.
Good luck and ENJOY!!

 

[Geemo]

The guest High School Bands are not part of the full Disneyland Parade. They generally come along the parade route shortly before the main parade.
I've also seen them march through in the middle of the day not being tied to a main parade.

Ask your niece what time they are set to start and from which direction.
In the few days before her march have an idea of the best spot for you and your family to watch.

If the stairs to the train station are open, I like to watch from there. With the elevation it help with the view.

Remember with the number of people that will be there NYE, the park may close due to capacity.
So if you leave the park, there is the possibility you may not be able to re-enter.
You're there! Try to enjoy the trip. If you have any other questions or need helpful hints.... Just ask.

Geemo

 

[ClaraOswald]

I hope your wife does okay. Even on a non-crowded day...I imagine the park could be overwhelming for someone with PTSD. Then add in NYE crowds, noisemakers, yelling, etc. Yikes.

I went once on NYE and that was enough for me. I don't have PTSD or anything like that. But I did have some panic moments in the crowds.

 

[MommyJKM]

We are staying at GCH, so we can always head back there to escape, but I don't want to spend a DL trip holed up in a hotel (even a very nice one) with two young kids. Any other tips for managing the crowds?

You're staying at the best hotel to be able to escape the crowds. Have you checked out what GCH offers for guests? For instance you can do a morning walk through DCA before it opens and that may help acclimate your wife with the quietness of the park (no children though so one of you would have to stay in the room with the kids). They also offer Trivia Challenges you can get at the front desk to take in the park. My niece is autistic and does NOT do well with loud noises and crowds and she LOVED doing the Trivia Challenge because she was able to distract herself. I understand your wife isn't a 16yr old girl, but it may be a nice distraction for her (and fun for the whole family).

You can leave DCA straight into GCH and not have to walk for miles. And if it gets to the point where you decided to stay at the hotel for the rest of the day/evening, they offer The Grand Quest where you can do a scavenger hunt in the hotel, the Art of the Hotel Tour of the hotel, movies in the evening on the lawn, the 6th floor WOC viewing (though not perfect - it's ideal if you want to skip the crowds at WOC) and great room service.

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/hotels/grand-californian-hotel/recreation/

If you go into the situation knowing you may need to escape the crowds - you'll do fine because you know you have other options of things to do.
Enjoy

 

[Disneyluvr2]

OK, so it's outside the parks. Is that on the side closest to the Harbor entrance or DTD? Thanks!

The picnic area is on the DTD side. Look for the big hedge that surrounds it. One of my favorite quiet places at the Grand is on the 3rd floor. There's a piano and lots of comfy chairs up there where you can sit and watch the lobby below. Grab a drink at the Hearthstone Lounge and go up and relax.

 

[Cagirl767]

A suggestion is if your dw wants to go back to the hotel, you can take one of the girls for some 1:1 time, go to Bug's Land or the castle walk through. At the Grand, I think they still have storytime in the lobby for the one left behind.
There's also Downtown Disney, you can go to Build a Bear, get a Frozen makeover, build a race car (is that still there?), get face painting done, go to the candy store. We watched the fireworks from there once, it wasn't terribly noisy and you can stand off to the side.

Some reprieves from the crowds may be the Monorail (ask to pilot up front), the train, the Mark Twain, the Main Street cars will go through the sea of people but maybe being inside the car or on the top deck of the double decker may bring some relief. Catch a show, go to Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, the ice cream parlor, the candy store, do some shopping when it gets crowded - looking at things other than people might divert you all from the crowds.

 

[bumbershoot]

I was reading the guest services guide before our trip- it lists rides with loud noises and suggests the First Aid stations if you need a break or to ask CM for suggestions on where to go.

Terrific idea. First Aid has quiet urgent-care-type beds in the back, all separated from each other. It's dark and quiet in there, and you can be on your own. I bet a vet with PTSD could go in and explain to the RNs* there what's happening and she would get access.

What a lovely suggestion, Chris9ty.



*yes, real RNs. One of the few things Walt Disney wanted that has remained, from what I've read.

 

[AZMermaid]

OP- how is it going?